New England Bound

After spending two wonderful weeks with our sweet new grandbaby in Utah, On June 25th, we were on our way! We were quite the sight making our way out to the rental car building on the shuttle with six suitcases at 11:30 pm. At 1:00 am, we arrived at our rental home and as quietly as possible (though we quickly learned that you can quite clearly hear everything on the street...we sincerely apologize to all the neighbors!) we brought in our suitcases and started life in Newburyport.

Our first rental in Newburyport was on Middle Street. We were the top two floors.

We were to stay on Middle Street until the end of July, when we would then move into our finished home. However, that's not quite what happened....

Renovations...part two

Things are moving along! We walked into the house and I said, "Oh, everything looks so beautiful" I think our contractor thinks I am a little crazy. But, we can envision how it is going to turn out...even while in shambles!

There has been quite a bit of clean-up for electrical and plumbing. There were 42 electrical junction boxes throughout the house...17 of those were shoved right next to the front door. We don't know why. Some of the plumbing pipes went from 3" to 4" back to 3"...a definite no.

We are so grateful for our contractor - he is beyond amazing, nothing rattles him! He has so much experience with these older homes, but there have been a few things uncovered that have even made him wonder what in the world has gone on over the years! If only the walls could talk!

We were able to gain 6" in the family room ceiling, which is very important when they are only 7' high...7 1/2 is fabulous!

The original stairs to the attic were very narrow and steep (we affectionately called them "the ladder") and the only access was through the master bedroom...not ideal. When you are renovating a older home and change something, like the stairs, they then need to adhere to current code. For the stairs, that means 3' wide. A tall order when your home is not very large! We had gone to the store to purchase a measuring tape and got the 16' tape because there isn't a room bigger than that! So, it was going to be a little tricky. Our contractor worked tirelessly on figuring out the stairs going to the attic and got them to fit! He is the best!

Another fun thing that was discovered, was that the future powder room sat on bare dirt...no foundation! Welp, that will be rectified...concrete will be poured.

Our cozy colonial cottage is going to be amazing...I just know it!

The hole for the stairs to go to the attic...there has never been such a beautiful sight!

Renovations...part one

Renovations have begun and we couldn't be more thrilled!

It was so wonderful to walk in and see the progress! It helps when you can put eyes on all the changes and see what you would like to do or change.

Originally, the powder room was in the dining room (3rd picture down). We really didn't love it, but didn't feel like there was a different place for it...until Bryan had a brilliant idea! Off the kitchen, near the stairs, was a very small room where the washer and dryer were located. Earlier, we had decided to move the washer and dryer downstairs to the basement and convert the little space into a pantry. Here is where Bryan's genius came into play...he suggested that we make the space into the powder room! It is the perfect size! It will be a much better location than where everyone is eating :) It also gave us more room in the dining room/library which will be welcomed.

I love building and renovating with Bryan, we make a great team and have such a good time with it all.

Heading back out to NBPT on the 18th...more to show then!