Random thought exchange

Built-ins are completed
08.20.2010
House

We never really liked what Primont Homes had done in our family room. They created a bulkhead for the vents, but on the left-side of the fireplace it was about 11″, and on the right-side it was about 27″. It never really made any sense, and it always looked off. In addition, the fireplace was about 24″ deep, and stuck out of the wall like a sore thumb.

Before picture

For about 2-years Rosalee and I debated what we should do in the family room to make it look more polished. We drew up at least half a dozen ideas, and we finally figured out exactly what we wanted to do. Our initial idea was to build cabinets on both sides of the fireplace, and then bookshelf the other wall. But then we moved the television off the fireplace and put it on a folding table along the other wall. We lived with it there for about 4-months and decided that we liked that layout much better. The TV wasn’t so high, and we were utilizing the floor space better. It also allowed us more room to play Wii!

So we were off to find two things. 1, a person to build what we wanted; and 2, a nicer tv stand than a folding table.

I was in contact with Black Diamond Construction (Facebook fan page) regarding landscaping and patio, and found out that Colin, the owner, also does home renovation projects. We hired him to do the construction, and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. He took our vision, and made it happen. The framing and drywall that Primont Homes had done was uneven. Colin had to do a lot of repair and fixing to get the shelving to look right.

Colin built the shelves off-site, brought them in and attached them, then did a lot of framing to make both sides of the wall the same width, then he did the drywall and a ton of plastering to be able to bring the wall on the left-side out to the same depth. Applied the trim, and then painted.

The work kicked up quite a bit of dust, but we’ve since cleaned all that up.

As this was going on, Rosalee and I started the search for the perfect media console. We ended up at The Country Store near Bayview and Eglinton. They have a company they contract in northern Ontario that custom manufactures furniture. We were happy with one of the styles they had in their showroom, and ordered it. They told us 4-6 weeks, and it turned out to take about 12 weeks. Having said that, we’re VERY happy with the unit we ordered.

After picture 1

After picture 1

You might also notice that we removed the ceiling fixture and put in pot-lights. We did that about 16-months ago through Alex Moldings. As well, the 2 chairs in the original photo are now in our living room, and we bought the new chairs from HomeSense. We also took down the paper “blinds” and put up California Shutters from Jeffrey Paul Home Improvement Co. (416.436.3926, jeffsap@aci.on.ca).

Related posts:

Framing is good
The bricklayers continued
Boxing day madness! (part deux)
We have framing

The last month
01.14.2008
House, News

The last month has been completely chaotic. We’ve taken posession of the new digs, moved, unpacked nearly everything, had a ton of trades come and go, had a bunch of people come in to give us quotes for things that we want done, and whatnot.  Pretty crazy if you ask me…

I should have some pictures to post soon…

Related posts:

Lot #128
House update!

The bricklayers continued
11.03.2007
House

We went by the house, and noticed that the bricklayers continued their great work. We’re nearly completed with that part of the construction.

Here are some pictures.

Side Stone work Front Rear/side

Related posts:

Lot #128
Construction is moving along
House update!
Framing is good
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The bricks are ‘in use’
10.31.2007
House, News

Finally. Nearly a month of waiting for the bricks to be put to use.

We almost have 2 full walls completed, and they’ve only been working on it for 2 days. Amazing! At this rate, they should have it finished by the end of the weekend.

Check out the bricks, and tell me what you think.

Bricks Bricks

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Chapsticks were received
The last month

The door has been removed
10.31.2007
House, Rants

So I just came back from checking on the house. The door from the garage into the house has been removed!

Apparently there isn’t enough room (according to the city inspector) to park a car because of the amount of space the stairs would take up.

BAH! Totally sucks. I guess I’ll install one afterwards.

Door removal

Related posts:

Lot #128
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House update!
I got parallels v3 audio and isight working!
Built-ins are completed

Bricks, stones and vents
10.22.2007
House

Well, we’ve had bricks for 3 weeks now. They’ve been sitting there, on skids for 3 weeks! Not touched. Not moved. When are they going to do something?We have the venting installed too.The house is starting to look like it’s coming together, but I’m not convinced that it will close on time. I have my doubts about them being able to have it done in 2 months. Guess we’ll see…
bricks bricks stones house and stones house w/ vents

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The door has been removed
Lot #128
The Toronto Maple Leafs
Computer problem

We have shingles (not the bad kind)
10.02.2007
House, Videos

I was in the area around 7 p.m., so I decided to drive by the house because there was still light out. To my surprise, the roofer was up there, and about to start putting the shingles up!

Check out the video for the first shingle being put on. Sniff – it’s beautiful!
The roofer about to put the first shingle on.

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Shave everywhere?!

Framing is good
09.30.2007
House, Videos

Rosalee and I headed over to the house today to check out the progress. We have windows, and front doors. I was able to get into the house and take a look at the framing. Everything looks how it should – which is a good sign.

Take a look at the video.

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dmpp : David Michael Pisarek Productions | I have many years (since 1991) developing, maintaining, and designing web sites for people, small business, corporations, and enterprises. I have also many years of photography, database design, video editing, audio editing, internet streaming, broadcasting, and webcam deployment experience. Contact me for more information about the services that I can provide to you or your company. Toronto Ontario Canada web design webdesign graphic design databases html dhtml portfolio canada loves ny canada loves new york durham college university of ontario institute of technology design programming software operating systems hardware computer sales consulting adobe photoshop macromedia flash cgi javascript lingo maxscript mysql perl homesite corel draw 3d studio max quark xpress express microsoft windows apple osx macintosh iphone linux operational excellence the crossways complex art of noise dmpp.net davidpisarek.com canadalovesny.com dtworx incorporated web manager web master professor ceo networking cat5 cat 5 5e webcam ftp update site development develop Thornhill Richmond Hill Oshawa Whitby GTA Greater Toronto Area Pickering Ajax North York Downsview ralph gerhardt Ralph Gerhardt dmpp : David Michael Pisarek Productions | I have many years (since 1991) developing, maintaining, and designing web sites for people, small business, corporations, and enterprises. I have also many years of photography, database design, video editing, audio editing, internet streaming, broadcasting, and webcam deployment experience. Contact me for more information about the services that I can provide to you or your company. Toronto Ontario Canada web design webdesign graphic design databases html dhtml portfolio canada loves ny canada loves new york durham college university of ontario institute of technology design programming software operating systems hardware computer sales consulting adobe photoshop macromedia flash cgi javascript lingo maxscript mysql perl homesite corel draw 3d studio max quark xpress express microsoft windows apple osx macintosh iphone linux operational excellence the crossways complex art of noise dmpp.net davidpisarek.com canadalovesny.com dtworx incorporated web manager web master professor ceo networking cat5 cat 5 5e webcam ftp update site development develop Thornhill Richmond Hill Oshawa Whitby GTA Greater Toronto Area Pickering Ajax North York Downsview ralph gerhardt Ralph Gerhardt dmpp : David Michael Pisarek Productions | I have many years (since 1991) developing, maintaining, and designing web sites for people, small business, corporations, and enterprises. I have also many years of photography, database design, video editing, audio editing, internet streaming, broadcasting, and webcam deployment experience. Contact me for more information about the services that I can provide to you or your company. Toronto Ontario Canada web design webdesign graphic design databases html dhtml portfolio canada loves ny canada loves new york durham college university of ontario institute of technology design programming software operating systems hardware computer sales consulting adobe photoshop macromedia flash cgi javascript lingo maxscript mysql perl homesite corel draw 3d studio max quark xpress express microsoft windows apple osx macintosh iphone linux operational excellence the crossways complex art of noise dmpp.net davidpisarek.com canadalovesny.com dtworx incorporated web manager web master professor ceo networking cat5 cat 5 5e webcam ftp update site development develop Thornhill Richmond Hill Oshawa Whitby GTA Greater Toronto Area Pickering Ajax North York Downsview ralph gerhardt Ralph Gerhardt dmpp : David Michael Pisarek Productions | I have many years (since 1991) developing, maintaining, and designing web sites for people, small business, corporations, and enterprises. I have also many years of photography, database design, video editing, audio editing, internet streaming, broadcasting, and webcam deployment experience. Contact me for more information about the services that I can provide to you or your company. Toronto Ontario Canada web design webdesign graphic design databases html dhtml portfolio canada loves ny canada loves new york durham college university of ontario institute of technology design programming software operating systems hardware computer sales consulting adobe photoshop macromedia flash cgi javascript lingo maxscript mysql perl homesite corel draw 3d studio max quark xpress express microsoft windows apple osx macintosh iphone linux operational excellence the crossways complex art of noise dmpp.net davidpisarek.com canadalovesny.com dtworx incorporated web manager web master professor ceo networking cat5 cat 5 5e webcam ftp update site development develop Thornhill Richmond Hill Oshawa Whitby GTA Greater Toronto Area Pickering Ajax North York Downsview ralph gerhardt Ralph Gerhardt dmpp : David Michael Pisarek Productions | I have many years (since 1991) developing, maintaining, and designing web sites for people, small business, corporations, and enterprises. I have also many years of photography, database design, video editing, audio editing, internet streaming, broadcasting, and webcam deployment experience. Contact me for more information about the services that I can provide to you or your company. Toronto Ontario Canada web design webdesign graphic design databases html dhtml portfolio canada loves ny canada loves new york durham college university of ontario institute of technology design programming software operating systems hardware computer sales consulting adobe photoshop macromedia flash cgi javascript lingo maxscript mysql perl homesite corel draw 3d studio max quark xpress express microsoft windows apple osx macintosh iphone linux operational excellence the crossways complex art of noise dmpp.net davidpisarek.com canadalovesny.com dtworx incorporated web manager web master professor ceo networking cat5 cat 5 5e webcam ftp update site development develop Thornhill Richmond Hill Oshawa Whitby GTA Greater Toronto Area Pickering Ajax North York Downsview ralph gerhardt Ralph Gerhardt