Privacy Please!

Even though the Master Bedroom and Bathroom are officially finished (at least as far as the construction goes!) there is still some fine tuning to be done. Remember those UGLY windows?

The UGLY window

The plastic, textured ones that blocked the view but didn't pass code? We had them replaced with clear glass that was tempered and double paned. Much nicer looking, I must say. But there was a privacy issue. This ain't no peep show, people. You could actually SEE inside the bathroom from the front of the cabin. Yikes. We can't have that, now can we? No indeedy. The first (and temporary) solution was to hang some panels that I bought at a discount outlet.

The temporary, dark, cheap, window panels

They were 50 cents each, and I bought 6 for each window. At 3 windows, that's 18 panels for only 9 smackers. The problem was that 3 were needed for each side of the window, creating space between the panels that you had to arrange carefully every time you closed them to avoid being able to see in. It was annoying. It was also dark. We spent lots of cash to change those textured windows to upgraded clear, double paned, up-to-code ones, and I didn't want to hide them. So, I went to my favorite little fabric shop and found tons of fabric that would be just perfect for only a dollar a yard! I bought 20 yards, which was enough for all the windows and also a matching shower curtain. Score.

New curtains closed

New curtains open!

After sewing the window panels, I hung them on rods and rings. Its so easy now to open and close them, and no worries about anyone seeing in. I haven't made the shower curtain yet, but that will be my next sewing project.

My next project (other than sewing a shower curtain) is to paint a large mirror to hang above the master bathroom vanity. We currently have one up just so that the bathroom is functional, but it's not nearly large enough for two sinks. More on that later!

Gotta go and celebrate my hubby's birthday. It's officially on Monday, but we are celebrating this weekend with our sons and daughters in law. Fun times!

Supermooned

Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day. The humidity was low, and the temperature was not too high. At least for here in the ATL.  So it was perfect for viewing the perigree moon, or supermoon as non-pros like to call it.

My hubby had to work, so I went by myself to the park to do my moon viewing. We have so many trees here in the neighborhood that you can't really see anything unless it's way up high in the center of the sky, so off I went to a more open space. It was surprising to see so many folks there with cameras, waiting for the moon to rise so that they could enjoy it, and capture it with their cameras. Which, by the way, ranged from iPhones to huge, professional things with long lenses. Color me jealous.

Anyway, when I arrived at the park, the moon was already up and it was still daylight.

Supermoon Rising

Moon with a large Georgia Pine

I like this composition. Also played around with the saturation and contrast.

Moon with birds flying

Two for the price of one!

Supermoon Nest

As I walked around the park, the sun set and the moon rose and I was in awe. It was a lovely evening. God's creation is always inspiring to me! When I was a kid, my dad bought us a telescope and taught us about the stars, showed us the constellations, and stayed up with us to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower from our backyard.  I credit him with my love of science. This one's for you, Dad!

Masterful Master

The original owners of the cabin had started a reno, and couldn't finish it. It was really scary to see it in the state that I first saw it in. The master bedroom had the roof, outside walls, and subflooring, and nothing else.

Master Bedroom Before

This is how it looked before anything was done. For some reason, the ceiling was planned so that there would be a flat ceiling, instead of a vault. That was the first thing I wanted to change. The second thing was that the two windows in the corner were textured plexiglass, and hideously ugly. I mean, I'm all for privacy in the bath, but it looked so cheap. And it was dangerous! You could actually put your hand on the plexiglass and move the plastic back and forth because it was so thin. If you fell against the window while getting out of the bath, you would surely go straight through. Not that anyone would see you, except for the deer. It  didn't pass code either, so it had to go. Anyway, we got our contractor to take down the flat ceiling joists and vault the ceiling. He added new insulation (goodbye old, dirty, nasty insulation!), new electrical stuff, plumbing, heating and air outlets, and of course all the finishes.

Getting started! Notice the ceiling has been raised! So excited about that.

New electric work

New electric box

This is the linen closet located in the bathroom. :)

Master Closet

Love those high ceilings!

Little better view of how high the ceilings are. Why would anyone NOT want that?

Looking from the bedroom into the bathroom on left, and closet in right.

Progress!

Where the tub will go.

Where the vanity will go.

Now all the walls and done!

Walls and windows, and also spotlights in!

Got the tub in, but notice those UGLY windows!

Bathroom linen closet, with door to the water closet.

Nice walk-in closet.

Walk-In Closet before the flooring was in.

We added a faux-antler chandy.

Another view with the light on.

Bathroom vanity is in, and so is the tub.

The vanity was a steal at Home Depot! It was clearanced out for about $800, including granite top, the sinks, and soft close doors. Score!!!

I love this tub! Love, love, love!! You can see the horrible textured glass better here.

Linen closet.

Water Closet!

Shower. I chose the acrylic surround that has no grout or caulk. I hate cleaning caulk and grout!

Shelves in the closet!

Our contractor, William, is truly a master. He was great to work with, and very knowledgeable about all things related to building and floor plans. My hat is off to him! He guided us through things I had never thought about, like which way doors should open, and where to put electrical outlets and switches. It was his idea to angle the linen closet to open up the space, then angle the tub to mirror the angle of the closet. It looks really great.

So, we are officially done with construction in the master, but there are several things still left to be finished. Furniture, for one thing! We need a mirror to go over the vanity (we have a temporary puny one up for now). And window treatments, and some pretty finishing touches. Rustic, and appropriate for a cabin, tho, of course!

This is such a long post, but I'm trying to catch up on the construction part in one post. More on the finishing up of the master later. Stay tuned!

Boring To-Do List

Here's from the last To-Do List, and the updates::

• Meet the guy who will be building a retaining wall, and get an estimate for the total cost. We found an AWESOME dude to build our wall! All finished and it's amazing.
• Get a gutter guy, and have gutters repaired. Gutters done.
• Have the threshold repaired. Also done.
• Polyurethane the Dining Room ceiling, walls, and floor. Done
• Polyurethane the Temporary Master bump-out. Done
• Hang curtain panels in the Temporary Master. Done
• Polyurethane the ironing board cabinet. Done
• Find a shelf for the Basement Bathroom, and hang it for towel storage. Done
• Take chest, sofa, end tables, rugs, TVs, and lamps up. Possibly rent a truck next week. Done
• Measure Master Bedroom and write it all out on graft paper. Done, and Master is finished!
• Take Master Bedroom measurements to Lowe's so we can choose our cabinet and fixtures. Done
• Buy a Towel Storage Cabinet for the main floor bathroom. Done
• Paint my Granny's bed. Decided to leave it unpainted, but cleaned it all up.
• Decide on light control for the Loft Bedroom. Shades? Or new panels that are room darkening? Still gotta do this one.
• Make curtain for Basement Bedroom. Done. Found at Goodwill for $15!
• Install window (or at least glass) for privacy in Loft Bedroom. Still gotta do.
• Check bait stations, and add bait if necessary. Don't want another Mouse War!! This is going to be a continuing issue. But so far, we have only had one incident. And we won. :)

Next post will be taking a step-by-step process of what all we have done in the last year. With pictures.

Catching Up

Well. It's been over a year, and we have made so much progress. There has not been a post on this blog in a looooong time! So, it's time for me to do a catch up post!

We have finished the Master Bedroom and Bath, had another battle with the mice trying to take over, had a deck built all the way across the back of the cabin, added two screened porches, and many other things!

We created a signature drink for our cabin! It's called the Purple Mountain Majesty, and basically it's sparkling blackberry lemonade. Yummy!

Our cabin will have a name. Is that corny? Maybe so, but I don't care. It's name will be Hunterston, after my hubby's grandfather, who's last name was Hunter. More on that later.

Something exciting happened at the cabin in October. Our son proposed to his girlfriend on the deck! They are now happily married newlyweds. The wedding was in the most beautiful place~~Big Sur, California. She's a California Girl, and it was the perfect choice for a lovely destination wedding.

OK, that's all for tonight. :)

To Do's Done!

I love checking off a to-do list! We have accomplished so many things that aren't even on the list, but here are the big things:

• Install Electric Outlet for Fridge Done!
• Clean Basement Carpet Done!
• Clean Basement Bathroom Done!
• Find Out Why Back Door is Leaking and Repair Hiring this one out!
• Polyurethane Dining Room Ceiling, Walls, and Floor Waiting on the above to be done.
• Pick Up Furniture from Clarkesville and Move It In Done!
• Meet Lowe's Appliance Installers Done!
• Pressure Wash Driveway (Old Part) Half-done. Pressure washer broke. :(
• Pressure Wash Porch Same as above. :(
• Buy Towels, Sheets, and Pillows Done!
• Repair Outside Back Faucet Better, but still leaking a bit...
• Find a Way to Get Our Cell Phones To Work!! (Maybe Transfer Service to Verizon) Done!

There are several new things to add. So here's the new to-do list:

• Meet the guy who will be building a retaining wall, and get an estimate for the total cost.
• Get a gutter guy, and have gutters repaired.
• Have the threshold repaired.
• Polyurethane the Dining Room ceiling, walls, and floor.
• Polyurethane the Temporary Master bump-out.
• Hang curtain panels in the Temporary Master.
• Polyurethane the ironing board cabinet.
• Find a shelf for the Basement Bathroom, and hang it for towel storage.
• Take chest, sofa, end tables, rugs, TVs, and lamps up. Possibly rent a truck next week.
• Measure Master Bedroom and write it all out on graft paper.
• Take Master Bedroom measurements to Lowe's so we can choose our cabinet and fixtures.
• Buy a Towel Storage Cabinet for the main floor bathroom.
• Paint my Granny's bed.
• Decide on light control for the Loft Bedroom. Shades? Or new panels that are room darkening?
• Make curtain for Basement Bedroom.
• Install window (or at least glass) for privacy in Loft Bedroom.
• Check bait stations, and add bait if necessary. Don't want another Mouse War!!

Father's Day

Father's Day. A day to celebrate the dads who do so much for us, with their hard work, love, and continuing help, whether it be a kind word of advice, or swinging a hammer to help you fix something that broke. What would we do without our dads? God bless them!

We celebrated by having our oldest son and daughter-in-law and our youngest son and his girlfriend up to the cabin for the weekend. We are finally fully functional! Yippee! It was quite an ordeal to get the appliances in. Hubby had to call and yell at the people to get someone out and finish the job...it took 2 weeks to get it done. We also had a whole house filter installed for the well (no more mud baths!), and also got the mattresses in. So~~we have 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms that work, as well as all appliances, and clean water. It's so exciting! I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing this cabin come back to life!

Kitchen with ALL the appliances!!

Temporary Master.
 (We will soon start on the half finished one.)

Loft Bedroom

Basement Bedroom

On Sunday afternoon, we all went to Falls Branch Falls. The weather was lovely, and the cool mountain air a delight.

Falls Creek

Falls Branch Falls

Rhododendron blooming along the trail

Purple Coneflower

For Father's Day, our sons took us out to Harvest On Main, a wonderful restaurant in downtown Blue Ridge. It was very yummy. The grounds are planted with herbs and flowers. Quite a nice effect, don't you think?

I want to keep this in mind for the cabin next year. Daisies would be pretty thrown in the mix. White always adds a little sparkle, and what goes better with a cabin than daisies?

Purple Coneflower, Phlox, and Salvia

Sunrise

We were treated to a lovely sunrise! This is the view at 6 a.m. from our deck:

Sunrise from the Deck

I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day!