Katie versus the Boys : Hangar Progress
There is no longer winter napping going on here. The rumble of the forced air heating system rouses us, and we spring from bed. No exaggeration. I’m not sure Martin and I have ever wanted something so badly as we want out of the tire house and into a cozy space of our own.
Early in the morning with new snow on the ground, we get started.
Martin brings up the air compressor. Pete rolls up his sleeves.
Pete is a carpenter we have hired to help us. He’s got mad skills, and he’s just a blast to be around.
His dog is also a kick to be around. This little guy loves to go outside to roll around in the snow and catch snowflakes on his tongue every few hours. He’s the sort of poochie that makes you think, “Boy, we need a dog!”
But first, we need a house. Back to work!
My first line of business is patching all the rips and punctures in the insulation. These spaces will all be blocked off by the framing that Martin and Pete are planning, so I don’t have time to dawdle. Or yack. Or catch snowflakes with the dog.
Chalk lines are drawn around the perimeter of our 750 square foot home. They’ll be really useful for squaring the whole home up when the boys start framing. Chalk lines also help us get exact measurements. No more approximating around here.
Meanwhile, I’m still tapping. I’m on roll #2, and I think the boys have a plan.
Egads! The above picture made it painfully obvious. I need to seal the seams between the ceiling insulation before it gets closed up. All the old tape was peeling off. (Either that or a few silver snakes dangling from the ceiling were thinking of chomping off Pete’s nose.)
Goodbye old silver snakes. Hello freshly sealed ceiling panels. Omph. And hello stiff neck that silently complained for the next 12 hours and made me tip my head quite awkwardly in the post office while mailing your journal packages.
Can’t wait for Pete and Martin’s plans to come together; I think it’s going to be awesome!
While we wait, maybe you can help me. After work tonight, my task is “start researching light fixtures we want and can afford.” Tips? Suggestions? Your dream lights? We’d love to steal your ideas. I mean “be inspired by” your ideas. ;)
January 18th, 2012 at 11:52 am
You are so funny, and so silly, even when you are serious.
Wait, I mean that in a good way.
Hmm. I’ll have to noodle on the light fixture ideas. Just please promise me – no nasty $10 flourescent kitchen lights. You know, those old rectangular ones that hum and buzz? :)
January 18th, 2012 at 11:56 am
No worries, Jane. Considering the fuss we make about how loud the heating system at the tire house is, I think buzzing lights are on the no way Jose list. :)
January 18th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I once looked at a site Nicole, from Making it Lovely, cited as a source for many of her fixtures: Schoolhouse Electric http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com There are some really gorgeous pieces there! Some are really pricey, but some not. They also have a large sale section. I’ve always thought that if we move back to the US then I’d want to have a few things from them.
She’s also cited this source: http://www.vintagetub.com
January 18th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
I’m big on Ikea, salvage yards, and some of the home depot/lowes industrial fixtures could look great in your space. Also do a google for lighting store outlet stores in your area. I know you’re rural, so don’t forget ebay and craigslist, too. We did LED strip lighting in our kitchen, and are using LED bulbs in just about all our interior/exterior lights. LOVE them vs compact florescent, and the electrical costs plus no heat build up is awesome too.
January 18th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
what’s your style Katie? oh, nevermind… i forgot that i can just go stalk you on Pinterest! i’ll make a board and tag you on it so you can see my ideas/suggestions; how does that sound? oooo i’m excited now!
January 18th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
soooo crazy awesome, Amy!
Here’s the link to her braininess in action:
http://pinterest.com/entegans/for-making-this-home/
January 18th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
I have been enjoying these posts about your hangar remodel. My husband, myself, and my father-in-law finished building our house last Fall, which had me asking the same questions you’ve been posing!
As for lights, don’t go cheap! Or fluorescent, yuck. We didn’t have a huge budget so all of our lights are either salvaged from the house we tore down (long story) or what we found locally. I think we live in the same geographic area, so I’m (somewhat) familiar with what is available locally. If you can (and want to) get to a Home Depot or a Lowe’s, or even your local hardware shop; there’s a lot of surprisingly good looking fixtures that won’t blow the budget.
My husband and I experimented with track lighting once and it was a huge failure. Then again, we had NO IDEA what we were doing – not like we have much idea now, ha – but we’ve stayed away from that and went with the brushed nickel non-track lighting look. We have brushed nickel fixtures in all of our living areas, and the bathrooms have these lovely two-light fixtures that accent the vanity nicely and provide enough light.
January 18th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
You’ve got to checkout curbly.com for affordable and DIY home ideas — it’s truly awesome!
January 18th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Amy, I love your choices for Katie and Martin’s house. Nice colors and that wood slice wall is very cool and I’m not so much a rustic wood person.
January 18th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
I’m not the person to ask about design and whatnot, but I always wish we had recessed lights. We live an old house and nearly all our lighting is from lamps. The kids are so hard on the lamps – we go through way too many light bulbs from lamps being bumped into. We can’t use the CFLs because they are so hazardous if they get broken. And we aren’t going to pay $20 for an LED bulb that gets broken in a few months. Not that you have kids, but it’s something to think about.
January 18th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
awesome advice, Mother of Pearl. We were just talking about recessed lighting.
And Julia, thanks for the link!
January 19th, 2012 at 10:52 am
someone else suggested it but I will add in my voice that home depot or lowes have some surprisingly good options–and don’t forget to think outside the box. Some of those “exterior” lights actually look great inside and can be much more affordable. But it depends on the look you are going for…
January 19th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Tovah, we’re leaning a little toward an outdoor/industrial light vibe with recessed, I think.
It’s like you all ready my mind. :)
January 19th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Remember, you can somewhat alter the appearance of a ugly fixture. Back when we were putting in our lights we found some hideous gold light fixtures for super cheap. Some bronze metal-like spray paint and new glass covers made a world of difference. Also, sometimes it’s possible to build your own lights if you have the time and desire. Happy light hunting :)
January 23rd, 2012 at 8:11 am
I second the salvage yard or Habitat for Humanity Re-Store ideas. I also second the Recessed Lighting ideas, especially for smaller spaces. We have them and I love them!