The North Side

I'm not sure if any of you remember, but we made a modification to the master bedroom ensuite last summer. The walls were up, the roof was on but the gable end wasn't complete and we loved the effect of the light coming in. So, we splurged for additional windows up in the gables. From the inside, they're above our master suite shower area. We got the windows and the reality is, that from the inside, huge disappointment...basically extra work and cost for very minimal benefit (from the inside). However, there is a good news story here... as I was perusing the site, checking out the siding, I couldn't help but loving our northern "elevation"... the siding is gorgeous, and the "boys" did something neat with a beadboard ceiling and beam, essentially bringing the inside out, (I wonder if they did it on purpose) and then we have the eyebrows created by these indirect lighting windows we added at the last minute. Check it out!

The Boys of Mystery Hill

Not to be confused with our cats (affectionately known as the boys), these boys are the incredible human boys building our new home. The team includes Sebastien's cousin-in-law, Michel, who commutes from Gatineau. Without his support, Seb might not have been brave enough to do this without a general contractor. Our team expanded last summer when we hired Richard and his right hand man, John, to help with the ICF foundation and bedroom wing. Richard and John were so good, that Seb asked them to stay for the duration. Richard is a general contractor who Seb says knows everything about everything and is very precise (ie. anal) to boot which means we know we're going to have a house that will outlast us both. Richard's team expanded to include Mike and then Riley and all of them have been truly critical to our success because they have tons of experience building custom homes and we're really lucky to have them on our project.

This is Michel cutting siding for the back of the house.



This is Mike (lower level of scaffolding) and Riley (higher up) putting siding on great room.



This is a pic of Michel and John posing for me. Sadly, Richard wasn't around when I took these pictures so I'll have to get to him another time. Anyways, these guys rock and we'd recommend them for anything but not until they're done at Mystery Hill!

Strapping

This is the room above the garage which is now ready for dry-walling (which starts tomorrow). The wood is called strapping and its what you attach the dry wall to.

Seafoam Green Insulation

Love the colour...we hired someone to spray foam insulation. This is the garage, the master bedroom bay window and the garage to basement staircase.

Wired

I don't know what these pictures represent. Seb took them. They look important. By the way, did we mention that Seb passed his electrical inspection? This might be electrical stuff...?

(The orange tubes are the radiant floor heating, this I know.)

Taking Sides

IRON MOUNTAIN ROCKS!!! After all the debate on siding colour and style (horizontal vs vertical and if latter, plain or board and batten), and then making a large somewhat permanent decision sight unseen, it is a relief to see how fabulous the siding looks. I love it. It goes perfectly with the matching soffets, and the steel fascia. The guys started on the north side of the house behind the garage while they perfected their technique but all evidence suggests they were experts from day one!

Mystery Hill Status Report

Yippee! We passed our electrical inspection. Seb did the electrical himself after our electrician bailed on us so this represents quite an accomplishment. That means all the framing, hvac, plumbing and wiring are done so we're getting ready for DRYWALL! This is going to make a huge difference for the interior.

Our siding arrived (recall the Iron Mountain colour dilemna) but the guys haven't started putting it up because they're focused on interior and prepping for the drywallers. But the siding will also make for a significant sign of progress when its done.

We are in the final stages of ordering our kitchen. We're going to work with Carleton Kitchen Creations in Carleton Place. We really like the designer and their product line. The design is almost finalized and we should be ordering shortly.

Seb is also planning to do the septic and dig the swimming pool in August. Cousin Jenny's John (remember foundation and cement work from last summer) will be back on the job and we cant wait to see him. And of course, in true Seb style, we're ordering a pool kit and doing it ourselves. By we, I mean the royal we, the only thing I'm doing is picking the liner. Done. :-)

It is still very uncertain as to getting in by Xmas. But fingers crossed... we'll get there...

Pics to come when there are bigger changes to highlight.