More Photos of the Completed Addition

Interior view - looking towards the new addition

Interior view - looking towards the new addition and screened porch

Interior view - new Heat N Glo Twilight II indoor/outdoor gas fireplace

New screened porch and see-through fireplace

Interior Progress

This view at left is almost the same as the one in the upper right corner of my blog title. You can see the new archways (where the old exterior wall was removed) and extra space. We moved the sliding door to the new exterior wall.






Below are the Ikea cabinets that make up the new kitchen island. This island seperates the kitchen and living/dining areas. The cabinet fronts are temporary - a cabinet maker is making custom door and drawer fronts in oil-finished cherry. The walls at the ends of the island will be finished with tile (the same as the backsplash) and there will be square cherry "legs" at the corners. The wall shown below is 6" higher than the counter and will wrap around the back side of the counter top to shield the sink from the living/dining area. It will be topped with a granite bar top.

The side of the island facing the living/dining areas (in progress at left) has open cherry shelves and wine storage. I higher bar top on the left side of the column will shield the sink counter from view. The granite counter top at the right side of of the column will overhang the shelves to allow for counter seating.

There will be two open cherry shelves above the range (between the overhead cabinets) on the back wall of the kitchen.

We moved the old bar top to the screened porch (right now it's holding some of our plates and glasses while the new kitchen is under construction). The porch ceiling has yet to be installed, but the screening is in and we've been using it often.

Before Gallery - Outside Views of Our First Renovation

I set the deck three steps down from the first floor level, so that from the inside the deck furniture and guardrail are below eye level. This allows you to see more of the view from inside the house.

The guardrail is made of galvanized steel cables threaded through 4x4 support posts, allowing more transparency than a typical guardrail with 2x2 pickets.

The steps extend the entire length of the deck, providing extra seating for big gatherings.

We've spent so much time on this deck with family and friends, but unfortunately it's got to go to make room for the addition. We also plan to add a screened porch, which hopefully will serve us as well as this simple deck.

I kept the front of the house traditional, replacing the 6x6 posts with Doric columns. The overhang on the front porch already had a flared detail at the base of the siding, which was pretty cool. People visiting for the first time are surprised at the open, modern interior hidden behind this traditional facade.