Drum Roll Please.........

Okay - don't faint.. we both are still catching our breath but TA DAAA....
The garage apartment aka guest quarters aka Steve's Quarters aka the Man Cave is essentially completed!! I know I know... pick yourself up off the floor.. it's only been what.. 6 years?





If you don't know that whole saga - just do a label search on guest quarters and you will see a few of the construction phase pics..

So without further ado.. your own personal guided tour! Friends who have decorating capabilities - you are welcome to come up any time and go shopping with me for those little special treasures that will warm the place up. I am going to photoshop in some of my pictures before I blow them up and have cap'n Steve frame them. Oh I think I should find a new name for Cap'n Steve - maybe like Old Saw Steve or some such...with the emphasis on Old..as that's what we both have become while he has meandered his way through this project, plus his birthday is coming up and I just like to remind him of his chronological place in this household! :)

You should note that Steve did 99% of this work by his lonesome. I helped maybe a total of 3 hours and he did have the plumbing roughed in. Otherwise this is his baby.. and no nail gun for him. Every nail was lovingly pounded beneath his hammer, and a few fingers. And this was his first stab at things like tile work and custom door knobs and handles..

Remember you can click on any picture to see a larger version:

Here's a shot looking back at the entrance - yes we have to paint the door - will probably be a forest green. The carpet is a berber with natural colors and some green in it..we thought it provided a good contrast to the pine walls. We went with the rustic feel because we didn't want whomever staying up here to miss out on the "cabin" type of experience if they weren't staying in the cabin.



Okay - the living/dining areas..






Both bedrooms - don't ya just love what I've done with the place.. Hey - it's only been 48 hours since the carpet went in and we have been cleaning and unpacking stuff that has not seen the light of day for 6 years.. oh I found that fry baby strainer I was looking for...oops - I digress... sorry..






The bath..



And last but not least.. the kitchen






And here are a few of the finish work...Steve did a nice job.. the curtain rods are small branches...and you know how I was fretting over those curtains.. I like them - they came out pretty good, especially for a first try...(I did the curtains - so I have about 18 hours total into the garage to Old Saw's, what? 10 million?)

All Over but the Groutin'

.... well a few more tiles to be laid (and the cleanin' and the sealin') - Cap'n Steve is on a role - make that a mission or maybe he senses the apocalypse - whatever the reason - he is making tracks.. to be fair - he said the tile would go quickly and for the most part it has. Anyway - some shots of the the WIP ..

Guest Quarters - Another Peak

Finally making good on some more pics of the guest quarters. Here are a few of the bathroom. I know, how exciting. Between vacuum cleaner posts and bathrooms, it's a wonder I have friends and family left reading my dribble...

Okay, this is pretty much the bathroom in all its' glory..Cap'n Steve did some nice first time work in here.. the tile, the cabinets and the frame around the mirror. I have a decorating problem with the slanted wall - which also is at the other end of the living space (kitchen/dining area). I think I will be able to deal with it - I have a few ideas. But remember, I am decoratingly challenged.



Also this space is not so cramped like you see in a lot of suites. I remember all of the B&B's we have stayed in and many of them had bathrooms you could hardly turn around in. Not to mention most EU baths.. eeeeuuuuwwww. We do have lots of cabinet space in here and in the suite itself. I will answer the inevitable question of "Why do you have so much cabinet space?" at a later date.



I thought Cap'n Steve did a very nice job with the mirror frame. I am going to get him to make some frames for some of my photographs, once he finishes this project. Heaven knows I don't want to impede progress. There is light at the end of the tunnel!



So there are a few things left, which the Cap'n will be making; like towel holders and a tp holder from tree branches... but we are pretty good to go here.

Here's a shot of a couple of closet doors and some latches that Cap'n Steve designed. The handle of the latch is carved from tree branches... He's really good at that kind of thing.. who knew?..I hope when he is done with this project, he will fix the bifold closet doors in the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms of the cabin..let's see we have been in the cabin for 9 years now?



Sorry I didn't have the appropriate lens on to shoot the handle/latches but you can get an idea..



Also I have an update on the kitchen. Many of you know I decided to do curtains for most of the lower cabinets instead of doors... I think it will turn out okay. We have branches for rods.. and here's my first stab.. they aren't hemmed and completely pressed, but they give a pretty good idea...Also something funky with the color here - but it's late and I am not in the mood to mess around with the photos.



And a pic with the curtain/door open:



And two final pics of the kitchen as it is today.. Steve will start the tile next week..

Long Overdue Guest Quarters

I know I have said to all, "I will put some pics up of the garage" and I haven't done it.. I don't know why I haven't done this. I can seem to get pics up of everything else but this ongoing project... For those who aren't familiar (is there anyone in my circle of family and friends who isn't familiar with this saga?) we built a 3 bay garage in 2003 with a 2/1 living area above. Here's the basic layout..
This has been Cap'n Steve's project since the beginning, per his wishes.. When I married him, I had no idea he was more than handy. He may have kept that to himself as he knew I had a rather difficult situation with home building BS (BS is Before Steve - but you could insert the other more common vernacular here also). So finally , the end is in sight. Of course he said that last year.. but his timetable does not exist to match my desires. plus I am worried when he finishes...what will he do??? Where will he go? I just hope it's not in my hair...
Anyway - thought I would give you a little peek of what is to come...

The Kitchen - in all of it's beginning glory..



This is how we left it last Winter..



And Cap'n Steve is putting on the finishing touches.. Here are a couple - wooden handles/knobs he bent and carved himself, taken from trees here on the property. He really does a nice job on these..





Next post will be the bathroom...stay tuned - hopefully the grand unveiling will be within a month or so.. just in time for a visit from Chris and a special someone... I can't wait..