Forms ready for the concrete pour
Not much to talk about, but certainly some good progress to show in pictures. Willy, the concrete guy, did all the work you see to left solo. Impressive. He did bring a crew of 2 back for the actual pour.
Finished product
The concrete has a pea gravel aggregate and a brown stain. A close-up is below.
He really did a great job. The plan is to have evergreen hedges planted around the perimeter in the Spring. I’m hopeful that my dear friend Karen Atkins of Proper Gardens can help me with picking out the right specimens for the site. 🙂
Backyard view
As Willy finished up the multi-step concrete project, Pat the tile guy got started inside. He’s been on the job for only a couple of days, but is making good headway.
The 2nd floor laundry has its tile set…just need to pick out a grout color.
Laundry
The bathroom has most of the floor tile set. Pat wanted to do the the tile “rug” in 2 days, to ensure that the pattern set appropriately.
He’ll be back early next week to finish the floor and set the subway tile on the shower walls and ceiling, and then grout everything, once that is complete. (Three more days with Pat, I’m thinking)
Master bath floor "rug"
We’re expecting our wood to be delivered Monday or Tuesday. It’s going to have to acclimate to our house for a few days before it gets installed. Apparently, since humidity can vary so much from location to location, the wood has to have time to adjust before it’s fastened down…otherwise, it could warp. Who knew?
Jason was the one to pick the wood. It’s his “thing,” being that he’s a self-proclaimed wood guy, and all. So, as one might imagine, we didn’t go with your standard oak or pine. Not even Brazilian cherry. Nope. We had the flooring made. A special cut, from very specific logs, mind you. 
The species is white oak, and the cut is quarter and rift-sawn. A nice representation, to the left. I’m sure you’re thinking, “My God, that must be super expensive,” but it’s not. At least not much more so than your standard Lumber Liquidators mid-range pre-finished oak. (Isn’t that mind boggling???) Kestner Wood Products in Portersville, PA is doing both the milling and the installation. We visited the shop, and wow, is it an impressive operation. I marvel at how many cool guys that we’ve met throughout this process. If you need doors, moldings, FLOORS, or any and all things wood…pay Bruce a visit.
Geez. I guess I had more to say than I thought I would. 🙂
Foster Cottage Reno 