It’s been a little over a month since my last new build update. And while I wasn’t actually sure I would do another one (since we’re supposed to move in about two weeks), I realized it would be easier to get everything caught up before I start sharing room reveals! A lot has changed, but there is still a lot that needs to happen before everything is ready.
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Before we jump into all of our latest updates, I’m going to link up prior posts about our new build as well as the design boards I’ve shared so far in case you missed any! I go into more about why we’re moving, some of our favorite features of our new build, as well as the initial progress and selection meetings:
- We’re Moving! Again!
- New Build Progress: Part I
- New Build Progress: Part II
- New Build Progress: Part III
- New Build Progress: Part IV
And here are the design boards I’ve shared so far:
- Moody Navy Blue & Plaid Home Office Plans with Ralph Lauren Vibes
- Blue & White Striped Pool Bath Design Plans
- The Case for Color: Interior Painted Doors Other Than White
- Classic Coastal Kitchen Design Plans
- The Items We’re Re-Purchasing for Our New Home
- Classic Coastal Living Room & Dining Room Design Plans
- Classic Coastal Carriage House Design Plans
- Classic Coastal Office Design Plans
- Classic Coastal Master Bedroom & Bathroom Design Plans
I also have some Instagram Story highlights saved throughout the process. You can check out the first set here and the second set here.
The biggest delay right now is that our house still does not have power. It’s absolutely unreal. The utility company can only tell us that our meter is on a truck but can’t tell us where or when it will arrive or anything. Fingers crossed that happens today because so many of the remaining items are dependent on that getting hooked up.
When I last left off, they had just started installing our cabinet bases and the waterline tile was going up on the pool.
Once the cabinet doors and drawers were installed shortly after, it really made us feel like we were getting closer to the finish line!
The lighting really does make everything come to life and feel like we may actually live here some day. This is the beaded chandelier we used in our bedroom (in the larger size). I saw it in person in Atlanta and immediately fell in love with it.
It was a fun day when they started installing my cabinet hardware! I used these ball knobs (my third time, but first time in polished nickel) and these appliance pulls.
A very dusty peek at Kurtis’ office cabinets. They look so beautiful, especially with the brass knobs installed! They have since extended the cabinets to the ceiling on either side.
The day our countertops arrived was a very impactful day! Not only did it completely change how everything looked inside, but it also set the wheels in motion for the plumbing work as well as more electrical items to get wrapped up.
Here was a peek at the countertops from the staircase before they were covered. I’m so happy I went with the ogee edge in here!
We also used some of our leftover Calacatta Caldia marble from our kitchen on the fireplace surround to cover up all of the black metal from the insert.
Once the countertops all went in, they could then install my cabinet towers I had made for the kitchen and our bathroom. In the kitchen I’ll have a picture light installed in the center and then some artwork below that to bring in some color.
We’ll have more storage than we know what to do with in this house, but very eager to have a bathroom with more than the three shared drawers Kurtis and I have now. The center is a trashcan pullout and then I also have a set of drawers that hide my hot tools with an outlet inside. I think I’m most excited for that feature so I can get my hair dryer, curling wand and flat iron off the counter!
We ran into some issues a few weeks back as it related to the grade of the backyard. When the hardscape team started, they could tell pretty quickly that if we wanted our backyard to drain properly (and not have everything flow into the pool), we were going to need to add a retaining wall to our side yard. But we were also under a super time crunch because the pavers and turf needed to be installed in order for the pool to get finished.
I typically don’t love most retaining walls. I knew we’d have to use something that was in stock and could be delivered within a day or so in order to stay on schedule. But I also knew that probably meant a product I wouldn’t love. Thankfully our builder suggested we just use a cheap cinder block and then he would have the stucco guys come back and smooth it out and stucco it all white like the foundation of our house. After a few quick Pinterest searches, I found some pics that actually had us both excited about how it could look when used as a landscape bed!
Once the turf was installed this week, the backyard really started to change! Now, the pool company can come back and plaster the interior (they need the pavers installed before they’ll do so). The turf we selected is the VistaScape Eco 82 and our pavers are 16″x24″ shell stone pavers.
The plumbing has all been wrapped up and even seeing items like toilets getting installed seemed fun. Ha! But the addition of the bathtub in our bathroom really changed the vibe too.
On Monday this week, Garage Experts started installing our floor coating. We used them in our current home for garage cabinets, and this time around they did the floors and will be adding two sets of cabinets out here as well. This isn’t the best angle but this was day 2 in the process where they add the flakes (which is why you’ll see extras on the stem walls since this was only an in-between step). The following day they added the top coat and it all looks really great now!
The electricians were back this week and got quite a few more light fixtures installed. My kitchen island pendant lights are insanely large but I love the scale (I just wish they were hung a little further apart but hard to change with the wood ceiling). If you don’t have 12′ ceilings though, I would strongly encourage you to order one of the smaller sizes. They also frequently have these in their Open Box section (I got a smaller one for above a tub) and it saves a ton of money!
I ordered more of this tile (which we used in the upstairs bath over the tub) on Thursday last week and it already arrived Monday. I was shocked to see them installing it Tuesday and it was fully wrapped up and grouted by last night! I love the subtle texture and hand-made vibe of the tile, and it really helps to reflect light into the space from the butler’s pantry window. The cabinets will be extended to the ceiling and then I have another picture light going in here as well. These are the only drawers where I used a bin pull (the rest have these knobs) and love how it looks here!
Without the power turned on, the painters haven’t been able to paint the walls (they’d prefer HVAC on for drying purposes). But the painters have been onsite since yesterday prepping the walls and final touch-ups so they can start as soon as power is on. Fingers crossed the power company shows up today and we’re officially up and running!
Our current home is an absolute disaster right now since we’ve started packing, are storing furniture that has arrived early, and we still have all the mirrors for the new house boxed up and waiting to be brought over (hopefully next week).
I also spent a bit of time on the phone this week trying to coordinate my large deliveries from Pottery Barn and Serena & Lily. I had multiple orders for each company and tried to work to combine all the in-stock items into one delivery and move the backordered items to another delivery. A lot will hinge on if we have furniture before we can fully move over. Thankfully we have a little wiggle room.
We’re still trying to remain optimistic that in two weeks from today we’ll have the keys! Even if we may or may not have furniture yet 😉
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WOW…almost to the finish line and I can hardly wait for the final reveal, I know it’s going to be an absolute “dream come true” home.
Thank you so much Gail! We’re very excited!