Ups and Downs - Feb. 9, 2016

This week (and it's only Tuesday) has been a roller coaster. Maybe it's because of the never-ending delays that each set-back seems that much more disheartening. Whatever the reason - it seems that we're destined to continue going two feet ahead and one back with this project.  Here are just a few of the "ahead" and "back" moments we've encountered lately.

This is what's left of the giant puddle of water that resulted from the snow melting off the Range Rover Friday night (this picture was taken Monday morning so a lot of the water had evaporated). There is a floor drain in the garage (directly under the truck) but we've discovered that the cement wasn't poured properly and the floor actually tilts away from the drain instead of toward it. We've contacted the contractor to see what can be done. I suspect the only answer will be to install another drain in this area of the floor. It just happened that we noticed it in time to move a china cabinet (still in it's cardboard crate) out of harm's way before it was water damaged.

We love our new outdoor lights that were destined for the pergola. Our electricians have informed us that there are actually two types of "outdoor" lights. One is this type that is designed to be outdoors but under a roof (say on a porch or veranda) - the type we bought. Then there is the other type that is capable of being directly exposed to rain (the type we need for under our pergola) - the type we should have bought. We had no idea there was a difference - we foolishly assumed "outdoor" light meant a light that could be installed outdoors. How silly. And, of course, we purchased them from Direct Buy so there is no returning them (we have two) since there's nothing wrong with them. There is some talk of perhaps fashioning a small little roof to go over each one. We'll have to see how creative the contractor can be or what the electricians will allow.

This is our new, shiny brass, kitchen faucet. Looks great...until you look a little closer (see below).

This is the left side of the faucet. That little crescent of space you see on the left shouldn't be there.

Likewise, on the right side of the faucet, this little crescent shouldn't be here either. Typically, these faucet holes would be drilled in a stone counter top at about 8 inches apart. However, our faucets were imported from England where the typical distance is actually 7 7/8 inches apart. We were very diligent and made sure the stone cutters were aware of this difference and watched them put the 7 7/8 inch measurement into the template. However, the holes were drilled on-site, after the counter top was installed and, for whatever reason, was drilled with the holes too far apart. They're close - dare I say 1/8 of an inch - but far enough apart that if we forced the faucets they would leak or if we left it as it is, there would be a place for water to leak around the base of the faucets. Plus you would still be able to see the mistake. We should also point out that these imported brass faucets cost almost as much as the counter top. I think our friends at Jade Stone Halifax were aware of that and have offered to replace the entire counter top. So, whatever they lacked in hole-cutting they made up for in customer service. It's great that we'll have the properly drilled counter top but frustrating that we have to wait another week for the new one to be fabricated and then they'll be here another day removing the old one and installing the new one.

On a brighter note - the area where the stove will eventually live is beginning to really come together. The addition of the counter tops and the corbels and the valance really have made a amazing looking custom feature of the kitchen. The outlined centers of those corbels are actually cupboards that you simply push and they slide out to reveal spices or oils or whatever we decide to store in there. You can also note the difference in the back splash now that the marble tiles have been grouted.

From a bit further back you can see the exposed ventilation pipe at the top of the valance. Once all the electrical is completed the valance will be closed in right up to the ceiling. The pot filler will be installed in the next couple of days and then we should be just about ready to finally bring the stove in from the garage and put it in it's final resting place. It's seen sitting in that garage for six months so it'll be fantastic to (a) finally have a stove in the kitchen and (b) finally have that section of the garage back so I'll be able to park my car in there.