First Coat, Mega Fumes & Basement Drywall

As noted in the email-on-the-fly postings earlier today, the oak floor guys got the whole house sanded and filled, and the first coat of Swedish finish was put down near the end of the day. By the time I got there around 6:45, it was all but totally dry, and the toxic smell of whatever they use in that stuff was wafting through the open doors for ventilation.

My friend Darryl had his floors refinished just a few weeks ago. Shortly after they were finished, while they were waiting for the finish to cure before moving back in, he popped in to grab a couple clothing items. Only a few minutes. By the time he came out his wife said his face looked totally flushed and his head was spinning. It really is unfortunate there aren't any affordable options that are also as highly durable. It's the one thing about our project that is bleedingly non sustainable. But it sure looks good!

Here's a peek at the view when you come in the front door.

While all that was going on upstairs, Steve and Pete spent the day in the basement hanging drywall. Here's a shot of the Media Room looking at the recess where someday the big screen flat panel will go. The missing drywall piece is there because that's the place to which I need to run that pesky extra cat-5 cable. I have it all bundled now and I'm going there early in the morning to "Get 'er done!"

So I've been wondering how the boys were planning on handling all the pipes coming out of the ceiling and the walls in the Central Plant. That looked like a lot of fussy little drywall pieces all cut and fit carefully around little pipes in tight places. I know what it would look like if I did it - but I was pleasantly surprised to see how the pros were able to just totally nail it. It's like the raw drywall was drilled for the pipes after the fact. Those guys are awsome.

Entry Level

The Foyer looks like this now! The first coat goes on today, and the final two coats go on after all the work is done.

Another Spacious Shot

This is looking from Nana towards the front wall.

Wood Flooring Nears 90%

At lunchtime today, I stopped by to catch up with Steve (He of The Mongolian Adventure), and saw that the wood floor guys have made significant progress. It really gives the whole room that spaciousness to see the oak go all the way to the Nanawall now.