...because home doesn't happen overnight.
01.27.12 / More Floor

First of all, thanks guys. Your words are encouraging. Your stories are inspiring. Couldn’t do it without you! I’m accepting the fact that a few things have to come before blogging right now – no matter how much I’d like it to be nearer the top of my priority list. Instead, I’m jotting down a bunch of ideas for future posts {a recurring ‘Ask Handy Hubby’ post?} and coming up with post ideas that could easily be cranked out in a short amount of time {weekly ‘Steals and Deals’?}. Like always, a challenge is inspiring ideas that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

But today I have a quick flooring update. HH finished up the bedrooms last weekend! As tedious as this flooring install has been, we both like the floor more and more each time we see it so it’s definitely worth it. The flooring is dirty, the wintry Ohio day makes our yet-to-be electrified Underdog feel dreary, and no baseboards or register covers are installed but hopefully you get the idea. {We have electric turned on in the garage for project usage but have yet to turn on electric to the interior until all switches are installed and outlets are properly covered and safe for kiddos.}

{HH and Everett taking a break to play Toss the Painter’s Tape Ball – we have to get creative with playtime at the Underdog!}

The only hardwood left to install is on the kitchen side of the great room. HH did a bunch of research and decided it’d be best to install our base cabinets and island in the kitchen first then install the flooring around it. Apparently, issues can arise when securing base cabinets to a floating wood floor so we’ll be installing the floor around the base cabinets to avoid expansion/contraction problems. Hardwood will run under the refrigerator, dishwasher and gas stove/oven. At first thought, we were banking on finishing the master bathroom before the kitchen but we’ve decided to install all the lower kitchen cabinets and island first so we can officially complete the flooring. Then we’ll move onto the bathroom. In fact, HH has already started assembling the island cabinets!

Can you tell we’re trying to prioritize what things need to be completed in order for us to move in? I’ve said all I need is one bathroom, a refrigerator and a microwave. HH says we need a full kitchen. We’ll see what happens.

I’m so happy that the engineered hardwood extends into all of our closets {except for the mechanical room}. It definitely makes our small living space feel more cohesive.

This is the view from the kid/guest bathroom looking into the hallway…

There’s a small linen closet off to the left. Back down the hallway…

The nursery…

I mentioned before that I plan to use fabric panels instead of doors on all the bedroom closets. I love that the hardwood extends into the bedroom closets so when the fabric ‘doors’ are pulled open the closet will feel like a part of the room.

Keeping the flooring in the bedrooms consistent with the hallway makes for a continuous view across the hall. I have a thing for room-to-room views. The view from the nursery looking into the master…

The boys’ bedroom…{HH was finishing up the last row when I took this picture}

The master bedroom…

View from the master bathroom…

View into the master bathroom…

And some more room-to-room views to show how keeping the flooring consistent throughout helps with the flow of the small house. Looking into the boys’ bedroom from the master…

Looking into the nursery from the master…

Back down the hall towards the great room…

Finally, a few close-ups…

Someone asked why we chose the handscraped hardwood. Personally, we like the wide plank, beveled edge and slightly textured surface. We like the look and we like that it’ll patina well from all the dings and dents that our family is sure to give it over the years. A smoother, shinier surface would show every mark. Although we have a ‘no shoe’ policy in our house, I’m not going to be a stickler about any scratches or dings that occur. Those are just signs of life.

I grew up in a home with some solid hardwood floors and nearly 20 years later my dad has yet to have them refinished. I think the wear and tear gives them character. Imperfect perfection if you ask me.

That’s the latest and greatest at the Underdog. Once all the flooring is installed I’ll write up a post on how we DIY’d it.

HH gets back from a business trip to Las Vegas today. The boys want to have a ‘welcome home’ party for him. Cake and balloons are a must. HH will be home for the weekend working on putting together more of the base cabinets in the kitchen. I have to work at the pharmacy Saturday but hope to lend HH a hand on Sunday. Maybe I’ll have some preliminary kitchen cabinet shots to share with you next week!

Happy weekend!

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

40 Comments

Wow! That floor looks awesome so far! I can’t even begin to imagine how hard and time consuming that must have been. Looking forward to seeing it finished!

We just installed hardwood floors in our living room and family room to tie into what our builder had installed. It was grueling, but worth it

http://www.ourhomefromscratch.com/2012/01/family-room-floored/

27.January.2012

The floors look great! I would love to have hardwoods in my house but I can’t justify the “upgrade” in my neighborhood.
I agree with HH on the kitchen. I think you will be happier if you wait until the kitchen is complete before you move in.
You will be in there before you know it… with three little ones in tow!

27.January.2012

Love how your house is coming along. It’s always a highlight in my day to read your posts. Even though I am nowhere near renovating a home (or even buying one!) I get so inspired by your underdog and all that you are doing with it.

27.January.2012

Great choice of floors. It’s going to be stunning!

27.January.2012

weekly ‘Steals and Deals’….. seriously that is SO COOL!

27.January.2012

Meant to comment on your post yesterday, but keep up the great work! Your blog is my favorite on my feed, and I look forward to your posts. Funny because I’m not married, don’t have kids, or own a house, but your compelling writing keeps me coming back! Don’t get too overwhelmed, you have a loyal reader if you post once a day or once a month!

I like the idea of steals and deals. Have you thought about getting an assistant, or even a nanny/babysitter once a week or so to free up some “me” time for you and/or HH? I know it’s an added cost, but with you and HH working so much it might be worth it…

27.January.2012

i would LOVE to hear more about that awesome “lampshade” you made with the embroidery hoop in the apartment…..i love it and really want to make a couple for our house….would love a quick tutorial! your house is coming along so nicely! thank you for sharing your great ideas!!xxoo

27.January.2012

So exciting to see the floors coming together! They look great. PS- I love your blog and will continue to read it faithfully even if it means waiting a little longer between posts. Juggling family, work, a new baby, a house reno…I’m impressed with all you seem to be able to do so well! So, if we have to wait a bit between posts, it will make us all that much more anxious to see what you are going to reveal when you have time to share!

27.January.2012

John – Nice! The floors look great! Wish I could have a victory beer. Ha! Have one for me.

27.January.2012

I love the hand scraped wood.

27.January.2012

We chose a hand scraped, wide plank, beveled edge floor too (though much lighter!). I agree that it’s not worth worrying about the scraps, dings, and scratches. We have two dogs, and it’s all just part of living. We’ve had ours in for a few months. They are holding up great and disguising any scratches!

27.January.2012

Great job on picking out the flooring…wish we would have done something similar. Instead, we installed a laminate that is smooth and shiny and you are exactly right…it shows everything. If I had small children or pets in my house, I would have ripped up the new flooring by now….it is that bad. But luckly, it is just Hubs and I and although it shows everything we are clean freaks and are dealing with it…but on a good note, I still like the color :-) If anyone is interested in what NOT to buy see this: http://www.ninasarena.com/2011/11/floored.html

27.January.2012

Didn’t expect this right after the “something’s got to give” post! You are totally amazing. As everyone else has said – we’ll all love whatever postings you can manage. Just reading your schedule wears me out!

The floor looks fabulous – but my favorite picture is of the paint ball tossing! And while you could manage with just a bathroom, refrigerator & microwave – you have enough to juggle – wait a bit longer for the stove & kitchen sink.

Appreciate you letting us peek into your life – you are an classy lady!

27.January.2012

I meant painters tape ball tossing – paint ball tossing could get messy!!!

27.January.2012

Everything is looking great! Love the idea of a “deals and steals” feature.

27.January.2012

The floor looks so good! I am so impressed with what y’all have done with the underdog! It doesn’t even look like the same house – and there isnt even furniture in it yet! It looks gorgeous! I look forward to seeing what you do with it (when ever you post – no pressure…live your life and enjoy time with HH and the boys and soon to arrive new baby!)

27.January.2012

Two thumbs up !! Very nice floor ! And very nice with the *white* t&g ceiling in the great room ! You guys are amazingly inspiringly beautifully breathtaking !
Take care ! Hugs from France.

27.January.2012

We have mahogany floors in our house. It was built ca. 1880. I’ve refinished 2 rooms because they were horrible. One had shag carpet that was stapled down all over the place, then peel and stick tiles stuck to the wood. It never had any hope of being perfect, and now it has scrapes and scratches from dogs and kids, and we just call it character.

I want to do 2 more rooms, but some are just too damaged to ever look good without total replacement. When you own a vintage home that was neglected for decades, floors tend to fall way down on the list. ;-)

They’re gorgeous, even with the layer of construction dust on them.

I agree with you – a little wear and tear on hardwood floors can look beautiful. I grew up in an old farmhouse with uneven hardwood that my mother painstakingly sanded and refinished. The varnish wore away in places and they were still beautiful.

We went with bamboo for economical reasons. It does have a slightly shiny surface and we can see every nick and scratch. It can be soo frustrating. I love our floors, but sometimes I wish we’d spent the extra for a hardwood similar to yours.

27.January.2012

Absolutely lovely floors! I can’t imagine the building excitement for you guys as you inch closer to the finish line. :)

27.January.2012

Wow, your floors look great and are well worth the time put into them. I’m a big fan of the “perfectly imperfect” look. We recently installed unfinished “rustic” hardwood floors in our living room so we can refinish the original wood floors in the bedrooms and kitchen to match.

27.January.2012

Wow! It looks amazing…. totally a different place. Congrats!

27.January.2012

Wow! It’s looking so nice! How rewarding.

27.January.2012

I am sure your husband has thought of this, but just a reminder. We installed wide oak hardwood floors and we neglected to see if there was any wear and tear on the tubing to our ice maker, water outlet on refrigerator. Well you guessed it, leak
and wavy floor that had to be replaced in areas. The tubing is very inexpensive and now we change it once a year.

27.January.2012

The floors are beautiful! Congratulations on getting them done! Hurray!

28.January.2012

The flooring is gorgeous! I love that you chose such a rich color and the textured finish as well. We have engineered hardwoods everwhere except on the floor with the bedrooms but I dream of ripping out the carpet and going with a seamless flooring choice! Thanks for sharing so many photos that are room to room shots-it truly helps to give me an idea of how things are coming along-so exciting! I also really like the color of the paint (especially the grey color) with the flooring.

28.January.2012

I am searching, searching for ideas on how to hang some type of curtain on my boys closet doors. They had the sliding closet doors and I took them off! :) Should I use a rod outside of the closet…the wire(IKEA) system…a tension rod??? Just not sure what to do and Pinterest is not helping :). Any advice??? I am in Ohio too…Beavercreek, close to Dayton :)

28.January.2012

Awesome! The floors are so great. You’re right – it will be so good to have the same surface everywhere-even closets. We have a small house with the kitchen/dining/living all in one room with a vaulted ceiling – very similar to your room! We did dark stained concrete and it’s great.
Are you guys getting a new front door or going to work with that one? You may have addressed that but I missed it.

28.January.2012

The floors look amazing. I love the dark color and wide planks. I’m really excited to see what the kitchen looks like. We actually just finished installing ikea cabinets in our laundry room and are thrilled with the quality and how they turned out. It took us longer than we thought to install four cabinets so I’m sure your kitchen will keep HH plenty busy!

Our laundry room:
http://pinterest.com/pin/159314905537963284/

28.January.2012

Katie – That is one sweet laundry room!!! Love all the storage! Thanks for sharing.

28.January.2012

Leslie – We’ve decided to work with the original ’50’s front door. It needs a good paint job and new hardware. The orange-y light-blocking inserts over the window are going, going, gone. We think we’d like to add a storm door at some point so we can leave the front door open for more natural light but not sure when that will happen. All in good time! And I’ll share every detail.

28.January.2012

Nicki – Ooooh, we looked at a few houses in Beavercreek before we saw and bought the Underdog! We are close. Personally, for my boys’ bedroom I think I’m going to install a traditional screw in rod inside the closet above the door frame. I did this in our previous home in the master closet and it worked well so the rod didn’t jut out into the room.

28.January.2012

LOVE you’re hardwood floors! They look so amazing. We’re saving up to put hardwood flooring throughout our new (to us!) house. I can only hope ours look that good.

Also, Where did you get that light fixture in the nursery? I love it! I can think of about 5 places I’d love to put it!

29.January.2012

I am unsure of what you mean by the orange-y light-blocking inserts over the windows. Are you keeping the door as is except for new paint and hardware, but, perhaps, with clear glass in the square thingys in the door? I personally love your front door. We are building a home and I plan on getting a similar type door – I believe the company that provides those inserts to be placed in doors is Crestview.

29.January.2012

PAppel – There are 3 square windows in the door. On the interior side of those windows are orange plastic inserts that I’m assuming the previous owner used to filter sunlight and provide privacy. Once we’re moved, we are going to remove the inserts since we prefer lots of natural light. Hope that explains things better.

29.January.2012

Liz – I picked up the nursery light at IKEA the same day I bought the master bath vanity. It was marked down to $19! I’m assuming it’s going to be discontinued soon. It was the last one they had in stock. I hadn’t planned on buying a light when I was there but I knew it would look great in the nursery and the price was well within our budget.

30.January.2012

The floors look great! The entire house is looking great – can’t wait to see it finished! You guys have done such a wonderful job.

31.January.2012

I absolutely love your floor choice and have been doing my best to patiently wait for a picture-heavy post like this! They look great with the paint colours. I can’t wait to see how you address window treatments in the bedrooms (eventually, of course! Way down the line). I have similar ranch style windows and I’m always looking for new ideas.

Keep up the good work and high spirits! (I also loved the picture of Everett and HH playing with the paint tape ball! You and HH’s devotion to your kids is so lovely to see.) Thanks for all the updates.

31.January.2012

My husband and I are going to be building a house this Fall. I was hoping to do a tongue and grove ceiling. Could you do a budget breakdown on how much it cost and how many square feet you were able to do for that amount of money.

01.February.2012

You are such an inspiration! We renovated our house 7 years ago and made some mistakes. There were fairly new cabinets in the house so we renewed everything else… windows, doors, paint, floors, trim, lighting fixtures. We also added a covered veranda to the front of the house and redid the siding and shingles. But, where we went wrong is the colors. The cabinets were a golden oak so we did all the other wood work oak (trim, doors) and then did light colored laminate floor (very open floor plan). Fast forward 7 years, we got water damage in our kitchen and get to have all the laminate replaced. So.. what I really want is to go with a darker hardwood floor, paint the trim white and go with a tile in the kitchen. This floor you scored is amazing and cheap compared to the engineered hardwood we were looking at at the flooring place today.. they wanted $11 for the one we were interested in. Crazy!