WE'RE BAAAACK.......

Howdy Y'all!

Yes, we're back! We've just spent a very fun (and cooler) week in the Northwest visiting family and friends, but lest we forget, we hope all of you had a wonderful, and safe, July 4th holiday! We certainly did.

GasWorks Park fireworks over Lake Union in Seattle 
(Courtesy of Macenzie Photo from her rooftop patio)

As you can see, quite a bit of progress has been made on the house during our absence. (Think the builder is trying to tell us something?) We've put together a number of detail photos to share which are starting to bring out the 'personality' of the Texas Tuscan style we are going for. (Okay, I have no idea what Texas Tuscan is, but Jan and the architect do.) Most of the interior framing is complete along with the roof trusses, sheathing is now starting, and the stringer scabs for the soffets and facias have been delivered. The biggest change is that the detached 3-car garage is now in framing stage.

Green Detached Garage to the left of the pic

We are using a new product called "ZIPsystem" to wrap the house; it is the green covered exterior wallboard that you will see in the pictures. Once the house is completely sheathed in the material, they then come in and literally tape all of the seams. Theoretically, this is supposed to make the house airtight from a thermal perspective. Whether it really works is another story, but we are the fifteenth house the builder has used this process on, and the material has a 30 year warranty. He thinks it works well. In any case, at least it looks cool.

Ya gotta like green!

The detached garage will have an apartment as a second story (for unruly grandkids!); the peaked roof still has to be framed over the windows that are showing. This garage will also have a tornado 'safe room' of reinforced concrete block, just in case (note to self - stock with wine!). 

The next pic starts to show the green ZipSystem more clearly. This is going to be strange having a green house before the masonry is applied to the outside of the house.

Detached garage

Our next task is picking out the stone and stucco colors for the exterior of the house, finishing all of the interior stone, tile and cabinet selections, and design.

This next picture below is from the back of the Motor Court facing the driveway entrance. Once this is completed, we'll fill the level in to the height of the existing concrete with a small wall at this end. (Gotta keep from driving off the end after one of the Bridlewood Ranch parties.) The entrance at the front will actually feature an arch, which still needs to be framed in.

Motor Court between the two garages

View of the Motor Court from the front of the house

So, if you haven't figured it out yet, this house has a bunch of arches. Something to do with the Tuscan thing. But, when you start, you have to keep going!

Great Room arch facing the Kitchen

Dining Room niche with
Groin Vault ceiling

Barrel Vault and arch

Are you sick of arches yet? Well, now you get to see what is commonly called 'bump ups'! These will give us an opportunity to provide recessed lighting and 'mood'.

Raised ceilings in the Breakfast Area

This next picture is the final framing for the dome of the Powder Room. You have to really appreciate the craftsmanship of the framers and what they can do with wood. Totally amazing to us!

Powder Room arched dome

That's it for now. Hopefully the next blog post will have our green house fully sheathed and roofed ready for the window and door installations.

But Wait, There's More....

While we were in Seattle, we luckily got to be the first guests at Macenzie's and Beau's new home on Queen Anne. Beau built a beautiful set of contemporary homes overlooking Lake Union with extraordinary views. Great home, great location!

Macenzie and Jan (missing Beau)

View from the top deck patio overlooking Lake Union. (Courtesy of Beau Photo).

We also stayed with our great friends, Beth and Gene Morel, at their home on Lake Sammamish for the July 4th celebration.

Casa Morel on Lake Sammamish.

Stitched panoramic view from the dock.

And last, but not least, while we were there we went over to Ste. Michele winery and rocked to the Robert Plant (minus Led Zeppelin) concert. Very 70s crowd!

Gene, Jan and Beth (after a couple of bottles of wine. I was totally sober).

That's all for now. See ya later!
- John and Jan -