A Side View

More progress today.  The siding has been removed in anticipation of the door and window installation.


The carpenters also built a gate at the side of the fence, and sadly, it's the sturdiest part of the whole fence.  (KO makes note to add "build new fence" to ever-growing list o' things to do).


Again using my excellent drafting skills, here is a near-professional quality rendering of what the 'after' is going to look like.  The patio will be interlocking pavers, and both sets of doors will open outwards onto said paver patio.  Will run gas lines for BBQ and heaters.  Do not know why as I loathe being outside.


Here's a view from the far corner of my yard.  All 105 cedar hedges have survived our brutal winter very nicely.


The bamboo that was removed in December has not come back ... yet.


I hope to put a veggie garden in this corner.  I envision raised beds, with tomatoes, beans, and other healthy things that I do not eat.


Hopefully, the installation of the patio doors will happen early next week.  The dogs are taking it very well.  I suspect the banging occasionally wakes Lou up from his nap, but he is quick to fall back asleep.  Wick of course LOVES the commotion (NOT).  Rex is just happy if someone talks to him.

It's finally starting!

Well, it seems like forever, but my reno is finally getting started. Hopefully in a few months, we will have accomplished the following:

• New flooring on the main level
  
• Expanded kitchen with new cabinets, appliances, and fixtures
  
• Three sets of french doors installed
  
• Replaced hideous double-door front door monstrosity with single, nice door
  
• Move front door 3 feet out to allow more room in foyer
  
• New powder room with pedestal sink and not hideous lighting
  
• Patio
  
• LAWN!!! and in-ground sprinklers
  
• Dog shower installed in garage
  

Yesterday, this arrived in my driveway! I'm sure my neighbours think I am totally awesome!

Then today, the carpenters arrived. It appears that the first thing we're going to knock off is the installation of the french doors. Right now, there is no view whatsoever of my yard from the main floor of the house. That's gonna change! When I wandered downstairs at 9:30 this morning, here's what I saw:

 Using my excellent drafting skills, this is what the front room will look like once the doors and windows are installed.
 

The ceiling in this room is very high, so hopefully I'll be getting a lot of light, even though it's north facing. The little half wall between this room and what is currently the dining room will be knocked down and will be part of my kitchen.
 

The french doors will go where the pop-out is.

There's a sliding door thing at the back that will be replaced with french doors. Once that's done, they will start the demo, and I will be forced to flee to my brothers for a few weeks. Hopefully it won't be uninhabitable for too long ... yeah right!