An Eco-Logical Renovation

Before and After

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0000

The Baby's Room Is Done

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:48:00 +0000

This past week we finally finished up all the painting. We have to touch up a few places where the painting tape stuck too well. We've been in the house for the past four days straight due to the snow, so expect another update soon. Karen.

Josh & Laura

A Kitchen Comparison

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:24:00 +0000

The kitchen before.

The kitchen now.

The Counter is In!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:35:00 +0000

So they told me that they would be coming between 12 and 2pm. Then at 7:30 this morning I heard a truck backing into the driveway and Laura said, "The counter guys are here." So now it's 8:30 and I have all day to get the rest of my projects done. The counter is made by Cambria, here's a link. It's made from quartz into a granite like stone. The company itself comes up a lot as one of the more environmental. Here is a list from the website about their business practices.

Business Practices

* 100% of the water in production plants is recycled, and Cambria recycles water from an on-site storm drainage pond to water the grounds of the manufacturing plant.
* The Department of Energy (DOE) works with Cambria to implement energy saving procedures at Cambria facilities.
* Cambria's fleet vehicles include hybrids (Toyota Prius).
* A-frame shipping crates that transport slabs and fabricated product are recycled and refurbished.
* All diamond-metal tooling is retooled and re-used.
* Scrap material is collected and used as road base material on local construction projects.
* All computer equipment and batteries are recycled.
* General office waste is recycled (paper, plastics, ink cartridges, etc.).
* Collateral & sales materials are printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.
* Environmental best practices are promoted through training programs at Cambria University.

The cool thing is you can get this countertop from Ikea. They set you up with a local counter company that will do the installation. This was great for us because we got the cabinets from Ikea as well.

More Bedroom Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:12:00 +0000

We've skim coated the walls. We'll have to put on one more coat and fill in any imperfections. Then we can paint and put on the baseboards.

Doors

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:20:00 +0000

Today I ended up having the day off. So I began stripping the door for the baby's room. It's a 5 panel, with the panels all horizontal. The paint is old and could be lead based, so I'm stripping it with a heat gun. I'm using the heat gun because other than the electricity that is being used it is the most ecological. The paint hardens up again right away and then you can sweep it up and dispose of it properly. When the paint is dry and hard again, the toxins are also kept in. You need to wear a mask though when you are doing this.

The Baby's Room

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:53:00 +0000

Most of the people who read this are our family members, but In case you didn't know we are having a baby. He or She will be born sometime around the 2nd of January. So, our priority shifted to getting the other bedrooms finished. We were working on the kitchen mostly up until we went on vacation.

We rented a place in Provincetown on the Cape for a week. My brothers were back in Massachusetts for their vacation also. So we spent time with them a lot, but mostly we just hang around. All this time my parents had been at our house tearing the walls down and insulating the ceiling. As well as a bunch of other things.

So now things are moving along. The walls are up and the wiring is done. At this point my father is helping me skimcoat the walls. Then I'll be able to put on the baseboard.

Back When We Used To Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:35:00 +0000

I had shot some pictures with my cellphone while we were looking for paint. We had been at Home Depot and we didn't think we would be able to get anything. Well, it turns out, they sell NO VOC paint. I have to say I was surprised. It's called Fresh Aire. It's not as high a quality as Mythic. They also have a limited color selection.

We used it on our floors in the bedroom and in the dining room. So far we are mostly pleased with the results. On the negative side; the paint when fully dry, doesn't seem dry. It's sort of rubbery. For example; our hamper sits on the painted wood of our bedroom. When I moved it one day I noticed that the paint came up with the hamper. The walls in the dining room have the same problem. I took a picture down and some of the paint was sticking to the frame where it rested against the wall. All that being said, it's a good paint that doesn't coast too much.

More Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:31:00 +0000

Back in the kitchen. http://ustream.tv/channel/eco-logical-remodeling

We're back!

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:33:00 +0000

Today I am beginning the kitchen renovation. I'm pulling up the old sub-floor and fixing corner of the floor that has sagged. I'll be broadcasting on www.ustream.tv the direct link is: http://ustream.tv/channel/eco-logical-remodeling

Hey, Remember Us?

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:31:00 +0000

For those of you that have forgotten. We are Laura and Josh. We bought a house a few months ago. Well, guess what. We have actually been living in it for about a week now. This afternoon Josh will be posting photos of what things look like at this point. Right now we are enjoying a lunch of sandwiches from "Bakery on the Common". We have the use of almost all the rooms in the house. The living room is being decorated here and there. The bedroom is also, but we need to get a bureau to put clothes in. The kitchen... well, you can look at the pictures. It is usable. The washing machine is being used regularly, and it is awesome. You haven't lived until you've seen your washing machine shift gears and go into a 1200 RPM spin cycle. It actually "shifts", it has a clutch.

More soon.

Laura & Josh

More New Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:45:00 +0000

There will be more, better lighted photos this weekend.

Josh

Cellphone Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:29:00 +0000

Our new bedroom.

Live Sanding!

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:05:00 +0000

Today we are sanding the bedroom floor. Come watch. Later we will be painting it. Here's the address.

http://www.justin.tv/jbarnatt

New Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:47:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
PAINTING

We have hot water as of this morning. The washing machine, dishwasher and oven should be working today also. Unless the plumber flakes out again. Which he probably will. The new photos can been seen at the Flickr Page. Click Here.

The Bathroom, Washing Machine, and Water Heater

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:18:00 +0000

Bathroom

Washing Machine

Water Heater

Some Before and Afters

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:09:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
FOR THE DIFFERANCE

Living Room

Non-House Related News

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:45:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
MY BROTHER IS INTERESTING TOO

We will have up dates tonight. We are painting the Bathroom. Check in tonight to see new pictures and see what has been done recently.

Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:14:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Tonight we are going to Tag's Hardware in Cambridge, Ma. After that we are going to "The Green Briar" to see my dad play the celtic drum. It's my father's birthday today so we are going to surprise him. He didn't think we were going to see hime today because we have to paint. We are skipping painting and going to see him instead. I think it's a better use of our time.

More Pictures.

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:23:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
PHOTOGRAPHS

Here are some new pictures of progress. These are of the things that are getting done. The kitchen and the other two bedrooms are unchanged.

Click here to go to the Flickr page.

Getting Near The Finish

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:09:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING AT ONCE

So, I said I'd explain. The plumber and the heating guy told me there was no gas coming into the house. I told everyone about this a few days ago. We are being weigh-laid after all. When the gas guy saw that the old furnace was disconnected from the pipes, he had to lock the meter and wait for us to have the new one put in. As of yesterday the furnace was in place and connected to the ducting into the attic and second floor. Today he is finishing the first floor ducting and the plumber is connecting the gas lines. (I think)
The bathroom is being tiled. This should not take to long. John Wait, our general contractor told me it would take only about an hour. So he will be priming the living room and maybe the bedroom.
The last I heard, the plumber was going to be there doing the gas lines. I would assume that after that he would begin putting in the bathroom fixtures. We all know what happens when a person assumes, though. Of course this is dependent on how fast the tiles sets. That will probably happen over-night.
Yesterday the electrician put in all the light switched and outlets. They are all tied into the breaker panel. That made me happy. I think he was there today to finish the fire alarms. They weren't in last night when we went to look.
So, it looks like almost everything is going to be finished this week. I'm not sure when the plumbing inspector is going to come. I would hope he was called to come today. If that is the case then I can call N-Star and they will turn on our gas. I vaguely remember being told that the plumbing inspector only make appointments on Tuesday mornings. That would push us into next week.

:THE PLAN:
Laura is taking Friday off. She and I will be packing until then. I'm going to pick up the moving truck on Thursday after work. We can pack some of it then. Friday Laura will do what she can without me. When I get home we will finish packing the truck. Then we will drive it to Dedham and park it at the studio where I work. That night we sleep in Newton at Laura's parent's house.
Saturday morning we will get the truck and move in all of our things. Everything will probably be in one room and the cellar. Then we wait until everything is done.

:NOTE:
If anyone wants to help Laura on Friday let us know.

****NEW PHOTOS TONIGHT*****

Post are Slow

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:46:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
POSTING AGAIN SOON

We've been really busy with work. So, no posts. Also, there is no internet at the apartment right now. This Friday we will be moving out of the apartment. Although we won't be able to move in to the house right away. I'll try and expand on this later today. I'll be going there (to the house) to drop off some things and to take a look at what's been done. I'll turn on the web camera so you can watch if you want. If anyone is on let me know through the chat window. I'll walk the camera around. The address is http://www.justin.tv/jbarnatt. I'm leaving work at about 6pm. So tune in around 6:30 to 7:30.

The furnace is in. The gas is being hooked in today, the tiling is being laid down today. Almost there.

Live From the House

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:28:00 +0000

I tried this last week, but I didn't leave it on. Go to this link, http://ustream.tv/channel/barnattwork. You can see what we are doing right now.
I'll be here until around 8pm.

Josh

Seven Days To Go

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Barnatt) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:45:00 +0000

POSTED BY: Josh
WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON

So, great news. The furnace is in the cellar. The bad news is, we've been paying for gas that isn't getting to the house. Apparently it is off at the street. The heating guy is coming over tomorrow, Saturday, to plan out where the first floor ducting is going. I hope that N-Star gets the gas fixed today. Then maybe he can get the furnace hooked in at least.
If this gets done over the week end we will have heat in the house. The tiling in the bathroom will get done, the paint can start going on, and we won't be freezing.
The electrician will be in on Monday to finish up and run power to the furnace. I beleive the plumber will also be there putting in the water heater.
We are scheduled to move out of the apartment on Friday. As it stands there will be a place to go to the bathroom, and clean up. Al though we may not have all of the finish carpentry done.
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*Amendment*
14:45 22, February 2007

The gas will not be turned on today. We have to have everything intalled and inspected before they will turn on the gas. I should never have called them. We may be delayed 1 week.

Josh
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