Home Office – Part 1

As we anticipated the arrival of baby 2 and the work-from-home opportunity given to me we had to get creative with space we have at home. We have a three bedroom house which currently uses one bedroom as an office (aka a catch-all for things that don’t have a place). We knew that we would need a quiet place to escape and get work done once two kids were running around and we also wanted the boys to have separate bedrooms for the sake of full night sleeps, so we decided to build an office in our garage. This decision was hard to make because it replaced the idea of creating a studio apartment back there that we could possibly rent… it also ate up a bunch of work space for Kevin!

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We still wanted to be able to park in the garage, and keep a space on the side for Kevin’s work bench and tools so we didn’t end up with much room… only 48 sq. ft! Adding a window is a MUST!

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This garage project includes: fixing up the existing bathroom, creating an office (framing, electrical, drywall, built-in cabinets and desk, flooring) and reorganizing the tool/storage area.

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This stud (pun intended ;)) put up the framing in just one, extremely hot, afternoon!

Cutting a hole for the window!

Cutting a hole for the window!

There she is!

There she is!

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Weekend 2: Insulation √, drywall √, electrical ran √, can lights installed √

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AC unit installed!

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Drywall Complete. Kevin painting the interior.

The beginning of the custom cabinet.

The beginning of the custom cabinet.

Josh approves!

Josh approves!

Getting fitted into the space. Next up trim work, doors (for the bottom half which will cover the filing cabinets), and paint!

Cabinet getting fitted into the space. Next up… trim work, doors (for the bottom half which will cover the filing cabinets), and paint!

Cutting down the butcher block that will be used for the desktop.

Cutting down the butcher block that will be used for the desktop.

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Desktop installed and trim work around the window finished!

Desktop installed and trim work around the window finished!

We use to take pride in the speed of completing projects… well those days have changed. Free time is a thing of the past and late night work sessions have been replaced with late night feedings. So stay tuned to see the grand reveal…

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Day 31 | Starting the Kitchen

Day 31

John and his guys accomplished a lot today. They moved the original hutch from it’s current location to the wall being shared with the bedroom. They added new framing and a new beam that spans across the dining room and the kitchen (because we removed a load bearing wall), and removed most of the framing separating the kitchen and dining room. Kevin is working on creating blue prints that will be used to obtain our building permits.

Framing the small pony wall that will eventually be a small bar eating area.

Framing the small pony wall that will eventually be a small bar eating area.

Framing this small wall that will hide the side of the cabinets and fridge.

Framing this small wall that will hide the side of the cabinets and fridge.

Closing up the old door way between the family room and mudroom.

Closing up the old door way between the family room and mudroom.

Moved the hutch to the other side of the dining room. The back of it now sticks into the second bedroom.

Moved the hutch to the other side of the dining room. The back of it now sticks into the second bedroom.


HELPERS: Uncle John + Crew

Day 24 | New Lighting

Day 24

Kevin was at home again today studying for his test. At lunch we went to Lamps Plus in Upland and picked out the lights for our front porch (HERE) and our bedroom (HERE). Kevin installed our bedroom light when he got home. I realized I have a thing for edison bulbs…


PRODUCTS USED

Bedroom Light

 

 

 

 

 

Porch Light

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Edison Bulbs

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Day 5 | Goodbye Kitchen Walls

Day 5

Say goodbye to the rest of the kitchen cabinets and the walls between the kitchen and dining room and mudroom. We are going for an open concept. The boys found an old water softener hidden behind the walls!

Get rid of those checkered counter tops!

Get rid of those checkered counter tops!

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Thanks Rob for the help!

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No more cabinets!

The full view!

The full view!

Getting rid of the wall that separates the kitchen and mudroom.

Getting rid of the wall that separates the kitchen and mudroom.

An old water softener hidden behind the walls.

An old water softener hidden behind the walls.


HELPER: Rob Macleod

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Day 3 | Stripping Paint

Day 3

Today Mom U. began stripping the layers upon layers (I’m talking at least 10 layers!) of paint off bedroom door #1. This house was built in 1912, and although I want to make massive upgrades, I want to keep as much of the original features as possible, the doors being one of these things. I love these 5 panel craftsman doors!

We had home group tonight and a brought a bunch of our friends over to scope out the place late into the evening.


VISITORS: Ali Wigington, Whitney Rodriguez, Jacob Balog, Steven Albano