Getting some attention around town!

I am always amazed at the talk of the town. I have to say, in my past years, I have enjoyed 'not' being the talk of the town whether in Raleigh, Greensboro, or Charlotte. Now, not so much me, but 242 N. Russell Street is the talk. People I don't even know, which is most everyone here, are buzzing about the place and the work being done. It is all good with people coming up to my parents with comments, to David with comments, and some even to me. It is great that such a great house is getting respect and attention. With a major transformation on the inside, the outside is also transforming. When I look at the very first picture, I can hardly believe it is the same house.

Room with a view...

The past few days, between the rain, heat, and the lightning, the guys have been able to construct the new master bath room upstairs and double master closets. It has turned out to be really great space and I cannot wait to fill it up. After a short delay, next week is the week to pick out all of the fixtures, faucets, tile and items to complete the bath rooms and kitchen. Should be fun!

As a late addition, we decided to add a window on the east side of the new addition to keep the symmetry. The window will be directly above the kitchen window and the same size.

Here today, gone, then back again.....

I know you may be thinking I am referring to my brain, but I am actually referring to the new addition on the back of Haywood House. One day there was a low roof with a small storage attic, then it was gone, then it was back, bigger and much better. It is the new walk-in closet(s) and master bath room upstairs. Wow! Those guys work really fast. Next week, the crane will arrive to set the trusses for the roof. Great job and very exciting to see it coming together.

Some of my favorite people...

Today, some friends from Charlotte made the trip to Troy, NC. It was so great to see Neil and Mara in our fair, little town. It was their first visit to Troy, Capel, and Russell Street. Whew! I am exhausted after all of this touring! I learned something just as interesting and that is they met in Troy....NY! Same difference I am sure! They are great people, great energy and great fun. Great to see you guys! Enjoy!

High Tech Master Bath!

At this point, I have looked at so many pictures and versions of kitchens and master baths. It can be a little over-whelming. I have a great pool of resources and friends helping me out with this endeavor. Thanks, Ben for all your research and help! If all else fails, I could always just go with this high tech system!

Today, there were electricians, heating and air conditioning, and the regulars there working hard to get the roof ready for the raising in the next few days. David says by next Tuesday, there will be a new roof line. I met with the stone guy, not stoned guy, stone guy! He does a great looking product that would really change the facade of the house. As I have mentioned, it will always be known as 'Haywood House,' so my best efforts would be to change the look of the outside with the bright white paint and adding natural features like stone. I like it alot. Enjoy the sample picture.

Big Week Ahead!

First of all, to the hand full of friends that may be reading this blog, thank you! For me, it is a great record, an outlet for thoughts, and a connection to many different ideas that are in this crazy head of mine. I really try to keep it to the house but sometimes I stray off in "Wonderland" and go off on tangents. Thanks for sticking with me and hope it keeps someones interest.

This week, David tells me is to be a big week. Heating and Air conditioning guys will be in as well as electrical and maybe plumbers will also show up. The new porch should arrive today as well as the roof trusses(s). (Not sure of the plural version of that word) This will make dramatic changes to the house's interior and exterior.

Next week, we have appointments to pick out fixtures, for kitchen and baths. We also are picking out tile. Before that time, I need to have some pretty good ideas as to how the final product is to look like. Yikes! Feeling just a little bit of pressure now because most of all, I want this to be a "family affair!" I am so excited to be doing this project with the love and support of Mom and Dad. They are pretty excited too! I don't have to worry about the days I am not in Troy, because I know they are going by to check on things. When it is all said and done, it is about the things in life that are really important and that is family, friends, faith and doing the right thing! There I go again, off on a tangent but I am just a little reflective today. Again, thanks.

Porch! What porch?

Watch that first step! The guys are now waiting on the new porch to arrive. As you can see, it is ready for the new arrival. These pictures give a good look at the "new sturdy" supports that will anchor the house. Those termites tried to eat the "whole thing," but just couldn't do it!

By popular demand, there is also posted a picture of the house in Charlotte that I am stalking. It is what I hope Russell Street will someday look like.

Work continues....

The work continues at Russell Street. The latest is the work being done on the front and back porches. After the collapse of the concrete steps leading into the back door, (luckily no one was hurt from the collapse) David and the team have framed the back porch to reveal what will be the new back door opening to the mudroom/laundry room. The front porch is being demolished to firm up and remove any further damage and weak spots from those pesky little termites that just seem to be popping up everywhere!

The upstairs guest room now has a framed closet. The upstairs bath room is floored and ready for plumbing. My suite is open and we are discussing leaving the fireplace with the exposed brick. It is now my new favorite spot of the house; right behind the expanded kitchen, downstairs bedroom suite, living room and family room. Oh well, I like it all.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

ev-o-lu-tion, noun. process of change; development

And what an evolution it is. Today, a major decision was made with regard to Haywood House and the layout of the rooms. First floor changes include the decision to make the former den (right front facing) into the formal living room. The former living room (left front room facing) will become the dining room. The former dining room (center room off the kitchen) will become the new open family room into and off the kitchen. This will be the main living area and be the focal point of the house. The front foyer entrance will have the living room on the right and the dining room on the left.

Upstairs, my bedroom has been opened up and instead of the slightly, not-needed 4th bedroom, it will be come a sitting, television room off of my bedroom. We are opening up the chimney to be a working fire place from the sitting room side. Double arches will be added to transition from the sitting area to the bedroom area. The entire left side facing upstairs will be my area and the entire right side facing will be a guests suite.

Other evolutions include the installation of walls, floors and framing. The closet is now in place for the upstairs guest suite. The guest bath is now floored and framed. The back porch is framed to get ready to become a mud room/laundry room. David and Travis and I discussed the placement of electrical outlets (to be mounted in the floor molding), much like it was originally.

The gang will be taking the 4th of July off to rest, play, cook-out and check out the fireworks! Happy 4th of July!

This time is about "Woodcrest!"

This entry is about "Woodcrest," the house in Charlotte. Since I have mentioned that house more than once, I wanted to post a picture or two about the house I love there. I have been there since 2001 and loved every minute of it. Alot of what I like I want to bring to Russell Street. David and Travis are great and they understand what I want to duplicate. Some of those features are the arches, big closet, big bathrooms, open and light colors and very hospitable. I love older homes and there one-of-a-kind characteristics. Back at Russell, it has been a couple of days since I have seen it and cannot wait to see it on Thursday.