We knew that, once the drywall was in place, we’d be looking at a space that finally started to look like a place someone could live. I’m not sure, however, that I estimated accurately the degree to which the space was going to be transformed by some simple 4×10′ sheets screwed to the framing, paper tape and joint compound.
Over the course of the last couple of months we’ve had fits and spurts of progress. Our electrician came through to tidy up the wiring, the plumbing was finished up and the insulation was installed. Once that was completed the long awaited “closing inspection” happened. A note here on how incredibly stressful the lead up to this final inspection was. We went through and made sure every wire was just so, the plumbing was up to the city’s antiquated specification, there was insulation in every nook and cranny and the place was framed out to the hilt.
When inspection time came, the city inspector showed up with his cell phone to his ear and, while having a conversation with someone, glanced – literally – through the house and barely looked at anything at all. Inspection was over, he said “Go ahead and close the walls.” And that was it.
So in comes Carlos, our drywalling maven. Carlos is a trip. I know more Spanish thanks to him, but purely out of necessity. I don’t think he knows more than about 100 words of English. He just smiles, points and works his ass off. The Friday the drywall showed up he had a crew there to take it off the truck – all 209 sheets – and distribute it through the house. The crew, which ranged at any given time from 5 to 15 guys, scored, snapped, glued and screwed all but 8 of those sheets through the 1st through 3rd floors and the basement ceiling. They were done by Sunday night.
In contrast, the taping involved one person. Carlos. No one else is allowed to touch the tape or spackle. Just him. Not even me. Just Carlos. He worked from 7:30 to about 4:30 every day for six straight days, including the 4th of July, and on the seventh day he cleaned. The finished product as well as an updated shot of the facade are below in the pictures. Enjoy.
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- Our friend Steve Wilson checking out the kitchen drawings while standing in the future dining room
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- Looking toward the front door and living room from dining room.
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- Looking toward the 1st to 2nd floor stair from the front door
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- The future kitchen and powder room (door on left) from the dining room
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- Second floor guest room
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- Second floor bedroom behind me, the guest bath on left, then the closet and the family room
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- Standing in the bar area, looking toward the 2nd floor family room and balcony area
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- Standing in the balcony area, looking through the family room toward the wet bar
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- 3rd floor office and/or other spare bedroom
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- Standing in the office doorway, looking down the hall toward the master bedroom
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- Looking into the master bath from the main closet. Shower is straight ahead.
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- From the center of the master bedroom. Door on right is to closet, door on left is to 3rd floor hallway.
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- Looking toward the office and laundry room from the master bedroom
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- From the master bedroom doorway, looking toward the windows.
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- The view from the master bedroom.
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- Updated facade shot
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- 3rd floor windows with limestone banding above
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- New exterior stair, limestone water table front door and windows
