November 28 to December 2, 2011 -- Hardwood Floors Stained and Sealed (1 Coat) and More Tiling

This week, the hardwood floors were sanded and then stained.  It left one bad smell but our family kept our current master bedroom safe from the fumes and we slept there.  The smell left pretty quickly and Eric Busa went with a water-based poly that was POV- (or POC or whatever the use for smell/toxicity) friendly.  The water based dried pretty quickly and we had amazing floors afterwards.  Eric Busa recommended we do the last coat(s) after the final work has been done in the interior.

Master Carpenter, Eric DaSilva and Derrick Hicks continued to work on the tiling (master bathroom and 1/2 bath) and the outside decks.  At the end of this week, the master shower tiling is close to being done and the master bath floor has been finished but for the grout.   The 1/2 bath is complete.

According to Eric Busa, next week will be the final mechanicals (plumber, electrical, etc.) ...  we are really close to being done!   Honestly, it's hard to stop thinking and looking back at this adventure and be amazed of what Eric and the gang have been able to accomplish.  Well, I'll do that when we are finally done.

Eric also had the gas fireplace installed in the family room too!

More steps to the eventual end....

Anyway, here are the pics below.

Kitchen/breakfast area:

View down hallway from current family room into kitchen:

New family room:

View from family room into kitchen:

Master bedroom:

The balcony:  

View from balcony down to family room:

View down hallway into master bedroom:

Back bedroom:

Tile for master bathroom:  Gazzini Summer.

Shower tile being installed:

More pictures of Erik DaSilva working on the shower tile.  Boy did he have an eventful week.  Topic for a while other blog.  

1/2 bath tiling done.  Foyer to go (next week, I hope).

Front decking being installed.  We are going with AZEK composite.  NO MAINTENANCE NECESSARY.  The color is Java or Mocha.  Some dark coffee color.  I think this color does well to emphasize the brown color of the siding.

Back deck being put together.  Same decking as front.

You know we are getting close to the end when THE LADDER that was there from the beginning is now OUTSIDE of the house...  Thanks to Derrick for making it.  We have to find a home for this when the project is complete!

 We're getting close to being able to buy a XMAS tree!