Appliance Shopping Complete

After I signed my purchase agreement with Minto I began watching the sales flyers for appliances.  I got some great deals and picked up some really nice appliances.  The only outstanding item was a fridge which I purchased this afternoon.  Here is what I got … keeping in mind that the kitchen appliances are black not white as they are in the photos.

Washer and Dryer

I picked these up last fall during a super clearance event.  I certainly don’t need every bell and whistle that you can get on a washer and dryer so the fact that mine don’t have the steam feature doesn’t bother me.  It would have been nice to get a cool colour but they didn’t have any on clearance.  White works fine.  And I saved about $800 off the regular pair deal.

Kenmore Elite HE3t Washer

Kenmore Elite HE3 Electric Dryer

Stove

I have a decent Whirlpool stove right now.  The one thing that I wanted to add this time was a convection oven since I do a lot of cooking and baking.  My mom enjoys having this feature and I know it will help to save me some time in the kitchen.  The issue with most convection ovens is the price.  So I kept watching the flyers and knew how low the sales prices usually went for the model I wanted, $400 off.  So, when the Boxing Day sales flyer showed my model on sale for $500 off I went down to the Sears home store in Regina where I spent Christmas.  The salespeople had never seen the price that low.  Good deal!

Kenmore 30 inch Convection Range

Dishwasher

My goal was to spend no more than $500 on a dishwasher, preferably less.  I had my eye on a tall tub dishwasher for $499.  Then I noticed a little better one on sale during Boxing Day, a $599 dishwasher on sale for $349.  Another great deal!

Kenmore Tall Tub Dishwasher

Fridge

I took a look at bottom freezer fridges for a 34×70 opening at the Boxing Day sale.  Some were obviously too small.  But I did find one without a lot of extras (such as the water line) that would fit both the opening and my budget.  In fact, I’d saved enough on the other items to pay for the fridge.  Unfortunately, this one is a newer model (with a stabilizer bar in the pullout freezer) and is apparently a Sears best buy so it will not go on sale.  I’m happy with it since it gives me lots of storage room for my supplies and leftovers.

Kenmore Elite 22 cu ft Bottom Freezer Fridge

Delivery and installation is organized for the evening of the day that I move in.  The dishwasher installation will be the day after.  I’m looking forward to trying out the convection oven!

Two and a Half Weeks to Go

Yes, two and a half weeks until moving day.  This past Sunday I had a mini-panic over how much I had to do at work and with closing and moving.  Okay, not so mini.  I couldn’t fall asleep.  Needless to say, I was exhausted on Monday.

All the banking paperwork is in order.  I contacted the utilities to follow up my online requests for new accounts.  The builder had already contacted them so everything is in order.  And I already have my account number with Ottawa Hydro.  Still playing phone tag with Rogers.  The rep I’ve been dealing with is very helpful but she doesn’t work full time.  And with having been out of town a lot over the past week and a half it doesn’t help. So, I’m still waiting for my new phone number.  And it appears Rogers screwed up my final bill for this location.  Grrr.

I’ve booked the mover and the elevator in my building.  I still have a ton of stuff to pack.  Well, not really a ton since how much stuff can you actually put in a 488 sq. ft. condo?  Not much furniture, that’s for sure!

And if that weren’t enough, guess what I get to do tomorrow?  I have to get  a temporary driver’s license since somehow I managed to lose mine on my connecting flight through Winnipeg to Ottawa.  Yes, I boarded with it and made it home without it.  Checked at the airport.  Not there.  It didn’t show up in the mail.  So, instead of packing tomorrow morning, this is what I get to do with my time.

Trim Inspection Tuesday

I attended my trim inspection on Tuesday.  The good news is that none of my selections were mixed up.  Everything is there.  And Minto is ahead of schedule.  The hardwood floor was installed sometime over the last 5 weeks.  Jason, the builder rep, told me it is unusual to have the hardwood floor installed by the trim inspection.  And my carpet was also in.  One of the tradespeople was there when I arrived and he said the carpet had been installed sometime over the previous 2 days.  All of the fixtures are in, the plumbing is working and the furnace is keeping my home nice and warm.

Jason took me through at lightning speed.  But with only a 1/2 hour to check to make sure none of my selections or upgrades were missed, I didn’t get a lot of time to check things out … or take many pictures.  Here is what I have to share.

Kitchen

I am really happy with how my kitchen turned out.  I love the simple maple cabinets and the contrast the countertop provides.  I am really pleased with my tiles.  I knew after visiting model homes that my designer’s suggestion of the tile below was the right one.  I am so glad I chose it.  Thanks Suzanne!  And that white hood fan?  That will be replaced.  I refused to pay the builder to upgrade to a black one.

Kitchen View #1

Kitchen View #2

Kitchen Floor Tile

Master and Ensuite

Okay not much to see here.

Master Bedroom

More interesting things to look at in the ensuite.

Master Ensuite #1

Master Ensuite #2

The countertop looks more golden brown than I thought it would, which is a good thing.  When I first pulled it off the shelf at the design centre it looked very grey.  Hmmm, that faucet looks suspiciously like the ones my parents have.  Their faucets make it really difficult to simply rinse when brushing your teeth.  If this is the same one it will have to go.  Too bad because this actually is a decent standard faucet.

Master Ensuite #3

My dad saw this photo and asked if there was a window in my shower.  No, that’s just a reflection.  lol  No ceramic soap dishes!  Had those deleted at the design centre.  The overhead shower light makes these tiles look really yellow when they’re nothing of the sort.

Master Ensuite Shower Tiles

A much better representation of the shower tiles.  Brown, not yellow.

Bedroom #2

I think of this as bedroom number 2.

Bedroom #2

I still hate these closet doors but I couldn’t justify spending any of my upgrade money to change them.  If I feel like changing them at some point I will.  But for now I remind myself that these seem fairly standard in Ottawa and no one has died from having them in their house.  As far as I know …

Main Bath

When I made my choices for the main bath I had no doubts.  Good choices, I thought.

Main Bath

Then I saw this and the first thought I had was “I didn’t think that countertop would be so orange.”  And I like orange!  Yes, it is the correct one.  I’m just going to need some time to get used to it.  I chose a neutral tile with edges that look beveled.  I also went with a darker grout which is the opposite of the vinyl flooring which has a dark ’tile’ with a lighter ‘grout’.  Yep, definitely need time to get used to this.

Basement

Not much to see here.  I just love the fact that I have a fireplace and it isn’t gold.

Basement

Staircase

I absolutely love the staircase!

Staircase from Upstairs

I don’t know what I’m going to put in that niche.  My paintings are too big.

Maple Staircase

Love it!  And so will my cat.  Well, I’ll like it on her behalf.  She won’t be able to claw it like carpet and it will give her some exercise.

So, now on to finishing up my moving details.  I have to choose a mover this weekend now that I have quotes.  I have to set up gas, electricity and an account with the city.  Phone, cable and Internet are taken care of already.  And I have to cancel existing services at my condo.  Way too many change of address cards to mail out.  Too bad my cat can’t write.

Master Ensuite Design Choices

I decided to do something a little different in the master ensuite using green as the accent colour instead of orange.  We had a little difficulty finding a combination of things that would work with my overall colour scheme and that would work together in the bathroom.  Here are the 2 options we came up with.

Master Ensuite Option #1

Master Ensuite Options #1

What I liked about this option was the contrast between the lighter brown tiles and cabinets and the dark countertop.  My only reservation was the countertop colour: grey with veins of brown and gold.  It actually reminded me of one of my favourite ice cream flavours, gold medal ribbon. 

The natural maple shaker cabinets are a level 1 upgrade (yellow to blue dot).  The floor and wall tile are a level 1 upgrade.  The standard flooring is vinyl.  An upgrade to ceramic tile flooring brings you to the blue dot level, standard for the entrance.  The ensuite shower tile option is a level 1 upgrade (yellow to blue dot).  The countertop is a level 3 upgrade (yellow to green dot).

Master Ensuite Option #2

Master Ensuite Decor Options #2

The only thing we changed with this option was the countertop.  I wasn’t entirely sold on the grey and price of the other one.  This countertop is a level 1 upgrade (yellow to blue dot).  This countertop is brown and definitely looks nice.  However, I wasn’t entirely sold on this option with my tile and cabinet choices.  Honestly, it just didn’t look as nice as the countertop in Option #1.  I was also trying to keep my upgrade costs down to stretch the budget out as much as possible.

Master Ensuite Final Choices

After going back to my pictures and thinking about it over and over I finally made my decision.

Master Ensuite Options #1

I went for contrast … Option #1:

• natural maple shaker cabinets
• shower tiles – angora capri ivory 8×10
• floor tiles – angora capri ivory 13×13
• countertop 1799-07 (sorry, no name again)

Tuesday Trim Inspection

I will finally get a look inside my townhouse on Tuesday during my trim inspection.  Looking through the front window just isn’t the same.  I’m excited but also a little nervous.

I went through my list of choices and upgrades last night and am hoping that everything is correct.  I also hope that the designer and I didn’t mess up anything ending up in me signing off on something I didn’t actually want.  The only thing I noticed on my list of upgrades and that is concerning me is the name of the tile for my entrance and kitchen.  The 2 tiles I had narrowed it down to have very different names.  There could be no mix up there.

The potential problem is that the name on the upgrades/selection form is missing a word.  Instead of ‘angora portofino lava’ it is simply ‘angora portofino’.  I’m really hoping that this isn’t an issue because both my designer and I know full well that I chose the ‘lava’ tile.  I even have the photo from my December appointment.

I’m crossing my fingers hoping that everything I chose is there.

Final Main Floor Choices

I had my final design appointment with Suzanne at the beginning of December.  Here are my final design choices for the main floor.

My Final Choices - Main Floor

I stayed with almost everything I was originally leaning towards in Option #1:

• natural maple shaker cabinets
• Mirage Classic Maple hardwood floors in Vienna, 2 and 1/4 inches
• the reddish brown backsplash tile (Chinook noce brown 4×4)
• kitchen countertop 4728-60 (sorry, I don’t have a name)

I did change my mind on the floor tile, opting for the more interesting of the 2 I had narrowed it down to:  Angora Portofino Lava 13×13.

Final Main Floor Flooring Choices

Here are all the choices I made, including the carpet (Malted Beige).

Final Main Floor Decor Choices

And another view, albeit with bad lighting.  lol

Overall I am very happy with my choices.  The light cabinets and darker floors and countertops provide contrast.  The selections work well with my colour scheme as well.  I am looking forward to my warm, modern main floor!

Main Floor Tile Choices

My townhouse comes with ceramic tile in the entrance foyer and powder room.  I also opted to upgrade to ceramic tile in the kitchen and breakfast area.  When I started looking at the standard level tile I could choose from (blue dot level) I realized there were plenty of options.  There were some really beautiful choices at higher levels but I wanted to keep my updgrade costs as low as I could.

With the help of my designer, I narrowed it down to 2 similar looking tiles.  In fact, these tiles are exactly the same colour.  One simply has more depth and dimensionality than the other.

Floor Tile Options

Originally I was leaning towards the tile on the left.  It is clean and simple and goes well with the cabinets and hardwood flooring.  My designer pulled out the ‘busier’ tile on the right and suggested putting that one in the entrance area.  It would allow me to keep the same colour throughout the open concept main floor but provide more interest.

At first I did not like the tile on the right because of the blue-grey bits.  I left the decision until the deadline because I needed to think about it.  Over time I realized that the tile on the right was more interesting, provided more depth and contrast, and would help to hide dirt a little better.    I eventually decided to go with this one in the entrance and the kitchen and haven’t regretted my decision since.

Builder and Floor Plan

Originally I had intended to write a post about my builder and floor plan much earlier than this.  I got sidelined by work and having to make choices for my new house.  So even though it is late, better late than never, right?

I did quite a bit of research on builders and new developments in Ottawa.  My research included the obvious, such as floorplans, prices and upgrades.  I also researched the city’s plans and rules for development including transit, zoning, storm water pond placement, flooding risk and soil conditions.

After visiting model homes I chose Minto’s Manhattan townhouse.

Minto's Manhattan Townhouse

Townhouses, by their very nature, are narrower than a detached house.  But compared to the tiny condo I’ve been living in for the past 7 years, this townhouse will feel huge.  The open kitchen-great room will make the space feel bigger.  Plus there is a slightly vaulted ceiling in the breakfast area to let in extra light.  I also love the circular staircase.

The second floor is fairly standard.  I found that the upstairs designs for most builders didn’t really offer anything revolutionary in house design.

I lucked out in location getting a unit on a crescent with single family homes behind me and across the street to the east.  My lot is also without a backyard easement so I do not need to provide access to my neighbours for them to access their yards.  Big bonus!

Hardwood Floor Choices

When I bought my condo I wished that I had been able to afford to add hardwood flooring.  Financially it just wasn’t feasible for me.  I like the look of hardwood floors both the traditional kind and the more modern engineered version.  Plus, hardwood floors help with my allergies.  So, when I chose to buy a new house I knew that I wanted to add hardwood flooring.

There are so many hardwood flooring options these days.  Width of plank, over concrete or not, and colour options just to name a few.  To fit with my colour scheme I knew I had to find a brown that would work.  It couldn’t be too orange, like the beautiful traditionally installed oak that my parents had in their house.  I also didn’t want to go with a light floor as I feel that a darker brown floor would ground my whole design scheme.  So, I settled on a dark brown.  But even within that choice there are a lot of options.

Oak in Java, Vienna and Merlot (left to right)

I started playing around with the options at the design centre and found 3 possible colour options within the Mirage line available in either oak or maple:  Java, Vienna and Merlot.  All 3 of these options provide a really rich looking floor.  I quickly ruled out Java as it seemed to be too dull a brown for my colour scheme.

Now that I had narrowed the options to Vienna or Merlot, I focused in on the wood itself, maple or oak?

Oak Vienna, Oak Merlot, Maple Merlot, Maple Vienna (clockwise from top left)

Both are beautiful choices.  After some research I determined that maple and oak aren’t too different on the hardness scale.  I had a really difficult time making this choice.  I was leaning towards maple the entire time because I like the fact that the grain isn’t as noticeable as it is with oak.  The decision ended up being made for me when the pricing came back and the maple turned out to be cheaper than the oak.

Mirage Maple Vienna and Merlot (left to right)

Now I was left with the choice of colour and width.  After going back and forth over a couple of appointments I realized that the Merlot was too purple for my colour scheme.  I loved this option but it just didn’t work for me.  The Vienna has more orange and brown in it and it just fit with the colours I was already working with.

When it came down to the width of the planks, I was wavering between 2 and 1/4 inches and 3 and 1/4 inches.  I’ve seen both and they look great.  I’ve lived in old houses with narrow planks and even though they look traditional I’ve seen them in new houses as well and they look great.  Again, the decision came down to cost.  The 2 and 1/4 inches is less expensive than the 3 and 1/4 inches.

In the end I chose Mirage Maple Vienna in 2 and 1/4 inch.  I also splurged on a hardwood staircase and spindles stained to match.  I’ve seen the staircase through the front door window and it looks great!

Kitchen Design Choices

I passed the builder deadline to inform me of a delay, so my original closing date of April 6th still stands.  I realized that with closing coming up so fast I should update my house blog.  It has been a few months.  What can I say?  Life sometimes gets in the way.

Since I have a specific colour scheme in mind, and have had so for years, it didn’t take me long to rule out all kinds of options at the design centre.  Blue, black and grey are really big at the moment.  Because of that, the design centre had lots of options for people who wanted to choose these colours.  So, the challenge was to make up my mind about what I did want from the options that worked.  My designer, Suzanne, was very helpful in suggesting a few things that work together and that kept me within my upgrades budget.

Kitchen Design Option #1

Kitchen Design Option 1

My main floor is open concept so everything has to flow together (floor plan posting to follow).  We started with kitchen selections.  I brought a pillow and paint samples with me to help us come up with some options.  This is the first option that we came up with for the kitchen.

The cabinets are maple shaker, a level 1 upgrade from the standard option (from yellow to blue dot).  I find that shaker cabinets, while being very traditional, also have a modern feel and work well in a contemporary design scheme.  I currently have flat slab natural maple cabinets and love them.

The countertop was a level 4 upgrade (from yellow to black dot).  I picked out this countertop when I was scouting out the design options last fall.  I loved the richness of the colours.  It gives the countertop a lot of depth without being stone.  And that saves me money which is always a good thing … especially when building a new house. 

I was having some difficulty finding a backsplash tile that I liked, would work with my colour scheme, and wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.  Suzanne pulled out the one in the photo and immediately I loved it.  This is a level 2 upgrade (yellow to red dot).  The tiles are quite red but they are warm and they work really well with the countertop.  Ignore the tiles with the designs.  Those require an expensive custom order and don’t fit with the clean lines I’m going for.  They’d be great in someone else’s kitchen, though.

Kitchen Design Option #2

Kitchen Design Option 2

Suzanne and I came up with a second possible option for the kitchen, one with a lower budget.

We kept the natural maple shaker cabinets but dropped the countertop to a level 1 upgrade (yellow to blue dot).  The countertop in this option is brown and still has some depth to it.  The brown backsplash tiles are the same size as those in Option #1.  They are also a level 2 upgrade (yellow to red dot).

Immediately on putting these options together I didn’t get the same feeling.  The countertop didn’t pop and the tiles weren’t nearly as warm.  They all work together and would work with my colour scheme but they didn’t speak to me like the other choices.

Since this was my first design appointment I gave myself some time to think about my options and to consider my budget.