Wades Beach: Out of the Ashes

We made a visit to the house yesterday, our first in six weeks, and it was an amazing scene to behold. We were able to ascend a staircase to the second floor for the first time, and the new master bedroom and bath are all framed out. We stepped out onto what will be a small patio on the second floor. The view is terrific.

Probably the biggest surprise was walking downstairs to the new basement. The old house only had a dirt basement and was a scary sight. For the new house we dug it out and poured a new basement. The storage space down there is incredible.

We had a great meeting with Rob (architect) and Tor (builder) to get a progress report. We are still looking good for a March completion, believe it or not. We had to pick where the washer and dryer will be located in the basement, a big decision. We met Mike the Plumber too, he’s doing the work on the three bathrooms this week. All of the windows are installed except the two round ones we got from Demolition Depot; hopefully they will be ready next week. We also have to choose a front door. Tor recommends steel since the weather out on Shelter Island by the beach is so fierce.

The deck hasn’t been started, but that will come in about a month. The exterior will be underway too, installing the wood shingles to the sides of the house. It looks kind of naked without them. The roof is on and the chimney is in place. I can’t not mention the other highlight of the trip: we now have a Porta Potty sitting on the front lawn!

For our part, we are visiting plumbing and lighting supply stores to look for fixtures. We go out to the house again next week to meet the electrician.

On the last day of the year, and with the two-year anniversary of the fire looking in a few weeks, we could not be more happy about the progress out there. Stay tuned!


Chrissie at the side porch door.


The front of the house with the sunroom.


The future kitchen. Note bay windows.


Living room and new fireplace (bricks & mortar this time)


Second floor with master bedroom.


Chrissie on stair leading to second floor.


New basement: install a bar or bowling alley?

Labels: Construction

It's been a few weeks since we visited the construction site. Today we got a new batch of photos in from the scene of the action, and we are happy to report that there is now a roof, chimney, windows and more walls. Yay! The process has been going on for months, but the construction looks like it's speeding along well now.

These are the photos:


View from the street; there will be a round window in the second level.


Side of the house, the kitchen door is on the left.


View of the back of the house.


This is the view from the new second level balcony. Our pod is still on the front lawn!


This is the interior of the second level; note the chimney on left (bricks and mortar this time)


Upstairs on level 2 interior.

Labels: Construction, Fireplace