Friday, November 15, 2013

More Covered Porch + What's Next?

We didn't get as much done as we would have liked yesterday, but I still have a few more tidbits from the covered porch project to share. The ceiling is wired up for a new light.

I ordered the below ceiling light from shadesoflight.com. I've had my eye on star pendant lights like this one, but our ceiling is not really high enough for something that hangs so we needed more of a flush mount fixture.


The bluestone turned out better than I thought it might at the start of the project. We had a hard time lining up the edges and getting the pattern to look uniform due to the fact that these stones are natural and have slight variations in size and thickness, but after a few rows we got the hang of finessing it. If we had it to do over, we'd definitely use a two over one pattern, but all things considered it turned out quite nice. It's very neutral and seems to blend right in. (I will share more pictures of the full space once the power tools and construction supplies are moved out of the way. With all the materials hanging around it is still hard to get a sense of how everything flows together. For now a close up shot of one of the few clear areas was the best I could get!)


Once this space is complete, Josh will be using it as an entry/waiting area for chiropractic and nutritional counseling patients who come to the house. We are planning to add seating, a Keurig coffee/tea machine, plants, and maybe even a small trickling fountain. One of the first "finishing touch" pieces was added to the space this week when Josh mounted his brochure rack.

When the space is finally "open for business" the next phase of our life starts. We've been working so hard on the house to make it not only functional for us, but also a home practice for Josh. Once patients start coming over I imagine there will be a more lively vibe around here, and I'm certainly looking forward to that. I can't wait to have people coming and going. Just a little more action, you know? More noise in the house, more faces to see. It should be a very good thing, indeed.

7 comments :

  1. looking good, people! looking really, really good!!!!

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  2. I just wanted to tell you how much I look forward to your updates! I've been following your progress for months now. ts like reading the next chapter of a long book. I'm always a little sad on the days where there are nothing new to read. I love what you have created!

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    1. Thank you Leslie, that is the nicest possible comment I could ask for! You made my day :)

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  3. How exciting! It all looks so 'finished' and the brochure holder somehow finalises the professional look of it all. Congratulations! (Although I have to admit I would swap the chaos of my days with the quiet of yours many times over ;) ).

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  4. Hi Claire, I've been reading your blog for some time and find your life decision fascinating. You hinted to the loneliness factor in this post (and the winter post, recently). Are either of you big on the "extrovert" scale? As a huge extrovert, I am interested in whether there is a big coping difference between introverts and extroverts living a more solitary existence.

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    1. Hi Anonymous, thanks for commenting! I'd say we are both introverts in general but I know that I need a balance and have been happiest when I have a strong community of friends and family around me. Since we didn't know a soul when we moved here, we're still in that period of trying to meet friends and become part of the community. It's not easy in a town of 600 where most people have lived here their entire lives and don't necessarily need to make more friends. We have to make a real effort. It has been an eye opening experience to be in this new place and realize all of the things I took for granted before. Learning a lot about myself too :)

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  5. i love that light. who knew what a huge difference a light could make?

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