Home Improvement Project

 Last Tuesday we called our contractor to see when he was going to start and he said he could start the next day (Wednesday).  So, we moved what we could and when he arrived we learned that he planned to remove all the carpet (although he is not the carpet layer) and then install the wood floor in the dining area, kitchen, and entry.  For the last few days we have been walking around on plywood flooring (watch those slivers).  This is the dining area minus the carpet.

 Here is the living room, minus the carpet, with all the furniture piled together.  The two pantry cupboards from the kitchen are out on the deck and the hall tree at the entry door is out on the front deck.

 The rail had to go.  I took this picture just for old times sake.  Where will we hang the stockings for Christmas?  On the new wood railing!!!  This one went to Habitat for Humanity.

 Here are all the boxes of flooring and moisture paper.

 This is all that was left.

 They started the job in the dining room.  They did an excellent job of floor preparation and then laying out the color variations and joint spacing.  The actual top layer of wood (it is "engineered" flooring) is 3/4" thick with only the top 1/4" the actual finished wood.  It is nailed to the plywood and is quite stable as compared to full thickness hardwood.  It is Hickory with a dark walnut finish.

 Notice the 45 degree bump out into the living room (an extra 15").  The contractor suggested it otherwise the chair on the west end of the table would always be "on and off" the edge of the flooring.  This will give wood flooring right up to the back of the couch.  We left all the baseboards off.  He will install white ones when he comes back to trim out all the windows in a month or so.

 Dining room furniture back in place.  Everything has felt pads on the bottom of the legs.

 The kitchen.  The wood goes all the way under the stove and refrigerator.  The contractor did all the moving and relocating of the appliances.

The entry way.  He finished today.  Did I say how much Mom and I love the wood, the color, the style, etc.?  The carpet is here in Moscow.  The contractor has to install the new oak railing and balusters first.  Hopefully later this week or early next week.  Then they can install the carpet.  Later in September, October, and November he will come back and trim out all the windows, install baseboards, and new white 6 panel pre-hung doors upstairs and down.  We love it, love it, love it!!!!!!!!!!!