Monday, May 12, 2014

We bought an island!

The island purchase is complete!  We now have to wait 4 weeks for the special order and then we can have a contractor install the new 8ft x 3ft island!  I'm so excited for all that work space, AND for the pot drawers!!  We also went to home depot to check out their quartz selection and they came back with a phenomenal price... $4,600 and NO TAX!  That's for all new quartz counters, the color is called Cortina but looks like Carrera marble, it is simply stunning with our espresso cabinets and dark floors, it really will brighten things up!  We haven't bought the counters yet though since we wanted to get a few more quotes, I don't think anyone can beat that price though for quartz but I'm a littler leery of going through HD, I've read some bad reviews... anyone use HD for counters or other projects where they send out subs??  I'm just worried that by saving money we're sacrificing quality...

Here is a sample of the Cortina quartz along with some paint color options (the darker is for the morning room and the lighter is the main living/kitchen).

I am also looking for zero radius sinks and the industrial commercial pull down sprayer faucets.  I also need a backsplash and lighting!  So much to get!  I'm so hesitant on buying these things online though, I know with lighting I can find great deals, but I need to see it in person, I hate shipping that stuff back and forth, not to mention the expense of the shipping!





Tuesday, May 6, 2014

10 month inspection

So yesterday was our 10 month inspection, and honestly, I felt like I barely had anything on my list.  I only had 2 rooms with any nails pops, the RH service rep said that our side of the street, the lots are pretty much solid bedrock underneath, so many people didn't have many pops or cracks because the settling is so minimal, so that made me happy to know we are on super solid ground!

The main issue I had was with the yard, and our service rep, Matt (who was awesome btw!) he said he was already out at out lot and discusses with the PM what needed done, there was no hesitation that they will come in, re-grade, re-seed and add a drain too to help with the water accumulation in our yard.  It will be done within the next 2-3 weeks, so we shall see if they keep their promise!  I told them I don't want any rock soil, and he assured it's screened topsoil when they come back to do the yard work after the 10 months, so I will hold him to his word!

Other than a few floor squeaks and a few settling cracks, we have been very pleased with our Ryan Home, now, if they can only sell the empty lot next to us!  That this will NOT sell!  I think it's cursed....

On another positive note, it's going to be freaking HOT this week, FINALLY!  This Pittsburgh winter has been rough, it did test the limits of our furnace and insulation, both of which we were very pleased with, our house stayed nice and toasted, but our skin suffered, and nose bleeds every morning!  Not to mention our poor hardwood contracting, but they are all back to normal now that the humidity levels are rising!  Hopefully we won't see another winter like that EVER again!