14514 Ventry Farm Court

Wrappin' Up

2010-02-19T11:32:00.000-08:00

Well...this will probably be my last construction post! We passed our electrical and plumbing inspections this week...and just have a few items to repair for our Final. IF our well passes on Monday...we could have our U and O that day! This means that we will be moving next weekend. We've been diligently running the water and we even went out and got well test tabs today so that we can test it ourselves.
It's been quite a journey and a huge learning experience. Thank you all for your following, support and the occasional prayer ;)
My next post will be once we've moved in!

Kitchen Countertops, Butler Countertops, Mirrors

2010-02-09T14:18:00.000-08:00

The Calm Before the Storm...

2010-02-05T09:38:00.000-08:00

Nothing terribly exciting this week...next week we get granite countertops in the kitchen and the brick will be going up around the range. New Items in the pics are: The powder room vanity and faucet, the pendant lights in the kitchen, the mirrors in Abby and Ella's baths, the dog tub, Mark enjoying his chainsaw, a built-in step stool under the wet bar (so cool), and soap/shampoo holders in the girls' baths.
Enjoy!

Appliances, Granite, Closets, Shower Glass and Lights...

2010-01-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

Master Bath granite was installed today...the copper sink you see is in the wetbar in the bedroom. The pic doesn't do the granite OR sink justice. We've got a few new lights in and our shower glass is being installed. For some reason I'm having trouble uploading the pics of the master closet...so those may have to wait.

Barn Beams!

2010-01-27T04:24:00.001-08:00

WE HAVE A KITCHEN!!

2010-01-20T14:05:00.001-08:00

Tile finished up this week and looks fantastic! Job well done. We've got some more fixtures in...and we've got a kitchen!!
The pictures don't do the craftsmanship any justice as there was a lot of dust in the air when I took them. The cabinets are absolutely magnificent and I can't say enough about them. The island is breathtaking! The green cabinets you see go to the butler's pantry. Click on the actual pictures to blow them up.

Fence, Gutters, Toilets, Closets, and Railings...

2010-01-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

Busy week this week...as you can see by all the new photos.
The hardwood started yesterday...which means we will be able to get our kitchen installed pretty soon. Our appliances are arriving in about two weeks.
Our exterior railings and posts are in and they look magnificent...the posts just need to be trimmed down a bit, get capped and they will be finished.
Enjoy!

Granite and Fence!

2010-01-07T08:14:00.001-08:00

Here are some new pics on the Farm...We got the granite installed for the laundry room and the kids' baths. Laundry is the one with the stainless sink. All of the kids' have the same granite...Andrew's is the only one with hardware installed. The piece of granite shown outside is for the living room fireplace.
The fence started today! Uncle Patrick is working on Ella's tub surround...Abby's will be the exact same.
Doors are done and they look fantastic! Flooring starting next week!
Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T13:04:00.000-08:00

Hopefully the new year will bring health and warmer weather...
Our master bathroom cabinets are in and the flooring is finished upstairs. Uncle Patrick has moved onto the tub surround in the master...floors are finished.
See you in 2010 ;)

Hardwood has begun and grading is done!

2009-12-30T11:04:00.001-08:00

The interior and exterior door staining is almost complete. The hardwood has started upstairs...the remainder will be completed in two weeks. Uncle Patrick has wrapped up tiling all the floors and is now starting to work on the showers and tubs. The grading was completed yesterday as was the staining of our front columns. We should have front porch and side porch rails by next week.

Getting back in the swing of things...

2009-12-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

These photos are from last week...not a whole lot went on, as you can imagine. We did manage to get our hardwood delivered...I took a few pieces out to get a picture of it next to the steps. I think it's going to look really sweet. I will get more pics soon...this should be a very productive week.

Christmas Week Update

2009-12-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

Not a whole lot going on this week...but that's to be expected with last week's blizzard and the impending holidays. We finally got the heat up and crankin' and the dehumidifier is in overdrive getting the moisture out of the house so that we can get hardwood installed. The wood is getting delivered tomorrow...then it has to sit for several days to acclimate to the temps. Hoping we can get rolling here next week. We are scheduled for our first round of granite the second week in January. Oh, and assuming the snow ever melts, we can get final grade and our fence installed.
Merry Christmas!

Propane, Granite and Columns!

2009-12-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

So we have columns on our driveway now! The railings and balusters are just about finished...and the door staining in under way. They have a mini door factory set up in the basement, it's pretty cool. Also, the guy came today to measure for granite :) Oh, and we finally have propane heat!!!!!!! Now we need to get the moisture out of the house and we can get flooring put in. We are getting pretty close now...although I'm sure the snow will hold us up for a while now :(

Copper, Lights, Fans, Rails, Steps, and Footers (for exterior columns)!

2009-12-15T13:53:00.000-08:00

Exhausting Week!

2009-12-12T17:30:00.001-08:00

Things are finally starting to wrap up on the exterior of the house...we hope to get final grading by the end of next week...assuming everything goes as planned. This will allow us to move forward with gutters, driveway, walkway and fence :)
As far as the inside goes...the painters are still a few days away from finishing painting. My Uncle Patrick stayed with us for two weeks and was able to get a lot of the tiling completed. The only thing he has left are the showers and some of our master bathroom floor. He's doing a fantastic job! Our railings are under way...as are the cabinets in some of the rooms. The next big things is getting hardwood in the house...but we can't do that until we get propane and the humidity is out of the house. Our electrician is going to start trimming out the inside of the house so we will have some functional lights.
Anyway...stay tuned and keep the rain away! We are getting our exterior railings put in on Tuesday and hope to get the columns for the driveway started...
Joe and I have finished picking everything for the house...the only things we have left are door stops, mirrors, towel bars and TP holders :)

Today's Happenings...Before the Rain (what else is new?!)

2009-12-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

So there WAS a lot going on this morning before the rain came...
Our barn beam headers went in above the side porch doors , the driveway culvert was installed, the front porch wood columns are in and trimmed, the rest of the first floor is getting ready for paint...they've lined all the trim and ceilings. In order is our master, family room, foyer and great room...Uncle Patrick has started on the powder room tile, but the pic doesn't do the tile justice...it looks awesome! And some more views of the front porch beams, which I love...thanks, Luke ;)

Shutters, Septic, and Tile!

2009-12-02T03:51:00.000-08:00

The sun is out and so are the outdoor tradesmen...FINALLY!! Our septic field and well trench are getting dug out this week. The shutters are up and they look SWEET!! They were installing the barn beams out front late yesterday, so I will get pix of that today. Take a look...we have steps!! Uncle Patrick came Monday and has already finished the laundry room floor! As you can see, it's exhausting laying tile ;)
The paint is almost finished upstairs and the trim on the first floor is under way...
Enjoy!

Looks like we just took the wrapper off!

2009-11-28T16:58:00.001-08:00

I know I say this every week...but this was a very busy week for the interior of the house. Unfortunately, the rain has kept most of the outside tradesman away...hopefully that will change next week.
She was power washed on Turkey Day! Looks like we just pulled the wrapper off.
The interior priming and the ceilings are painted...they have also started painting some of the upstairs rooms...
ONLY First coats :)
The rooms that are painted, as shown, are the bonus room, Abby's room and the guest bedroom. They just put a few splashes of color on Ella's room, but I am going to wait till there is more before I get a picture. We dropped off about 3 boat loads of tile over the last two days...that's hard work!
Uncle Patrick certainly has his work cut out for him. We hope and pray to get heat by Monday so that we can start warmin' her up before the floors go down. The columns are getting installed in the dining room and all of the trim is almost up! It's amazing how fast they work...
I have nothing but great things to say about our drywall/trim crew.
Keep your fingers crossed for NO MORE RAIN this week!!!!! WE have to get our units set outside, the septic and well need to go in and we need to get our porches put in...Lots more work to be done outside. If all goes well...we should have cabinets in two weeks!
Enjoy...

Primer, Baseboard, Doors...the list goes on!

2009-11-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Another busy week...The doors are getting hung, the baseboard is getting installed, the primer is on the upstairs walls, they are painting this weekend, the pine ceilings are finished, and the family room fireplace is stoned!
Now, if only the rain would stay away, we could button up the outside work...
The railings and balusters are going in next week...hopefully along with the shutters and copper, assuming the power washer shows up tomorrow.

Garage Doors, Interior Doors, Pavers...OH MY!

2009-11-18T17:05:00.000-08:00

Another productive week at the farm...we should be ready for primer here soon...and painting will follow. A little exciting twist to my last visit...I encountered 3 stray dogs...1 I chased home with my car, the other two (who wandered onto our back yard through the woods) actually had tags and I phoned the owner.
As Steve mentioned, I hope we don't run into any stray cows or chickens next time...I guess that's what you get when you move to the country.
House is getting acid washed next week and then we can put up the shutters, gutters, front columns and copper.

THIS IS THE BUSIEST WEEK EVER!! PHEW!

2009-11-13T04:26:00.001-08:00

Drywall will be finished this weekend! Our doors and trim are getting delivered today! We ordered our appliances a few days ago...that was fun. Next week they will start priming and getting ready for paint! We are supposed to order our paint next week...This weekend we are ordering tile and carpet! This has been a super busy week...glad it's the weekend :)

Moving along...

2009-11-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

We Have Walls!!

2009-11-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

We're Stoned!

2009-11-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

The stone is going up quickly at the farm...drywall is coming on Thursday and the insulators are almost finished. AND...we are getting all of our soffit, frieze, and fascia installed this week...
She's really starting to take on another dimension...looks awesome!

We Passed Our Gas...

2009-10-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

...framing, electrical, and plumbing inspections!
The mason should be stonin' next week...we've got insulation going up...the roofer is finishing his piece of the project...and we have started getting tiling quotes! Johnny's guys have started putting up/down the dura rock for the tile. Things are really rockin' and rollin' on the farm. I threw in a few pics of an actual farm near our house...you rarely get to see the stallion! Enjoy the pics!

I Forgot Some!

2009-10-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

We have a street sign! Also enjoy the colors of the leaves in Ventry now...
And, last, but not least, my heart dog (Brady) waiting for me to come home...

We be Stonin'

2009-10-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'll keep it short...I know the pics are more exciting than my commentary. This is another busy week for the builder and subcons of Ventry. As my brother in law says..."The hardest part of this project is over." THANK GOD! I'm burnt out :/
We are wrapping up the electrical and plumbing and should be ready for inspection next week. The masons are busy getting ready for stone and finishing up the brick.
Enjoy the pics!

Another Crazy Week on the Farm....

2009-10-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

Jen and Ella present...and update on our new hiz-ouse ;)

So...our faarplaces are in! We've got paar...AND all of our inspections should be happenin' next week...phew! We had our prelim framing inspection and everything looks great. The brick is really moving along...looks like they may get to stonin' next week if the weather permits. Let's see...also, Joe's low voltage stuff will get rollin' this week too. If that's not enough to keep you on the edge of your seats! :)

Moving along...

2009-10-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Mason is moving along this week...electrician is wrapping up!
Uncle Laverne paid us a visit...he said our cabinets will be done before November!
It's moving so quickly...
Our road should be paved by the next time that I take pictures (today).
Enjoy!

2009-10-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

Here's what we saw on the way home from the house...
How can you not want to give money to this poor soul?! ;)

Another busy week on the farm...

2009-10-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

The mason is really starting to lay some serious brick now...the electrician is going to be wrapping up on Wed, and looks like we will have our fireplaces ordered this week!

Busy week...but I'm behind on my pics...more to follow.

2009-09-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

2009-09-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

She's a brick....House! (ok, so that was cheesy) Yep, we are rockin' and rollin' here...hvac is wrapping up this week (we pray), electrician is almost done...she'll have power soon! And...the plumber is about to start rollin' on the septic...hopefully not in the septic ;)
Enjoy!

MY CAMERA IS WORKING!!

2009-09-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm almost certain that I've fixed my camera...we'll see. Anyhow...as you can see, the Mason has started! The electrician, plumber and HVAC trades have been busy working all week too...well, at least 2 of them have been busy ;). Our cabinet maker has been busy working on our cabinetry, so we are looking forward to seeing those.
Enjoy!

Johnny Gets Props! Finally :)

2009-09-09T08:46:00.001-07:00

Busy Week on the Farm...

2009-09-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've kept everyone hanging for a while...been busy as a bee. Well, my camera has been on the fritz and it's been taking terrible pictures...so I haven't been taking many. Notice I blamed it on the camera. I've tried to fix it, but to no avail.
Anyway, back to the house...Lots going on this week...met with 'lectrician on Mondy, HVAC is steadily movin' along, mason should be brickin' this week, cabinets are in the works, and the slabs have been poured.
Enjoy!

Lots happenin' this week...

2009-08-31T14:07:00.000-07:00

The framers are wrappin' up, the roofers are on a roll, HVAC is all over the house like flies on a rib roast, the porches are getting poured, and the kitchen cabinets are getting drawn!!
How cool!!
We have a new security system, as you can see...vultures preying on the unsuspecting intruder.
(they were actually down the street..but I thought it was a nice touch ;)

Nana Hon and Pop Pay a Visit...

2009-08-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

We Be Shinklin'!

2009-08-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

It's like ants on a picnic basket this week...the windows are almost completely set, the stairs are getting installed, the shingles are being laid, the concrete for the porches, basement steps, and garage is getting started and the kitchen is getting drawn next week!!

Sorry to keep everyone in suspense!

2009-08-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

Lots happening at Ventry...shingles are ready to be laid, steps have been delivered, windows are going in and the HVAC is taking shape! If you haven't had a chance to swing by...give us a shout and we would love to give you a tour. Andrew and Abby are expert tour guides and enjoy having visitors at the new pad.

2009-08-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

PLAYING CATCH UP!! LOTS HAPPENIN' on the FARM!

2009-08-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

A side note...(August 13th)

2009-08-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOHN KESSLER!!!
Enjoy your 25th birthday ;)
love,
j,j,a,a,e,e, and b :)

More Random Shots...

2009-08-13T09:11:00.001-07:00

Andrew and Abby had fun exploring the house the other day...they too took a dip in the tub. There's plenty of room for the whole family in there. We had to make a quick getaway as a storm was a-brewin'.

We Be Trussin'

2009-08-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

As you can see...they are making super duper progress...we are ordering our brick, stone and shingle this week! They are about 1.5 weeks out from having the house completely framed out. Now it's getting really exciting as the house takes shape and you can start naming rooms and visualizing furniture, etc. If you haven't been out to see it, you've gotta go! Email me for directions if you are interested in driving by: jen0315@gmail.com

Random Pics...

2009-08-11T11:52:00.001-07:00

In the first picture we have Millie peering in through the windshield (she actually took a bite out of my car yesterday:) Won't be parking that close anymore. In the next pic, Joe decides to take the easy way off the second floor.
The next few pics are of Ella working the cherry picker, Ella enjoying the wind through her hair in the back seat, and the deer scattering as we drive down Western Road.

Inside Pics...

2009-08-11T11:47:00.001-07:00

Here you have Joe doing his best impersonation of a Kohler commercial, a view from the kitchen into the family room, and Jen and e soaking in the tub :)

Got Roof?

2009-08-11T11:44:00.001-07:00

First Floor!

2009-08-07T05:37:00.001-07:00

Second Floor!

2009-08-07T05:29:00.001-07:00

Can't leave out the animals...and insects :/

2009-08-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

Here are my equine friends again, who now gallop to the fence when we pull up to visit :)
Abby and Andrew finally meet them and Abby names the horse on the left, "Sara."
Andrew finds a new pet, affectionately named, "Fred the Dead."
And, last, but not least, we have Bambi ;)

VENTRY GOES VERTICAL !!!

2009-08-04T08:29:00.001-07:00

You can walk on it now....

2009-08-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

Here's Abby cleaning up trash, which is what she usually does when we visit. She's worried about the polar bears dying...we just let her run with it :)

In the next picture, Joe and Andrew are playing Wii in the family room :)

Ella Meets Millie

2009-07-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

I've named this particular horse 'Millie'...I don't know why, it just suits her. She's so sweet. Every time I go by I stop to pet her...and as you can see, she's very affectionate. I believe the other horse is her daughter, she's not as outgoing. This was Ella's first time seeing a horse and she got a kick out of watching them eat out of my hand. Too cute :) There's no doubt that this girl is going to love animals too...

FRAMING HAS COMMENCED!!!!!!!

2009-07-30T08:33:00.001-07:00

Here you have pictures of the wood pile, steel beams and my goofy husband doing his best rendition of the keno commercial without the pogo stick, bathrobe and helmet :)

FRAMER'S STARTING on WED. NOW...

2009-07-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Let's hope it doesn't rain all week :(

FRAMER'S START ON TUESDAY!!!!!!

2009-07-22T12:29:00.001-07:00

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

2009-07-21T10:23:00.001-07:00

the steel

Our neighbor's house almost completed...fancy

2009-07-21T10:19:00.001-07:00

2009-07-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

2009-07-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Fun on the farm....

2009-07-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

Latest on the Farm...

2009-07-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

The plumber wrapped up his work, they poured the slab and delivered the steel in preparation for framing. It's been a quiet week this week, which has given me plenty of time to shop roofers and masons...what a pain!! I'm so tired of looking at shingles I could cry :( I think we are coming to the final pick, though-finally! We are staying ahead of the game so that there aren't any surprises. We've even picked out our carpet!
The kitchen design is complete as well as the plan for the rest of the custom cabinetry throughout the house. We are looking forward to picking our colors and hardware...
The next two weeks will be busy, I'm sure. I will keep you posted.
-jen

2009-07-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Latest Progress at 'The Farm'

2009-07-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here's Terence, who was found crossing the road to get to our lot ;)
We kept him for a few days till he pooped in the tub and then we released him into the wild.

p.s.

2009-07-01T09:31:00.001-07:00

The house is not really built on an ancient burial ground...for those of you who have not seen Poltergeist :)

Last, but not least...

2009-07-01T04:43:00.000-07:00

Exploring Part 2

2009-07-01T04:39:00.000-07:00

Exploring

2009-07-01T04:37:00.001-07:00

Ok, so pics are backwards...

2009-07-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

This is new to me, so next batch I will get in order...for now, work your way from bottom to top.

Silt fence to forms for walls

2009-07-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

Good Morning...

2009-07-01T03:41:00.000-07:00

Pics will be coming soon...but I will bring you up to speed on what's happenin' at the Farm.

The hole has been dug, the footers have been set, and the forms for the walls are in place. The concrete co. hopes to pour the walls this week...that's when things really start to take shape. For those of you who don't know, our lot is located in Sparks, MD, about 5 minutes north of Hayfields Golf Course and Wegmans. The house will be located on approx. 1.53 acres of an ancient indian burial ground, but don't worry, they moved the headstones.

Welcome to Our Home!

2009-06-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Joe and I would like to share the experience of building our house with you...so we've created this blog.