Tarantula Arms Is Getting A Facelift

[air-waycharlie]

Spoke with............

Ida tonight.

I've got first dibs on the shower later this month when the family convenes at T/A!

I love all the updated looks of everything and can't wait to play, "touchy, feely", with all the new stuff.

Tania is horrified that Ida is replacing/updating, but, it's Ida's place and his decision.

Looking forward to seeing you Veda, and Robert. Dan and Glenn with be there too.

Won't it be fun experiencing the new Tarantula Arms? I am aglow with anticipation!

H.

 

[compactelectra]

Moving Right Along

Shower tile is done ( up to the ceiling.)  Can't wait to see it grouted with the plumbing fixtures installed.  Decided on the lighter paint for the walls and white trim.  Hopefully I can get the painter in here this week.

 

[compactelectra]

Tub Enclosure

Is closed up and tiled.  Next week the tile will be done up the wall to the bottom of the window.  The strip mosaic tile will go around right under the window and around the wall.  Had an air switch installed to work the jets from inside the tub.  Yikes!  That caused a bit of work.  Can't wait to negotiate the extras with Jerry.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

We should have a slumber party in our sleeping bags on that heated bathroom floor!

 

[polkanut69]

Charlie,

Isn't it fun to play "touchy feely" with something new? 

 

[mjm0424]

Gold framed mirror

I have the same gold framed mirror in the first pic,w/ an interesting story. I went thrifting w/my friend Michael.Found this mirror.He lived in Lakeview in Chicago at the time, late 1990.As I was walking home w/the mirror,I saw an ABC news truck w/a reporter on the corner of Halsted & Cornelia.Was tempted to go behind the reporter & wave with the mirror. Something told me not to. When I got home the phone was ringing off of the hook. Turns out the story that broke was Jefferey Dahmer. The reporter was in front of the bar where he got his last victim!The mirror hangs in the entryway of my home.To this day my friends call it "The Jefferey Dahmer Mirror"!

 

[compactelectra]

OK

The tiling is done (almost - holding off on the final tiling until the cabinetry is completed).  A shot of the shower and tub.

 

[compactelectra]

A Shot

Of the shower controls and shower heads.  Greg says it looks like the inside of a dishwasher.  Not quite - but a body washer.

 

[compactelectra]

A Note From Jerry

Yes Sir!

 

[compactelectra]

And The Tub

Roberto the painter has started.  White trim and the walls will be the lighter color on the tile.

 

[danemodsandy]

Great Progress!

I really admire the speed and efficiency with which Jerry does things. I'm more accustomed to a DIY pace, which is, shall we say, a bit more leisurely?

It looks great - I can't wait to see the shower enclosure go up. Thanks for the photos!

P.S.: I'm also very curious about the vanity area. The arrangement you had before was very spacious, lavish even. It'll be fun to see what happens there.

 

[suckolux]

Amazing!

 

[gusherb]

I just cannot get over the amazing tile you picked out! and the tile job isn't so bad either...

 

[compactelectra]

Thanks Everyone

I am really pleased how things are turning out.  The amount of choices one has on a project like this is almost limitless and quite mind-boggling.  And then, of course, having to live with bad decisions with such a major investment.  Some people won't like it or second-guess you on the choices, but I like it and that's what's important.  Having so much fun with this.  I sent Jerry an email last night just to reassure him - he did good.


 


Sandy - I'll be interested as well in how the vanity turns out.  It will basically be the same shape except that the opening for the make-up stool will be replaced with drawers.  Much more practical.   It's being custom built right now.  The counter will be the same granite as the seat in the shower and the fixtures, brushed nickel to match the rest.  Darker wood with no grain, I think we went with maple in a plain design.  Again, 1,000 choices.  It can give you a headache.  Everything happens in stages right now.  The tile had to go up to be measured for the shower enclosure.  The counter top for the vanity has to be measured after the cabinets go in.  Yadda yadda yadda.  Jerry is managing it very well.

[this post was last edited: 10/11/2013-19:07]

 

[compactelectra]

More email correspondence with Jerry

This week.  Sent him an email that the painter was coming in on Thursday.  Got this in response:


 


<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">Okay, Great.
We will move the items in the bedroom tomorrow so they are not in his way also. Watch as you walk across the bath floor...some of it has been grouted this afternoon.
Picked up the trim pieces this afternoon from FCA.
The shower glass has been ordered and Abby has said she will do her best to have it here around the 21st or so.
The rest of the floor and some of the tub will be grouted tomorrow.
I will be at the class I spoke of earlier this month next week. Matt will still be here finishing odds and ends next week. We will basically be waiting on the cabinets and the shower walls.
Thursday we will be putting the trim back up in the toilet area so Roberto can paint in there next week as everything will be done except a small area by where the cabinets go on the switch wall...need to put the cabinets in first and then tile up to them.
As I looked over everything today I did notice one small snag coming up I never saw before. Since we are having the cabinets made at the new taller height and the granite is actually 1" higher than the old tops, the mirrors will sit higher than before. We knew that going into this, but it never dawned on me that the cut-outs for the electrical wont match up now. The rest of the mirrors will just go a little higher and look great...but the middle one is going to be off now. We will have to address this at some point.
Since I will be gone next week, we are going to wait to take out the oven till I return and put the new one in then. Don't worry about the old one being hauled away. We will take care of it.
Things are coming together nicely and are looking great I think. The next week will bring all the changes together... I like what we see!
As always, any ?'s let me know.
Thanks,  Jerry </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">BTW - He's putting a new wall oven in the kitchen for me.  Thanks Greg

  He brought me to the Nebraska Furniture Mart and just had to buy a new KitchenAid wall oven too.  Might as well go for broke!</span></p>

 

[danemodsandy]

No MAKEUP STOOL????

Horrors!

What will Helen Lawson twirl on now?

Don't answer that! ;-)

 

[compactelectra]

Roberto The Painter

Finished today.  He is great.

 

[danemodsandy]

Best Paint Job....

....Since Helen Lawson's last visit to Merle Norman!

Seriously, it looks great.

 

[luxlife]

Kitchen Aid ovens.

If that's the duo with microwave/convection in the top oven then you're going to LOVE them. I haven't found anything yet that mine won't do well and I've tried every cycle from bread proofing to dehydrating fruits.

 

[turboace]

And it comes with this special pan to crisp things like reheating pizza which it does perfectly!

 

[ralph123]

mirrors

FYI - the glass company that does the shower doors can likely trim the glass mirrors for you. Some people choose to cut their mirrors and frame them differently after a remodel.

Your remodel looks great.

 

[compactelectra]

The Problem with the mirror

Is that the cutouts for the electrical outlets will be in a different place since the mirror is moving up. They can cut new openings but there will still be the old openings in the wrong place.

  Sounds like I'll need a new mirror.

 

[countryguy]

Maybe you will get lucky and there will be enough electrical wire so that the outlets could be moved higher on the studs and then will fit the new mirror location.

Gary

 

[compactelectra]

Gary

The local electrical codes require rigid conduit for electrical wiring.  Unfortunately you can't move outlet boxes without opening the walls and major work.  The path of least resistance is keeping the electrical boxes where they are and getting a new mirror with new openings. 

 

[turboace]

Did you upgrade the shower glass to the special coating? I did and it's so much easier to clean. All you do is wipe it down with a microfiber cloth and white vinegar. It's amazing, highly recommend it.

 

[danemodsandy]

I'm Hoping....

....That you're making all sorts of wonderful progress, Fred!

Look forward to seeing more when it happens.

 

[mark40511]

I have a stand up

tiled walk in shower.....but NOTHING even close to these pictures. I mean that's just freaking amazing looking to me!! I LOVE IT.....

but at the same time, if I had a shower like that, I would DREAD cleaning it!

I know there this homemade daily shower cleaner you can use the works well, although I'm not sure if it harms the grout, but I don't think it does.

It's peroxide, rubbing alcohol, dish detergent, rinse aid, and some essential oil for scent..that's what I spray on my shower everyday.

 

[compactelectra]

I Find

That having the hand shower works for me.  I just rinse everything off before I get out.  I have soft water so generally no problems.  We shall see when the glass enclosure goes in (hopefully this week).  I didn't realize you could get a special finish.   Progress has stopped this week on the bathroom since we are waiting for the sink cabinets and the shower enclosure to be complete.  Jerry is hoping they will be ready this week and then they can measure the granite for the countertop.


 


I have had a bunch of furniture delivered this week and it is looking great.  I was going to post pictures, but a group is coming here next weekend and wanted it to be a surprise.  I'll post pictures after they get here and probably some of the goings-on.  Ms. Lawson will be in residence and you never know what will happen!


 


Fred

 

[compactelectra]

Jerry and Matt Were Back Today

The oven went in.  Beautiful!  I'll have to get the stainless steel polish out.

 

[compactelectra]

Had to try it out

Bakes like a dream!