Epilogue on The Hut

We spent the Fourth of July weekend at The Hut.  We had yet to experience Hut Life in the summer.  Happy to report that The Hut lived up to its expectations!  The weather was perfect--sunny and temps in the 70's.  And we didn't have piles of work to do so we were able to enjoy the view several times throughout the days and evenings.  Or at least, I did.  Mark was busy putting in a new water system pressure regulator--normal water pressure!  Yay!  And later spent some time splitting wood with our gasoline powered log splitter.  Like cutting butter!

Here is the view from The Hut around 8:00 AM on July 6.

 

The fellow who mows and bales the hay from the field had cut the field a couple of days before this picture was taken.  He was baling when we left on Sunday afternoon.  Fun to watch--not to do. 

 

Saturday we had salmon from the grill and Judie as our guest. 

 

 

Here is Mark and the log splitter.

 

 

Mark even had a neighbor, Spike, join him for coffee early Sunday morning.  I'm not sure who was the most surprised.  They were about 15 feet apart!

 

 

We declared The Hut a resounding success!  We look forward to many years of enjoyment at The Hut on Squalicum Lake Road!

 

 

 

We have moved into The Hut!  Scooped up some home wares from home, made a trip to Ikea, got help from a friend with a truck and we moved in on Sunday, November 18!  We have spent the week getting settled with numerous trips to Fred Meyer, Lowe's and Hardware Sales!  We love it!  First night here was very windy and rainy--two inches of rain in Washington west of the Cascades.  We had just gone to bed when we heard a huge thunk on the roof.  We looked at each other and Mark said "We've only been here five hours!"  A large branch fell off a fir tree and landed on the roof just inches from the skylight.  Dodged that one!

We commented to each other how "tight" The Hut feels.  During the storm it was quiet--heard little of the wind and rain.  And we were cozy and warm inside!

When we arrived it wasn't raining but it was a typical Pacific Northwest November day--damp, very damp.  The rain and wind soon followed and Tuesday morning there was snow on Stewart Mountain.

The Kitchen Niche is very workable.  Just pivot and I can reach everything!  I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for Mark and me!  Roast chicken, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and roasted green beans.  Yum!  Followed by a "locally sourced" pumpkin pie from a small cafe/bakery.  Double yum!

I'm really enjoying the view of the pasture from the window wall.  At 8:30 this morning the sky is mostly cloudy with peeks of blue sky.  While enjoying my first cup of coffee, two flocks of large white birds--possibly trumpeter swans--flew by.  Cool.

Here is the 360 degree view of the current state of the interior.  Still have a few more pieces of furniture --chairs on order, "re-purposed" night stands are being refinished and we are working on an idea for a multi-purpose table.  All in due time!

Late this morning we had brief periods of party sunny!  Still cold--low 40's.

All in all, we are very happy with The Hut and look forward to spending lots of time here!

We are within a nose of being done and ready to move in!  Waiting for one last item--the floor needs grout in the scoring.  Then a thorough cleaning and some furniture!  Mark hasn't seen The Hut for more than a month, but I have.  The interior finish work--window and door trim, baseboard and interior doors are absolutely gorgeous!!  It is vertical grain natural finish hemlock.  And I wish we could afford those beautiful interior doors at our "primary" residence!

Still waiting for two kitchen cabinet doors.

The bathroom.  Haven't found a mirror that I like.



 

The hallway--bathroom on the left with a pocket door and a closet on the right with two sliding doors.

 

 

 

 

Exterior views:

 

 

 

East & North Sides

 

 

South & West Sides

 

And Judie's flowers keep on blooming!

 

 

 

Whatcom County signed off on our permit on Monday, September 17!  We're done (almost)!  The remainder of this week was spent finishing up the final details such as installing trim, spot painting, painting the two doors on the north side, grouting the floor and general cleaning both inside and out.  The last time I saw The Hut was Thursday, September 13.  Mark and I are anxious to see the final product!  I feel like it is a HGTV "reveal" moment!

We owe a big THANKS to our designer, builder, project manager and all around great advisor, Bruce Burke from Timberframe Homes.  He only looks laid back!

He was great to work with as we shared compatable standards of construction, materials and work ethic.  He has the ability to present this calm outgoing presence when I'm sure than more than once he wanted to shake somebody!  I know I did!  But with Bruce it all came together and we could not be more pleased.  He not only presented us with some great ideas at the design phase, but also made great suggestions during the construction.  He selected great sub-contractors.  He provided us a time and cost estimate with periodic updates showing that the project was going as planned.  (The "overages" were due to the customer changing their mind--for example from laminate for countertops to selecting granite instead.... )  It's going to be so quiet at the farm now that the activity is over!

I'll do a few more postings so you can see the finished Hut.  Now, Mark and I have to furnish it.  First item is a bed, but after that we are in no hurry.  Hope to use "repurposed" furniture and furnishings as much as possible and maintain that "minimalist" effect.

Below are some photos taken when the crane lifted the side panels and roof beams and joists in place--I just received these and thought them interesting.  I wasn't on site at the time this work was done.

The wall were built flat on the ground.

 

Then hoisted into place.

 

 

 

The glulam beams are lifted into place.

The glulam beams are in place.  The I-joists are stacked up and ready to be placed.  Pretty cool and only took a couple of hours!

Today the excavation team is on site.  Spreading top soil where we will want grass and spreading gravel for the driveway and parking areas.  Our builder, Bruce, just sent me these pictures from his phone--in action as I type!

 

 

Looking good!!! 

Summer is coming to an end with Labor Day behind us.  We joined some friends for the weekend on the Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington.  Beautiful weather for a little seaside sightseeing and some fantastic oyster eating!

Yesterday was my first look at The Hut since August 29.  The siding and exterior painting and the exterior cedar trim are completed.  I am very pleased with how the exterior looks!  Only the two doors on the north wall need to be painted.  With the large expanse of the north wall, we think it needs some large “farm” art!  I’m hopeful we can find some old rusty parts out behind the barn that would make an “arty” display—we have plenty of items to select from!  

 

The red door with the circle (fan) near the bottom is part of the "blower test"--a test to see how air tight the interior is.  Part of energy efficiency requirements.

 

The kitchen cabinets are in as of last week and the countertops were installed today.  Beautiful tiny Kitchen Niche!  It is going to be fun figuring out recipes that take minimal preparation and kitchen tools!  The plan is to outfit it very carefully!

 

 This picture is the window in the bathroom with the trim completed.  This is what all the interior window trim will look like.

 

There are many little details yet to take care of, but we may be ready for the final inspection from the county on Monday, September 17.  Exciting to be coming to the point of occupancy!!  Of course, now we need a little furniture…..

The Hut is finishing up fast!  The ceiling is up and it looks fabulous!  When our builder suggested knotty pine we had visions of a 1940's lakeside cabin.  We were skeptical.  After we saw a ceiling at a Starbucks in knotty pine, we were OK.  Hey, if Starbucks does it, it must be good!

Now, on to the floor!  The floor has been covered to protect it so we haven't seen it since it was a bare pad.  Over the weeks since it was poured, it has continued to cure.  Last week the polishing process started and the color and texture/pattern emerged.  The pictures don't do it justice, but I think it looks great.

 

 

The hot water and the boiler for the floor hot water has been installed.  For those of you interested in the mechanicals, this is how it looks.  Both are powered by natural gas.  The hot water tank is in the right side of the closet.  The boiler and other stuff for the in-floor hot water radiant heat is in the left side of the closet.

 

 

While Mark and I are away enjoying the Labor Day holiday, work continues on The Hut.  Next week will be installing the cabinets, kitchen appliances, plumbing fixtures and measuring for the granite countertops.  Outside, we hope the last window will arrive and will be installed.  Then the pre-painted siding can go up.  At that point, we are down to the interior and exterior trim, door and cabinet hardware, light fixtures and countertops.  Soon it will be time to think about furnishings!