In Like Flynn: Construction Nearing Final Phases for DIYers

With 100% of the rooms painted, and trim 90% complete (we ordered 3 doors with the wrong swing), it was time to clean up, and move in. I've bragged this entire time about managing to stay ON BUDGET and ON TIME but we're now out of money and slightly over due. Today is my birthday, and the gift I give myself is that all the heavy lifting was done over the weekend (save for our Cal King bed which we're still sleeping in at my in-laws' until we have at least one working toilet, sink and shower with hot water).

"In like Flynn" is a phrase with an origin that is different from its most notable association with the actor, Errol Flynn, who was a known lady's man. You can read more about it in the Wiki link I have provided. Suffice to say, our move in was not as the phrase suggests "having quickly or easily achieved a goal or gained access as desired." Nothing about getting to this point was quick, easily achieved, or gained as desired. Being your own general contractor has been a loooong process, achieved with great difficulty, and as such sacrifices have been made along the way, not gained wholly as desired.

Our painter and trim guy, Juan de la Cruz, love that name, talked us into a craftsman style that I have to agree really classes up the joint. We also installed 6" x 3/4" craftsman baseboards all throughout the house (in real pine wood!).

I took on some additional projects that moved into the house yesterday as well. I am rather good at refinishing, renovating and reimagining furniture projects. Check out this old secretary I found in my in-laws garage. It was built by my MIL's grandfather but didn't have a home other than the garage for the past 6 years. So I offered to refinish it as long as I could take it home with me (on the condition she could visit it whenever she wanted).

Next, I recovered my dining room chairs (3rd time). I found the upholstery material at Dorell's Fabric store in Fountain Valley. They're a great outlet for contemporary and off-beat fabrics of all kinds. The kids loved running through the color-coded aisles and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The woven "peacock" fabric compliments a running theme in our kitchen and dining room. I paid $24.99 per yard for it at Dorell's. But among the remnant rolls I found this fun woven multi-colored ball pattern which I will use to recover a truly antique chair that's been a family heirloom and passed down for at least 4 or 5 generations now. Instead of fully stripping and sanding down the chair, which has a million curves and details, I'm just going to rough it up a bit and then paint with a complimentary maroon colored spray paint to match the threading in the ball pattern. It will serve as my son's temporary homeschool desk chair. Look for a post exclusively in it coming soon.

While we started moving in this weekend, the bathrooms are still in progress. And they'll be in this state for the next couple weeks. Here's a progress photo of the master bath, and below it, a detailed list of everything left to do.

Still Left to Do:

- Continue floor tile in master bath water closet

- Grout entire master bath

- Install vanity lighting in master bath

- Install frameless shower glass in master bath

- Build & install floating shelves in master bath

- Install toilet in master bath

- Receive* and install master bath vanity (including pick out & cut out vanity top and install sink)

- Tile entire guest bath

- Build pony wall in guest bath

- Hang guest bath vanity

- Install guest bath door and trim

- Install guest bath vanity

- Hook up A/C condenser and get a HERs test

- Install outdoor lighting

- Install patio pavers, courtesy of Aloha Pavers

- Pass final inspection

- Install living room passage doors

- Install curtains, shades & shutters

- Buy & install passage door handles & dummies (hint to friends, if you're looking for inspiration for my birthday or Christmas gift, look no further than Lowe's or Home Goods)

- Throw a party. Masks optional.

And then we're DONE. I think. 😁