More Finishes Fun!

We've been to the house every night this week and there has been something new to see every time.  We're still planning on moving in next weekend (keep those fingers crossed though).  Now that the old hardwood floors are refinished we can start moving things in from the storage unit (that is, if we can get it open and all our stuff isn't moldy and ruined....)

Another shot of the siding.  Still needs gutters.

New granite countertops!  Now, you may be saying, "hey, those aren't green!" And you're right.  Environmentally-friendly countertops are horribly expensive ($70-$100+/sq ft) and most just don't have the strength of surfaces like granite; not yet anyway.  But if you have some extra money laying around or happen to come into some money some day, they have some really beautiful countertops made of recycled material (paper, glass, etc.).  Here are just a few: 

http://greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/5-gorgeous-green-countertop-materials

You could also use very modern looking materials, like stainless steel, which can be recycled over and over again. 

Anyway, here are some close ups of the "tan brown" granite.  We just love how the reddish brown chunks get picked up by the cognac colored cabinets, the wall color, and the finish on the pendant lights. 

The Hokie-themed bedroom walls after a few days of drying.  I think they look pretty great now.  Good job Jody and Alex!

I can't believe these are the same white oak floors, but they are.  The guys refinished them in one day (yesterday) and they just look fabulous. 

Another shot of the newly installed granite. The fridge isn't quite in place yet.  It's pulled out so the plumber can connect the water line. 

We decided to make the granite on the island the focal point of the kitchen, so we went with a more subdued Corian for the rest of the countertops.  This is the "earth" color.  It's hard to tell from the photos, but it actually has an umber brown base that goes so nicely (if I do say so myself) with the cabinets, tile, and granite.  They did such a nice job on the install that it took me a while to even find the seam.  Corian is an acrylic material that is not coated on top; the color goes all the way through.  So while it does scratch more easily than granite, the scratches can be easily sanded out without any damaged to the countertop. 

 The view of the new kitchen from the bottom of the stairs. 

Medicine cabinets mounted in the master bath.  We're waiting for a replacement globe for the light fixtures above, so we'll photograph those when they're completely in.

All of the closet rods and shelves are in now as well.  This coming week will include paint touch ups, final trim painting and touch up, carpet install, gutters, plumbing hookups in the kitchen and hopefully some grading.  The porch rehab will probably happen after we move in.  And there are some other little things that will have to be tended to, I'm sure.  But it's all coming together so nicely.  We're so grateful to have such a beautiful house and just can't wait to settle in!