Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Our selections...

I have been posting for two weeks now and I've just realized that I have not posted any of the options we've chosen for our new home. I wanted to do this post first when I started the blog but since I kept changing my mind. I figured just to do this post once the options are set in stone. We signed the last change order today (I swear) so here goes:

  • Verona floor plan, elevation C, silver mist siding, black shutters, white trim, kungfu red door
  • Side entry garage
  • Morning room
  • Bonus room on the second floor
  • Attic access
  • Finished basement with double welled entrance
  • Hardwood flooring (Manchester gunstock) through out the house except for for first floor guest bedroom and finished basement area
  • recessed lighting in every room except for morning room and study where we opted for a ceiling fan/light
This is a break down what we had chosen room by room:

  • First floor living room - converted into guest bedroom, instant impact carpet in pea gravel
  • First floor powder room - converted into attached full bath with shower instead of combination tub-shower for the first floor guest room, fidenza cafe floor/wall/listello package
  • First floor study - at first we had requested that they remove the wall between the study and the family room so we could have a larger family room, they had said yes to that request, but we decided to put back the wall because the living room to bedroom conversion had made the space so much smaller and awkward
  • Family room - added fireplace with a slate surround
  • Kitchen - Scottsdale Espresso cabinets with st cecilia granite, kitchen island, pendant lighting rough-ins over island, gas range hook-up with range hood venting outside the house.  I was taught to cook by my Chinese grandmother so one of the important things I had to have was a commercial grade range hood that will vent to the outside or the house will smell like a bad Chinese restaurant.  A microwave/vent combo that recirculates air just won't cut it.  So Ryan will be installing this hood and dual fuel range from the GE Monogram line for me.  This combination will include warming lamps, warming shelf and a stainless steel backsplash.  The fact the grates can accommodate round-bottom woks is a major plus, as IMO, there is nothing like high heat cooking on a wok!  We chose not to get a backsplash from Creative Floors as the choices were very limited.  We will probably order something from Ann Sacks or have this tile installed. 
  • Finished basement - Aside from the finished basement area we are getting from RH as an incentive, we had them finish off the rest of the basement too.  We plan to make this into a winter play area for the two kiddies.  We also added a full bath (plain white ceramic tile) to the basement 
  • Master suite - owner's bathroom with soaking tub and shower, double bowl vanity, ubatuba countertop, stratford place tile in alabaster
  • Hall bathroom - double bowl vanity, plain white ceramic tile
  • Laundry room - sink, sierra tile 
We did ask for a lot of nonstandards from Ryan but not all of them were approved.  Overall, we are happy with what we had chosen.  Feel free to comment.






Progress as of September 14

As you can see they've started framing:

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I was wrong...

I made a post yesterday re a mistake in the computation. After going over the numbers again with our SR, I realize I was the one who made the mistake. So I will repeat what another blogger had said and will eat crow and admit I was wrong.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Progress as of September 7, 2012

We drove over to the home site last Friday and this is what we saw:
Ryan sure do fast work!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Domino magazine

Another special issue of Domino magazine just came out. Domino used to be one of my favorite magazines before they closed it down. So glad they're coming out with special issues. Time for another trip to the bookstore!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Last changes going in...

Just talked to our SR about the last minute changes we wanted. He'll get back to me tomorrow about these changes. I hope they're a go. Once I know, I'll list out all the options we got.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

We got our approval!

We got an email from our loan officer yesterday and we are approved! I still do need to send some stuff to them but they won't be needing them until 60 days before settlement. So far, NVR has been easy to deal with (knock on wood) and I hope this is indicative of how it will be.

Monday, September 3, 2012

We have footers

Last Friday, we drove to our home site to check out how the excavation was going. To our surprise, this was what we saw
Yehey, we're on our way. Our PM told us he would be able to move us into the house by December. I hope so... I'd hate to spend another christmas in a rental.

I just cannot make up my mind...

I'd like to make a few changes to our selections...again. I wonder how late in the game can you change your mind. I'm sure our SR shudders every time I call. If we get through with building the house without him killing me, I'll nominate him for sainthood!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Not another one...

Yeah, yeah...I know what you guys are thinking...Not another blog documenting a Ryan Homes house being built...Anyway, my hubby and I are building a Verona. I'd love to hear from others who are also building with RH. Just drop me a line.