Getting closer to breaking ground
I haven't done an update in a while. There has been too much going on with the election, the financial meltdown, the boys' soccer and other world changing issues. However, good progress is being made with the house.
Here's where we are right now:
Looking at finishes and deciding what this house is really going to look like. This is detail work, some of it fun, and some of it mundane, but all of it is very important. I've been spending my mornings looking at kitchen and bathroom fixtures, cabinets, flooring samples, windows, and counter top options. Much of this has been decided and there is much left to do. I'm trying to spend as little money as possible on things like fixtures, while still getting good quality and a look that we like.
Here's a rendering of the kitchen. The counter tops will be slate, quarried just outside of Charlottesville. Slate is a great material for many reasons. It looks great, it's very durable, and best of all, it's inexpensive compared to granite and other stone options. We will get LEED credit for using a locally sourced stone. This quarry is also very old. I think it's cool that this quarry has supplied virtually all of the slate roofs of Virginia since the 1700's, including the many historically notable Virginia estates like Monticello, Montpelier, Mount Vernon, etc.
Here is the current look of the front facade. I include this because it shows the 3 kitchen windows ganged up to the right of the entrance, which is a new configuration.
We are also working on the fireplace. LEED is very concerned with indoor air quality. Fireplaces give off quite a bit of particulate, and therefore negatively impact the indoor air. Sure, it smells great, it gives off good heat, and it's romantic, but LEED doesn't like it because wood smoke is considered pollution which doesn't belong in one's house.
In order to get LEED credits for a house that has a fireplace, it should be a sealed unit that burns gas or alcohol. That does not work for us. Our house will be on a property of 90 acres, mostly forest, and trees are constantly falling down, which provide us with lots of firewood. Besides, we like real wood fires!
The solution is to use an EPA certified wood burning fireplace insert. This will allow the wood fire to give off heat and light to the living room, while keeping the smoke and particulate moving up the chimney. There are several cool looking options available, the key will be to find one we like that works with the budget and LEED.
Here's a rendering of the fireplace, which is located in the living room.
Overall, we have made quite a bit of progress in the last 3 weeks. We should get our permits the week of Nov 24th, and should be able to break ground on or about December 1. This is great news, though significantly different than our mid-July target.
I'm also realizing that my 2 year sabbatical from work is almost halfway over, and we still have not broken ground on this house. We need to get this done, so I can get back to work!!!
As always, feedback and comments are welcome.
I love the slate counters!!
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I continue to be impressed with your "green" approach. ...and I never knew fireplaces were/could be a source of indoor pollution. The historic aspect of the slate is way cool! It outs North Lock Farm right up there with other Virginia landmarks!
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