A New Casa...In 2019?!?!?!? Construction Update - March 1st

February saw more finishing going on at the house.  We think these will be the last priority items on the exterior list for the short term.  We still would like a door to the property at the sidewalk and a driveway gate but those are down the road a ways.

Speaking of driveway....we now have one!!!  Once the cistern was buried, our guy Antonio took to selecting and placing each stone.  After over a week we had our driveway and it is beautiful!  People actually stand at the end of the driveway and admire Antonio's work.  Selecting a cobble stone driveway was a good choice to mix of the materials a bit.  Had we known that Trace was showing a real interest in basketball perhaps we would have chosen something that was more friendly to shooting some hoop but we are super happy with what we have.

The other big item for the front of the house was the iron work.  We had bars installed on the apartment window.  When we lived in this space we could never really feel good about leaving the window open when we left the house.  Plus the window is a bit hidden from view behind the stairs so it was really a case of providing some basic security and allowing for ventilation.  Clean, sharp and functional.

The other items completed were roof structures over the main house entrance and over the apartment terrace.  We used the same iron and polycarbonate combination as we did in the upper house.  The main entrance got one to deflect the rain off and away from the front landing.  As it was it was only protected by the 1 meter overhang of the upper floor and the landing was 2 meters deep.  So, when it rained most everything on the landing got wet like shoes and you got soaked when standing at the front door finding your keys.  Now the entire landing is protected and actually provides a small quiet area to hang out.

The second roof structure to go in was over the apartment terrace.  I have been waiting for this one to go in for a while.  We think the apartment is going to be a great space for anyone staying there and the new roof just makes things even better.  Ashley had ordered cushions for the built in couch. Once we get a few plants and some additional seating in the space it will provided an additional room to use 12 months a year rather than only when it isn't raining.  The polycarbonate allows the light through as well so the reduction of light in the apartment is minimal if at all.

I will take me some time to get accustomed to the look and I am not entirely pleased with it for some reason but I think I know why.  Some softening of the space is needed with some other materials and Ashley is the specialist on that front.  The polycarbonate needs to be trimmed a bit closer to the frame so it does not look so floppy.  (I know, I know. Relax. Right?)  It will all work out in the end and be awesome but the details matter.  Regardless of what I think, we are in our home and it has been awesome so far.

So what is next?  A couple things are in the works.  We are trying to nail down a carpenter(no pun intended) to complete some work in the apartment and a few things in the main house.  Shower glass has been ordered for all the bathrooms.  More finishes are needed and a few furniture items need to be considered along with the process of selecting and planting the front beds.  There is always something but our primary focus is finishing the apartment by the end of the month for our first visitors(aka "the grandparents"!) to arrive.  Good motivation to get things done.