April – Fort Bragg Remodel Update

April – Fort Bragg Remodel Update

Demolition is almost complete at the Fort Bragg cabin, now things are being put back together again. This is just a quick post to update the remodel diary.

The kitchen cabinets are in and we LOVE the blue Hale Navy we chose for the island! We agonized over the choice so it is a great relief. It is the most amazing color and looks entirely different depending on the light…sometimes so dark it is almost black, and sometimes more grey than blue. The color is not going to come through in the pictures but it will give you an idea.

Hale Navy cabinet as seen from the front door.

Hale Navy cabinet as seen from the front door.

Hale Navy Island from backside

Hale Navy Island from backside (this is where stools can pulled up for a breakfast bar)

Hale Navy island from the sink side

Hale Navy island from the sink side

The grey for the cabinets on the wall also came out well, this is Sweatshirt Grey.

Sweatshirt Grey

Sweatshirt Grey

IMG_4380

You can see the hood for the range is “mostly” installed. The appliances will come in after the flooring. There is still a lot to do but we hope to be finished by Memorial Day.

The new flooring has been laid in one of the bedrooms. Next step is the rest of the house. It was a challenge around the fireplace as there wasn’t an even edge. Our contractor had to smooth the line of the rocks at floor level.

New hardwood flooring

New hardwood flooring

And we chose the hardware for the cabinets.

Kitchen cabinet hardware

Kitchen cabinet hardware

My husband, Steve, really wanted a redwood top for the Hale Navy cabinet you see when you first enter the house. We found the perfect piece over the weekend at Anderson’s Alternatives in Mendocino, an eco lumber supplier.

Old Growth Redwood

Old Growth Redwood

Since the property has many redwood trees, it seems appropriate. It will be beautiful when finished.

April – Fort Bragg Remodel – Demolition

April – Fort Bragg Remodel – Demolition

We just got back from checking on our remodel. There isn’t much “there” any more. The great room (combination kitchen, dining, living room) has been gutted. The bathroom window has been removed and they are repairing the the deck and siding because of dry rot.

Front door and bathroom window with part of the deck.

Front door and bathroom window with part of the deck.

We will need to replace the front door as well.

Here is some background on the house.

When (as a complete lark) we started looking at houses on the northern California coast, the house on Nameless Lane was the first house we saw. We were “kicking tires” and didn’t plan to fall in love with Fort Bragg much less a cabin build in the 70’s (and it looked as if it still lived in that era). For years the idea of finding a “weekend get-away”, “vacation home” and “retirement nest” had been floating around but we couldn’t seem to agree on the big question of where.

But…

My husband, Steve, is a sailor. Plus we lived on a trawler in a San Francisco marina for the first year of our marriage. Those are very happy memories. Do you see the the boat-like angle to the windows on the side of the house? It’s the first thing you notice driving up the driveway. It looks like the bow of a ship and caught his imagination. He was hooked!

Fort Bragg front meadow deck

Fort Bragg front meadow deck

For me, it was the sunny back meadow surrounded by trees but open to the sky. And, the mature rhododendrons surrounding the house. I saw the possibilities immediately…garden. Oh my!

Fort Bragg back meadow

Fort Bragg back meadow

And for both of us it was the quiet. We heard only the wind in the trees and the distant pounding of the surf about half a mile away.

Fort Bragg house - front

Fort Bragg house – front

Our first home is in Oakland, and we are not far from the freeway. It is not quiet. We hear sirens. And motorcycles. And, although it is a lovely neighborhood, it is definitely an urban setting. I garden on the only sunny spot not shaded by big trees, which belongs to the neighbor behind us. They have been kind enough to grant permission for me to squat. But it could be taken away at any point if they decide to use that area to the side of their driveway. I might be asked to remove the raised beds and all the plants at the drop of a hat.

I wanted my own garden. And Fort Bragg is a town of passionate gardeners.

In Fort Bragg we practice “forest bathing” (the house sits on 7 acres of second growth redwood trees) and saturate ourselves in the negative ions of the coast. Do you know about “forest bathing” or Shinrin Yoku? From Wikipedia:

Studies support claims of the benefits of Shinrin Yoku. These have demonstrated that exposure to nature positively creates calming neuro-psychological effects through changes in the nervous system. In addition, the level of the hormone serum adiponectin is also increased. When this hormone is present in low concentrations it is linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, among other bodily disorders.

Every study conducted so far has demonstrated reductions in stress, anger, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness amongst the subjects who have participated. In Japan there are now 44 accredited Shinrin Yoku forests.

Our little forest would definitely be accredited.

But, when we purchased the house four years ago we knew the inside would eventually need renovation. We loved the open room, the stone fireplace, and the big windows. The rest, not so much. It was just a matter of time.

kitchen post demoliton

kitchen post demolition

Living/Dining Room

Living/Dining Room

Bathroom

Bathroom

The time has come.

March – Fort Bragg Remodel – Paint

March – Fort Bragg Remodel – Paint

Who knew choosing paint colors would be so difficult? For the remodel we knew we wanted blue for the kitchen island and grey for the wall cabinets. That should be the end, right? Well, not! There are a million choices for blue and grey. To add to the complexity each color has similar hues, more shades, and complementary colors. And, in this case, there are two people with different eyes and tastes who need to reach agreement. I now know what must keep designers up at night. There was much debate, indecision, and waffling. Thankfully my husband has excellent taste and a good eye for color so it was a collaborative effort.

All our colors are by Benjamin Moore since they are available up on the coast at Norvell’s. Eve at the store was endlessly patient with us and a fountain of knowledge. We must have been back and forth to the store a half dozen times buying samples. In fact we could probably paint the entire kitchen with those pint sized samples (although it would look like a patchwork quilt).

We looked at Blue Danube, Dark Royal Blue, Champion Cobalt (too bright), Gentleman’s Grey (a grey with some blue which was a favorite for awhile), Van Deusen Blue (too blue), and Hale Navy (our final choice). According to the Benjamin Moore website – Hale Navy is a timeless classic, this deeply saturated shade of navy blue evokes rich maritime traditions and storied exploits at sea. Since the house is near the beach, we thought it appropriate. You can see the color and read more here. It’s been a favorite for a few years. Hale Navy looks different in different lights, we will also use it on the bathroom vanity. The color goes well with grey but also with taupe and wood tones, we didn’t really want to repaint the living room and all the trim in the house is redwood. This is quite a small house with an open floor plan, you can see everything from the kitchen (and the kitchen from everywhere as well).

On to choosing the grey for the wall cabinets and open shelving. There is an large sliding glass door on one side of the kitchen which lets in a lot of light (but faces North), the other side tends to be dark especially on an overcast day. I had ruled out white or something too light as I though it would draw your eye to that side of the room too much. You see that kitchen wall from the dining/living room. We wanted a grey with a distinct color but not too dark. Candidates were Wolf Grey, Inglewood Cliffs, Grey Shower, Evening Dove, Pike’s Peak Grey, and finally Sweatshirt Grey (the winner). On their website they describe it thus – This color is part of Color Preview. A collection of bold, saturated colors that brings spaces to life for those looking to illuminate their world with pure, extraordinary color. A great complement to Classic Colors, Color Preview offers a collection of 1,232 hues that excite and inspire with pure, deep, clear colors that create striking combinations. You can read more here.

I have some antique blue willow platters I inherited from my grandmother. I have been meaning to put them on the walls for several years. I wanted the colors to harmonize with the plates.

Hale Navy, Sweatshirt Grey and edge of Antique Blue Willow Platter

Hale Navy, Sweatshirt Grey and edge of Antique Blue Willow Platter

You can see that in certain light conditions (such as brighter light in the picture above) the grey is very pale. The picture below was taken on an overcast day and it appears darker. Hale Navy can look almost black depending on the light. Colors are so interesting! You will see the grey in Sweatshirt Grey is more pronounced in contrast to the wall color we chose.

Next came wall color. Currently the walls in the kitchen are a pale yellow, I knew it was a mistake as soon as I saw the final painted room, but it was too late. We needed something to brighten up the space but coordinate with the navy, grey and taupe that is on the neighboring bookcase and in the living/dining area. And again, I didn’t want something too white that would force your eye to that area.

Candidates were Calm (too white), Creamy White (a little too yellow), Sea Pearl (nice but not quite right), and finally Ballet White which we chose. It’s a white with a touch of cream.

Left to right - Creamy White, Ballet White, Seal Pearl. Above on the right - Calm

Left to right – Creamy White, Ballet White, Seal Pearl. Above on the right – Calm

Here are the colors with a sample of the backsplash subway tile.

Hale Navy, Sweatshirt Grey, Ballet White

Hale Navy, Sweatshirt Grey, Ballet White

What do you think?

 

March – Fort Bragg remodel – Ready for Demolition

March – Fort Bragg remodel – Ready for Demolition

We have been busy getting the house in Fort Bragg ready for demolition. The house looks sad. I know it’s ridiculous but it feels like the house senses a change is coming. Things are breaking, light bulbs are burning out, and the kitchen sink stopped up. Is it in protest? I hope not as this remodel is being lovingly done. Once complete we will be spending even more time on the coast, we want the house to be inviting to family and friends.

This view shows the sliding door from the kitchen onto the back deck. We will replace it with a French door.

View into kitchen from the front door

View into kitchen from the front door

kitchen with door into pantry

kitchen with door into pantry

Kitchen Island

Kitchen Island

kitchen Island, view from the dining area

kitchen Island, view from the dining area

Looking from living room area to the front door

Looking from living room area to the front door

Are you leaving me behind?

Are you leaving me behind?

Casey laid claim to her favorite resting spot, observing the packing with concern.

We spent Easter weekend packing everything up and discussing paint colors. Who knew choosing paint would be so difficult?! We could repaint the house on the samples we have purchased and rejected.

Look for a post on pain (that was a slip! I meant paint) colors later this week. Thank goodness for Pinterest as it has been very helpful during this process.