Let There be Light!

It has been QUITE a while since the last post (Jen has been very busy and unable to upload these pictures), so this one is going to be a bit longer than normal, but just as enjoyable!

First, an update on the studio (more posts to come with other miscellanous things going on)!  A lot has been done in the studio since the last post on the drywall (which wasn't even finished by that point!).  First of all, we got all the drywall up (well, Graham and Carl finished all of the drywall).  Thank goodness for Carl's patience too -- we were supposed to have it all done before he came up to texturize the walls.  Needless to say, there was a "tad" bit of work to do when he got here before the texturizing could start.  Rumor has it that Carl has purchased his own home, so we fully anticipate repaying the favors very soon!

Graham also got all of the subfloor down and finished the electrical.  The pictures below are before the drywall was done (Graham liked to vary his projects -- not finishing one at a time so that he didn't get bored).

Laying down the first piece of subfloor

Jen was glad to have the subfloor finished -- up until that point, the large sheets of wood were propped up against the wall in their living room!  It is also nice to have the subfloor down for safety reasons -- no more avoiding the holes in the floor where boards had been lifted to work on the electrical!

Graham dealing with the electrical of an old home -- his new electrical work passed inspection though!!

Graham installed the glowing light switches so Jen could see them when first entering the very dark staircase and closet!

Jen chose all white electrical fixtures (the trim in the room is going to be white).  Jen also learned there is a certain way that most people install these -- most people install them so they look like a smiley face (or the other way around -- I guess she didn't really learn).  Graham installed them the opposite way because it is actually safer as far as where the ground is (apparently).  Jen had no clue and wouldn't have noticed otherwise!

While Graham installed the subfloor he also installed the posts for the staircase!

Even though a lot of work had already gone into the above projects, there is still even more done!  As mentioned, Carl came up one weekend and helped Graham finish the drywall and then texturized the walls.  Jen discovered what a messy project this was and the cat hid for the next four days after being traumatized from the noise of the air compressor!

Graham and Jen bought their first ShopVac and used it to clean up the drywall dust before starting on the texturizing

Notice the light in this picture -- this is the ONLY light we had available to work with in the studio (until the light fixtures were installed)...

...and one of the bulbs finally went out making it even harder to see!

After cleaning was done, Carl and Graham mixed up the first batch of compound stuff and Carl started putting the texture on the walls

Showing off some of the texture (and all of the angles of the dormers -- which have been quite a challenge to work with!)

Graham was happy to finally be done using this thing for mudding!

At this point, the subfloor is down, the posts are in for the staircase, and the texture is on the walls!  Time for paint!!

Graham putting on the first coat of primer -- we did the areas around the light fixtures first (so that we could get those up and stop using that flourescent light for everything!)

...and there is finally color on the walls (well, actually the ceiling)!  We got a five gallon pail of this color mixed, so we better like it!

LET THERE BE LIGHT!!

After a few trips to the basement to confirm some of the wiring, Graham got the ceiling fan/light up and it works.  We can now see much better all the way around the room!

Now, it is just a matter of getting the rest of the room painted -- more to come soon (hopefully)!!  Also, on a business note -- as soon as the studio is done, and Jen can move her business up there, she will be hiring her first employee!  This makes her much more anxious to get this project done and done!

Also, just to recap how much has been done -- take a look at this "before" picture (in looking back even Jen cannot believe the transformation of this attic!)