General contractor Tim Berky is building the cedar deck railings, first by notching the edge board to receive posts, then by fitting one post into each notch. Once assembled, he attaches sections of railing to posts by driving in screws.
Retaining walls, foundation work, and curving stairways are faced with Cultured Stone from Owens Corning. These cast cement, pumice, and iron oxide products are made in molds taken from real field stones to look like regional stones, in both shape and color.
General contractor Tim Berky is installing Merillat cherry cabinets in the remodeled kitchen. Berky roughs in the base wall cabinet, shims it, and checks for level. Then, he screws the cabinet into the wall, and through the adjoining face frame, before trimming off the shim. Berky finishes by dressing out the toe kick with a cherry-stained board that he glues and nails in place.
The Silestone island countertop arrives, with the cooktop cutout done on site. Matt Lihous (from DCS/Fisher & Paykel) explains the features of the Dynamic Cooking Systems appliances, installed in the project house kitchen.
Frank Lowry of FJ Lowry Plumbing and Heating installs the a Franke tri-flow Corinthian faucet, now that the countertop and sink are in place.
Pablo Contreras (from e-counters.com) joins Bob to explain how shopping, ordering, and installation of all types of custom counters happen through their internet service.
Bob checks out the handmade tiles and selected plumbing fixtures in the remodeled bath. When general contractor Tim Berky drills into the tile, he stresses the importance of drilling slowly and of having a new carbide drill bit to avoid cracking or damaging the tile.
Landscape designer Ruth Foster joins Bob to review the landscaping plan. Foster has selected a hedge and evergreens to screen the yard from street traffic and neighbors. Closer to the deck, she has created a flowering border.
General contractor Tim Berky trims out the windows with custom millwork created from a profile of the home’s original trim. Bob looks at the four-panel cherry pocket door that’s been installed between the mudroom and kitchen space.
Bob meets with landscape designer Ruth Foster, who explains the correct method of planting bulbs. For turf, Foster suggests a relaxed approach, with perennial rye and fescue planted, mown high, and over-seeded, both in the fall and at the tail end of winter.