Stepping forward!

Since my last blog there has been a ton of detail work, both offsite and onsite...

Much of the work centered around steps, thus I thought it would be fun to show them first.
There have been people working on our master closet, tile, HVAC ductwork, our solar meter is installed and running, taping and mudding, painting and lots of additional detail work on the cabinetry!

The main stairway has just been completed today. We also have concrete steps outside both in front and back, although the steps up to the main door proved a bit complicated. I am hoping we will have those very soon.
The carpenters (Norm and Rob) have continued to do outstanding work, and the cabinetry design is stunning. Pictures don't really do it justice, but I will try my best.

The first set of images are of the main stairway. The treads currently have cardboard taped onto them to protect them, but you can see the color on the far right or left of each tread. They really are beautifully done.

In the fifth, sixth and seventh photos you can see what the stairway look like from the top before the cabinetry covering was added, and then after. The same reveal used around the trim of the house is used here to break up the large expanse of wood. I knew this was coming, but seeing it in person is so much nicer than seeing it in 3D renderings!

The tile in the master bath has gone about as far as it can until the tub deck and countertops get in. It is looking wonderful though and I have come to really appreciate the patience and care involved in getting great results in a challenging layout.

Next to our master bath in our master closet, we now have a completed closet!
Thanks to Julie and the folks at Twin Cities Closets!
Our closet isn't huge, although it is a walk-in/through. I've shown each wall/corner. Julie did a great job working with us to efficiently build drawers, hanging space and other storage. We even have a couple of motion sensitive lights in there, which I think are really cool :o)

Xcel also came out and installed our solar production meter, and swapped out our standard meter with one that will credit us for power we send back into the grid. Just about an hour after the system was running, we had already produced 15kWh through our solar panels!
I can't wait to start monitoring the production, and power use of the house on a daily/monthly/annual basis:o)

We also have a couple of upper cabinets for the kitchen that are now installed. Up above, I have both before and after pictures so you can see where they are in the kitchen.
These will have lower doors that pull away and swing up. This is a pretty convenient way to open, and get at the contents.

The garage has been painted and the garage doors have been ordered. We hope to see them within a couple of weeks.

The counter tops for just about everything upstairs is coming this week. The tub deck is a bit involved and will take a little longer.
Once the countertops are in, the rest of the "upper" cabinets can be installed.