Progress is starting to show. And more following up, per the usual protocol.

Yesterday (02/06/2014), I went by the house twice to check on progress. I brought a friend of mine with, though he did not go inside the perimeter of the property.

The workers were framing the top floor out. There was more progress on the garage, it's under plywood, and has some trim details installed.

I also had to meet up with my sales person, who is in another community, to initial some changes to the lot transfer, the internal community codes needed to be changed over to the legal lot descriptions. I took a closer look at my cabinets, and noticed that they had the crown molding atop the upper cabinets. I wonder how it would look with a bulkhead? The model had open space over the cabinets. With an internal unit townhouse, a bulkhead had to be installed to allow for venting the OTA Microwave, and must be externally vented because of having a gas range. Plus when range hoods recirculate, they do not make a substantial difference in odors or moisture control when cooking. I talked to their project manager about some random things, and he complemented me on my "long term" vision with my home.

Garage framing and finishing coming along very nicely.

From another angle. I like the keystone over the top center

Top floor framing coming along.

As I had discussed in the last post, I did not purchase a washing machine, a dryer, or an upgraded refrigerator from Ryan Homes.

I am strongly considering this refrigerator:

This Samsung 28 Cu/Ft French Door Refrigerator looks promising. It has a decent amount of space in the freezer, the refrigerator compartment has a good layout, the ice maker does not eat up a lot of space, and of course the ice dispenser is located in the door. It's not as fancy as some of the other Samsung models that are stainless steel, but it's got a solid feature set. Home Depot is selling this one for $2298 right now. I am expecting that there will be sales on a regular basis for this one, keeping the price around that amount.

Samsung washing machine.

This Samsung 4.0 Cu/Ft front load washing machine has great reviews at Best Buy, Lowe's and a decent score in Consumer Reports. I am noticing the price of this washer is hovering around $850 or so. I plan on getting the available pedestals. 

Samsung dryer with steam cycle

This Samsung 7.4 Cu/Ft electric dryer is the considered to be the other pair to the washer pictured above. It offers a steam setting, however, Consumer Reports has stated that it does not make a major performance improvement. It's price is also hovering around $850.

Here is a rant I have. I wanted a gas dryer. An electric dryer costs around $120 a year to operate. However, a gas dryer only costs around $30 a year to operate. Ryan Homes does not offer a gas dryer hookup option at any price for the Mozart. Something about code issues. The cost recovery period for the added cost of a gas dryer (typically $100) plus adding the plumbing for gas, is around 3 years. After that the gas dryer will save a large amount of money for a typical household. In some Ryan Homes, they do offer a gas dryer hookup option, and I highly recommend going that route. 

Bosch Dishwasher, 800 series with front controls

This Bosch 800 series dishwasher has great ratings with Consumer Reports, and reviews on Best Buy and Lowe's tend to be in the mid 4 star range. I am not a fan of the controls that are concealed, and those dishwashers tend to cost around $50-$100 more. I am definitely more of a fan of the recessed handle style. This particular dishwasher even has a light inside the tub, is rated Energy Star with a estimated operating cost of $23 a year with gas hot water. My family also has purchased Bosch dishwashers for my mom's house, my mom's former rental property and my brother's house. They have been rock solid reliable, and run very quiet. I probably will not purchase this D/W until I am in the home for at least a few months, with the clothes washer and dryer getting first priority, then the refrigerator getting second priority.

I am planning on putting in my wet bar at some point in the next couple years. I used the KraftMaid Hanover Square maple with a Praline finish, in the remodel of my mom's rental's kitchen. My sister and I selected a great slab of Butterfly Verde granite. I selected white appliances, and the final product was very elegant. 

For the sink, I selected a Moen Brantford pull down faucet, in stainless steel to coordinate with the sink. For the wet bar, I would keep that theme going, and use a 14x16 sink, just large enough to do dishes, but not so large to take up a large amount of space.

Moen Brantford full pull down faucet in stainless steel.

So for the wet bar, I plan on staying within the same idea span. The only possibility is to go with a blue colored granite, because of the slate on the fireplace. However the wet bar and fire place are a good distance apart.

I want a full size Refrigerator with an ice maker and a dishwasher. I saw the GE Artistry refrigerator at Home Depot when I was ordering the appliances for my mom's rental property remodel. I loved the retro look. And it was sized right for a second refrigerator. It's energy star rated. The price is on the high side, but is unique.

GE Artistry series refrigerator in white.

As far as a dishwasher is concerned, I plan on reinstalling the one that I am getting with the house to the bar. I don't see it being used more than 10 times a year, and the cost to benefit of purchasing another one just does not make sense. If I had to purchase a new one, I probably would go with an entry level Bosch or the GE Artistry model (despite the hidden controls on the Artistry D/W)

As far as flooring around the wet bar, I probably will go with a neutral tan tile, or look at continuing the engineered hardwood from the foyer throughout the basement. I plan on getting a custom neon sign made to go over the sink (deep red and teal), under cabinet lighting, and recess lights above the bar. I probably will get glass doors and shelves for the upper cabinets, so show off glassware and liquor. The bottom cabinets are going to be used for storing things for entertaining, such as hot plates, crock pots, platters, etc. 

Well, tonight I go back to work for the week. I do not plan on stopping by the house today, since I have cleaning and packing to do here. I typically go by the house when I get off work in the morning. There is more snow in the forecast for this weekend, with the possibility of a major snow event next Wednesday. I am sure this will slow the crews down for getting the home fully under roof. However once that happens, the progress speeds up because weather does not affect the crews. (they bring in portable propane heaters and generators, until the heat and electrical are operational in the house).