Counters Are In...

We are thrilled to share the pictures of our countertops...especially since Sophie was so nervous about what they would look like with the wood...and we only saw a tiny piece of the formica...but when they were built and laid out they proved to be a great choice as they bring in the wood tones and make the kitchen complete.

The sinks have been placed now that the countertops are in, toilets are placed, lighting fixtures are starting to appear and it feels like it's ready to live in...although it's not!  No running water yet, but plumbing fixtures are starting to appear.

Appliances showed up today, fridge put in, but other appliances are still in boxes.

Carpet arrives next week, appliances will all be set and the clean-up begins!  We already have our new address and mail is starting to arrive in our PO Box in Victor, CO.

Hans met the Direct TV guy today, got the cable tv lines run, dish on the barn roof, and took all the measurements for furniture placement.  TVs are working and phone line will go in next week.

Soon we will be living in mountain paradise.  We will definitely keep you posted!

Here are today's photos:

Knobs on cupboard doors

Countertops are in..."faux granite"...formica
and beautiful

Kitchen sink and countertops.  Black with gold tones
that bring in kitchen wood tones

Location for the new stainless steel fridge

New fridge...coming off the truck!

French door fridge with freezer on the bottom
goes into place!

Different view...it's huge!  We may
have to start buying food!

Washer/Dryer still in the boxes

Dishwasher and stove in living room...all boxed up!

Kitchen sink in place.

Close up of formica with wood frame

Our home's "birth certificate"...written on the log behind
where the stove/oven will go into place.

Lights starting to appear.  Outside porch lights

More lights.  Powder room

Master bathroom lights

Small Things

We are getting close to completion and find ourselves getting excited over the little things that need to be done before we can get a final inspection. Here are some of the little things falling into place. Each one done is one less to do.

Safety railings on the stairs,

Window trim in the basement,

Guest bath towel rack,

Interior door handles,

Outside lighting,

Shower surround in the master suite,

Door handles on outside sliding doors,

and a gate that opens to the deck.

If You Ever Need A Builder...

As you all know we are in the process of building a new log home.  We have been working on this process for 4+ years.  In the process we were so fortunate to find a builder that not only is an expert at building log homes, but believed in our dream.  When you find someone that so totally believes in you as a person, and shares in what your heart's passion is, you have found yourself a master.  Hans and I were very fortunate to find all of these things in two gentlemen named Steve Copp and Dennis Johnston, and the company, Advantage Log Home/Above Treeline Construction.

Steve Copp was recommended to us by a dear friend, Dan Nichols, who knew of his work through a co-worker, John Brighton.  We researched his company, visited with him several times, met his beautiful wife, and shared our dreams and goals with Steve.  The thing that really impressed Hans and I was that Steve wanted to show us work he had done, was doing and was proud of.  When you want to show off what you've done...it says loud and clear that you are proud of your work, and know that it stands up for itself.  Steve was just that person.

After a year of trying to get funding and several turn-downs, we went back to Steve and asked for help in what we should do.  Steve and his team of experts gave us some great advice, made changes to our plans, and guided us to different lenders that they had worked with on log home funding and truly giving us the advice that as future log home owners we sorely needed.

Four years and four lenders later, Steve, Dennis and Above Treeline Construction stood with us throughout our ordeal.  Steve never gave up on us, never denied us his wisdom, never gave up on our dreams.

Builders that believe in you, your dreams,
and will stand by you through each step of the way.

Dennis Johnston, Above Treeline Construction Project Manager
will listen, share and help you make through all your decisions

Do you need a builder?  Do you want someone that believes in dreams...just as you do?  If you do, reach out to  Steve Copp and Dennis Johnston, Advantage Log Homes/Above Treeline Construction.  The Klossners are very satisfied customers and have now become advocates and friends of these wonderful men.

Not Done Yet!

As you know we were hoping to close on our cabin on April 15...tax day!  It didn't happened.  We are still a good week away.  We went to the cabin to see the progress and determine where we are in the process.  It was a great treat to see our kitchen and bathroom cabinets in place...and they turned out beautiful!  Again, it was a bit scary hoping that the wood we picked out and style of cabinets would look good in a log home...but our designer did not lead us astray, as they turned out great!

We have door frames and doors hung and the banisters in for the stairs.  The banisters are exactly what we had hoped and look wonderful.  All the trim on the ceilings have been completed and the baseboards are all in.  Most of our windows have been trimmed, which also gives a great finished look in and around the house.

There seems to be many small things to be done: like lights, electric switches, plugs, door knobs, toilets, sinks, and trim work...so we are guessing that at least another week before we can anticipate the final inspection and receipt of the ever elusive "certificate of occupancy"!

We will keep you posted!  Thanks for sharing our journey...we are almost home!

New photos to share with you:

Sophie excitement at seeing kitchen cabinets!

View of kitchen cabinets...fridge and dishwasher spots

View of kitchen from dining room

Kitchen pantry and fridge location

Railings and banisters...beautiful!

Another view of banister and railings from kitchen view

Looking up at banister from stairs

Railings and banister from basement view

Stair landing view of banisters and rails

We have interior doors!

Bathroom cabinets

Viewing ceiling with trim works..spot is where smoke detector goes

Baseboards are in.  Waiting for carpet...which will be the last thing to go in

Hardwood and Tile

We visited on Thursday the 7th and saw that we have tile in place and hardwood flooring down. They need to be finished off but here is the basic look of our shower and the flooring in the great room/kitchen,

Shower basin, bench and walls.
Wall of the shower stall showing a pattern to break up thje solid wall. This will be glass enclosed.

This shows how the tile looks against the logs.

A glimpse at the hardwood from our bedroom door.

Our kitchen and part of the great room floor.

And a pretty good look at more of our great room floor as well.

Finally a peek at the cabinets.

Closer To Moving In...

Hans and I visited our cabin after two weeks away.  We have seen many changes since our last visit and although many of them are small to the eye, they are huge to us, as our home gets closer and closer to completion.

We were thrilled to see interior walls finished with the log siding on the top half and have been "painted" with clear finish.  All the interior doors have arrived and have been painted with the clear finish.

Our greatest treat this trip was that our fireplaces have been finished with the river rock stones.  They turned out beautiful and are just what we had hoped they would be.

Our kitchen and bathroom cupboards have been delivered...sitting in boxes in the basement.  As soon as they put tile in the bathrooms and hardwood in the kitchen, they will be installed.  It has been a long time since we ordered them and we sure hope they turn out like we think they will. Things are beautiful in a 6"x 6" board, but when it comes to the real thing...well, we will wait and see!

We now have stairs on the back porch and from the deck.  It is starting to feel like a real home now rather than a construction zone.

See our updates in our pictures below:

Steps coming off the side porch with gate
to keep the critters off

Steps off back porch.  This door goes directly
into the laundry room/mud room.  Back filled
with dirt to build up the level.  Small box on
the left hand side is now our "well head" 

Interior log walls finished with log siding and
tongue in groove ceiling...all done!

Bedroom fireplace with stone

Living room fireplace with stone.

Bedroom ceiling and log walls finished all the way up!

Kitchen & bathroom cabinets...ready to be installed

Different angle of kitchen & bathroom cabinets.