Big things have happened toward the new house in the past few weeks.
We appeared before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 16. Our request was for a variance on the 80% brick or stone requirement in Keller. None of our future neighbors expressed opposition to our request. Two of them sent notes approving of our plans. We really appreciated their gesture. Our request was granted.
For the soil sample some minor excavation was done on the lot. That enabled us to actually walk on the lot for the first time. It has always been too overgrown for us to do anything but look at the overhead pictures online!
Last week a decision was made on placement of the construction access to the lot. This temporary road will later become the driveway. We walked the lot to determine which of the trees need to be removed. We are hoping to have a much sunnier yard this time around! Shade gardening in a 'cave', not much fun & very difficult!
In other news, the foundation engineering was received by our builder. He has filed paperwork for permits with the city. We anticipate dirt moving after the 4th of July holiday.
We have made decisions on tile, granite, some countertops, some hardware, plumbing & most of the lighting. The most tedious task so far has been tile. We have spent a lot of time online looking at ideas. Walked through models, looked at magazines & then finally had to make choices. Hours walking through various buildings looking at tile & granite. About three hours into the last day we both felt like our eyes were glazing over with all the choices.
Links to some of our choices are below -
Trim on the kitchen back splash -
http://marblesandaccents.com/glasss6.html
The master bath floor tile -
http://www.arizonatile.com/products/natural-stone/slate-and-quartzite/rajah_slate_gauged.aspx
Hardware on the master bath tub -
http://pricepfister.com/website/documents/Products/PRD_11rod_15841_49-yp1u.jpg
