Embarking on a full-scale home renovation, especially one as ambitious as transforming “The Lodge,” demands a unique blend of vision, perseverance, and meticulous planning. It’s an intricate dance, a choreography of projects unfolding in precise phases, where every decision impacts the next. My role is akin to a conductor, orchestrating the arrival of labor and materials at precisely the right moment, a constant challenge that keeps me perpetually on my toes. To navigate this complexity, a detailed weekly “to-do list” becomes my indispensable compass, ensuring that critical tasks are completed before the scheduled arrival of the next subcontractor or specialized craftsman – whom I affectionately refer to as “Subs.” This ongoing saga, spanning several weeks and months, has seen significant progress in a series of interconnected projects.
Our strategic phasing has been crucial for maintaining momentum and minimizing delays. Here’s a glimpse into the key milestones we’ve recently tackled or are in the process of completing:
- Kitchen Base Cabinets: The foundation of our Lodge kitchen began with the meticulous construction and installation of the base cabinetry. This monumental task, detailed in a previous update, laid the groundwork for the entire culinary space.
- Countertop Templating: Following the cabinet installation, the next critical step was to have our custom countertops templated. This precise measurement process is vital for the fabrication of perfectly fitting surfaces. We understand that fabrication itself will take several months, but templating had to precede other installations.
- Crucially, the countertops must be fully installed before the refrigerator and freezer columns can be brought in and secured, underscoring the importance of this specific sequence.
- Living Room Flooring Completion: A major priority involved finalizing the flooring in the living room. This was timed specifically to allow the grand piano to be moved into the space through a particular doorway before the countertops were installed, which would inevitably obstruct that access point.
- Door and Trim Installation: The installation of doors and doorway trim presented another timing challenge. We aimed to complete the mudding, sanding, priming, and painting of the drywall adjacent to where the countertops would sit. Addressing this now, before the countertops are permanently in place, saves significant effort and ensures a cleaner finish later on.
- Appliance Installation Coordination: Once the countertops are securely installed, the next phase involves coordinating the arrival and installation of the refrigerator, freezer, and range.
- Finishing Touches: The grand finale for the kitchen involves the comprehensive finishing of all cabinets, doors, drawers, the island, and intricate trim work, transforming raw materials into a cohesive, elegant space.
- “Hood Ceiling” Construction: A distinctive “Hood Ceiling” is also on the agenda, promising to be a focal point above the cooking area.
Crafting the Living Room Floors: A Blend of Wood and Concrete
Our vision for The Lodge’s main living areas incorporates a captivating blend of materials: warm engineered wood flooring complemented by sections of robust concrete. The engineered wood, designed for glue-down installation, is significantly easier and faster to lay with multiple hands on deck. I recall installing the pantry floors entirely by myself, a test of endurance and meticulousness. The following day, my husband, Wes, joined me to tackle the expansive living room. Our initial efforts involved a substantial amount of prep work: dismantling scaffolding, relocating numerous tools and materials, and thoroughly cleaning the subfloor. Consequently, we managed to glue down only about eight rows of planks on that first joint day.
The true acceleration came the following day when we were fortunate enough to have two additional helpers, Traci and Dominic, join our team. I’ve been mentoring them for several months, and they dedicate one or two days a week to working alongside me. Their assistance has been invaluable, not just for the extra muscle but also for boosting morale on challenging days. With all four of us working in sync, the floor installation progressed at a remarkable pace, far exceeding our initial expectations. Wes expertly troweled the adhesive onto the subfloor, creating a consistent bed for the planks, while I strategically laid out the rows, staying well ahead of the glue line. Traci and Dominic then meticulously maneuvered the planks into their precise positions, securing them with tape to ensure a tight, seamless fit. For anyone considering such an undertaking, a word of caution: three days of kneeling, bending, and constantly moving can certainly take its toll on your back, highlighting the physical demands of this type of renovation work.
The Saga of the 500-Pound Iron Door: A Grand Entrance with a Twist
Among my early design choices for The Lodge, I indulged in a significant splurge: an imposing, exceptionally heavy iron door. I confess, the exact timeline escapes me – was it months ago, or perhaps even two years, when I was sourcing all the doors for the property? What I do vividly recall is the moment Julie and I first encountered it. Standing prominently in the door and window store, it seemed to beckon to us. Sharing a near-telepathic connection, Julie and I exchanged glances, and one of us uttered, “wine cellar door.” Its sheer weight became immediately apparent; I couldn’t even manage to lift the frame into place by myself despite a determined attempt. It required waiting for Wes to return home from work to lend his considerable strength.
The installation presented its own set of structural challenges. The wall on the left side of the doorway, to my frustration, was not perfectly plumb. To rectify this, I had to meticulously remove a section of drywall, allowing me to shim the wall into perfect vertical alignment. Given the door’s immense weight, hanging it without additional assistance was simply not feasible. My immediate focus shifted to securing the frame firmly in place and then patching the drywall. My motivation for tackling this particular doorway at this stage was purely practical: the kitchen countertop was designed to terminate very close to this entrance, making it logical to patch, skim, prime, and paint this entire drywall area simultaneously to achieve a clean, finished look and to avoid more complicated work later. (A small, internal laugh escapes me as I write this, knowing what came next.)
It was only after enlisting the help of two additional, incredibly strong friends, and after a strenuous struggle to lift that estimated 500-pound door onto its hinges, that a crucial realization dawned upon me. The side of the door visible from the living room was, regrettably, not the “super cool” side I had envisioned as the main aesthetic feature! I didn’t even bother to wipe off the layers of construction dust to give it a fair chance. Both Wes and our stalwart friends, who had just endured the Herculean task of lifting it, offered reassuring words, suggesting it looked fine and that I should simply move past it. However, that’s not how my design instincts work. While this particular door isn’t currently at the top of my immediate to-do list, this aesthetic quandary is a definite future consideration that I will address. Such unexpected twists are, it seems, an inherent part of the renovation journey.
The Art and Challenge of Concrete Countertops
From the outset, my vision for The Lodge’s kitchen included the distinctive character of concrete countertops. Given the inherent complexities and time-consuming nature of concrete work – Julie and I have previously undertaken several overlay concrete countertop projects, always discovering they take significantly longer than anticipated – Wes and I made a strategic decision to invest in professional fabrication. We sought out a master craftsman, and we found an exceptional one in Dusty Baker, the talent behind Dusty-Crete, based out of Nashville. Despite the considerable 4.5-hour drive to The Lodge, the notoriously “sketchy” installation conditions, and the substantial size of my kitchen island (a formidable challenge for a single slab), Dusty agreed to take on the project. It seemed the sheer scale and difficulty of the job, rather than deterring him, actually appealed to his expertise and passion for unique challenges.
Dusty arrived with a skilled helper, and against all odds, the beautifully crafted countertops survived the long journey without a hitch. However, their ultimate test lay ahead: navigating the “SUPER SKETCH” process of using a lull lift to hoist them to the second-story entrance, followed by an intricate series of shifts and pushes to maneuver them into the kitchen. The entire operation was fraught with tension, and I confess, I was terrified throughout the delicate dance of installation.
Thankfully, both the experienced crew and the precious concrete slabs emerged unscathed. The relief was palpable, and Wes and I are absolutely thrilled with the stunning new countertops, which perfectly embody the aesthetic we envisioned for our Lodge kitchen.
After successfully positioning the massive slabs, Dusty expertly set the sinks and precisely cut the faucet holes, completing the intricate work. As we all stood back, admiring the beauty of his product and exhaling a collective sigh of relief that the most precarious part was over, Dusty humorously (and perhaps seriously) swore he would never undertake a job requiring such an insane installation feat again! This highlights the extraordinary lengths and challenges often involved in bringing custom design elements to life.
P.S. Regarding the piano, we’ve wisely decided against attempting to move it through the same precarious doorway as the countertops. Instead, we will patiently wait until the future deck addition is complete, which should provide a much safer and more practical route for getting it into its final position.
Seamless Appliance Integration: Patience and Precision
With the formidable task of countertop installation behind us, we finally moved into the exciting phase of appliance integration. The refrigeration columns, a key component of our kitchen design, were next on the schedule. I had initially planned their installation earlier, but Dusty, with his invaluable experience, wisely suggested we delay until after the countertops were securely in place. His reasoning was sound: while the custom cabinet was still empty, we could subtly push its right side inward, creating just enough tilt room for the massive countertop slabs to slide into position without the dreaded risk of scraping the exquisite mahogany panel. This thoughtful piece of advice proved crucial, preventing potential damage and streamlining the entire process. Yes, please, to such foresight!
Terry, our skilled plumbing expert, successfully installed most of the faucets and other essential gadgets. Concurrently, I managed to get one of the dishwashers installed, marking significant progress in making the kitchen fully functional. However, as is often the case with complex renovations, a few minor snags emerged.
Not all plumbing fixtures could be fully installed right away. One of the new faucets was unfortunately faulty, the finish on two of the soap dispensers didn’t quite match the aesthetic of the chosen faucets, and the water filters I had purchased required specific adapters that I now needed to order. Despite these minor setbacks, I’m delighted to report that we do have one fully functional sink, complete with all working faucets, dispensers, and the disposal button – a small victory that makes a big difference in daily usability!
Cabinetry Evolution: From “Squatty” to Sublime
My initial design for the kitchen cabinets involved building them to a certain height, with a plan to incorporate a valance-like structure above to house task lighting specifically for the sink area. To ensure the perfect illumination, I ordered several different lighting options to test. My electrician expertly hooked them up, creating a sampling of each option for evaluation. Through this process, I discovered a crucial design flaw: any lighting projected downwards from such a high overhead position created undesirable shadows from the cabinet doors themselves. This immediately prompted a pivot in my plan. I ultimately decided to have him install discrete channel strips along the bottom of each cabinet section, providing much more effective and even task lighting.
Without the need for lights *within* the valance structure, the valance itself became functionally unnecessary. This meant I had to devise a completely new plan to “build up” the cabinetry, as the existing proportions of this section, which I had affectionately begun referring to as the “squatty cabinets,” were now aesthetically incorrect. This unforeseen adjustment underscores the dynamic nature of design and renovation. Every component, including the upper cabinets and the intricate island trim, was meticulously built and finished to perfection before its final installation, ensuring a consistent and high-quality look.
Over time, the rich mahogany panels, once exposed to more light, will naturally deepen and even out in tone, adding a beautiful, evolving character to the kitchen space.
Our journey through The Lodge renovation continues with a focused approach. My current to-do list centers on perfecting the details and bringing key areas to completion:
- Drywall Finishing: Completing the skimming, priming, and painting of all drywall surfaces around doors and doorways is paramount for a polished look.
- Hood Ceiling Construction: Building the distinctive Hood Ceiling remains a priority, though we are currently awaiting the arrival of specific parts to proceed.
- Once the Hood Ceiling is complete, scheduling the final hood installation will be the next step.
- Toekicks: The installation of toekicks – cutting, finishing, and securing them – will provide a seamless base for the cabinetry.
- Pantry Cabinets: The construction of the pantry cabinets is already underway, approximately halfway to completion, and will significantly enhance the kitchen’s functionality and storage.
My immediate focus is squarely on bringing the kitchen and pantry to full completion. Once these critical spaces are finalized, my attention will shift to the master suite and the laundry room, aiming to create equally functional and aesthetically pleasing environments. Following these phases, I am hopeful that the much-anticipated deck addition will be underway. This outdoor extension is not just an architectural element but a pivotal design factor; several design decisions for the living room area are deliberately on hold until the deck is built. Currently, everything is a plan on paper, but I anticipate that the tangible reality of the deck will unlock entirely new possibilities and perspectives for the living room’s final aesthetic. As those who follow my renovation adventures know, I have a tendency to adjust my plans. I am committed to exercising patience and waiting for this crucial external element to materialize rather than rushing into decisions that might later require extensive redoing, a lesson I’ve learned many times over (cough, like the Maryville Pantry!). The renovation of The Lodge is a testament to thoughtful progression, adapting to challenges, and patiently allowing the vision to unfold.