The Magnificent Ceiling!

What a weekend!!

I'm on the road for work, with plenty else I should do, but I just couldn't wait to tell everyone about this! -So I'll keep it short and sweet.

On Sunday, we were still feeling the long day we put in Saturday. So we took our time in the morning, had a nice breakfast, and headed out after we were good and ready. We went straight to Cranston, first, to get more pine boards. The store location we originally bought from didn't have any more on the shelves. Then, we learned the North Providence location did not carry it at all -we were getting nervous. So, we called the Cranston location and confirmed they had the materials we needed before driving down there. We wanted to grab the wood and have it on hand in case the ceiling went quickly and we had energy to start on something else. Good thing too. ;)

Adam was there to lend a hand again, and it went very well thanks to his added help! So, thanks, bro! Love you! We were able to finish up the ceiling within about an hour and half, since we had gotten about 60% of it done the day before.

Ta-Daaaaaa!

Dan and Adam needed to plane some more boards, and while they did, I finished up little odd jobs like the insulation around the utility closet opening. We still need to build that stupid thing, but we are avoiding it-- if you couldn't tell. The utility closet will house the batteries for the solar power and also the electrical panel (if we even end up using one). We wanted to make sure there was some sort of access from inside the house as well, so we needed to sort that out before the pine went up. 

After planing and squaring some of the last - and most awkward- boards, we placed the final row on the ceiling. All three of us just stood there staring up at how amazing it looked for a few minutes. I was blown away. I couldn't believe how well it came out! It completely sets the tone for the rest of the house, giving an eclectic rustic look to the space. It came out better than we imagined- and that's always a great feeling!

We had visions of using re-claimed materials for this house, but in all honesty, I didn't know how much of it would actually turn out that way. Given our limited time frame, the fact that we are not skilled carpenters, and just the knowledge it takes to know what you are looking at and where to even find the stuff in first place- I worried that this was one aspect we would not really fulfill. This was a little disheartening, but I was determined to look at the bigger picture- going tiny is a massive first step. 

Let me tell you, I have had nightmares about that barn wood...like we would somehow realize that none of it was fit for use, ooorrr it could be used, but only super talented carpenters using expensive tools could do the job, ooorrr we would use it and it would look like a 7 year old's tree house- and not in a good way. The bottom line: I was worried that this romantic idea would be royal flop. But, as I sat in the loft gazing at the beautiful ceiling, a rising excitement and new found pride filled my chest. We ARE doing it!

I looked around, smiling ear to ear, as I realized just how much reclaimed materials we have already incorporated. All of the insulation, electrical wiring, windows, door, and the ceiling...then of course there will be the doors we have collected for use as partitions between the bathroom and closet, AND I am pleased to report that we have left over barn wood (we were very worried we wouldn't have enough for the ceiling) which we plan to use as part of the shelving in the kitchen space and perhaps other accents throughout. Sure, we are not at the level of Tiny Texas Houses, where they use 99% re-claimed materials, but it's a damn fine first go, if I say so myself. :)

We were so energized by the ceiling that we decided to put in a little time on the second end wall. We expected it to take longer, but with very little in the walls to work around, the pine went up lightning fast! We completed that wall within an hour. Woohoo! Dan and I are super happy with how the two types of wood look together as well. We can't wait to do the long walls! The materials should be in by tomorrow! I can't wait to get home and get started!

Thanks for reading!
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