Ceiling and walls

The bathroom is starting to get it's ceiling and walls.

It will need several coats of cement plaster before we can start tiling, but we've started planning out the tile layout and niche.

Elsewhere the sheetrock is going up quickly.

This is the main wall in the studio which Yoko is planning to use as a background for photography.

The ceiling is also getting worked on.

More progress inside and outside

More exterior and interior work

Progress on the exterior galvanized aluminum siding continues.

On the inside...Sheetrock was going up! They were using very long sheets, which made the work go quickly and will make the later stages of taping and plastering less work.

The ceiling above the 'sofa niche' was installed in the living room.

This is another view of the pieces of wood used to put the floating wall together. Seen from the backside.

The gas company came and installed the propane lines. This outlet is near the kitchen and will be used for a propane heater. This will provide additional heat when the wood stove isn't being used.

Siding

The exciting transformation of the exterior has finally begun!

Floating wall detail

We specifically wanted a gallery style wall construction for our house. This floating wall is unique because it doesn't use any trim at the bottom of the wall where it meets the floor. This is to create a more minimal look as well as making it easier to repaint.

Our architect warned us that this look would make it difficult to vacuum as we would not have any trim to protect the sheetrock from bumps.

Luckily Sugimoto was very clever at coming up with a solution which would give us the look we wanted.
We've now seen the work that goes into producing this type of wall and it's very interesting and quite complicated.

First, the flooring is installed inside of the wall so there is a solid and level platform to build upon. Then, thin strips of wood are put inside of the wall and long thin strips of white painted trim are attached to this. Finally, on top of that is another strip of wood which the sheetrock will be installed above.
Sorry, it sounds complicated and it is!
Here are some pictures to help with the description...

Sugimoto and the carpenter explain to us the pieces that will comprise the construction of the lower portion of the floating wall.

These are the strips of painted wood which run around the base of the wall.

The carpenter shows us what the wall will look like once the sheetrock is in place.

Here are some detail views of how it's done prior to the final stage of the sheetrock going up.

This is a good view of the downstairs flooring with three of the four pieces in place.

Downstairs Flooring

Initially we were a little concerned about laying out the downstairs flooring as there seemed to be quite a lot of variation in the tones of the floor boards. But it seems like the variation actually is not distracting.

About half of the livingroom/kitchen/pantry was finished in one day.

More flooring and siding prep.

Preparation for the siding has begun. They put on the lower trim and added the narrow strips of wood which the siding will attach to.

EDIT - A few days later additional wood panels and sheetrock was added to the exterior to reinforce the areas where the AC units, fans and other exterior items, such as the laundry rod system, will be hung.

The flooring is almost finished getting installed in the master bedroom and adjoining walk in closet.

The shower/bathroom got a fresh coat of cement. We also had to have the doorway moved slightly over so that the edge of tub lines up with the door. A slight oversight on the part of the architect. Luckily Sugimoto-san caught the alignment issue and it was able to be corrected.

Insulation and Bathtub

Progress has picked up since there have been more workers present at the house. Sugimoto-san told us we would have a larger crew working on our house from now on.

We were excited to see the insulation being put up inside the house.

The roof overhang was finished with wood. It looks very white and might stand out from the black siding, but we were told it will darken over the years.

The drains for the bath tub and shower were installed as well as the inlet pipes for the shower. Soon they will pour the concrete for the floor.

Yoko was concerned that the bathtub we wanted would be too small. We knew that its arrival would be soon...She was very happy to find out that the size was perfect.

 

The tub uses an integrated faucet for filling the water to a specified amount with the push of a remote button. It also recirculates the water to keep it at a constant temperature...can't wait to try it out!

Master Electrician, Uncle G. asked for some more pictures of the wiring, he's interested in the differences between Japan and the States.