Sunday, August 18, 2013

Bathrooms, doors, windows - progress!


Slowly, every so slowly, things are advancing.

We have a toilet, that flushes!  And a shower that has running water – albeit it cold!

The tiles are all in place in the guest bathroom downstairs.  We chose “Mexican” white, which in the showroom was a sort of light creamy shade and some “harlequin” accent tiles for along the bottom.  When we arrived to see the finished room it all looked a little too yellow for both of us.  Sergio hates it.  I’ll get used to it.  Eventually, the shower will be enclosed with glass walls on two sides.  The vanity should arrive this week so the sink and faucets can be installed.

This is the master bathroom.  Still very much a work in progress.  These tiles are white white white.  In both cases they are artisan tiles, which basically means they are made by hand and no two are alike.  Again, the vanity and sinks should be installed this week (to the left) and the rest of the plumbing connected.  The bathtub enclosure was filled with sand and then they put the tub in place and then it was filled with water to ensure the snuggest of fits.  Intriguing.  The "balcony" will have a glass wall around the tub and doors opening to a small outdoors space (yet to be tiled).

The first of the metal windows and doors have been installed.  These are being handcrafted piece by piece by Jorge.  He's the sweetest guy, who, unfortunately, works at a snails pace.  Craftsmanship I suppose.  The end result is wonderful.

You can see the corner window in the master bedroom that opens on two sides.  The big doors open to the upper terrace.  You can also make out the kitchen windows that will swing 180 degrees to facilitate passing things to the terrace dining area.

This week they started laying the first of the outdoor terrace floor tiles.

This is a shot of the terrace doors from the master bedroom.  

The reason for all the panels is both aesthetics as well as security.

We anticipate that by the end of this week all the exterior floors will be finished, the windows and doors completed and the kitchen cabinetry should be in place.  Sergio and I plan to stay for a week and start on the garden with the help of a few workmen.  I figure I can at least point to where we want the bougainvillea to be planted and perhaps even unroll some of the sod.