December 1, 2008
The End and the Beginning
OK so we apologize―we realize it took us over a month to write our next, and what turns out to be our final blog post. And we are late at that. We are truly sorry. But since the end of September we have been going at 200 mph. So for those of you wanting to know how the Weston project all ended up here is a long summary:
For the last two months of the project we lived in a hotel. Yes, Pete and I with our two teenagers, in a very tiny hotel. We ate a lot of take-out, cursed the scratchy sheets, and worked endlessly on slowly moving our way into our new home. We emptied four PODS that contained our lives in a couple of weeks and we basically shoved all our stuff in amidst the chaos of everyone finishing our house. I don't think we can accurately capture what the last month was like except we were very tired and overwhelmed, yet ecstatic. We ate a ton of pizza, drank too much coffee, and we could not wait to be settled and out of our hotel. We constantly felt like New England Sherpas between our hotel and home.
There was always tons of work folks in every space of the house, all working around the clock to get the house done by the final film day of October 23rd. And during this non-stop work we were also trying to make sure we were getting done all our necessary town board approvals and walk-throughs, inspections, utility hook-ups, and product deliveries. It was hectic, loud, nutty, confusing, scattered, and draining as all heck. But despite the chaos we loved every minute of it.
And I am pleased to say that on October 23rd the house looked amazing. We could not believe it ourselves.
It is now just about a month after that final film day, and we still can not believe this house is actually ours. It is surreal. As we said in the beginning this has been a long journey for us―over two years in the making. But it was all so worth it and what a blast! We love our house. It is as unique as we hoped, and as personal as we wanted. It truly captures our family's essence. We are in love with it, and plan to be here for a long,long time.
So a huge thank you to the This Old House show and crew, The Silva Brothers, Bensonwood, and all the guys and gals behind the scenes you might not see―the electricians, the plumbers, the painters, the landscapers, the AV guys, the tile guys, the pizza delivery guys. Yes, there were a lot of guys making this all happen, and without these folks we would not have the amazing place we now call home. And they are exactly what you think: super talented, very smart, ever resourceful folks who are also great people to hang out with and share a few laughs. We truly loved having them here every day, and yes, we do miss them. We are forever thankful to all of them; they are the best and they will always be in our hearts and welcome in our home.
You will see a lot of the big picture of what went into building this house on the show. So I thought it would be cool to end our journey with you by sharing a few of the smaller details we love and appreciate every day.
The firewood door (LEFT) and the front entry with bullseye glass (RIGHT)
The building marker, indicating year of construction as 2008
Enjoy, and thanks for reading. Peace.
Amy & Pete Favat
(37) Comments
Comment on this BlogAmy, Just heard about your house project, and curiosity got the better of me. The place looks amazing and congrats on all you and your families hard work. I was was so sorry to hear about your Dad and your Mom. I have many great memories of them from all those sleepovers when we were kids. Best Wishes for the new/old home. Here's to health and happiness. KK
We are enjoying watching TOH and watching your timberframe go up. We built our timberframe 15 years ago and love it more every day. I can't imgaine not waking up and look at beams over my head. Congratulations!
Patti Tappel
Amy -
I have to know, where did you get your skull and crossbones T-shirt with the pigtails?!?!
Pete-
really nice to see you on t.v....with the Boston Tea party's 135th Recognition, Dec. 16th, can I send to you, a box of tea bags, and would you toss one at Griffin's Wharf, till the box is empty, one a day one a week, one month ... thanks Pete
I just caught the last minute of episode 2809 when I heard Kevin say that they were going to party Wisconsin style. I live in Wisconsin and I am dying to know what he was referring to.
mike,
send up the tea bags. i'll be glad to send them to the bottom.
Emily:
You can find my cozy pirate hockey chic T (as I like to call it) at a store in Wellesley, MA (not sure where you are) called Trappings. They have a whole bunch of cool ones - but don't tell anyone OK?
KK:
Thanks for saying hi via our blog! And thank you for your sweet words and wishes. Much love and many hugs back to you and your family.
Peace.
xoxo
Amy
Amy
Beth told me about the house project - it looks just beautiful - you and Pete and the kids must be very happy with it - congratulations. I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. You and your family are in our thoughts. Best wishes for health and happiness in your new home.
-Kerry Kelly
One of the best! Can't help asking: "COST ?"
I can only 'imagine'(Of course, it would be nice to know.) Thanks.
Amy -
I also would love to know where you got the "skull & crossbones" tee with the pigtails?? My youngest daughter just graduated from GSU last Monday with a degree in Studio Art and I would really like to get one for her if possible?? It really does fit her personality to a tee...whoops, no pun intended!! Thx!!!
Pete: What a great house. Congratulations. But whatever happened to your Beer Can collection? Surely you have room now. Perhaps you should start over. I'll be happy to help out. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
So how far over $1 Million did you spend on this project?
Hello Amy and Pete, we have really enjoyed watching your project. Congratulations.
Please pass this on to Mr. Morash, he should consider having Amy on as a regular, perhaps the "green" specialist. You are exuberant, knowledgeable and fun to watch.
Hello Amy and Pete, I loved watching your house get built. I would like to let you know that I have been over the past few years coming up with a plan to renovate my house. After seeing your house It makes me want to use your plan for my house. I went on line to the This Old House web site and took yours. I would like to know how muck over 1 million you went to see if it all fits my budget. If you like to see your twin it should be done in the spring of 2010, Rowley Mass. I am trying to get Tom Silver to be the contractor of my house because I want it done right. But not Roger Cook to landscape. Any tips I should know please feel free to contact me.
Hello Amy and Pete, Being an Idaho native, I have really enjoyed this particular project for TOH. I would be very interested in a follow-up program being done in year or two to see how all the "green" aspects of your home are performing. Congrats on your new home!
My husband saw the episode that talked about the wood going up on the walls of the stairwell. Do you have any photos of the finished area? I would love to see it - sounds like something we might be interested in doing in our work room. Thanks!
Can you tell me where you got the skull and crossbones with pigtails tee? It's great.
I must admit that this has been one of the most ridiculously produced TOH of all time. The only thing green about the house is the cash flow. There needs to be more control over who steals the scenes. Leave the over acting to the pros. Good luck.
While I enjoyed watching this series, PBS should really change the name of the program to This New House or Money House. I live in an 1840s home and see very little that will ever apply to me and my financial situation. The original purpose of the show was showing peopple how to save what they had and do it themselves, not knock it all down and throw a ton of high-priced contractors at it.
And I also have to ask -- the Tee shirt comes from where? My wife has a goth sense and would love it!
talk about a dream house...so wonderful to see people thinking about our environment as well!!
i love the way you mixed old with new!!!!
oh, and amy, what kind of watch are you wearing!!??
thank you!
Pete & Amy,
Love the house!! My jaw dropped as I watched the wrap party episode, everything about the house is amazing, especially the little details.
I've been trying to talk my wife into a timberframe house, but she hasn't budged yet. I was wondering if there was a place where I could find more pictures of the house, especially the interior.
I watched the episode on DVR, but deleted it by habit. I wish I still had it...
I tried to catch all of the episodes of your project, but missed a few. I haven't been able to find anything from This Old House were they sell old episodes or the entire project on DVD. Does anyone know? Thanks Chris
Amy,
Thanks so much for the info on the "cozy priate chic T"! Absolutely love your house and the shows were the best I have seen on TOH ever. Your decorating style is incredible!! Best wishes to you and Pete and your family......enjoy the new "digs"!!!
I would like to know about the light fixture over the dining table. Where can I find one simular?