Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Mid-Century Moto Mecca Makeover

[Silvercbr]

I love this thread. Thanks for the update.

Your Avatar looks familiar.

I got this about 5 years ago.

 

[sakurama]

That wood interior is looking spectacular. Your sanding buddy must have some really strong shoulders haha. Mine hurt just looking at those pictures!

I went through four guys before I found Jorgé and I knew he was the right guy because he took lots of little breaks and worked on other things when his arms ached. He sweeps up without asking works hard all day and always looks for things to do to help - I'm lucky to have found him.

Right now I'm stuck on the bathroom tile. I've never done tile and feel a lot of pressure to get it right so I'm endlessly watching YouTube videos of tiling and grouting. Hope to get it done this week.

Gregor

 

[OHSCrifle]

Right now I'm stuck on the bathroom tile. I've never done tile and feel a lot of pressure to get it right so I'm endlessly watching YouTube videos of tiling and grouting. Hope to get it done this week.

Tile is easy to do.. Poorly.

Just mix small batches of setting mortar so you have plenty of time to get the feel for it. Rent or buy or borrow a quality tile saw. Use a level. Dry set your tiles to confirm you like the pattern and won't have slivers in unfortunate spots. Remember that you will have to look at your tile pattern, sizes, cuts, grout widths forever (and from the toilet).

Tile CAN absolutely be done well by a beginner, just take your time. I would tackle a backsplash, a wall, a floor and a shower - in that order. If you have funky not plumb and not level surfaces, your job will be harder. Lookup "john bridge tile forum" for tons of tips.

Edit:spelling

 

[sakurama]

Tile is easy to do.. Poorly.

Yes. My greatest fear...

Well, I have only floor and tub surround to do. Backsplash is after building all the cabinets so not for a while. Based on your advice I'll do the floor tomorrow or Friday and then the tub surround. My large 12x24 limestone floor tile was 1.5" from fitting perfectly (no trimming and full tiles across) and then I realized if I sheet rocked first I'd get an inch so I'm going to do that which should get me there. That's fine right?

I borrowed a nice diamond wet saw. Have a diamond blade for my 4" grinder and a diamond hole saw for the pipes. The floor is perfectly level and the tub is level and square which took a day of shimming - so I'm good there.

Any other advice before I dive in?

Gregor

 

[OHSCrifle]

Sounds like you have done enough thinking about it. Time to tile!
Post photos.

 

[sakurama]

Lookup "john bridge tile forum" for tons of tips.

Thanks for the tip on this. I posted up where I was at and it was immediately pointed out that I'd not extended the tub "legs" out and that I needed to extend the Wedi board and tile 6" from the tub. It's funny, as I was suspect of how I was doing it but not sure why I thought it was wrong. All good now so thanks for the tip. Tomorrow is tile day!!

Here's some shots from today just for the hell of it - yes, I worked today - no holiday for the homeless.

Shimmed out back wall of the tub.

Where I was.

WHere I am. Wedi board in place and sealed. It's really cool stuff and easy to work with.

My man Jorgé, who has been invaluable, painting the "vigas"

This makes me happy.

Bought my sheetrock yesterday and put up the first sheet today. Hoping to have it all rocked out by next week so Jorgé can prime and paint while I'm in NYC for a few days. After that it will be the floor if I can scrounge the funds. I'm selling my BMW R1200S to help with the last push to get in the house. I'll be sad to see it go but more happy to have a nice finished garage for the bikes that are left. I will have a wonderful winter finishing the restoration of my Rickman Triumph, my custom framed XR100 flat tracker and perhaps a VFR project to replace the BMW.

Gregor

 

[Stuart in MN]

Jorgé did a great job on the ceiling.

 

[draider]

Simply stunning!


You sir, will have a magnificent home once you're done. Can't wait to see more progress.

 

[polexican23]

Here is my question, What did your boy Jorge know about restoring a home like this?
This only is a lead into my next question.
Since Jorge worked out so well and obviously (being a day laborer) he needs work after your house is done. Since hard workers (that actually want to work hard) are hard to find, are you going to consider teaching him a lil bit about scooters? I sure he might surprise you in that endeavor as well.

 

[sakurama]

Here is my question, What did your boy Jorge know about restoring a home like this?
This only is a lead into my next question.
Since Jorge worked out so well and obviously (being a day laborer) he needs work after your house is done. Since hard workers (that actually want to work hard) are hard to find, are you going to consider teaching him a lil bit about scooters? I sure he might surprise you in that endeavor as well.

You know that's a funny question. One of the ideas I've had for a business is to hand hammer and form motorcycle gas tanks. I want to make an English wheel and try my hand at forming and welding. I thought to myself he'd be a great employee if he had a green card. I would like to help him find work after I'm done but I suspect I can keep him busy for a few more months. Judiaann joked that if he could babysit we'd just adopt him.

Anyway, in an effort to just post any progress and since there's as much interest in the house as the garage, I'll post todays big progress. No, not tile.

Today we insulated all the upstairs walls and then got the entire upstairs sheet rocked out. I wanted to do tile but we needed to get the rock up before we did the floor and once a few sheets went up the rest just flew up. Well, 12' sheets of sheetrock hardly fly but you know what I mean.

Another tip from my contractor friend was to foam under the tub for insulation, support and sound.

I know there's not much point to insulating the interior walls but we put up a sheet of rock without and I hated the hollow sound of the wall so we insulated everything. It feels more solid and sounds deader.

Then at the end of the day I had a visitor - daddy's girl showed up!

Don't worry Mikael, I'm busting my **** to get this house done but I still have time to check on your RC8 Adv build.

Gregor

 

[locul]

U are the Man

 

[Outlander]

Incredible work - that ceiling is spectacular.

 

[Tunajoe]

The house is fantastic.....
But your photography is stunning!

 

[e-tek]

What an awesome house. Lucky guy!

 

[m5hor]

what kind of camera are you using? pics are awesome.

 

[sakurama]

what kind of camera are you using? pics are awesome.

Well throughout the thread it's probably a mix of different cameras. I'm a professional photographer by trade but rarely do I pull out my "serious" cameras for personal stuff. I used to use a Fujifilm X10 which was my favorite point and shoot. It's a great camera. For some of the "before" shots of the house that are very clear I shot those with a Canon 5D MkII which is my backup pro camera - I shoot with Hasselblad mostly and was a Hasselblad Master in 2008.

But you're most likely referring to later images and that represents a new camera to me - the Sony RX1 - and a new perspective on personal work. For years I separated my personal and professional work because my "real" work is complicated and sophisticated. My point and shoot was more like a visual diary or a note pad. The Sony changed that. It was the first "point and shoot" that had the quality of my studio cameras and I decided it was time to let all my work be "professional" in the sense that I treat it seriously - raw, processing etc.

Be warned - the Sony is an expensive camera ($2800) and like most pro tools it can be tricky to get the most out of it but used well it's a surreal camera. Glad you like the photos.

Gregor

 

[m5hor]

well i know who to ask when im ready to get a nicer camera. thanks for all the great info. and keep up the great work on the house, im hoping to see some mid century/danish furniture in that house

 

[jeffmoss26]

Awesome all around! Subscribing!

 

[-Brent-]

Your pictures really are like something you'd see in a magazine. I like FortyFour's thread for that reason, too.

 

[Oggy]

I know your kid is the focal point, but I couldn't help but notice that you have a couple of big name power tools there (Hilti and Festool). I've used both but never in a daily/trade fashion, what do you think?

I used to sell Hilti, and while I sold countless hammer drills, and a ton of the screw guns, the cordless drills I never had many takers on, my client base was heavily invested in Dewalt, and it was difficult to get them to make that switch. I did get some to switch, but I was part of their "Pro Shop" side and the guys I got to switch weren't in the Home Depot very often.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Here is my question, What did your boy Jorge....

Really?

"Boy"?

C'mon, I know it was likely unintentional but how about you show the MAN some respect? He's busted *** on this job.


Sakamura,
Your house is going to be SO frickin' great looking! Congratulations, I can't wait to see the finished job.

 

[sakurama]

I know your kid is the focal point, but I couldn't help but notice that you have a couple of big name power tools there (Hilti and Festool). I've used both but never in a daily/trade fashion, what do you think?

I got the Hilti drill as part of a package with with a Hilti recip saw and I do like it quite a bit. I've owned a few Dewalts, Milwaukees and Porter Cables and they've been decent. Most of the problems I've had were with Milwaukees oddly enough. Like you I got the drill mainly based on the strength of their hammer drills and it's been a very good performer so far. When I need torque it's what I reach for.

Festool is on another level. It's certainly not the most powerful drill but it's by far the most thought out. There are so many thoughtful things incorporated into their designs that they've earned my loyalty many times over. Often I can think of something I'd improve on a tool and with Festools I find that there are more capabilities built in then you know about. I tend to watch their videos and realize I'm barely utilizing it. They are also incredibly reliable. It's definitely another level and while they're expensive and I always wince when I buy a Festool I've yet to regret a single tool of theirs that I've bought - which is a lot at this point. That and they actually hold their value - I had a track saw for about 10 years and while I took care of it when I sold it I got almost the same money back which is pretty incredible. In fact every time I upgrade the price of my old tool pays off a good portion of the new one. I've certainly drank the green coolaid so I should just stop now.

Once my garage gets going you'll see I have a pretty good collection of tools and I rarely skimp on them. Man, I can't wait for that day.

I'm still putting up sheetrock right now. I was in NYC last week for a shoot but I'm hoping to get the floor ordered this week, the rest of the rock up and the bathroom tiled out - this week.

Oh, and maybe buy another motorcycle to replace the nice BMW that I sold to help pay for all this...

Gregor

 

[Alex-]

That wedi board seems extremely convenient, what do you use on the joints?

BTW, love the mix between the house and garage. I am learning a lot.

 

[sakurama]

So I had to go to NYC for a few days for a shoot and some of my personal work is shooting city lights from the plane. Typically I like more abstract stuff but this trip had nice clouds.

That wedi board seems extremely convenient, what do you use on the joints?

BTW, love the mix between the house and garage. I am learning a lot.

I use the Wedi caulk. Glad you like the mix since I don't have much garage to offer at the moment. Comments here keep me motivated.

Since this thread has sort of jumped the shark as far as my garage is concerned I'll keep updating the house status and then, when I get that done enough, I'll finally get (back) to the garage.

Okay, so I have threatened to do the tile for a while and the day of reckoning has come. Let me first say that it would be wise to practice this sort of thing on something other than your $700+ limestone. I suspect that's what had me dragging my feet.

Anyway. I bought a Nuheat mat for the bathroom and layed it down as per the instructions. After, or course, testing the Ohms and such.

Then immediately into the tile. Since the left wall is the "hero" wall or the one that won't have the toilet or vanity and which you'll see I aligned the tile to it. But, they're square I swear.

And finally, after breaking one tile, I got the floor in and it seems reasonably level although I think the mat messed me up a bit. I think I'll be the only person who will ever know so that's probably okay.

Then today I went to pick out the floor. I like cork but the Ms. isn't keen so our compromise is an engineered maple. Took the sample home just to be sure it will work with what we've got going on.

And of course more sheet rock. Many thanks to my friend Jacob for the loan of his sheet rock lift. I can't imagine trying to hang 12' sheets over my head with just me and my "boy" - I'm going with boy as an urban term of great endearment. We're homeboys at this point. I also want to point out that I'm actually working too - it's just that I'm taking the photos. I'll teach him to use the camera at some point.

Today I walked in and saw this last view and suddenly it looked like a house, kind of. I mean it was the first time I've seen it resemble anything but a construction zone. It felt good. Didn't feel like I'll make the deadline of the end of the month but who knows...

Gregor

 

[Panel Dan]

Great thread! Can't wait to see what you do with the garage. Cheers for the regular updates.

 

[m5hor]

looking great man, are you going to be using mid century furnishings? that will really set this house off

 

[memphisnate]

Beautiful House! Some day I will have a house that can match my MCM love and furnishings.

This is one of the few garage threads I check out on a regular basis!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Gregor, great updates/info!

By the by, I tried your link (http://gregorhalenda.com/) on both Firefox and Chrome; Firefox showed no error, but gave me a blank window, and Chrome's message was 'Server Error'. Just thought you might want to check your web server.

 

[sakurama]

First of all thanks. I'm glad you guys are enjoying my trail of tears. Actually I'm enjoying the work but wish I had more time and money - which makes me very unique I'm sure.

Gregor, great updates/info!

By the by, I tried your link (http://gregorhalenda.com/) on both Firefox and Chrome; Firefox showed no error, but gave me a blank window, and Chrome's message was 'Server Error'. Just thought you might want to check your web server.

Thanks for this. I always use Safari on a Mac (long time Apple ****) and so I tried it and sure enough Firefox didn't find me (DRAT!). Chrome did work on my Mac though so I'm going to assume you're on a Windows machine. I put a call into my designer so hopefully we'll figure it out quickly but thanks for the tip.

Today: more sheetrock. I used to like sheet rock. Not so much now.

Gregor

 

[sakurama]

Okay, I think my site is back up again. It was trouble with an upstream DNS server but it should be fixed.

Gregor

 

[PLOWJEEP]

I liked the jump the shark reference. Ba Ba Boey, Ba Ba Boey.

 

[WarrenJ]

What a great transformation! Going to check out your photo site next.

 

[Big-Foot]

Very nice work and your dedication to your vision is fabulous...

Having just gone through. 2-1/2 year renovation of our former home that was almost 100 years old, I have a full appreciation of what you've been through and are still living.

Some days, it seems like you took three steps backwards and you get really down - but you have to pull yourself back together and claw your way back on top of it inch by inch until you get that task done.. Only to move on to the next.
I felt that in the worst way as I was rebuilding and tuck pointing my ancient cinder block foundation.. Chipping out the old cracked and crumbling mortar only to have the face of the cinderblock just totally give in or fall off..

For me, as you, many tasks were "firsts" for me. Like the header over your expansive window, some things I didn't know any better, but knew that I was erring on the side of over-engineering so I knew it would be safe.
From the start, I wanted to not leave a legacy of shoddy craftsmanship or poor engineering which is what started the whole process for my old house back in 1917. Indeed, I wanted no man to be able to say "look at what this drunken fool has done and left me with"..
Lastly - I took lots of pictures (thousands) and good notes. I wanted to some day pass those on to my son (in case he ever wanted to learn how to do "something" other than..... Well... Another story there.. Suffice it to say I had little help.. I did have one very dedicated friend who came to my rescue a number of times toward the end when I was losing my motivation..

But this is not my blog, it is yours and I hoist a cup of coffee this morning in your general direction and salute another brother...

 

[sakurama]

From the start, I wanted to not leave a legacy of shoddy craftsmanship or poor engineering which is what started the whole process for my old house back in 1917. Indeed, I wanted no man to be able to say "look at what this drunken fool has done and left me with"..

But this is not my blog, it is yours and I hoist a cup of coffee this morning in your general direction and salute another brother...

Yes, it's a funny thing isn't it? Drunken fools can do quite a bit of damage when left unchecked. And we inherit it and it's our destiny to undo their folly.

I feel like I'm coming into the home stretch and yet the house is still a disaster. Today there is but one sheet of rock left to put up but, as always, a simple task became an affair that dragged things out.

This wall seperating the kitchen and the "media" room, well, we're mid-century so perhaps I should call it the den or the rumpus room, anyway this wall was all sorts of strange and after trying several different ways to get some plane of it to be in line with any other plane I gave up and we tore it out.

Hey, look! More windows! For the life of me I'll never understand boarding up a window. My mother-in-law cut down a 100 year old oak tree because she didn't like raking the leaves - nope, didn't understand that either. I wasn't around then or I would have intervened. It seems something that people do when they get old. I don't know what condition people are in when they cover a window.

So the window necessitated more wall removal. Then new wall creation.

Hung a door for the first time. Watched it on YouTube and read a few things online and you know what? Not too hard. It's square and true and I'm a better person now. Not much better but enough.

I felt so good about doing the first one that I hung a second one.

Solid core is a bit harder but it's the same principle; start at the hinge side, shim it square, drill a long screw through the hinge plate to the frame, work around the door shimming and adjusting the gap and nailing through the shims. Pneumatic nailers are dogs ********.

Finally went and picked up all this. Engineered maple floor. Went with the click lock so I wouldn't have to do subfloor and I could just float the whole thing. I'm hoping to get rid of the scaffold this week and clear the floor for next week.

Gregor

 

[Big-Foot]

Wow Gregor! It will be much lighter in there though...

Keep on putting one foot in front of the other....

 

[uberish]

Wow wow wow.
I just joined this thread a few days ago to get some ideas for my garage.
Mostly been looking only for pictures but yours is the first thread where I've read every single page.
For a photographer who isn't very handy you're doing one insanely kick *** job.
I thought I put in a lot more (quality) work then your typical home buyer when I bought my first home a few months back but your reno puts my work to shame.
I've been putting off working on the garage cause it was too hot...
Keep up the fight, we here in NY have lost a good one in you.

 

[slim53]

I have to say this is one of my favorite builds right now. This is exactly what I would love to find and do here (well, maybe not sand white washed cedar) in MN. The house and garage are shaping up beautifully. Great work man!

Slim

 

[sakurama]

Thanks guys. As we get to the floor and then cabinets I'm going to have to get the garage in some sort of order and perhaps build my practice cabinets there first before diving in whole hog on the kitchen. All cabinet building will need to happen in the garage I think so ill need to start working in there again. I hope.

Gregor

 

[stephan191]

Awesome effort! Keep up the great work! There is light at the end of the tunnel and it's not an oncoming train! I will follow this build and look forward to more updates...

 

[aaronmjr]

Such a cool project, and some downright dedicated craftsmanship. What a great home you are making for your family to grow up in! I was linked here from a Minnesota Mid Century Modern Facebook group if you were curious, and luckily I was already a lurker on here