Really not the color we were going for, but I think we are stuck with it now. The method is called Kourasani, and the color is in the plaster. We should only have to clear coat it every few years to keep it in shape, and not have to paint. Unless we just hate the color...We were going for something darker, to contrast with the roof tiles, but apparently that was lost in translation. A bit on the orange side for my taste, but I am sure it will change over time. I like the variations in shade and the depth of the color. Not flat like regular paint.

But, I love the copper gutters. Hopefully no one comes along and pinches them off the house ...I hope the neighborhood dogs bark, if they do. Maybe the ex cop from across the street will call the cops on any prowlers... like he did when Sammy went to install the gutter on the barn to help with the water problem our neighbor was complaining about.

This is my storage closet under the stairs... now with a cement floor! Still needs some plastering in there. Oh, and the steps up to the side door that leads to the guest room. If you are wondering where Sianna and Olivia are, they are sleeping in the car. Another missed nap for us...

the walnut tree

Today is the grand slam Blog update...I was able to get Sianna down for a nap, and Olivia is occupied with a pizza crust. So, you will find several entries for today, and it is done this way, as I can't seem to upload more then 4 fotos at a time. I tried to group them together so it makes more sense.

The house is coming along, and you will see the new plaster on the interior. Alex and I have started researching tiles and such for bathrooms. On our first visit to a tile and bath store, we found out 2 things. #1 is that I have really expensive taste. #2 is that Alex has more expensive taste. I fell in love with a handmade ceramic sink, from Spain. It was ONLY 600 euros. Alex, being the optimist, suggested we take a look at other models by the same group. His eye went to another sink that ended up being 1200 euro. Hold on...Sianna is crying.

Ok, she fell off the couch mid nap and is now happy with some ice cream to take the swelling down on her bubba lip. Wait, now Olivia is crying....

Just enjoy the pictures of the walnut tree.

upstairs

Sianna's room, now nice and plastered.

Olivia's room, looking towards her window.

Above is Alex and my room, looking from the door towards the tiny and weird balcony, and below is the shot from that tiny and weird balcony towards the opposite corner. Behind that wall is our bathroom.

The Stairs

The stairs from as seen from the front door. Fireplace should go in the corner to the left.

We have a cool spot here on the stairs for a nice piece of art work....hint hint, Rani. ;)

And below is the view from the top of the stairs. Behind you will be the door to get to the loft which will be over the kitchen.

the dining room

You got it, the dining room with the final plaster on it. The stone arch over the door will be cleaned off and stand out more.

Here are our cool niches, where we were able to leave the rocks exposed.

color options

Here we go, things are cleaned up a bit and the final coat of plaster is beginning to be applied to the interior of the house. The reason why you see color in some parts and white in others is because while they are doing the interior, we are testing colors for the exterior. Alex and I decided to give the colored plaster method a try. If it sucks, we can always paint over it. So, rather then waste the samples that Christos mixes up, he has it applied to the interior which will be painted with primer and paint anyhow.

Above is the doors leading to the bathroom and the dining room, as seen from the front door. Below is the view of the living room from the end of the kitchen.

Here you see the front door from across the room where the bathroom and dining room doors are.

Ok, and below are some samples of colors. The tile on the bottom is from the roof, and we brought it down to see how it would contrast. That red tile is the darkest color the plaster can be mixed to. We have opted for something between #2 and that red tile. Should be up next week, if we are lucky.

door frames

Like the title says, these are the door frames that are installed before the final coat of smooth plaster goes on. The workman was really good and timely, once we got him there...

pre final plaster

Here are a couple of shots before the final smooth coat of plaster goes on.

Olivia's room is above and the view out of Sianna's room is below.

This is from Sianna's balcony looking up the street towards Louis' house.

It has been a while! Again! Between diaper changes and bouts of illness, we have managed to get some pictures of the house together. Problem is, with the High Holidays the grant work etc... Alex is really busy to actually write anything down ... and I have a limited knowledge of the goings on at the site. All I know is it looks like it is moving along. We should be getting a plumber in next week, along with the final plaster coat on the interior walls.

We are currently debating whether or not to paint the house, or use coloured plaster, which is an old technique that gives more richness, depth and warmth to the building. We are leaning in that direction, but the down side is the up keep. It tends to crack and needs clear coat every two years, while simple painting can last 5 years.

Look... more frappe cups. Below, you see Sianna standing in the closet that fits under the stairwell in the guest bedroom. This is one of the spaces that the workers had to go in and rip out the new wall they had built...why...because there is no communication between anyone working at times, and the guys do what ever they think is right, only to be told---ummm, that is wrong. So, it is not the language barrier, it is plain stupidity half of the time.

The final layer of plaster will be put on this week. So the next group of photos will show smooth walls that are ready to be prepped for painting. In these shots you can still see the mesh and the blue lines are the electrical lines that were run the other week. He finished the house in a few days, and we also had the guys who will install the underfloor heating/cooling system come in and prep the spots for some sort of a fan system that works with the system.

Below is a shot of Sianna's room. She has a little loft spot for storage, I guess...

This is one of the nitches in the dining room. We were able to save the stones around it, to leave them exposed. I am hoping they cut that mesh off...but you never know.

We have a roof!

Yes, we have a roof. Not sure if it will stay natural or be white washed white. Alex is still deciding. But, we got the wood we wanted, very rustic looking, and the tiles we wanted, not the yellow that was suggested.

The tiles very in tones of terracotta and are a bit lighter then the typical ones around the area. Below you can see two of the roofers. They were really fast and hopefully really good too...I guess we shall see, once the rainy season gets here!