Here's the situation (in collage) of this area on following the four-call fire that occurred November 9-10, 2014 - http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-11-10 . Nine months later (yes, I do see the significance in that time frame), this is where we are today. Stacked boxes in back corner are conveniently hidden by the lilies on the table. Two things saved from fire: dining table fixture and custom cabinet. Amazing anything survived.
You've been such a supportive community throughout all this trauma, with photography helping me see advantages, unbelievably (e.g., our beautiful rental condo with no stairs and with the fantastic views), and serving as therapy for tracking and responding to the process.
Still much ahead (e.g., surprise greeting of flooding from broken dishwasher gasket after our first meal here on Friday night, but they had a plumber here at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning who also solved some other problems in appliances not working). But the contractors seem to be 'on it' now and I'll look forward to posting now and then as areas are completed. This was a quick snap with the wide angle, with some distortions adjusted here and there but clearly distortion remains.
@bill_fe Thanks, Bill. I use LR lower right section called Lens Correction or something like that. It gives you 6 different sliders to work with. This was not totally repairable without losing a bunch in front, though. But it's not really an artistic shot!
Such a lovely room - what a ride it has been to reach here again I'm sure - have enjoyed following your journey and your upbeat attitude towards what has to have been a nightmare! Love the view you have.
Looks great, I hope someday you can reflect back on all the hard work and smile at how beautiful the restoration is. It reminds me just how quick it can all be taken away.
@taffy Thanks Taffy. I never looked at the manual tab on Lens Corrections. My widest lens is a 14mm Bower it's not even listed in the options for lenses in that section, nor are the sister lenses, Rokinon, Samyang, and Pro Optic
It's just gorgeous Taffy. I hope it's more beautiful for you now. Something good came out of a bad situation. Thank you for sharing your painful journey.
I just went back and read all about the fire and saw the pictures. I only came into 365 Jan 1st, so I didn't realize all you had to go through. I am so glad your misadventure is coming to an end and you can be at home in your beautiful restoration. It is just lovely.
Hey Taffy I also went back to check out your November news. Goodness me. I'm so glad you're back in your home now. It looks elegant, warm and inviting all at the same time. Happy landings :)
Your home is absolutely beautiful Taffy - what a gorgeous room - so elegant ans stylish!! I am so pleased you are back home again and all the niggles are getting sorted for you!!
Vey nice! Love all the windows! Glad you are settling in and hopefully getting back to a normal routine. Sorry about the flooding but glad to hear the contractors are not on top of things.
@pistache@ckwiseman Sorry, Carolyn and Clara -- I had meant to put an easy link in the narrative and forgot. Thanks for looking all the way back. It has been quite an unusual -- and I hope never repeated -- year. And we were lucky in terms of no injuries and decent insurance. The fire was a bad one, so when we look back, even with everything that has happened in the meantime, we do feel that while not exactly lucky, it truly could have been so much worse.
Taffy, this looks wonderful....so happy to see you back at your home again! And, yes, the "gestation" time was appropriate!! ;-)) I must say plumbing and electrical are the two things that worry me the most as I can pretty much see and determine what they are doing wrong with most other things that are visible!! Glad you are now back home, and that despite the inconvenience you are able to determine what needs to be fixed before any further disasters! Stay on top of them, try everything out (yes, take lots of showers, draw a bath, use the toilets, turn on all the lights), and bring the minutest things to their attention before they become major issues! And, make sure there is a warranty period for all their work, and for all the appliances and fixtures!! Good luck with it. And, it really looks marvelous!! Funny how at the end it all becomes worth it when you start enjoying your fabulous new digs!! :-)))
@bigugly I just googled the Kimble fire as I hadn't heard about it (being too focused on our fire, most likely). It did happen the same night, but that was 5700 north and we are 800 south, so it was quite a ways away...here's what it looked like from the outside of our building - http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-11-11
@panthora Thanks Osia! And as always, such good advice. There's a part of me that wants to keep everything pristine, but I realized it was only by washing dishes by hand today that I noticed the drain is draining too slowly -- something is off, and the lip around the drain isn't totally flush so little food stuffs can get under it. You're right...we have to use every bathroom and shower, not just the master, and every other appliance, light, etc. This morning I noticed a light switch in our bedroom that was new and a cap where a light could have gone. Probably originally wired that way but we hadn't used it, and they put it back. Now we need to get a fixture for it! As long as it isn't flooding or damage such as that, I feel we can deal with it -- they are well know, reputable company, and in their words and quite sorry and embarrassed, as they should be. Hopefully they'll stand by their work.
Happy to read you're back home ! What a terrible thing you have been through !
I also hope the flood was not too important.
Now i wish you to be able to relax in your new home sweet home :)
It looks wonderful! As more and more gets done, it will start to feel like home again and before you know it, you'll be back on your yearly routine as usual. This could appear in a layout for House Beautiful!
Looks like a beautiful new place! I know it must be a huge relief to be coming to a more pleasant end to a long and trying ordeal. I know the details will all come together .
Oh Taffy, I had no idea also being new to 365, seems you have struggled and prevailed in the best possible way, home now, new beginnings, new memories to be made - blessings to you all. the light is blinding after a period of darkness.
What a roller coaster of a journey over the last 9 months. At least you are able to see the light again now and all is looking good. Some minor hiccups along the way no doubt but I am sure all will be well again soon. Welcome back to your home
Taffy, things look great and I'm sure it feels good to finally be back home.
Moving isn't much fun ( and remodeling is stressful). You've been through a lot in the past months. I hope you work out all the glitches and quickly settle in to enjoy your home.
@maggiemae Thanks Maggiemae! We have a two unit condo that we share with our downstairs neighbors (where the fire actually started and migrated up). Our unit is the 2nd and 3rd floor and if we ever decide to replace it, our rooftop deck. So nothing at all like living on the 33rd floor! I miss the elevators and living on a single floor as this place is quite vertical with lots of stairs.
Another beautiful room. I just love the styling, American style and architure is by far my favourite. I do like the lens correction option in Lightroom. I am trying to learn how to use it efficiently, it's very different to PS, but I sm picking it up.
@karlow75 Thanks Kane! We do like the way the design has turned out and while it didn't always feel like it at the time, now that the new furniture is arriving, we really love it. We probably would never have replaced the furniture we've had for decades if this hadn't happened -- so there is a part of us that enjoys being able to have things that fit our current taste. And if we get to move back to the high rise, our stuff will fit well there too.
What do you use to fix wide angle distortions?
I also hope the flood was not too important.
Now i wish you to be able to relax in your new home sweet home :)
Moving isn't much fun ( and remodeling is stressful). You've been through a lot in the past months. I hope you work out all the glitches and quickly settle in to enjoy your home.
So glad your coming to the end of a tough year!