<p>Yes, we’ve put the white plaster on and we are going to build a mantle on Monday. I just need to come up with a design. I’m thinking simple with two big corbels holding up a wood shelf with some simple molding design. More hours looking through Houzz</p>
<p>My call to Code Compliance Officer today revealed that he’s waiting for his supervisors to review and approve the notice. He also said that, because I have new studs and roof on Utility Room i was trying to turn it into habitable space. Therefore i have to meet all codes applying to “new construction” not just repairs to existing building. I am required to turn it back to non habitable space and it has to be detached.</p>
<p>That means i lose laundry room also.</p>
<p>But i still cannot move forward, don’t have any papers.</p>
<p>coralbrook … hugs. This is infuriating and unfair. AND I urge you not to just accept it, but to take it to the town council or review board. Ask for the variance. People get variances all the time for craxx stuff that is weird to me and it gets granted. The staff just “follows the rules” but the elected or appointed review people generally rule to suit themselves. It might take longer to get on the agenda, but I think it would be better than losing all you’ve done . So sorry.</p>
<p>This is one of those scenarios that illustrates that there is just as much need for a “dislike” option as there is for the new “like” that we got in the CC overhaul… I hate that you are being jerked around by the powers that be. </p>
<p>Unfortunately another day went by and he never called me back. Have to start again next week. He told me that it takes a long time when you have a violation. </p>
<p>We have no town council or board. Its a big city with a City Council who have bigger problems than my permit. However our new mayor has a big initiative to improve permit process for homeowners. They’ve extended hours and will inspect on Saturdays. For example you cannot even replace a water heater in this town. Imagine your water heater floods your house. They want you to take a day off from gainful employment to stand in line to get permit. Then you have to take a day off to stand at your house waiting for an inspection.</p>
<p>Appliances arrived today. I purposely was standing there alone looking helpless, I loaned my crew out to a friend who bought their first home and it needs some fixes before they can move in. Its helping to offset some of my carrying costs.</p>
<p>The poor delivery guys were not happy. First they had to take front door off the hinges. Then they got dishwasher up easy. Range a little tougher. But they had to completely dismantle refrigerator. Ive never seen that done before. They took both doors off which was difficult because there’s a lot of connections in the door for ice and water. Took the glass shelves and boxes out. Then they brought everything up and put it back together. I give them an A for effort. Not one scratch! </p>
<p>Document the delays, cb. In writing. And keep poking around for someone else to help. Yes, I live in a small town, but big towns actually have more insiders to help you. The mayor gets it, send him email and ask if there is a staffing person who could help. I know you are going to want to do other work there so don’t want to make anyone mad, but there ARE people who can help “the little guy”. </p>
<p>Or LOL stand around and get delivery guys to dismantle the refrigerator! Holy cow. Guess I shouldn’t give advice to a master. </p>
<p>Another potential asset is your realtor who might know someone who got something done… I am pressing because in my case, I got rolled over by the permit people for a septic issue of my mom’s … but the people in the planning helped me out A LOT when I was standing there almost crying. It had been a long long week and I was so tired and frustrated. The “by the book” lady had people who knew that it is a PERSON dealing with whatever. </p>
<p>Thinking of you, Coralbrook. I’d apply for the variance on the utility room. All they can do is say no. And call someone in the mayor’'s office for permit help if you have to…if that’s his proposal, there may be someone there that can help.</p>
<p>Trying to focus on something that is a little more positive. I’m looking for ideas for fireplace. Have decided to leave fireplace surround as plain white plaster. But, I have to live with the arched brickwork around the opening. Also, the fireplace is a ‘box’ extending out from the wall. </p>
<p>Here’s some ideas I’m looking at. </p>
<p>Especially like this one because it has that ‘vintage coastal’ theme I’m looking for - kind of the same white theme I’m going to do in the living room. But I don’t know if the distressed grey mantle will look right with the arched Spanishy opening</p>
<p><a href=“Beach Style Kitchen - Beach Style - Kitchen - Boston | Houzz”>Beach Style Kitchen - Beach Style - Kitchen - Boston | Houzz;
<a href=“Beach Style - Beach Style - Boston | Houzz”>Beach Style - Beach Style - Boston | Houzz;
<p>Or white on white mantle like this one?</p>
<p><a href=“Belgian Chic in a 1970's Ranch - Shabby-chic Style - Living Room - Nashville - by Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist | Houzz”>Belgian Chic in a 1970's Ranch - Shabby-chic Style - Living Room - Nashville - by Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist | Houzz;
<p>More elaborate wood design??? I think this one is too traditional for the design of the home</p>
<p><a href=“Audiffred Home - Traditional - Living Room - New Orleans - by A PLUS Construction | Houzz”>Audiffred Home - Traditional - Living Room - New Orleans - by A PLUS Construction | Houzz;
<p>This distressed grey wood surround is actually the correct dimensions for our fireplace. Might look weird with the arch inside the surround</p>
<p><a href=“Uttermost Khuri Wooden Mantel - 24800 - Traditional - Fireplace Mantels - by TSCShops | Houzz”>Uttermost Khuri Wooden Mantel - 24800 - Traditional - Fireplace Mantels - by TSCShops | Houzz;
<p>Could do something like this and then build some molding up to ceiling to add interest to the room</p>
<p><a href=“Contemporary Beach Living Room - Traditional - Living Room - Charleston - by Julia Ryan | Houzz”>Contemporary Beach Living Room - Traditional - Living Room - Charleston - by Julia Ryan | Houzz;
<p>Not sure about this one, fireplace boxed in with white wood/molding and then distressed wood as mantle</p>
<p><a href=“My Houzz: DIY Love Reforms a Dated Cape Ann Home - Traditional - Living Room - Boston - by Theresa Fine | Houzz”>My Houzz: DIY Love Reforms a Dated Cape Ann Home - Traditional - Living Room - Boston - by Theresa Fine | Houzz;
<p>As a reminder, here is what fireplace looks like now. We have put a layer of drywall white mud over the fake limestock finish. We will be painting the bricks on arch a pure white. BUT, we are going to have to leave the red brick hearth that is built into the floor, original brick</p>
<p><a href=“Fireplace Closeup | Getting ready to determine how to retile… | Flickr”>https://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/100771386@N05/15033892760/in/pool-2750844@N22/</a></p>
<p><a href=“Living Room Cathedral Ceiling 2 | View to old fireplace | Flickr”>https://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/100771386@N05/15029839778/in/pool-2750844@N22/</a></p>
<p>I think you should go with this look (corbels plus rustic wood):</p>
<p><a href=“Beach Style Kitchen - Beach Style - Kitchen - Boston | Houzz”>Beach Style Kitchen - Beach Style - Kitchen - Boston | Houzz;
<p>One advantage is that the greyish tone of the wood will harmonize with your greyish cabinets. That is, if they still are greyish: I can’t remember at this point! The look works well with the ceiling, and can be dressed up or down, so to speak: not too rustic, not too formal. I think it would be fine with a browner hunk of wood, though, if you prefer. Silvery driftwood is, perhaps, more Atlantic than Pacific. :)</p>
<p>I also like the grayish distressed mantle. Reminds me of driftwood.</p>
<p>I agree with Consolation’s pick, rustic wood with corbels, but with the brick and the style of the house I’d probably use a medium brown wood – something with some patina or character. You could even take out some of your frustration distressing it with a nice heavy hammer. </p>
<p>I’ve been out of town for a few days so I’m just back to offer my two cents.</p>
<p>I agree with the idea of attempting to get a variance for the shed/office. I understand it will take more time and the outcome is unsure, but if it has the potential to be approved, I think you should go for it. Otherwise you have to undo what you’ve done already and that will certainly be a waste of money. </p>
<p>And I love Consolation’s note that the place gray wood mantel may be more “Atlantic than Pacific.” To be more specific, maybe more New England than SoCal. </p>
<p>Thank you all so much. I’m glad that you like my ‘gut’ pick from the photos. I’m off to the local architectural salvage today to see if I can find a distressed mantle (and I will probably fall in love with some other things!). </p>
<p>If not, I’ll go off to the fancy lumber yard on Monday and see if I can find a thick rough sawn piece of wood we can use. I’m leaning towards the greyish/antique tone of wood. But I can just take some 2 x 4s and stain one medium brown and another greyish white and see which one looks better against the white fireplace.</p>
<p>Today I am going over to the project and put up some sample paint on the outside of the house so I can select colors. I’ve got to come up with something to keep the crew going.</p>
<p>After that I am going to just go into the City and sit there until the Code Compliance Officer gives me his ‘corrections’. I don’t even care about the copy of the Notice at this point. If I can get my hands on the ‘corrections’ then I can at least have the draftsman redoing the plans $$$, make more copies $$$ so I can submit an application for permit $$$$ whenever the stupid Notice copy is ready. And possibly pay a penalty $$$ - that part is not even clear at this point.</p>
<p>I have every meeting and phone conversation documented very carefully</p>
<p>^^^Very wise. Also, of course, with the name and position of the person you spoke to.</p>
<p>One Small Victory!!!</p>
<p>I was able to get the ‘list of corrections’ from the Code Compliance Officer this morning which involved 1 hour round trip to City building, wait for 30 minutes in a chair and $10 parking. Still no official Notice available for me to attach to the plans.</p>
<p>After all this time the list consisted of 3 things… 1) Attach Code Enforcement Notice to plans (excuse me, I still don’t have the Notice) 2) Put Code Enforcement Case Nbr on top of plans (I don’t have a Code Enforcement Case Nbr - luckily he gave me one while I stood there) and 3) illustrate the new roof structure of Utility Room in more detail on the plans.</p>
<p>After all this time, he couldn’t of just told me this on the phone??? </p>
<p>No indication of whether these plans will be accepted or anything. Still spinning my wheels on whether anyone is going to let me have a Utility Room with bathroom or a laundry room.</p>
<ol>
<li> Drive 9 miles west, then 3 miles south. Stop for coffee and gas, wait 45 minutes, and drive back.<br></li>
</ol>
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</p>
<p>That was there before when you bought the house. You have pictures. </p>