This is the seventh post about my modern remodel in Austin, Texas. Click here for all ‘My Remodel’ posts.

With a new slab we are now ready to start framing.  This is one of the most exciting parts of building a new home because dramatic changes occur very quickly.  One day you have a bare slab, the next day most of the walls are up.  Framers are fast!  Here is a photo from our first week of framing:

At this point you can start to get a feel for the spaces you are creating – the size and shape, the window and door locations, etc. Of course, there was also a large pile of scrap lumber in the front yard. Instead of sending it to the landfill, we hired Construction Waste Recycler of Texas to shred the wood (while removing nails, etc.) and spread the resulting mulch across the lot. This worked very well to keep our lot from turning in to a mud pit.

After the structure was complete, the framers moved on to installing the sheathing, and then the windows and doors. This process takes a bit longer, but it is critical as there are many essential waterproofing steps. During this process we also made the final siding decisions – choosing to use Douglas Fir siding (see below) as our builder found a great deal on the material (excess from a very large project). Here is a photo of the pre-finished result, gallery below.

Framing Photos

• Wow! RT @design_sponge: awesome sneak peek into artist/illustrator neryl walker's retro home: http://bit.ly/aJ3g8 #
• Walking up the drag today I noticed the Church of Scientology lobby has vintage Saarinen Chairs. I asked if they would sell. No dice. #
• RT @statesman: An update on the Zilker lawn, post-ACL, including an aerial pic: http://bit.ly/vjYMk #
• My doghouse photos from Barkitecture Austin 2009: http://bit.ly/GxQMq #
• @adriennebreaux Thanks Adrienne! It was a fun day @2NDStDistrict, and I thoroughly enjoyed a Clover-made coffee from http://bit.ly/OlHsH in reply to adriennebreaux #
• Austin Architect Cindy Black on AT 2day via @adriennebreaux: http://bit.ly/4h07c7, also see Cindy's home search advice: http://bit.ly/aupdn #
• I can't match this marketing: RT @GreatDismal: The greatest mobile home commercial ever http://bit.ly/ExqhR #
• #Austin Home Tours this Weekend, one benefitting #Livestrong, check it out: http://bit.ly/AB1wE #
• RT @kingbirddesign: See curb appeal done right. http://bit.ly/15wWdo (RT @bhghome) #
• See my kitchen remodel on HelloKitchen: http://bit.ly/36mPSU , before photo here: http://bit.ly/7NHlI #Austin #remodel #kitchen #
• RT @joshuabaer: #Austin is the 2nd strongest economy in the US (San Antonio #1, Dallas #6, Houston #10 – Go Texas!) http://bit.ly/3d0VIG #

I just finished posting about the new foundation (I’m slacking), but today you can see photos of our new kitchen on Cindy Black’s Hello Kitchen Blog. Here is one of the great photos taken by Valarie Campbell:

For reference, here is the before photo:

2009 Austin NARI Tour of Remodeled Homes

See the NARI website for full details.  This is a great tour if you’re considering a remodel and would like to evaluate & meet multiple contractors.

2009 Spanish Oaks Tour of Homes

This tour will show off a lot of impressive homes while benefiting a great cause – the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  I can personally vouch for the Spanish Oaks pool – it was built by my friends at Modern Design Build and it is awesome.  The Spanish Oaks Tour of Homes lasts from 10/24 – 11/8, full details at SpanishOaks.com.

I hope everyone enjoyed Barkitecture this weekend – the weather was perfect and the doghouse architecture was cool and creative as usual. I was tempted to bid on several, especially that of Chioco Design (and I don’t have a dog):

Barkitecture 2009 Photos