So...we are making progress! Since we last updated, the majority of the boxes are out of front half of the house and all in the back bedroom (off the kitchen) or up in the attic (soon-to-be bedroom). The few that are left are mostly frames and living room knick-knacks that I'm starting to sort through and figure out what I want where. The best part of moving the boxes is that we were able to arrange our couches—which means Violet has a new window perch—and reassemble our dining room table. Behold!

They have been able to start real work on the kitchen which means walls (finally!), paint and soon, the floor.
Step 1: Reconfiguring our walls. This meant not just new drywall, but shortening our two windows (one a bit and one a lot) to make room for the newly positioned sink and refrigerator.

Step 2: Paint! It's hard to tell here—because of the iPhone and because it's just a first coat—but the walls are going to be a Canyon Rust orange-ish color. It looks like a big grapefruit now, but the walls are going to be covered with lots of cabinets (see the example below).



Step 3: Floors. Under the six layers of linoleum were original hardwood floors. The guys are going to sand and refinish. Here's the before shot:

The bathroom is also seeing a lot of progress. At the end of last week we had nothing but insulation and studs...

As of yesterday, we have:


It looks like the bathroom will be done early next week. Hooray! That will mark our official move-in to the 'hood since we've still been spending at least a couple nights a week in Downers Grove and showering at the local YMCA when we do stay at 4523.
The kitchen will be done by the end of the month!