UPDATES! I have a semi-functioning bathroom now! So, I finally got the right dose of thyroid meds to not be completely exhausted constantly. I've had more energy, but my back, arms, wrists, knees, and ankles don't always want to cooperate. In the past few weeks I did a 3rd coat of leveling mix-- this time I sifted the powder to keep lumps out and I used additive because the additive makes it stronger. Photo taken while it was still wet. It's not completely level but it is smoother and I got rid of some of the craters. After it dried: Floor loosely laid over it: Flooring trimmed, smoothed down, and perimeter taped (although it was more of a rubbery glue with paper backing): Last photo was from after I scrubbed the floor. I had to use a kneeling mat and scrub every single square. My arms/wrists hate me. This is what it looked like after cleaning: Then I got my friend to help me get the toilet in. I moved it into the room on some thick paper to protect the floor and got the bolts aligned, marked where the pex had to be trimmed, put straws over the bolts to help line the toilet up for a test fit. Then I put the waxless seal on (no pic of that) and my friend got the toilet on and put the tank on top. Toilet seat has a broken part that I ordered and I'm waiting for it to arrive. They don't sell that seat anymore and its really comfortable so I wanted to fix it. My friend even put the metal/porcelain lever on for me. I'd had it on an old tank that broke. The lever that came with this toilet has a plastic part that wears down and eventually breaks. We've had 2 break over the years. This lever is all metal (except for the porcelain part. It flushes great. Got a new trash bin on clearance that matches nicely. That painted wall and some of the other walls will get some wainscoting because those striped panels keep having strips tear off from the bottom. I got a Better Homes and Gardens hamper thingy. It looked like it would be smaller in the store and I didn't realize it had crappy plastic clips that don't want to stay in place. I had to use packing tape to hold them on and it doesn't quite line up like it should. It would have taken maybe 10min to assemble if the clips had stayed on but it took 2 hours because they kept popping off, shifting, etc. But I finally got it together and I might just move it to the laundry room (if it doesn't fall apart on the way). It might be useful for short term. Shower seat will not be staying in this room. And the drawers I initially had next to the toilet will go across from the toilet. The next step is to get the vanity cleaned off, stuff put away, stuff I no loner need donated, broken/junked stuff thrown out, etc. More vacuuming and cleaning. Toilet seat installed properly once it is fixed, bidet sprayer hooked up once I get the plumbing done better (have to cut open the wall where it is painted white. Door put back on vanity, sanding, more painting, replace the faucet, & fix the plumbing properly. Wainscoting, baseboards, quarter-round etc will follow. Also probably need to replace shower walls as they are falling off. Need to get the new showerhead and the valve for the shower as well as trim/controls installed as well. But for now at least the toilet can be used.

Sooooo wood flooring was INSTALLED and FINISHED without HVAC????? Are you SERIOUS??? What part of "voided warranty" does this GC NOT UNDERSTAND???? No power = NO HVAC!!!! OMG! TO BE CLEAR: Flooring installation is VERY clear about these things: HVAC must be installed and running as much as 10 days PRIOR to installation, during installation and for the LIFE OF THE FLOOR!!!! Rule #1 was BROKEN - no warranty. None. Nada. Nichts. Wood must be acclimated ON SITE for "x" amount of days/weeks with HVAC running until the moisture levels in both the subfloor and the wood are within 3% of each other (rule #2 was BROKEN). Generator used to power the sanding machine (jeez) Finish was applied WITHOUT controlled climate conditions (see rules #1 and #2). No wonder your finish isn't holding up...it didn't have a chance with out climate control. Whew. Save your money on an inspector. I think we have a winner - No HVAC = complete redo. So many things went sideways on this one that you have enough legal "umph" to make this guy rip out the flooring and DO IT properly (new wood, new flooring professional, new hotel room for you and yours while it gets done). I suggest you sit down with the builder and hash out an agreement. This sits SQUARELY on his shoulders and his legal doorstep (the "guy" who did the floors is not a professional...he's just someone who gets paid to swing a hammer). You could push for full replacement (new wood and all) or you can settle for a refinish (new surface) + accommodations + full warranty for the life of the floor being HELD by the contractor + serious financial compensation. You can ask for all of these...because of the "No HVAC" situation. You can ask for the world! I would settle for a full refinish with the flooring professional of my choice + financial compensation for the "duh" moment this guy had. Good luck. The ball (and the entire STADIUM) is in your court.

I was in touch with Caesarstone in Israel (where originally the stonewall made). They referred me to a representative in the USA. I was told the the stone is damaged from hard water deposits and nothing can be done about it. So, the stone in my house is NOT non porous like they claim it is. Beware, do not buy it. At the time I bought the stone they gave 10 years warranty. Now they give lifetime warranty. They advertisement for their product is fraudulent. I have corian in my house, not a single stain. Never caesarstone for me again. Be careful if you decide to go for them. Calling the better business bureau to se if I can get any help.

I would literally die for your kitchen! But I hear your pain.....but that said the kitchen is lovely and practical and is working for you.......Paint the ceiling and the kitchen for a more unified look and replace the lights to a more modern mood. If you really want to spend more then have glass faced cabinets made for the soffit area with lights. It will raise the ceiling and will give the kitchen a newer look. Something like this but in your cabinet style and stain. On the other hand I would agree that the dining set is a bit cluttery looking....I would choose faux leather or fabric upholstered chairs in a fun color to modernized the look. After that I would install floor to ceiling closed cabinets, maybe with frosted or reeded glass doors on either side of the fireplace. You could cut into the wall if you want them deeper, but they will hold a lot no matter what the depth. When that is done then coordinate the three areas with a unifying color and a choice to two accents color so the area can be seen as one total designed room..... Theses are just some inspiration ideas; I think you should work on coordinating the entire kitchen breakfast area and the great room. I like what you have done so far!