Overly Optimistic Home Remodel - Update 2

In our first Overly Optimistic Remodel (OOR) update, Paula and I had wrapped up major demolition for Phase 1, which generally includes a full kitchen remodel and partial dining room remodel.  We had installed a new-to-us red oak floor and left a gaping window bank, ceiling, and all manners of entry for frigid air to enter our home.

Side Note:  Turns out using a compostable, 0.007-mm green tarp as a construction tarp may have temporarily satisfied some personal desire to reduce the carbon footprint of our OOR, but it doesn't do much to keep the cold out.  As a result, we burned through 200 gallons of heating oil in nearly 3 months (only used 100 gallons all of last year).  So, there's me with an oily egg on my face. 

Since our last update, we've been making more tangible progress.  Finally, we've got our two casement windows and large picture window installed thanks again to our bad-ass friend, Nelson.  While that's awesome, the cold still is coming in and oily heat is escaping faster than _____ (insert your own Nicolas Cage movie joke here).

One things that's taken a lot longer than necessary are 3 floating shelves that we've got planned for our kitchen.  These shelves are supposed to hold our dishware and other heavy items while having hidden support (ergo the term 'floating' shelf).  However, the question of how to build the shelves and support it sufficiently without having the shelves collapse or bow has taken more thought than I'm usually accustomed to.  In the end, I found a local iron worker who made some beefy 3/8" x 8"x 6" angle brackets that I've mounted using 1/2" lag bolts to 2x3s sistered to studs.  I had 14 brackets built but after hearing the subtle laughter while explaining my approach to a co-workers cabinet-making husband I decided to increase the spacing between the brackets and only ended up using 6.  Hopefully I don't regret that.

I pulled new PEX supply lines for the sink, dishwasher, and fridge.  Super easy and totally recommend everyone using PEX if they need to re-plumb their house, although apparently copper has some natural antibacterial properties.  I hired my bad-ass friend's (Nelson's) plumber, who basically works for coffee, to install a new waste vent too.  All of this was approved by the plumbing inspector today!

I installed new recessed lights, pendant fixtures, and gang boxes for receptacles and switches throughout the kitchen and dining room too.  Here too, I hired an electrician to make all of the connections though so I don't a) kill myself and b) blow out the expensive 3-way dimmer switches we purchased.  Again, the electrical inspector approved all of this too.

So, this weekend, I'm hoping to purchase myself some dry wall and start installing some insulation so we can keep some oily heat in this mo'fo.'  Looking forward to composting my construction tarp.

Again, here's some update pictures of our OOR.