http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/garden/17akron.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Um…amazing? Crazy? Beautiful? Sad? All those rolled into one?
In a nutshell, it’s an extreme renovation story that involves 12 years, a falling-down house with a solarium (!), and the two owners who dedicated every free moment to fixing it up. If anything, check out the before and after slide show- it’s really incredible.
As for my own (comparatively minor) renovation of the kitchen- painting is planned for the upcoming weekend- and maybe the building of a half wall…Stay tuned.
The kitchen seems to be progressing in bits and pieces- like most of our projects.
Step One- Get SUPER excited about all the possibilities for a new _(insert random project here)_!
Step Two- Start researching options and realize you underestimated prices on 98% of the materials needed for the project.
Step Three- Get discouraged, have a drink, and wait about three weeks before starting back with Step One.
Step Four- Start purchasing supplies needed, while quietly rocking back and forth and weeping in the hardware store over the loss of your retirement savings to pay for _(insert project name here)_.
Step Five- Rough out a general plan & time-line to include all supplies already purchased. Always assume you’re a superhero, and though all the experts recommend taking 2 weeks to complete the project, you can get it done in an easy weekend.
Step Six- Begin installation and realize the 98% of what you purchased doesn’t fit/work in the space/looks ugly in your home, and the other 2% you haven’t bought yet is crucial to project success.
Step Seven- Discuss/argue/yell at your significant other about the lack of planning,/organization/technique/all of the above. (Note that this step usually takes place between the hours of 1AM and 3AM on a Saturday or Sunday night.
Step Eight- Finish the project about 3 years after project was originally dreamed up.
Step Nine- Get a stiff drink and vow never to take on anther DIY project.
Step Ten- Get an idea for a new improvement and think “The _(insert previous project name here)_ that we finished last year wasn’t so hard…we could get _(insert new project name)_ done just as easily.”
If you know me, you’d probably know that patience is not my strongest quality. Followed closely by follow-through. I love to start projects- any project- but at about the 95% mark I loose motivation, and suddenly want to jump into the next project.
Did I mention I also have a short attention span? No? Ooo, look over there- I mean…what was I saying?
This house is forcing me to work on those deficiencies though- while I want things done NOW (and in many cases yesterday), I can’t just walk away from a project for a newer, better project, because if I do…well, let’s say that I don’t like being ankle deep in water, or having to dodge random electrical wires.
That can be a good thing- but when I look at the house to-do list, I’m a little bit overwhelmed, which in turn makes me impatient to have to wait until spring to get moving. Especially on things I have to deal with everyday. cough..cough..doors..cough.
Sixteen inches of fresh snow will do that to you.
So, I distract myself with pretty internet items (one of my favs) and mindless mini-projects, (wool is my current choice) trying wait out the weather. If I didn’t, I might just go a little crazy with a sledge hammer, all in the name of renovation, and M, Stella and I would be living in a motel while the experts come in to fix the flood and sparking wires.
*Dutch proverb
…for getting the insulation put up and the conversion officially started.
Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Because, while I’m excited about getting to use a very generous Christmas present from my parents, (it’s light enough for me to move around, compact, and can do both nails and staples!! Everyone together now: oooh..ahhhh) and that all our nailing needs are taken care of for the foreseeable future, I’m also a bit intimidated about tackling the next project. It’s going to be a tough one- most likely full of blood, sweat, tears and a second job.
So, on one hand, energy efficiency, a cute new tool to play with, and a good start to the attic conversion…On the other hand, itchy insulation, creepy dark crawlspaces filled with spiders, and God only knows what kind of mess the last owner tried to cover up. Did I also mention the spiders? Definitely not looking forward to the spiders.
Pictures (not of the spiders, but the attic) to be posted before the fun begins!
The Cotterpin house is finally getting dressed up for the holidays!
I know, I know, there are many of you out there who took care of that little task around Thanksgiving (or for your hardcore holiday lovers out there, and various retailers- Halloween), and do not need to go out in the 48 inches of snow and ice to put up lights. If you are one of those people with that type of foresight and or ESP, I applaud you. And would like a gentle kick in the pants from you next year…
Anyway, I’ve been putting it off because of many reasons- travel, travel, and for M- finals. But looking at our calendar, it dawned on me last night that this is the last free weekend for any kind of daytime “I can actually see what I’m doing while freezing my fingers off” type of decorating. December is funny like that with that whole dark at 5pm thing. Anyway, it turns out that the next 4 (and maybe even 5) weekends are booked- which means if I put it off any longer, I’ll be hauling out that holly in mid-January. Hee hee..sigh…
Not that I’m not excited about the upcoming booked weekends- I am very excited…Our schedule consists of: M’s law school graduation (anyone want to hire a bright eyed and bushy tailed new lawyer in the Milw. area? Anyone? Anyone?), a road trip to Nashville for our first country Christmas y’all, followed closely with a trip to the beautiful beaches and plentiful margaritas of Mexico, and then ringing in 2008 back in Nashville.
But all of those activities also means very little movement on the renovation front until the New Year. Hmm…Family fun, presents, a degree, and a tan in December OR insulating the attic.
I might be a reno geek, but the choice is obvious…
So, I’ve mentioned my fascination with paint glazes before- candlelight and river rock among the top choices. But I was looking online and just recently saw an interno limewash finish that I’m liking more and more. The picture above is from the design assistant at Coastal Living, and the rustic patina is growing on me.
Most of our walls are white- and I’d really like to add color and depth to the walls of the kitchen (once it’s renovated). M is also kind of a science geek- so the chemical reaction that causes the layering look is intriguing to both of us.
Has anyone ever used limewash before? Is it easy to use?
Finally!
Before and After in the Cotterpin Bathroom…
Old and New Floors and Toilet
Old and New Lighting/Medicine Cabinet/Wall Treatment
and the vanity/sink- LOVE the new vanity and sink
and a close-up of the vanity tile/basin sink- just cause I enjoy it so much…
The porch light is now up- but with my mind still fried from working on the bathroom shower surround, I forgot to take a picture of the old one while it was up in all it’s rusty glory.
So instead, I flipped the picture of the old light laying on my kitchen floor. I’m sure you get the picture- old, rusty, buggy, and ugly. And the new one? Brighter, energy efficient, and oh-so-bungalow-esque.
Gotta love that.
We’re almost done with the tub.
Just a few final details- like trim- and we’re done (finally).
It was a bit tougher than we though- as usual- but overall not too shabby. A vast improvement over the original. Tomorrow- the porch light.
Before and Afters:
Wish us luck- we’re getting read to install the bathroom walls and finish up the bathroom project tonight. Hopefully it will be relatively painless- not counting the half dozen or so minor arguments that will occur between M & I before we’re done…
I kid, I kid…it’ll probably only be 1 or 2 arguments.
Before/after pictures tomorrow!
