Ok people. If you are reading this blog, I know you are interested in the renovations (there's no use trying to close the page now, I know who you are). So, while you're here, you might as well pay. Yeah, yeah, you "say" you don't have pay pal... ok, maybe you don't. But there are other ways to contribute- even if it is just pennies. You can click on our google links about home renovation (quit yer complaining, you'll need to know the helpful information at some point). We get paid for each click. I don't know how... my computer networker takes care of that (as long as he doesn't scam me and stops buying things from China).
We just found out that we need a new roof. WAAH! If I sounds "whiny" its because I thought we had at least another 5-10 years with the current one. But, since we have had a few leaks (we're talking a moderately soaking shower that pours in from the attic), we have decided to re-evaluate its effectiveness. So, here we are. I would like to spend money on my bathroom (see previous post) or central air (yes, we just went through the 2nd summer w/o air conditioning in most of the livable areas of our house). But, alas, I must wait some more. And, of course, my perfectionist point of view on each project we tackle requires more money than we really want to spend. We are looking at synthetic slate. It is half the cost (or less) than real slate. But, before you get excited, it is still about $390/Square (Square= 100 S.F.). We need 24 squares. Yeah. Uh huh. And, keep in mind, that doesn't include installation or the removal of (what could be.... ASBESTOS) shingles. OR the installation of sheething, nails (they have to be stainless, so we're told), or other incidentals (I think we're funding some kid's college fund somewhere). However, asphalt shingles are not very exciting, especially after you've seen the synthetic slate (think Kia vs. Audi), and when you want to preserve the character of an old house. We have found some synthetic slate on ebay (don't know if I should be worried about purchasing something this big on ebay). It is about 1/3 the cost of the other synthetic slate. The product samples look nice, but are very pliable (I don't know if this makes it any less/more stable). The product is called NewTech synthetic slate. I would love to get someone else's opinion on this product. Please tell me if we are making a big mistake. Or give me some other valid options!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Slowly seeing Progress
Well, it is that time of year where the summer is starting to wind down and school is gearing up. That also means that the work on the house is taking a back seat to the preparation for my courses. However, the summer was somewhat successful in terms of renovations. We have the central hallway (on both floors) and stairwell about 95% finished. The spindles and the stair risers need to be painted (which I am dreading). In addition, we have to get creative about getting a window treatment installed (it is about 1/8" too wide). But, the fact that we don't have to walk through dust and debris right outside our bedroom is a huge improvement. We have also installed more lighting upstairs, though, the wiring for the switch is still being "tweaked". All of the 3-way switches in the house are somewhat tricky when trying to get them to work from both locations. We also have some furniture to put together and art work to hang.
I am excited to add that we are finally sleeping in our bedroom. We've been in there for about 8 weeks. It is nice to wake up to a fresh, clean space and one that doesn't border on the "Crack-house chic" style. The peeling wallpaper and drooping window treatments begins to get to you after awhile. We also bought a closet unit for the bedroom from IKEA. It has been a tremendous help in organizing my clothes. However, it took us two days (the weekend) to put the thing together! We still have other organizational components to add to the existing closets so that Jimmy has additional storage space. We just haven't been excited about getting into that type of project again. Hopefully that will happen soon.
We are about to start a bathroom renovation upstairs. We have been using the downstairs (minuscule) bathroom for far too long. On top of it being too far away from our bedroom/ clothes, it requires a unique "tango" when both of us are trying to get ready in the morning. We both can't literally stand in the bathroom at the same time. So, one has to hover outside the door, while the other uses the sink. I'm anxious to have a much larger, nicer, more convenient space near our bedroom. I just dread the mess, waiting, and EXPENSE of creating the new space. We'll glad accept any donations anyone wants to send our way.
In the meantime, check out our renovation photos. We have added a few for the spaces I mentioned above. I have also added photos of the dining and living room. Naturally, there are more finishing touches (artwork) that needs to be added. We're slowly trying to afford them as we go along.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
An update... 6 months later!
Ok, so we have officially been neglecting this blog. It seems like we have slowed down our maddening pace on the renovations, but we are still chugging along. We have a couple finished rooms now. Our living room and dining room are now "live-able" and "dine-able". We still have the office and back hallway to finish downstairs, but for now we have moved our efforts to the 2nd floor. We have the master bedroom about 90% right now. The floors have been sanded, filled, stained, and poly'd. The walls and ceilings patched and painted, recessed lights installed and speakers in the ceiling. We still need to paint the hearth and install an additional electric outlet in the floor, then we can move in.
The upstairs hallway has been sanded and filled. We installed some molding/trim in the hall last weekend. We still need to go back and re-patch some of the walls. Yes, I said "re-patch." We made the mistake early on of using drywall mud on the plaster walls. Folks, don't ever do this! It does not work! It has already started cracking. We have discovered that the best thing to use is a combination of real plaster and a product called Durabond.
Our next step will most likely be to renovate the upstairs bathroom. We are getting really tired of trekking downstairs to the only full functioning shower. We are planning to do some demolition work and remove a closet in order to expand the bathroom. I have a feeling this may be our largest expense to date. We are planning on keeping the fixtures and laying some tile. Megan has drawn up some plans that include constructing some built-in shelves and moving one of the radiators. The plans look nice, so we will see if we can execute them.
We are also about to endure another summer without central air conditioning. We bought a high powered attic fan to alleviate some of the heat for now and we will be installing a few window AC units to make life a little more comfortable. If we make it through this summer without central AC, we will probably attempt to get that installed before next summer. It will be a large expense, but should help the value of the house if we do it right. We got a quote on Geo-thermal with the small, high velocity, pipe ducts. It was not cheap!
We need to do some small exterior repairs in the near future. We have a gutter pipe that is not draining properly and causing some minor leaking into the wall of the back hall. I think the leak has caused some erosion of mortar around some bricks. This will most likely require some re-pointing. We will probably also try to do some exterior painting this summer or fall. We recently stripped and refinished our front screen door. It is beautiful oak with brass hinges and knobs. I will try to post some before and after pics soon. The front door is next on the refinishing list. I think we are staring to master the art of refinishing wood!
So, that is the state of affairs right now. Hopefully, by this time next year we will be finished with the core of the house and moving on to making the attic into live-able space. New pictures coming soon!
The upstairs hallway has been sanded and filled. We installed some molding/trim in the hall last weekend. We still need to go back and re-patch some of the walls. Yes, I said "re-patch." We made the mistake early on of using drywall mud on the plaster walls. Folks, don't ever do this! It does not work! It has already started cracking. We have discovered that the best thing to use is a combination of real plaster and a product called Durabond.
Our next step will most likely be to renovate the upstairs bathroom. We are getting really tired of trekking downstairs to the only full functioning shower. We are planning to do some demolition work and remove a closet in order to expand the bathroom. I have a feeling this may be our largest expense to date. We are planning on keeping the fixtures and laying some tile. Megan has drawn up some plans that include constructing some built-in shelves and moving one of the radiators. The plans look nice, so we will see if we can execute them.
We are also about to endure another summer without central air conditioning. We bought a high powered attic fan to alleviate some of the heat for now and we will be installing a few window AC units to make life a little more comfortable. If we make it through this summer without central AC, we will probably attempt to get that installed before next summer. It will be a large expense, but should help the value of the house if we do it right. We got a quote on Geo-thermal with the small, high velocity, pipe ducts. It was not cheap!
We need to do some small exterior repairs in the near future. We have a gutter pipe that is not draining properly and causing some minor leaking into the wall of the back hall. I think the leak has caused some erosion of mortar around some bricks. This will most likely require some re-pointing. We will probably also try to do some exterior painting this summer or fall. We recently stripped and refinished our front screen door. It is beautiful oak with brass hinges and knobs. I will try to post some before and after pics soon. The front door is next on the refinishing list. I think we are staring to master the art of refinishing wood!
So, that is the state of affairs right now. Hopefully, by this time next year we will be finished with the core of the house and moving on to making the attic into live-able space. New pictures coming soon!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
We've come a long way, baby... and I'm tired!
It is the new year and it has been a while since our last post. I am going to take the time to give all you devoted readers a quick update. We have made considerable progress since the last post. I urge you to check out the renovation photos to see what we have been up to and see an evolution of each space. We are about 90% complete with renovation work in the dining and living rooms. To name a few of our projects: We built a wall, installed a firebox and mantle, sanded, filled, stained, and poly'd the floors, had crown molding installed, painted the walls and trim, put in recessed lighting, put speakers in the wall and ceiling, built a custom media closet, not in that order.
Over our Christmas break we removed the carpet from the downstairs hallways and front steps. Megan is now a mighty staple puller as she is close to perfecting the art. I estimate there were at least 2000 staples in the hall floor and front steps. The hallways have had an initial sanding. We are getting ready to start filling the cracks and sanding the steps. We have accepted the fact that all of this work takes time... lots of time, energy and sweat, not to mention being covered with 100 year-old wood dust and blowing it out of your nose for days! My Dad has been a driving force for the last 2 weeks. He played our alarm clock almost every day by ringing the doorbell at 9 am, ready for work. I have to say I am ready for a little rest. It is time to go back to my day job!
Today we cleaned out our basement and organized things. Since the dining room is mostly complete, we have unpacked boxes and filled the cabinets with the nice dishes and such. This spurred the organization of the basement. I think I filled up the shop-vac with dirt at least 3 times! Now we can walk around down there without feeling so cramped and surrounded by dirt. Labeling all of the Rubbermaid containers will make it easier to find things.
Over our Christmas break we removed the carpet from the downstairs hallways and front steps. Megan is now a mighty staple puller as she is close to perfecting the art. I estimate there were at least 2000 staples in the hall floor and front steps. The hallways have had an initial sanding. We are getting ready to start filling the cracks and sanding the steps. We have accepted the fact that all of this work takes time... lots of time, energy and sweat, not to mention being covered with 100 year-old wood dust and blowing it out of your nose for days! My Dad has been a driving force for the last 2 weeks. He played our alarm clock almost every day by ringing the doorbell at 9 am, ready for work. I have to say I am ready for a little rest. It is time to go back to my day job!Today we cleaned out our basement and organized things. Since the dining room is mostly complete, we have unpacked boxes and filled the cabinets with the nice dishes and such. This spurred the organization of the basement. I think I filled up the shop-vac with dirt at least 3 times! Now we can walk around down there without feeling so cramped and surrounded by dirt. Labeling all of the Rubbermaid containers will make it easier to find things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
