It's that time of year again. Every year my wife and daughter go to Maine to visit a friend. They stay a couple of weeks eating blueberry pancakes and lobstah. I stay home.
There is a purpose in staying home - it is my time to improve the house. Over the years, I have done many home improvements while they are away. It is the best time to do them. My deadline is pretty specific. I have to get done before they come back. Why? Because my wife has no idea how torn up the house gets while I work. It is best she not know. Ignorance is bliss. She comes home to a finished project and all is well.
This year my project is putting hardwood flooring in the living and dining room. Why do I do it myself and not pay somebody else? One, because I can. And I am real good. Two, I am never happy with someone else's work. I prefer not to deal with that disappointment. I will include you in on my project.
Here is my palette:
That is the view of the living room. This is my palette. This photo was taken very early this morning. The furniture was removed yesterday and is in the dining room, basement and family room.
And yes, the walls are bubble gum pink. Why? You would have to ask that. Well, many years ago we bought an antique Persian carpet. The living room - its colors, furniture, everything - was built around that carpet. Everything in the room was purchased or selected to complement its colors. The room is all antiques, except for a grandfather clock, which imprint you can see in the corner. It has taken a long time to find just the right thing(s) for the room. It involved many decisions. And those are executive decisions. They are not for me to make. I am the grunt, not the decorator.
This won't be easy. I do this in addition to the 15 or so hours daily I devote to my occupation. My wife doesn't care about that. All she cares about is the deadline.
The clock is ticking... wish me luck!
Joe the craziest home improvement job I did was refinish hardwood floors. Yikes what was I thinking. Dust and more dust. Of course I saved a fortunate but now I appreciate the professionals. Good luck and look forward to seeing the finished product.
Cindy - THAT is one project I would not undertake!
Jay; Best wishes in meeting that deadline! No worries on the decorator paint, I am sure it is fabulous with the furniture and accessories! I have seen neon green look great in a kitchen, so I think there's nothing to worry about there! The hardwood flooring will really make the room "Pop" I'll bet - Be sure to post the after!
Thanks Lorena for the vote of confidence! I intend to post many times along the way...
Jay, when I was younger---much younger---I sent the wife and kids away and remodeled the whole kitchen in 6 days----(120 hours of labor). If you do the math you can see I didn't sleep much:)
Good luck on getting everything done on time and the mess cleaned up .. hey if you have extra time re hang the drapes .. from the photo it looks like the transits are half covered.. or something ..
I love continued stories. We get to see it step by step? Keep them coming.
You sound like my husband, he does not have time, but tries to do everything himself......
Charlie - wow, 6 days!? That's what, like about 17 1/2 hours a day or so? That's a looong day... As an aside, I bet it looked great and you did NOT get the understanding or appreciation of what that kitchen represented. When everyone came home, look, magically, it's done!
Eric - that wall is facing directly north and the transoms were left open intentionally for the extra light. Otherwise the living room would be very dark.
Barbara - yes, you will be seeing step by step. There may be a few "odd" pictures thrown in there...
Konnie - no one has time! Such is life. These projects have become a ritual.
Jay, I have a similar project under way. It is stalled at the moment because the head executive and I can not find time to shop together for tile. Small children demand a lot of time.
Have fun Jay. What are you putting down?
James - kids... well, I have four and understand completely! I make my wife sound autocratic and she is not at all. I am kidding. She DOES expect it to get done though!
Jack - Armstrong 3.5" white oak. It is pretty nice stuff. Varied lengths, goes down easily. It is HARD - I was drilling a pilot hole for the strip at the edge of the wall to attach it with a finish nail and the bit broke off. I must be out of practice! I calculate 162 strips from living room wall to dining room wall. Pretty square, just one bay window. The problem is moving the dining room stuff (china cabinet (full), tea cup collection cabinet (full), family china and knick knack cabinet (full and VERY valuable), server (full)). You know the routine. It will take a day just to pack up all that stuff and move the furniture!
Good luck with the project. Be sure to post pics of the process and not just the finished product.
Vince - I intend to! Finding the time for everything is, well, the universal problem!
Soooo..how about them photos?
Man Vince! I am working all day and then all night! Actually the next update is coming out today. It deals with the first course. What you won't realize from the posts is that I am very much ahead of them. I am done with the living room and into the dining room as of today. Just removing and packing the china and nick nacks from three cabinets will take hours!