A Little DIY in the DNA

Once upon a time it was the Year of the House. A rigorous twelve months focused around renovate, rebuild and repair. Then came the Interval of Me, (otherwise known as the Age of Bernie).  A painful nine-month process of personal redefinition and recovery. My own restoration took less time than the structural, so it seemed appropriate recently to refocus some of my concentration on the walls around me. Literally. 

For the past year I have had significant moments of annoyance over the molding gaps that exist between the living and dining room areas. If you recall, there used to be a substantial separation there, until we decided to take down that pesky little wall. For some idiotic reason, the picture and crown is slightly different on either side. And even more idiotic, we didn't check that before pulling the wall down. So, the moldings are still different and I was becoming more and more frustrated with how to solve this perplexing problem. 

We had already added some molding caps that made the disparity less obvious, but there were still some wide-open spaces that just made me perceive the rooms weren't "finished". And if you know me, then you know that this was making my OCD tilt hard.

Now the obvious thing might be to pull out some power tools and finish the job. Well, I've been instructed not to use such tools that could easily maim me or cause further damage to the House. And rightly so, I might add. I like to be able to do things myself and do them well...and when that doesn't happen I can get easily frustrated. And frustrated with sharp power tools seems like a really bad idea. Particularly when there is no one else around to aim them at. 

So, I took a different route and found something less dangerous. I found stickers. To be more precise, I located a company that takes fabulous art and transposes it onto heavy vinyl adhesive pieces. You cut and apply them in any pattern that you want...and I wanted a pattern that hid gaps. Let's just call this magical. Magic that required a ladder, some grumbling, a helpful corgi, (it would only have been better if she had thumbs...and less fur...and didn't step on sticky things with said fur), and some creativity and patience. YES, I SAID IT! I USED CREATIVITY AND PATIENCE. BITE ME ALL YOU HATERS, I DO HAVE SOME :)

More importantly I now have art with a purpose. And I did it all by myself...without hurting anyone, or anything.

Mixing it up with a third pair of hands

For the past week Michael and I have spent a LOT of time together. We've either been trapped together in a vehicle driving back from Wisconsin or trapped in the House under cabinets and paint cans. Our only time interacting with others has been during the necessary sustenance trips to Starbucks and Subway or the four visits to Lowes. Ironically the same woman was at Lowes during three of our paint replenishments. I am starting to understand her thick North Carolina accent and that is a little frightening.

So imagine our glee when our friend Amber volunteered to spend 1/2 a day with us and lend her mad painting skills. Little did she know that she'd also be helping to lift the amazing time traveling microhood into place, and having to climb up scaffolding and around boxes to get to the bedroom walls. She was a trooper and it was delightful to talk to someone "new". I still have some trimming to do, but I love the wall color - Redstone Lasso. This is actually coming together.

It was another long day for us, but we managed to get up all the kitchen cabinets and get the appliances near their intended space. Now function needs to follow form and all the plumbing, electrical and gas needs to get hooked up next week. We are hoping to semi move-in next weekend and I do demand water. I know, needy bitch.

So far Michael has not lied to me when I ask, "Do we know how to do that?". He was correct that we (meaning he) can indeed hang kitchen cabinets. While I was simply the appendage that came when called, I did learn a few valuable lessons in the process:

1. Arm strength is not a want; arm strength is a need.
   
2. There is great power in the ledger board. It not only keeps the cabinets straight during hanging, it keeps you from swearing at each other.
3. It helps if the person in charge is prepared BEFORE asking you to stand there and hold a cabinet. Balancing a large object above your head while someone chases down clamps and drills is a true test in patience. Love only goes so far. Enough said.

My New Year's Plea

It is early morning on the first day of 2009. I am thrilled for this year to begin and for us to move into the House and really start our Raleigh experience. Not just the Renovation Experience, but the WHOLE RALEIGH EXPERIENCE. 2009 will be good for us and our little family.

In the meantime all I can think about is paint. If you are listening, please don't make me go back up the ladder. I will paint any surface below the eight feet mark. Maybe I can even stretch a little further or use the extension handle. Just don't make me go back up the ladder. If you do, I will punch you in the head. Punch you in the head until you understand the pain that is coursing through my calves at this very moment. That's all. Ladder = Punch in the Head. Happy New Year.

What a Year It's Been

It is very easy for us to recall where we were a year ago. We spent the holidays in Wisconsin and New Year's Eve out with my (almost) entire family. Elizabeth wasn't feeling well, but other than that we had a great time. Eric, Angela, Michael and I actually spent the night at Elizabeth and the Bad Man's house and I remember how wonderful it was for us girls to just sit in the living room and hang out together. The three of us were sprawled on the couch with the dogs and just couldn't stop laughing and talking. Later that night we played cards at the kitchen table and drank way too much. Oddly enough, that was the last time either Michael or I saw the Bad Man. It would only be a matter of months before he just left my sister and shortly thereafter they were divorced.


Last holiday season is also when Michael and I decided that our lives needed to change. We needed to spend more time together - in the same city and the same home - and we needed to move on from LA. We talked about the different city options for us, and opted to visit Raleigh first. We came here initially to scope out the city on 1/11/08 and had moved here by Memorial Day. And here we are.

No surprise with how we are spending this New Year's Eve. Painting walls and hanging cabinets. So much has happened this year and I am terribly grateful that we have this opportunity...to be together, to live in the same place together, and to renovate together and still love each other. No parties and no great dinner for us tonight. And I would have it absolutely no other way.

Happy New Year!

The Pain of Progress

We are both moving very slowly this morning. I guess about 15 hours working on the House yesterday was just a few too many. While there is great pleasure in all this sweat equity, I acknowledge that turning this over for someone else to do has its advantages. Ah, if only for a bigger budget.

We finished the kitchen wall paint (Lariat Tan) and almost all the Living/Dining (Leather Satchel), and the Foyer (Dry Earth and Caraway Shield). We have to finish the touch up and trim, but the main walls are done. The moldings are still yet to come. Neither of us had the energy to tackle that yet. I don't think we'll strip them and repaint this go around.


We were still painting the foyer at 11p last night, and we're hoping it looks good in the light of day. We were concerned about the primary green color when it first went up and were worried that we had another "stomach lining incident". Several years ago we needed to paint over a room that was COMPLETELY covered in a Storybook themed mural. We are talking ceiling, closet and walls. If you had a slightly demented kid that liked being stared at by creepy things, then this was your room. If like us, you only had house guests that preferred not sleeping with Humpty Dumpty, then something had to be done. On the advice of the paint person at Home Depot we chose paint that was supposed to cover dark colors with one coat. Well, we ended up with a shiny, dark pink room that was hideous and repulsive. We decided it was like standing in "stomach lining". It subsequently took a coat of primer and almost three coats of regular paint to cover it. I doubt any of our guests appreciated the time that room took us, or the horror that they almost slept in!

Our initial paint pass in the foyer looked with greenish-yellow...well, you get it. Second coat looked good. At least it looked good by the standards of two exhausted home owners.

Good deliveries yesterday! All the appliances and the tub came! Granted, there is no good place for anything right now, so the tub is in the middle of the living room, the washer and dryer in the bedroom, and the fridge is floating in the soon to be kitchen space. The tub is so beautiful and was nicknamed the "Army Tub" by the restoration guy.

All and all a good day. Now, back to it you slackers. Chop, chop.

Covering the Sins of Others

After a slow start yesterday (and $450 worth of paint and supplies) we finally made it over to the House. The floors are fantastic, so we immediately needed to cover as much of them as possible. While I love painting, I can't claim to be the neatest at it.

During our last house renovation, I had one major regret...and that was the color of the kitchen. It was our house up in Lake Arrowhead and I had envisioned mustard colored walls to accent the custom cabinets and the blue tiles. What ended up on the walls was this awful lemon yellow color. Once I had two walls painted, I realized it was just wrong, wrong, wrong. I tried to like it and thought that balancing it with a lighter brown would help. It didn't. And each time I looked out the window to the house next door, I was reminded of the color I could have had. Should have had. The neighbors had painted their entire house a perfect mustard color and it was a slap in the face every day. HA! Other people got it right!

The entire time we owned the house, I wanted to repaint. Michael wouldn't agree to it though, and there was absolutely no way I could paint those high walls myself. I needed help, and help was being stubborn. It might of had something to do with dangling on a tall ladder that was positioned on top of a cedar chest while stretching to reach the highest peaks. OK, I give.

I think we got it right this time. Mustard kitchen walls are coming! Half the dining and living room walls are a darker version of the same color. We wanted to keep the same theme going through all three rooms to show the depth of the space. I think it will work wonderfully. I think Michael is a little skeptical, but I am getting happier by the paint stroke. I am heading back to Lowes today to buy more (underestimated) and then we'll work on cabinets. We're also expecting the appliances and tub to be delivered this afternoon. Now if only the plumber, counter guy and electrician would call us back...

Merry, Merry Christmas

Michael and I decided to forgo the traditional gifts this year, as we've already received many, many boxes of good things for the House. We also figure that when the storage pods are delivered, it will seem like Christmas all over again. The best Christmas. EVER.

In the meantime, we received a few photos of our finished floors. I expect we'll spend New Year's Eve sitting on them and toasting with some champagne. Oh floors and walls how we love ye. We still have a day of rest before we head back to Raleigh and a week of manual labor. I admit to actually looking forward to this. Progress is good.

Happy Holidays! Be well, be safe and have a wonderful time with friends and family.

You Can't Kill the Rooster

...but you can HIRE him! Here is further evidence that the Rooster, aka Paul Sedaris was at our home. It is truly a bummer that I missed out on commandeering a sign. Maybe he'll take pity on me.



We could only take pictures of the floors from outside the House, with no lights on (haven't been installed in the foyer yet). They had only one coat and no poly, so the actual density of the color will change. How did we decide on the stain? It matches the corgi, of course. To keep my sanity in check we thought it best that Iona's fur match the floors. This is best for me, and therefore best for Michael in the long run.

Six degrees of Sedaris

Before we left for our roadtrip, we needed to decide on our hardwood stain. The Sedaris guys had been working there for a few days and we admittedly loved seeing their sign in our front yard. We felt a little honored. I wanted to steal the sign, but I was sober and Michael only tolerates drunken klepto moments.

On Wednesday and Thursday they sanded, and you could already see the big impact! We had hope walking through the House and seeing walls AND floors! Oh, I may have neglected to mention last week that most of the walls were repaired and plastered. The House actually retains heat.

On Thursday the Sedaris guys finished the sanding and provided us with a stain sample buffet. They had about twelve options stained in swatches on the dining room floor. We went in separately and made our decision, as not to influence each other. We fortunately choose 2 out of 3 colors the same, and made our choice from there. Gunstock it is. Medium color with deep red tones. It is the second color from the right.

We went over Friday night and peeked at the floors. We weren't allowed to walk on them, so we peered in through the front door...they will be glorious! The poly will go on this weekend and they'll be completely ready by the time we return. Giddy girl. Merry Christmas to me.

So we made it to Wisconsin. The drive was fine...long, but fine. We listened to the other Sedaris brother recite "Me Talk Pretty One Day" which helped pass the time. We'll be up here freezing our asses off this entire next week. If my posts are coming in slow, it is because my fingers fell off due to frostbite and I am figuring out how to type with my thumbs.

Lookin' Good

The Beast must really want to come Home, because he has cleaned up good. He had a makeover and is ready to be used and abused again. I think he is beautiful and can't wait to see him in our new bathroom (which is still a blank shell, by the way). Money very well spent.

Need a tub restored? Bob Eaton in Raleigh is your man.

Used Stripper

What do you do with your used stripper? That was just one of the inane questions I asked this past weekend while high on fumes. Both Michael and I were playing with chemicals, and I am disappointed that we didn't get photos of the two of us. We are vying for the hottest couple of the year, and this would have sealed the deal. I spent Sunday with elbow high bright orange chemical resistant gloves and a face mask, while he was covered in dust and wearing a respirator mask. Sexy.

THe results made the day worth it though. That and the side trip to pick up a Hawaiian pizza from the Mellow Mushroom. I expect that they wonder where I scrounge up the change to purchase food, as I seriously look homeless each time I walk in there.

Our fireplace is looking great and Michael just needs to apply one more coat of sealant. This next one is a LOT less toxic as it is simply Elmer's glue and water. As long as he doesn't apply glitter and scrapbooking stickers to the brick, I am all good with him getting his craft on.

My turn to get a little preachy. DO NOT PAINT OVER DOOR KNOBS, HINGES AND OTHER HARDWARE. EVER. It is NOT a method to save time; it is lazy, lazy, lazy. If you want white door knobs, buy white door knobs. And if you REALLY have to paint everything, do you REALLY need to apply five coats of shiny white thick cheap paint???? Enough said.

I was militant about saving the original hardware and after about eight different steps of soaking, spraying, scrubbing, soaking, spraying, scraping, scrubbing, soaking...I uncovered the original look of this hardware. It was worth it, and I was happy. Now I only have about four more doors to go. Sigh. Please don't ever paint hardware. Lazy bastards.

The Beast

Our big cast iron clawfoot tub has taken a little field trip. Basically, the Beast has left the building. Michael found a local guy who makes his living restoring these old tubs and he took it back to his shop about a week ago. We had initially considered doing this ourselves, but all the DIY blogs and sites strongly recommended that one leave this particular project to the people who know what they are doing. Something about sandblasting and hardcore stripping chemicals. Danger! Danger!
The hall bathroom is currently a complete shell, but we do have a vision. Again with that damn vision. That's what got us here to begin with. EVENTUALLY, the walls will be painted a bright green to complement the white of the wainscoting and the plumbing fixtures. Bronze hardware to offset. And the Beast. He will have bright white feet, a calmer white interior and be Austin Healey Green on the outside. I am so excited. Here comes giddy.

We've been getting progress reports on the Beast and here are a few. Metal drying, base coat and primer. All this love and attention...he may never want to come home.

Like your opinion matters

Saturday morning started with me waking up on the couch at 4AM. Sitting up on the couch, huddled in a ball, cold, sleeping. We attended two holiday parties the night before, missed dinner at both, and suffered accordingly. I apparently tried to stay awake with Michael after we came home, only to fall asleep still sitting up. He claims he attempted to wake me. I only ask that the next time he at least tip me over and cover me with a blanket before deserting me.

My initial reaction upon awaking was fear. Fear that I had let Iona outside, gotten cold, came back to sit on the couch and wait for her, and then fell asleep. I was certain that she was alone outside and miserable. (This has NEVER happened, by the way.) In reality she was upstairs in our bed and sleeping on my side, on my pillow. She was a happy warm Puppy Person. I was not.

At 8AM Michael went to the House to meet the electrician. I attempted to feel better. Then I went to the House to meet the strange and annoying man that wanted to buy our sink. He was lost and called me five times trying to find his way. While I attempted to help, our conversations went something like this:

Man: I am lost. My directions took me straight into downtown. Do you know where South street is?

Me: Sort of. What intersection are you on? Do you see a house number? I will use my BB and get you directions.

Man: South street going West. Now I am on Salisbury going North! Where am I?

Me: Can you give me a house number? A building number?

Man: Ma'am I am in front of the Generic, Nondescript building on MLK. Do you know where that is? I will make a U-turn.

Me: What? Stop driving. House number? Building number?

This went on for awhile and no he NEVER gave me a number. He did manage to get to the House eventually. This after a few more wrong turns and the need to put down the phone while he u-turned again, thereby missing my directions. Again. Upon arrival he spent the next 20 minutes walking around and telling me what to do. "You should replace this floorboard", "You should put an outlet here", "You should leave your ceilings high", "You should repair the large gaping hole in your plaster". You sir, should stop talking and get the hell out of my House. I did not ask for your opinion, I am tired and cranky, and I do not value your inane insight. You may be old enough to be my father, but mine raised me well enough to not be a complete moron. The annoying man did not buy the sink, for the record.

Back to the House again, and again, and then again to meet a man that was interested in buying our gas stove. Since uncovering the fireplaces, we don't have a logical place to put the stove any longer. That and we already have two storage containers full of things that will never fit in this House. Turns out that they were a delightful couple that are also transplants and are also renovating a historic home. They were a joy to talk with and I wish us all well in our quests to restore these damn homes. In the meantime, we still have a sink to sell.