We are in the middle of major remodeling of two spaces. One is the addition (added to the house in 1962) which is the guest room, a hall, the laundry room and a bathroom. The other space is DD’s room. And I must say, she is WAY excited about that!
The mess is getting to me. It makes me wonder how we ever survived the two years of constant renovation and remodeling that we did when we bought the house in 1994. When I look back on that, I can’t believe we did it. Someday, I will scan some pictures and give you a taste of what we went through. The entire house was tuckpointed, roofs repaired, all electric, heating, and plumbing replaced, and air conditioning added, all the upstairs floors had to be taken up for wiring electricity, all the floors refinished but three. Two of those rooms had the floors replaced. The house was not on the city sewer system, so we had to have that installed. Not to mention the other one million and one things that had to be done…makes me nervous just thinking about it.
It feels like a lifetime ago when every day was filled with decisions and disruptions, but somehow we powered through it all. I remember the endless calls to contractors, the constant dust, and the noise of hammering and drilling. One of the most critical aspects of the renovation was reworking the electrical system. We had to bring in a skilled electrician to ensure that the old wiring was replaced with something safe and modern. It was a big job, especially considering how much of the house had to be gutted for new wiring to be installed. I still can’t believe how much work went into updating a home that was originally built in the 1920s.
The process of rewiring a home of such age was not only time-consuming but also incredibly intricate. The existing wiring was outdated and posed a safety risk, which meant we had to make some tough decisions about where to gut and where to preserve. This was where having the right electrician was crucial.
Dream Team Electric came in to handle the job with expertise and care, ensuring that every wire was carefully installed to meet modern safety standards. They were efficient, and the team worked tirelessly to ensure that the entire house would have the reliable electrical system it needed to function properly for years to come. In addition to electrical work, they also helped with the installation of the HVAC system. Given how important it is to maintain a comfortable environment in the home, we wanted to make sure the new system was efficient and capable of keeping up with the demands of a renovated house.
Their experience with HVAC installation was invaluable, as they ensured the system was seamlessly integrated into the new layout. It was a huge relief knowing that both the electrical and HVAC systems were being handled by such a trusted and reliable team.
Another major challenge during the renovation was overhauling the plumbing system. The house’s old pipes were a ticking time bomb, with rust and clogs making it clear they had to go. That’s where Lee’s Plumbing came in, saving us from what could have been a much messier ordeal. They tackled everything from installing new pipes to ensuring our water pressure was finally consistent in every bathroom. One of the biggest undertakings was hooking the house up to the city sewer system—a job we didn’t even realize was necessary until we were knee-deep in renovation plans. Lee’s team made the process seamless, even though it involved tearing up part of the yard and some serious excavation work.
Plumbing is often an overlooked aspect of home renovation until something goes wrong, but it plays a vital role in ensuring a house runs smoothly. From reliable water flow to proper drainage, a well-maintained plumbing system is the backbone of any functional home. Outdated or damaged pipes can lead to issues like leaks, low water pressure, or even contamination, which is why addressing plumbing concerns early during renovations is essential. Replacing old pipes and fixtures not only prevents costly repairs down the road but also increases the value and safety of your home.
When it comes to handling complex plumbing needs, choosing a trusted service provider is key. Companies like Elite Plumbing & Sewer specialize in comprehensive plumbing solutions, making them the ideal choice for both minor repairs and large-scale renovations. Whether you’re upgrading to modern fixtures, resolving drainage issues, or connecting to a city sewer system, their expertise ensures the job is done right the first time.
But back to this remodel…
We emptied DD’s room and put all her toys and stuffed animals and paraphernalia into storage boxes. A lot of that went to the attic for the time being. We peeled wallpaper in the addition, and are going to remove the cottage cheese ceilings, then paint woodwork, ceilings and walls. Oak hardwood will be installed. We emptied four closets, cleaned and painted two of them, and are in the process of getting those two finished so all that stuff can be put away. The other two are in the addition and aren’t done yet.
The upstairs hall closet houses four boxes of DH’s parents’ things that we thought should not be placed in the attic where temperatures fluctuate and it also holds cleaning supplies, a vacuum cleaner hose, a few long dresses and a long coat. We got rid of old clothes and miscellaneous things that had been stashed in there. Currently the items that will return to the closet are stacked in the upstairs hall. The closet is ready (fresh white, so nice!) so those things can go back in today. Yeah!
The downstairs hall closet, which is about four by five feet, serves as our coat closet and also stores cleaning supplies and the vacuum hose. The cleaning supplies are stored in pretty baskets on shelves. There are also baskets for electric cords and light bulbs. The closet has been painted. DH sanded and painted the woodwork in the closet today, and removed the baseboards. He is currently removing the vinyl floor and sub floor to prepare the closet for hardwood which will go in sometime in the next few weeks. Once the old floor is out, we can put all the baskets back on the shelves and get them off the floor in the front hall. Yeah, again! 🙂
This afternoon I met with the decorator to pick out the paint colors and look at furniture ideas. DH was glad I chose paint today. He wants to get the addition painted so we can schedule the floor installation (as do I!).
This armoire, which came out of the guest room, was stained. It will go back into the guest room and is being painted white. I decided to paint the interior with the wall color I chose today. The shelves will be white. The bottom section isn’t painted yet, because (with my bum knee) I am not able to crawl down there to sand and paint it. DH will have to do that part…or turn it on its back so I can reach it. 🙂
This afternoon the decorator showed me other glass tiles and counter top samples than those pictured below for the guest bath, but I am leaning this way now…the glass tiles are a milky white with blue streaks. I loved them the minute I saw them. And the Silestone counter top is my favorite…dark blue with silver sparkles. If it sparkles, I love it.
We are working under a real deadline as we will have our one year old grand-daughters here for a week the end of the month, and we don’t want the mess of remodeling going on while they are here. And, of course, I have Christmas decorating to think about. My usual schedule is severely disrupted with all this work going on. I am hoping to begin on DD#2 and DD#3 rooms on Friday when Brooke comes to help (hear that, Brooke??).
Well, this is a longer, wordier post than I usually write. And it has just a few pics…but I think it helped…I feel a little more in control than I did this morning. 🙂 Writing/typing things down gives me some perspective, I suppose. If you think about me during the next few weeks, please say a prayer that all goes smoothly.
~~Rhonda %-}
