Hello and welcome to my version of LOVE IT OR LIST IT!!!!! After 23 years of living in one place (the longest ever in my entire life) it was time to decide! If we stay we fix it, if we leave we will be renters! Well, Mr. Frickspicks was not on board yet with the renting route so fixer upper it is! I have gone through so many remodels in our 40 years of marriage and it always sounds so exciting and simple. Am I right? It kind of is but it is also a nightmare if you live in your home during the reno. It’s a hurry up and wait situation. You agree to everything set a date and then you wait. And wait some more and then one day people show up and ALL HELL breaks loose!
We started with family room floors which included taking out the fake Italian restaurant looking arch that served no purpose but to collect dust. (Back story, my husband bought the house and I only saw a tiny video before the day we moved in!) He picked a beautiful home, it really is. It’s just wayyyy different than anything this simple midwest girl had ever called home before. Arches, marble, faux marble, lots of window “treatments” and the highest ceilings I had ever seen in a home. When I walked in I kind of thought I was in the movie Good Fellows. Now don’t get me wrong, I fell in love with EVERYTHING! Don’t judge, it was 1996. But after 23 years it was time to UPDATE (or now what I call our search and destroy mission!)
In true domino theory, the new floors began taking over. Like the invasion of the body snatchers! Now not only did the family room floors need to be replaced but also the kitchen floors and then before you knew it we had to stretch it down hallway to get rid of a teeny tiny and very dangerous lip.
We are over 60 and I will have none of that tripping, falling and breaking a hip shenanigans on my watch! Won’t name names, but several people have had close calls here with that little 1/4 inch lip. So it was decided! Yep rip it out! Easy peasy right? NOPE, we thought we were done and then the appliances were not at counter height any more and the trash compactor would not open. SIGH! So much for the exciting and simple part. After lots of finagling, things are fixed! But now to touch up the scratched cabinets (see what I mean, it goes on and on and on and on!
If you follow along on instagram stories you heard and saw the “DUSTLESS” removal of tile and marble! Cough, cough and cough some more. (DUST WAS EVERYWHERE) Before you knew it I was sick, my husband was sick, the old dog died (true story) and I wasn’t sure if I could carry on with this “small cosmetic update”! But being the trooper I am (go ahead and laugh), and the type A personality I inherited (not my fault), it was time to put my big girl panties on and get ‘er done.
Act one, the invasion of the wood floors, is done! The floors look great. It almost killed me but those @#$# floors are IN!!! I’ll post Act two next! Hope you will stay tuned and tell me about your adventures (disasters) in renovation.
As always, thanks for stopping by. To leave a comment just click on the post and the comment box is down below! (Working on making that easier too!)
XOXO, Kim
Oh my, I can relate to your current design situation! The dust! After living in our home during our last renovation we said never again.’ Did I already mention the dust?! I love your hardwood selection!
Hi Juliet! Thanks for stopping by and understanding my pain over the DUST! I can’t wait to see your renovation.
XOXO
Omg! How exciting and dreadful all at once! We will be starting renovations at granny’s in sept/oct and I am terrified of what we may run into! BUT if I have to look at the awful 50 year old bathroom tile for much longer, I will lose my mind! Haha! Can’t wait to see what you take on next!
Oh my gosh it is such a process. It will be worth it but holy moly! Act 2 is done but all the fluff and stuff is just starting. Ordered furniture, won’t be here until late October or November. Such is life. First world problems but come on, this is not for the weak of heart! XOXO, thanks for stopping by. I adore you!
XOXO
I love the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great posts.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! I really appreciate your time.
Kim
I can’t wait to see the finished product ♥️
Hi Jen!
Me too!!!! Can’t come fast enough and looks now like everything should be here by, get this….NOVEMBER! Oh well!
XOXO, Kim
Ohhhh, I feel you sistah Kim. I went through the exact exercise 3 summers ago. I swear this next statement to be true 》All I was after was a new refrigerator《
But not a one of the refrigerators available fit into the same space without altering the adjacent cabinets (which I had no love for). And then, just like you, it all began. I kept telling myself to “enjoy the process”. Yea, right … Anyway my dear A type gal, it’s all worth is and there are stories to be told and in the end a home to behold. Kim, I am so sorry to learn that you lost you dog. Well that is too sad.
Head up while you heal your heart… and honey, your home will (one of these days) again be your sanctuary …
Sending love your way. Lorelei
Hi Lorelei!
Thanks so much! You have to keep a sense of humor right? It is going to be great! Part 2 is done now and Part 3 is beginning! Why oh why does everything take 5 times longer and cost 10 times more than I thought?!!!! Thanks for all the love and support!
XOXO, Kim
BEEN THERE DONE THAT AND DONOT HAVE THE ENERGY TO MOVE OR DO AGAIN!BEST OF LUCK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW DO!!!
YOU WILL SURVIVE……….XX
Thanks Elizabeth!
YOU NEED TO PUT SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL ON YOUR SIDE BAR!!!!!!!!!
XX
Working on it!
Done!!!!
So glad you got the Subscribe bar in. I just used it! I went through a kitchen remodel 2 years ago and it was a breeze. They sealed off the work area and cleaned up so well that there was virtually no dust. I had small appliances in my living/dining room right next to the work and lived well for the two months. Unfortunately the contractor retired just after. He and his crew were kings! A rare experience. Good luck with yours. @sheilamerle.
WOW!!!! I have never had a breeze in a remodel. That is amazing. Thanks for subscribing and for the good wishes on our update.
XOXO,
Kimberly