NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Renovation progress report – week 9

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We had our first (major) injury at the house this week. Still waiting on the worker’s comp claim.

Oh wait. We have no means to receive or process a worker’s comp claim.

Ryan’s dad lost his balance, fell off the yellow stool below and bruised his rib. The doctors initially thought it was a fracture, but regardless, it’s still a total bummer. Ryan and his dad have the same genes. They both get hurt far too often. (See this for proof of Ryan’s penchant for injuries.) We hope Steve has a speedy recovery… because we love him (and because we could really use his help with plumbing). 😉

But, progress was still made, and here are the hellos and goodbyes of week 9.

Goodbye, junk.
All the radiators and water pipes came out this week. And, the boiler was pulled out. That puppy is not light. These things filled three truckloads, and now all the rooms look bigger without the radiators.

We weren’t able to sell them in the time frame we were hoping, so we gave them to the same guy who took down the garage, the fence and all the cabinets. He helped Ryan take everything out and then he loaded them off to scrap them. It took half the time and much less effort on our part. It kind of breaks my heart that those lovely, working radiators are going to be scrapped, but such is life. No time to waste.

We also loaded up all the junk that was piling up in the basement and took it to the dump last weekend. Good riddance.




Hello, paint.
Much of my time was spent prepping and painting. I want to get the foundation painted before it gets cold, so first I filled all the cracks with mortar repair compound. Then, I got to painting this ugly red/maroon a clean, crisp white.
I was certain that I’d get the painting completely done. Instead I got about halfway down one side of the house.
It’s sucking up paint like crazy, but it looks good so far. Just more time consuming than expected. Much better, right?
The compound needed 24 hours to set, and I didn’t have that kind of time. Patient is not a word to describe Kim. So, I just painted around it and then when I come back for a second coat (in 35 years or so), I’ll touch that up.


Hello, texture.
I’ve also been texturizing and painting our closet, which is look really awesome. There were parts that were already textured in the closet and the bedroom is all textured walls, so I wanted to mimic the effect in the new parts of the closet. I used texture paint with sand already in it and a wallpaper brush. Just a simple ‘swooshing’ motion was all it took.
This was my dad’s technique and I’m pleased with the results. It blends really nicely. I began painting it, but predictably ran out of paint halfway through. That wasn’t annoying at all. And, it certainly doesn’t happen to me in every.room.I.paint.


Goodbye, garage.
My dad brought over the skid steerer and took out all the black top from where the old, puny garage stood. Then he removed all the (surprise!) concrete that was under the black top.

14 DUMP TRAILER LOADS later… all the concrete is gone. And pretty soon, we’ll be able to say…

Hello, new garage
Ryan and I are so grateful for my dad’s time and work on this. All the concrete is now gone. There’s an area cleared for the new garage and space for our garden by the shed.
If all the stars align, we may even pour concrete this week. (Do I need to stress that I use the word “we” very liberally?)
These two are like two peas in a pod.
But, here’s what gives me nightmares:
No fingers were harmed in the driving of this stake. (At least not that they told me.)
What do you think?

Who wants to see the updated checklist?

Comments

  1. Sorry to hear about your father-in-law. The white, looks awesome! Makes a huge difference, I didn’t think it looked bad before, but I didn’t know what I was missing.

  2. I cannot believe those beautiful radiators went to scrap. I wish we lived closer, we need one small one for one of the upstairs rooms. *sniffle* Although your were much more ornate than ours are.

    You know, I was just reading an article the other day in FreshHome about how radiators are going to make a comeback (supposedly), because they are the most efficient way to heat a home.

    The foundation looks a million times better white. A trillion even.

    Where did you get your curly hose? What’s the reach? I think I need one.

  3. So……you’re totally making me look lazy. Once again. I seriously think, “Can’t sleep, must accomplish projects, Kim is totally putting me to shame.” Just one of the many voices in my head.

    Also, LOVE the crisp white!! What a transformation!!

  4. A few comments for you:

    1. I think it’s really funny that you painted the foundation AFTER you planted everything and put down new mulch!
    2. The wall texture is wonderful.
    3. My heart fluttered when I saw the New Holland skid steer!

  5. You guys are doing one heck of a job! I love seeing all these photos that show process. Also loving that you painted the brick white!

  6. Wow! Bummer about the injury… hope he’s feeling better soon! That white paint on the foundation — what a huge difference!! Looking good — hope you have fun working on the house this weekend!! 🙂

  7. it’s so fun to watch this unfold!! you can really see the potential now!
    i love the paint on the outside – huge improvement!!

    and your last pictures look a tiny bit scary!! 🙂

  8. The white paint outside looks so much better than that red!! It looks like it makes a huge difference.

    Awesome job!

  9. Oh no to the injury — speedy healing to Ryan’s dad. =(

    Kim, it looks amazing. I just cannot believe what you two/four have done in such a short time — and work full time. How in the world do you do it?

    Isn’t running out of paint mid painting a room the most annoying thing? Grrr that is not fun.

    BTW — the texturing process … kudos to you for trying. Looks great.

    Seriously you two are amazing!

  11. I’m curious about the foundation paint as well. Perhaps painting our foundation will be on my to-do list for next spring.

    Hope Ryan’s dad feels better soon! And I wouldn’t be as worried about fingers being smashed as heads being hit (I’m always paranoid to get hit in the head by the hammer when I’m holding something for someone).

  12. Kim – that white paint make such a difference! I’ve been absent from blog-land recently and have thoroughly enjoyed catching up on your progress! You guys are making headway incredibly quickly! Nice work!

  14. Everything is looking great! I am sure that I don’t need to tell you this, but you two are so blessed with willing, able, and tool owning dads. I love that this house is a total family affair.

  15. The white foundation looks so fantastic!!
    I bet your neighbors must be thrilled with the flip this house is taking. I know I’d love looking at it so much more now than before. 🙂
    Hope the injuries heal fast!

  16. Yuck! Sorry your painting project is taking so long. I had a the same problem a few years back. Looks amazing when it’s all done, but midway through your muttering to yourself about how much you hate painting! LOL

    You two are making amazing progress. Your amazing!

  17. I am amazed that you guys are getting so much done, and working!! Love the painted foundation and texture in your closet – looks awesome. Way to go!

  18. The white looks AWESOME. So much cleaner. You guys are flying! I hope you can feel the progress you’re making. I know that’s so much harder to do when you’re in the middle of the project. Hope that worker’s comp policy works out for ya. ; )

  21. Kim,
    Get well wishes for Ryan’s dad. Hope he feels better soon. I know what a loss it is to not have Dad on the front line!!
    Everything is looking awesome! Can’t wait for Tony to come home to read your progress, too!
    Loving the paint treatment in the closet and the around the house!
    It must feel so good to have all the stuff taken away! Have a fun weekend 🙂
    Wendy

  26. Ha! 35 years! I didn’t expect that kind of slacker behavior from you Kim! That’s more my style. On the serious tip, I am once again super duper impressed. Um, does Ryan work for a living? How the heck are you guys getting so much done?

    and weird observation, I just realized I like to call you by your name when I’m commenting.

  27. Wow! The white is quite a change – how many coats did you need to use to make such a transformation?

    Also, when we painted out living room two years ago, there were areas of trim we were going to go back and “touch up.” Yeah, hasn’t happened.

    Why are touch ups so hard?