Day 1 of Construction

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Aaron called me at 7:30 AM to discuss my preference in light switches and gave me the plan for the day. I was at home when he arrived because I set up a meeting with the cabinet maker for the pending kitchen project. Aaron got to work right away on finishing the demo - toilet is now in the dumpster! He then attacked the bath fan installation. This aspect of the project is proof that construction is not always straight forward. Because of the roof line, stucco, floor joists and other terms of which I have minimal understanding, Aaron had to be extremely creative in finding a solution to venting the fan outside. I was prepared to return from work to learn that he was unable to install the fan. However, Aaron worked his magic and had great success! He also did the electrical work for the light fixture and light/bath fan switches.

Here are the photos from today:


New bath fan.




Left: Light fixtures without the shades. Right: The wood around the glass block window will need repair due to water damage.


Left to right: (1) The toilet is now gone! (2) Aaron's check list! (3) New light and fan switch/dimmer.

New Faucets

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Before I start my journey south, I'd like to give a small update on the bathroom remodel. While returning the crow bar I didn't use during the demo to Lowes, I picked up the sink and tub/shower faucets. I was going to go with Moen Banbury but instead went with Kohler Fairfax because I thought the script writing indicating the hot and cold levers was cute.

Here are the new faucets and also a couple more photos of the current state of our main floor bathroom:

If These Walls Could Talk

Sunday, November 23, 2009

After a bright and early trip to Lowes, I was ready to start Day 2 of Demolishing the main floor bathroom. Howard Johnson (only in Minnesota!) helped me find the right tool to remove the sink from the P-trap. He also explained that all I needed to do to remove the sconces was to untwist the wire nuts and untangle the house wire from the lighting wire. It took me like 2 minutes to do it once I knew what I was doing. The biggest job for me today was to remove the ceiling and the dura-rock walls around the bath/shower. The trim was really difficult to remove but I did it! I was tired after all that tugging so I gave up on the baseboards, toilet and some of the sheetrock. I figure I should leave some for Aaron!

I really wish my bathroom would have given me a clue that there was loose insulation above the ceiling. Most of it was in sheets but there is a random area where it was probably blown in. It all came down like dirty (toxic) snow. It was such a hassle to clean up and definitely diminished my interest in construction!

Here's my day in photos:

The loose insulation is above. I wish it all would have been that pretty pink stuff. At least then it wouldn't have been such a pain to clean.


This is where the sink was. I can't believe I was able to pull everything down today.


I can't wait to have nice smooth walls and ceiling. I am hoping the white subway tiles will look good with the glass block window. The real treat will be when the bathtub is resurfaced. I will take the most well-deserved bubble bath then!

No Going Back

Saturday, November 22, 2008

I'm back! Today, I finally had enough courage to start the demolition of our main floor bathroom. First stop, Home Depot. Thankfully Scott suggested I get a respiratory mask! I also bought some protective paper and plastic in hopes of decreasing the mess (yeah right!). Because Aaron may be able to start our project soon, I bought the light fixture, fan and recessed mirror. I am trying to spread the remodeling wealth around the house so I went ultra budget on all items.




This photo really doesn't do justice to how disgusting the shower surround was.

I took great pleasure in ripping that thing down.

The glass block window will be preserved. We will tile around it with bullnose tile and by we I mean Jed.

Here is Day 1 of Project Demolition:

Why did I wait 32 years for my first DIY project?

I could get used to wearing this type of get up!

I ran into a few problems with the light fixtures in that I couldn't figure out how to remove the wires. Don't worry- I had the electricity turned off during the actual demo process. Scott and I decided to put the light bulbs back in so we wouldn't accidentally stick our fingers in the sockets.

This photo would lead you to believe that Scott did a lot of the work on day one. Well, you'd be wrong. This was a photo op like you wouldn't believe. As I was documenting my hard work, he grabbed the crow bar and started pulling nails. Nice try Scott!

I didn't accomplish as much as I would have liked but I got a late start. I didn't really get going until after 4:30 PM. Hopefully I'll have time to devote to this tomorrow with my goal being to remove the pedestal sink and the toilet.

Once a month check in...

Monday, November 17, 2008

Good thing my readership is limited to like 2 people- I'd be letting lots of people down! I have been very busy gathering data for the 2009 remodeling project. What is the remodeling project you ask? I am actually *hoping* for two:

1) Remodel the main floor bathroom including tackling the demo myself. I figure I can break stuff as long as I don't have to put it back together. I'd like to do this sooner rather than later so it may actually be during the remaining days of 2008 depending on the availability of my "crew". That's right- I am going to act as contractor on this project! I figure we hardly use this bathroom anymore now that we have the diamond in the rough.

2) Remodel the kitchen. I have received plans from Schlangen Custom Cabinets, Inc. for a new cabinets including a new layout for our tiny kitchen.

I have priced out all aspects of the kitchen remodel. One area I am hoping to find a less expensive alternative on is the flooring. I want Forbo marmoleum but the labor is uber expensive. Any ideas?





Here's my token photo for the post- wall decals are cool and I want to figure out a way to use them.

The Remodeling Bug Bit Me

Friday, October 31, 2008




After completing a major home renovation in my head this past week, I decided to out my obsession with Scott. As it turns out, he wants to move more than I thought! We talked through the pros and cons and we have decided that we will not in fact grow old in this little green house. Keep in mind that early in our marriage I was trying to figure out all kinds of tricks to move sooner rather than later so his change of heart took me by surprise. Since I have found that remodeling can fix most any problem I an actually less eager to move. However, our main complaint with this little green house is that it sits on a fairly busy street. No matter what, we won't be able to fix that so bye bye little green house!


So, now with sights putting our house on the market in 2011, here is my project list for home resale:


1) Renovate main floor bathroom

2) Install a fixed dishwasher (we have the portable kind!).

3) Basement flooring

4) Refinish stairs leading down to the basement

5) Install a new back door




I know some of my regular readers have moved, do you have tips? How in the heck can you make improvements AND save for the new down payment at the same time?

I think it is odd not to have a photo on this post so here is the first IKEA product that I am actually really excited about. Too bad my intensive savings plan just went into effect. For those of you who like IKEA, here are a couple of sites that may interest you:
http://www.ikeafans.com/ and http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/

Remodeled Me

August 8, 2008

Since we need to save funds for our next home project, I opted to renovate my personal look. As a person with a love for bobs and a fear of too much change, cutting bangs was the best I could do for a new look! Perhaps some day I'll do something really funky!

Thanks Amy for taking the photos! What a way to spend your work day!