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If we were sane, we might have listened to the advice of our friends, who at several stages of the tear off said things like, “What I would do, is maybe look into some tile to cover this up.” It was excellent advice. I especially thought that as I nursed blisters on both hands from pulling staples.
When we discovered a few months ago that there was hardwood floor underneath layers of linoleum and plywood, we were determined to scrape everything off of it and restore it, to honor the home and its history.
Well, that and we have no money allocated for tiling another 300 square feet in the house.
So we tore it all out to get back to the original hardwood floor. It was there, hiding beneath layers of linoleum, thin plywood (complete with no less than 800,000 of the longest, most fragile staples ever installed), peel-and-stick linoleum tiles, and a quarter-inch thick layer of black, tar-like adhesive.
The best we could get it to look after scraping off the adhesive remover:
See the staple in the photo above? I saw a hundred of them every time I closed my eyes for days. Every time we thought we had finished pulling every single one out of an area, we would go back over the same area and find three more.
No fewer than five rounds of sanding. We gummed up countless drum sander belts.
I love the discolored, damaged look to the wood. Staple holes, minor water damage, even a few holes patched with tin cans. People pay big money for that “distressed” or “antiqued” finish.
We just had to sweat and bleed a little.
We debated about whether or not to tear out the kitchen. We’d probably be moved in if we hadn’t torn it out.
I can’t help but think we made the right choice, even though this is arguably the most work we’ve done in one room yet.
Behold, the wall transformation:
That’s brick-patterned wallpaper. Complete with soot from some past toaster fire or something.
I’m loving the red walls, complemented by a tasty brown.
This kitchen is going to be awesome.
My sister Becca and I had such a fun email exchange last week. She asked how Sean was recovering from knee surgery (they scoped him and removed some torn cartilage), and I told her that he was up and moving around without crutches.
I was worried that he would push himself too quickly and that recovery would take even longer. I went on to describe the many ways that our house projects are gaining momentum and all the different people who are helping us make it happen.
She has been renting the Little House on the Prairie series for her girls and my comment reminded her of the episode where Pa breaks a rib and has to finish stacking the bags at the mill to pay the mortgage. Mary and Laura try to do it for him, but of course the men of the town swoop in and stack the bags and save the day.
I vaguely recall the episode… I remember the tape wrapped around Pa’s ripped abs. Well, maybe he wasn’t THAT ripped.
Anyway, she said that it sounds like our house project is coming together Walnut Grove style.
I like that.
I’m cheesy that way.
The latest project includes a new staircase to replace the steep farmhouse steps we ripped out last week.
Our skilled friend Chad brandished a tape measure, saw, and nail gun to make it happen. It was amazing to witness the process. It started with a TON of measuring and dividing and marking on the walls. Apparently there are more rules for stairs than just about any other place in a house. A few cuts into the first boards and we had a platform:
Once the boards dry out well and the roof is fixed to prevent more water (and the resulting mold) problems, we will be able to finish treating the mold, and then insulate and sheetrock the walls inside the staircase hall.
Here’s our hero of the day! A million thanks Chad! If anyone out there is looking for a contractor to hire for a remodel job, I know of a really great guy…
We still need to cut into the ceiling to make more headroom. For now, the opening is perfect for munchkins.
C has decided that the platform is a stage. What a surprise. Like mother, like daughter.
There will be finished southern pine boards for the skirt along the wall and the edges of the steps, and we will install a carpet runner in the center of the steps.
This last one makes me smile.
Geez, maybe someday we’ll look back at all this and say, “We were crazy.”
I’m sorta basking in it for the moment.
Prize Mania! Thank you kids for picking up sticks!
I ended my Memorial weekend feeling absolutely blessed. Blessed by fabulous friendships and by God’s amazing and humbling synchronicity at work as we charge ahead.
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We have bartered a wood stove for window installation (and are getting the windows at a deep discount besides!).
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The labor for our roof tear off and installation is being donated.
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The application for a permit for our driveway has been approved, mostly because of who we know.
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The labor for our stairway installation is being donated.
Each one of these items has a long involved story to explain how they came about. The point of all of it is so clear: We are being blessed!
I also have to interject a few words about partnership and marriage. I have felt for a long time that this project is one giant metaphor for me and Sean and us taking time and energy to rebuild our life together. Moving forward prayerfully and intentionally. Establishing new financial habits. Being kind and respectful partners with a common goal: a safe, functional, spirit-filled home for our family. Few goals are so worthy!!
With that said, we were blessed this past weekend with a visit from the Malveys, who maintain a permanent spot on our list of our favorite people in the entire world.
I get giddy when we have plans to visit and our time together is never enough. Thanks for your help with everything this past weekend Malveys! I have a few more pictures I didn’t manage to get resized last night with this round, so keep an eye out for another round of Memorial Day shots!
Sean, Craig, Me and Lori hanging out on the stoop:
The ceiling above the stairs… or where the stairs USED to be!
My new favorite picture.
In the interest of preserving our lawnmower blades, we had a contest to see who could pick up the most sticks out of the yard. Complete with cheesy prizes! (Photos forthcoming.)
The kids formed alliances, in true reality TV style. J and L formed a team:
Against J, C, W, and A. Forces to be reckoned with for sure!
After a Saturday full of destruction and a Sunday full of mud and tape, the tile floor is installed at last… the plan is to apply grout this coming weekend. My knees and back will live a happy and complete life if I never install tile again.
This is the east side of the house, where we would like to put in a driveway and an attached garage.
The south side of the house faces the backyard. We scavenged the screen from our current house so that we can get some bug-free air flow through the house.
The bathroom door waiting to be installed. A mess.
The pine boards are coming down. No more sauna stairway. Yay!
Of course, the roof has been leaking for heaven knows how long and the removal of the pine revealed moldy plaster. This sorta brought me down, although I wasn’t terribly surprised.
There is plywood on the floor! O Happy Day! The new chimney is complete, too, which means we have heat again.
A new wall in the making. Studs included! (As opposed to the hack job of sticks inside the wall previously.) Note the new electrical wire being run and that fancy three-stud corner I figured out how to do from the internet.
A new header for the doorway between the living room and kitchen.
