So, it’s been four weeks since we closed on our house. Can you believe it?
It feels bittersweet. On one hand, we have gotten a number of things taken care of. On the other hand, Ryan and I always wish we were further along. And, it’s already been a rocky road.
But, we are staying positive and things are going well overall, and we did have some good progress in week four.
Out with the junk
This week, I finished pulling nails and tack strips out of the front bedroom. It looks a lot better. (If you ignore the cubbies. Those have got to go. Focus on the floors.) We also filled three contractor bags with the UG-ly replacement trim and “crown moulding,” which was actually just cheap plastic trim nailed to the top. I could remove it easily without any tools. (The singing of the Jock Jams – U-G-L-Y chant may have helped the process. I can’t be sure.)
But, I think the floors will be great.
And, the closet is actually a decent size for a house built before 1900.
Oh yeah, and the bathroom’s totally done. It looks just like my inspiration photos.
Psych.
But, it is pretty much cleared out and ready for copper pipes. Working plumbing, here we come this weekend. HAPPY LABOR DAY!
(The area where the lathe is is where we plan to install wallboard and bead board. I think that height will be perfect.)
Ryan also finished painstakingly hand-pulling every.single.screw out of the floors in the dining room and the kitchen. The rooms are going to look amazing. And, it’s going to be amazing not to stub my toes on the screws anymore.
And, the kitchen. Totally cleared. Yay! Bags and bags of debris, screws and dust were filled in the making of this kitchen shot.
I’m going to adore this kitchen. I get giddy just thinking about it. And, I may have browsed Martha’s new line of cabinets at Home Depot yesterday. Gorg.
Who has gas?
We do. We do.
That was a large hurdle but the gas is FINALLY hooked up. We needed the gas hooked up in order to get the boiler checked.Β So, the boiler was checked, and…
R.I.P. Boiler
You’ve had a long and productive life. The gasman says you were installed in 1950, which means you are 60 years old That’s like 420 in boiler years (or is that dog years?). The boiler man said his assessment is not to spend a dime trying to get you working. He couldn’t even get the pilot on. (Which, ironically, means we wouldn’t have had to go through all the garbage to get the gas turned on. Figures.)
Almost every part needs replacing. And, some parts don’t even exist anymore in replacement parts. And, even if we did have everything replaced, it’s still not guaranteed that you’d work because without turning on the pilot, he cannot know for sure. So, it sounds like we are putting you down.
It’s for your own good. You’ll join your friends in the boiler heaven in the sky.
So, next week we’ll find out how many extra part-time jobs and medical experiments we’ll need to discover to pay for a new boiler or forced air system. I’m really looking forward to scheduling all the appointments for quotes. (Sarcasm.)
Cool breeze
But, on a “cool” note – the ceiling fans have arrived, people. I know some of you don’t care for the lights of the ceiling fan variety. But, I happen to believe in the positive attributes of ceiling fans. And luckily, it’s our house. π
Once I spotted these fans, my parents picked them up for us at Tuesday Morning for a steal.Β They are good quality fans and I like the look – simple and will blend well with the look of the house. They will be installed in the living room, both bedrooms and (eventually) the kitchen.
So, after some ceiling paint, these puppies will go in. Can’t.wait.Β I’m anxious to have working lights and fans. They will make working in hot rooms a little more bearable.
And, then I can get rid of this ugly thing. In which the fan and three lights don’t work at all. Useful. (Even you fan-haters must admit the fans are an upgrade. I’ll turn you into fan-lovers yet.)
What are your thoughts about the ceiling medallion. I kinda like it if it were cleaned and painted. What do you think?
So, that’s week four for ‘ya. And here’s the updated checklist for you diehards.
Thoughts?
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Emily says
It’s looking so good! I’m generally a fan hater, but I almost caved this summer with how hot our upstairs gets. Love the looks of them or not, they are a very useful tool. And I like that yours are simple and understated.
lala says
Keep the medallion!! It’ll be gorgeous!!
after builers cleaning says
This need a lot of renovations. But your progress is awesome
Jennifer says
Keep the medallion! Adds lots of interest. Looks like it’s a real plaster one too, not one of the lame plastic ones they use now.
It’s not the ceiling fans, it’s overhead lighting in general for me π But, to each her own!
Michael - Innkeeper says
wow. everything is coming along nicely. thanks for sharing your progress.
great score on the fan too!
looks like you are going to have a pretty blank canvas to start! when do you think you’ll sell your current house and move?
Tara says
We live in a house with no central air and I don’t know how we would survive without ceiling fans! Are there prettier light fixtures? Sure. But in the middle of August you’ll never catch me longing for a chandalier!
Tara
http://www.tarabeingtara.com
Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
Look at that progress! You guys are just barreling through it all. The non-working boiler stinks, but at least it is not -10 right? At least that is what I tried to tell myself when the AC went out. Honestly it did not help that much:).
And you want to know my favorite part? That awesome list. It is so organized and I love how you date everything!
Aubrey@My Forever House says
Love the medallion!
I was totally a ceiling fan hater until my husband turned me over to the dark side. They are really nice for circulating air in both the summer and winter months. It helps that there are so many different styles now, you can pretty much find one to match any decor.
Looking good!
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
Those floors will be amazing when you are done! You can probably fill the holes with a similarly colored wood filler. Why on earth were there so many screws? Carpeting??
Ceiling fans are essential to old homes without AC. I’d probably have heat stroke every summer without them! And, they can look nice too!
I love ceiling medallions! Keep it, clean it, paint it!!
You guys have made such tremendous progress in the past 4 weeks. I am awed and inspired by you! Keep up the good work!
Amanda Sevall says
We have multiple…. I think 4 last time I counted… ceiling fans. I don’t really care what anyone else thinks. Cheap way to ventilate and cool off your house. I’m a fan. Just sayin! π
Those hardwood floors will look gorgeous when you are done!! And boooooooo on the boiler situation. Don’t you hate that part of homeownership?! I know I do!!
Misty-Ann says
ok that ceiling fan makes me shutter….
And the shelton fan.. it’s awesome my grandma has one in her room of my mom’s house (read that as my mom’s house is so old they dont have AC yet because they just purchased it and that fan makes you cold in 110 degree weather) π
Were talking about getting one for our bedroom… because the current one isnt a flush mount. And I like it chilly in the bedroom haha.
Leigh says
I love the medallion. I don’t know that I would do anything crazy with, just ceiling color paint, but I like the detail. and holy cow- those holes…they will look awesome though.
Wendy says
Keep the medallion! We are ceiling fan lovers here, too π
Love the real conversation! Why does there always have to be bumps in the road? It is going to look great!
Wendy
Amanda says
Yay for lathe and plaster! You totally got me when you said your bathroom was done. I love blog fake-outs!
As for the holes in the wood floors- I always thought it would be really cool to add “patches” to wood floors- make the existing holes clean and round, then cut wood medallions to fit (I think it would look even cooler if the two wood tones didn’t match). Of course, this also sounds like a buttload of work. I would consider doing it on my own floors, since they are old and kinda falling apart. Kind of that “top-nailed” look, or like pegs or something.
Eagerly awaiting more updates!
christi @ grey umbrella says
WOW! look at the amazing work ya’ll have done. WOW. let me know when we can come for a visit! =) we could bring some paint brushes!
keep the medallions, please, i beg. they have so much character and cost a freakin fortune nowadays. keep keep keep.
oh an i too believe in the power of well-spaced ceiling fans.
xoxo
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
I think we have the same (new) Hunter fan in the dark wood in our addition. Yes, ceiling fans can be kind of ugly, but they help a lot!! You guys are plugging along and doing a great job. π
amber waves of grain says
Love the medallion– definitely a keeper. Love ceiling fans too– whoever invented them is brilliant!
-Kasey says
I would keep the medalion… once your rooms are finished you will have more of a better ‘back drop’ to see if the medalion fits in with your style/decor. -On another note, I think it adds character π
Leigh @ Kesler Expressler says
Those floors are going to be amazingly gorgeous. Awesome progress!
Karla says
Wow, I can’t believe you guys got all of that done. I wish I had that energy! I like ceiling medallions for spaces like dining rooms where you can have a chandelier. You can always move it. My husband didn’t like this but I also liked the idea of putting it around a can light above the bathtub to dress up our master bath.
Mrs. 5C says
You guys are AWESOME! And energetic!
I love ceiling fans. I dream of the day when they’ll be all over my house. Rock on, girl!
The Brick Cottage says
You all are amazing! How in the world do you do so much renovating while working full time? I’ve said it before but I’m saying it again (and again I’m sure for your next recap)–I can’t wait to see what you all do to this house!
alexandjess says
I totally sympathize with you about the cheap trim. Our family room was obviously finished (or re-done) at some point and the trim is foam! You can squish a fingernail into it and it pulls right off and snaps so easy!
As for your screw holes – I’d recommend getting a quote for floor refinishing and asking lots of questions and see how they would fix it. That’s how we get DIY advice sometimes.
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the medallion. I think I’d prefer something simpler. But whatever suits your taste is most important π
House is looking great, Kim!
Joi says
I am loving this. Kim, you are working so hard and I can’t wait to see the transformation move along. : )
Jessica says
Excellent progress! If I lived nearby I would definitely come to help.
And you’re right, those floors will look amazing!
Kristi says
Ceiling fans are awesome. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. As for the medalions, it depends on what look you are going for. If you are going for a Victorian look, they are awesome. If you are looking more for Craftsman, they may have to go. Also, I love the cubbies in the bedroom. I have all kinds of kid bedroom inspiration pictures with cubbies. However, if it is a master bedroom, then I understand. I can’t wait to see the progress you make over the weekend! Keep up the good work!
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
Everything is looking great. I cannot believe how much you have accomplished in four weeks! You guys are awesome. The screw holes? Just leave them π and yes, ceiling fans are the bomb. We have one in the dining room, and while I would prefer a pretty chandy, I can’t argue with the practicality of the fan. it just makes life more liveable. You guys are doing an awesome job!
Breen says
First I LOVE me some ceiling fans. In hot humid FL they come in handy when you don’t want your AC running up the electric bill.
I really like the medallion and that looks like it could be cleaned up in no time.
Don’t you just love a clean slate to work with?
Shannon says
I can’t believe how much you guys have done! Must be the Jock Jams. They’re better than speed.
Jen says
You guys are so inspiring. I’m hemming and hawing about painting 2 rooms, and you guys are renovating a whole house!
And I would definitely keep the medallion. I love when original pieces like that stay with the home.
Ally says
I’m totally into the medallion.
Also, those windows in the kitchen are awesome! It is going to be sooo light and airy!
I’m very curious about those cubbies in the front bedroom. Especially the big one. That would be such a sweet place for a kid’s bed!
Jessica @ This Blessed Life says
I’m with ya on the fans! My mom has all these chandeliers in every room, and you know what? IT’S FREAKIN’ HOT IN HER HOUSE. π
*claire* says
you guys are making great progress!!! i too like the medallion (cleaned) π
longbrakeliving says
Listen to Deb! The medallion rocks! And I adore the floors and firmly believe in the power of ceiling fans. It’s no good being sweaty and stinky in your own house. When we moved into our house, we were imformed that our water heater had lived longer than any water heater should and would soon met its maker. Two and a half years later, he’s still kicking. Hate that the same isn’t true for your boiler. Maybe start a “ceiling fan haters rehab” and charge a minimal fee to raise money for a new one?
Deb says
I agree – keep the medallion if you can clean it up. You’re both doing a great job!!
Mom says
One step at a time! Where do you get your drive? Your dad? And the yard looks so great with that fence down. Yep……it’s gonna be awesome! Keep up the good work.