Renovate 2.0

[talktooloose]

Although we're not going to tear apart any walls until the summer of 2009, the renovation of the main floor of our house has begun. I just got three books by "Not So Big House" guru, Sarah Susanka from the library as well as Mike Holmes' book "Make It Right". He is a sexy fucker, btw:



Also, I've opened a GIC account for us to start dropping money into. I want to do this reno with as little debt as possible. The number one strategy for controlling costs is to be our own general contractors. It couldn't possibly be worse than working with a monkey like we used for the upstairs. We'll do the work in a summer when Snake isn't teaching and I might take a one-month leave of absence from work so we can do a lot of the work ourselves, hiring sub-contractors as we need them. We'll also hire an architect to draw up proper plans after we spend the next year figuring out what we want.

I used to hate working with Snake on home projects. I was happier when he got out of my way and worked in a separate room. However, recently we've been working really well together including yesterday when we were up on the roof putting up wire barriers to stop birds from nesting over our bedroom window. We have grown more respectful of each others' strengths and intelligence in the process.

So, here we go: continuing to build our little dream home.

Comments

[a-trick-mind.livejournal.com]

Do you have an idea of the kinds of things you want to do to the place? Are you in general agreement?

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Sarah Susanka talks about spaces reflecting how they're really used as opposed to how houses "should" be. Our main floor is built in the classic Victorian style: livingroom, diningroom, kitchen. But this is not how we use it. We have no dining room table except when we carry in the kitchen table for dinner parties or holidays. Effectively, we want to restructure the floor into two areas: 1. entertainment and relaxation, 2. preparing and eating food.

More windows looking out onto the garden with the table (both casual and formal) beside these windows, maybe even in a rounded area. The kitchen exanded towards the front of the house more. In the entertainment area, comfortable viewing for TV but also an open area where two can two yoga at the same time. The whole floor will be open concept, but the 2nd floor will remain closed off from it. That way, when we want to be together but alone, we can each take over a floor and be silent.

Bear in mind that this whole floor is only 15' X 36' or something.

[rfmcdpei.livejournal.com]

Holmes is hot.

It was good to see you yesterday.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you showed up.

[lux-apollo.livejournal.com]

I agree. That man is hot. Which says a lot, because I don't normally go for that type.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

I know! I'm all about the dark and wiry guys. Maybe it's the way he swings that hammer! AND FIGHTS FOR JUSTICE!!

[rcornelius.livejournal.com]

well you have my awe and respect. I tend to call others on instinct when i want to change a lightbulb.

make sure to take lots of pictures :-P

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Befores and afters, for sure.

Reno work isn't all that hard if you don't mind weeping with frustration on a regular basis. And the motivation is easy: "You want to charge me WHAT?!! FUCK YOU! I'll do it myself!"