At around 4 p.m. Saturday something monumental happened. The last baseboard was nailed into place, with nail holes puttied and paint touched up. We had finally done the “floors, doors and trim” project, which included installing ¾-inch rock maple floors, new interior doors and baseboard trim. We still have to install the top crown moldings on each of the doors, but the big project? Done.
In what has been a total gut-job renovation of this entire house, we have finished the last of what I would call the major projects. We still have to redo our main bathroom and put on a new back deck but neither of them rise to the level of major renovations we’ve done to date. And if you’re wondering, I measure “major” renovations by how much disruption they cause to our everyday lives. While both the bathroom and the deck will still be multiple weekend projects, they can also be contained so that our living space does not become a construction zone again.
Today? Well, today dawns with not a lot to do. We are going to take stock of what boards we need to buy to finish the crowns and that’s about it. Maybe watch a football game or two, take in the season premiere of All Creatures Great and Small… you know, lazy Sunday kind of things. Today signals a return to regular life. I won’t say “normal” because normal for us is renovation. But regular life? Well, to me that’s defined as living in an environment where there is not a chop saw on the front deck and a compressor and nail gun in my husband’s office. Today, we rejoin regular programming still in progress.
Looking around, the house is turning out to be everything I dreamed of. I wanted a modern cabin in the woods with open and light spaces but warm and sturdy furnishings. That’s what I got. A modern kitchen and two renovated bathrooms, light maple hardwood floors throughout the entire house, an open concept first floor and my dining room table that comfortably seats 12. But looking back – at all of the time, stress and money – I can honestly say that I would never do something like this again. I’m not unhappy that we did this but I am super grateful that we are finally – FINALLY – at the end of the end. For over ten years, we have been slowly remodeling both outside and in and while we took breaks from time to time, we did at least one project per year. It’s been exhausting, particularly this last project. In fact, we both agree that while the main bathroom needs to get done, it’s going to be awhile before we tackle that. It’s function and just too soon. I can’t even think about it.
Now though? Now, I celebrate regularity. This morning the house can breathe. Last night, the compressor and nail gun went to the basement. It was joined by scraps of wood and other excess tools. Looking around, my eye does not fall on any thing that’s out of place or a tool that was set casually on a countertop or a piece of scrap wood propped up by the door. Nope. If someone walked into this house right now, they’d never guess that we have been in renovation mode for 10 years. Today, we get to truly own this house. It’s no longer, “the kitchen is nice but, the rest of the downstairs…” or “the downstairs is nice but the renovations stopped at the landing…” Today, the majors are done. We are like everybody else. There’s a couple of projects to do around the house but doesn’t everyone have those?
In the immortal words of Jerry Garcia, “it’s been a long, strange trip.” It was our trip and while I could never do it again, I am forever grateful that I get to enjoy what we’ve created and where we are.
The Yuppie Homesteader 