Friday, June 22, 2007

EUREKA! A reno revelation!

I'm such a dumbass, can't believe I didn't think of this sooner...

Here we are, freaking out about the costs of the improvements we're making to our house, and thinking we have to do it all at the same time, or that we might as well. And then I bought some decorating magazines and flipped through some books, and it came to me: paint.

We don't have to tile the bathroom just yet. We don't have to install the kitchen backsplash. We can just have the workmen install the basic stuff - the plumbing, electricity, drywall, and subfloor - and then do a temporary finish with paint. We can paint the subfloor and seal it with urethane, and ditto with the shower enclosure. We don't have to make any major decisions about tile, and we can save that part of the cost until we're financially ready to do it. Awesome!

(and yes, this revelation happened after reading too much De.bbie Trav.is. how did you guess?)

Anyhow, I feel like a weight has been lifted. And now that I'm feeling less tired and less nauseated, I'm in the mood to do some of the work myself. Now, who's with me? Anybody wanna put on some coveralls and help me paint?

8 comments:

Cajun Cutie said...

My parents did this exact same thing. They started slowly with the tile and hard wood. By waiting they were able to get exactly what they wanted instead of settling at the time for something they could afford. Old houses will make you broke if you aren't savvy.

Anonymous said...

I could paint next weekend. . .

Anonymous said...

sounds like a GREAT plan!
and, by the way, no worries on the 'ass vice'....after my initial COMPLETE FREAK OUT, i realized 'hey, this means we can get pregnant!!! ON OUR OWN!!!"...believe me, if this doesn't pan out (and i don't think it will), i am FULL of renewed hope!
peace
shlomit

Aurelia said...

I am around, and I love to paint!

One little teensy thing though? Don't rely only on paint for the wettest part of the bathroom like the shower. Maybe a tub surround, and caulking? Or an all around shower curtain on a ring above the tub?

Whatever, I'm happy to show up with a caulking gun & a paint roller. One Kaz goes to camp, I'll be the lonely mom mooning around needing distraction!

mandolyn said...

We just painted two rooms in our house. It makes such a difference!

KarenO said...

Glad you are feeling better about this renovation thing, it's not an easy thing to do! Hang in there, it's not too long to go anymore :)

Gil said...

I love painting! And yes, it is a wonderful way to hold off on expensive purchases and major decisions.

Hmm, come to think about it, this renovated basement could use an update... *heads to poke around for colour schemes*

Ms. Perky said...

For ME, the problem would be one of inertia... if I didn't do it while it was in the process... it would never, ever happen.