8.31.2011

Getting to the Core

"Everything we see hides another thing,
we always want to see what is hidden by what we see."
Rene Magritte

During the demolition of our home, three commercial dumpsters were filled with debris. Those of you who know me, know that I LOVE to clean things out and get rid of junk. It felt so good!

The workmen found a few little surprises behind the walls. I was hoping for a garbage bag stuffed with money, but here's what they found instead:

Bad wiring.

Termite damage.

Central vac. All the walls surrounding it were floor to ceiling with no access.

Poison.

Thankfully we decided to pull down all the walls instead of trying to make do with the existing structure. Although this is costing us more financially up front, it is worth knowing that the framing is solid, the electrical system is safe, that nothing will be "bugging" us and there are no more poisons behind the walls.

What's hidden behind your walls?


8.29.2011

Exterior Inspiration

"Inspiration is the key to everything."
Olivia Wilde

When we checked on the progress of the renovation this weekend, I was amazed by how it's all coming together. I could completely visualize the finished project. The walls are all framed in and the plumber and electrician are coming this week. Cabinets are designed and appliances are ordered. Everything is right on schedule.

People often ask me how I can visualize the potential of the projects I take on. I gather ideas every where I go and in everything I do. I scour the internet, drive endlessly through neighborhoods and subscribe to every home/design magazine known to man. I go to home shows, home expos, furniture stores and furniture markets. I read books on interior design and architecture.

In fact, as I think about it, I can't remember a time that I didn't do these things. In high school, a favorite pastime of my best friend and I was to drive around and look at architecture. In college I'd skip class for no other reason than to spend the afternoon at the TJ Maxx home goods department! But in the end, after I've gathered all the knowledge and inspiration, I simply trust my intuition and go for it.

My goal is to take this:


And create something along the lines of this:






Stay tuned!



8.23.2011

Tear Down That Wall

"Each day I live in a glass room unless I break it with the thrusting of my senses and
pass through the splintered walls to the great landscape.
"
Mervyn Peake

When Ronald Reagan asked Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin wall in 1987, I bet he had no idea how exhilarating it is to tear down an actual wall. Our family found this out as we kicked off our renovations. The boys used anything they could get their hands on to break down the interior walls. We got the demo ball rolling for United Contractors and their crew. Plus, the boys (OK... and Jeff and I) had a blast!




Check out the progress since last week:

Living room prior to occupants moving out.

Living room prior to demolition on Thursday, August 18.

Living room August, 19.

This is the living room today after only four days of renovations.
The crew is moving so fast I can hardly keep up.


8.20.2011

Change of Plans

"Trust that little voice in your head that says,'Wouldn't it be interesting if...' Then do it."
Duane Michals

At the time of my last post, nearly one year ago, we were in the process of building a new home. We had beautiful, custom designed plans created and even had gone as far as engineering them for our building lot.

Well, as my husband and children have come to accept, my "plans" often change. Drastically. Spontaneously. Without warning.

To make a long story short (more on this later), we've purchased an existing home and are going to renovate rather than build.

Introducing our new home!

It might not look like much from the front, but here's a view from the back:

Can't see the appeal or the potential? Remember, it's often what we can't see that's more important than what we can see.
I'm thrilled beyond words to take on this project. Join me on this exciting journey of transformation as we renovate, restore and revitalize!
 
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