nothing glamorous or exciting...

...but it's at least shiny and new!

the oil tank was a disaster waiting to happen.



we had to replace it:

gorgeous! i'll have to supress the urge to paint a cow hide pattern on it!

if you set small goals you are never disappointed!

The goal today was simple: remove all finishes from this wall and confirm that it is a bearing wall.

Remove finishes: check

cut hole in ceiling to confirm the wall is bearing: check

so the wall is definitely a bearing wall (through the hole in the ceiling i could see the ends of the floor joists that bear on the wall)- before we remove it, we will need to install a beam to support those second floor joists.

those ducts supply the second floor rooms- since the wall will be removed, those will be relocated.

Wrought Iron is Heavy

Wallpaper: I was absolutely dreading having to remove the wallpaper in this house. I was planning on purchasing a wallpaper steamer/remover and I set aside 2 weeks in the schedule so that I could tackle that formidable task (1 week for the first floor and 1 week for the second)

Wallpaper at Second Floor Hall

While I was taking a break from removing window trim, I noticed there was an open seam in the wallpaper...so I started picking at it...and pulling....

And it came right off!

All of it!!!

And there are beautiful smooth white plaster walls beneath!

So I went downstairs to try my luck there....most of it did come right off...

...but i did find another layer underneath that wont come off with just my fingers. But its relegated only to the fireplace wall. Not bad! I am sure I will be able to figure out what to do with those 2 weeks!

Today I was also determined to remove the nasty carpet and wood paneling from the breezeway/future dining room

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

oh right. and wrought iron is heavy....

but you probably already knew that!

:)

Some Before Photos

Entry Stair:

not in bad shape, we will remove the wrought iron handrail, expand the size of the foyer---and remove that wallpaper!

More Wallpaper!

We will replace all electrical devices
Study/Den:
We will remove the train wallpaper, replace the trim and add crown moulding and possibly a 12-lite door.

Existing Kitchen/ Future Bath:

This tiny kitchen will turn into a new full bath- the kitchen will be relocated.

View from Entrance:

At the far wall, there will be a set of french doors opening to a new deck. This will be the view as you enter (minus a few walls)

Entrance:

Walls will be removed to open up the entrance and create a foyer instead of a narrow hall


Dining/ Future Kitchen:

The kitchen will be relocated towards the back of the house- in the current location of the dining area.

Sunroom/ Future Dining Room:

The plan is to remove the existing flat ceiling and replace it with a cathedral ceiling- install cork flooring- replace the paneling with drywall...

Bedrooms:

The bedrooms are decent- we will replace the windows, add crown moulding and new base, repaint...

Second Floor Bath:

A gut renovation is the only option here! We are also going to expand the size of the bathroom by about 3'.

First Floor Half Bath:

We are going to relocate the first floor bathroom and expand it into a full bath. This space is going to be given over to a larger entry foyer.

Basement:

paint, windows, lighting, dri-core flooring...

the next project....will begin....soon!