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Commiseration
A few trips over the holidays and a lingering staph infection have kept me from posting. While I am taking a break and trying to mend, I thought you might enjoy seeing some photos of our house when it wasn't quite feeling it's best either.
These photos were taken in 2002-2004 before restoration.
David took a look over my shoulder and said, "Wow. I can't believe we lived in the house through that? What were we thinking!?"
"Yeah. I forget how bad our house really was. I think I have blocked all that out."
"I can't believe I had to come home from work every day to...That!"
"Hey! At least you got to go to work. I worked from home. And, for 2 of those years I didn't even have a car, making escape all the more difficult."
Posted by heather at February 3, 2008 1:05 PM
Comments
But the parts you have worked on and fixed are absolutely stunning. Get better soon.
Posted by: HPH at February 3, 2008 7:20 PM
Okay, I feel a little less overwhelmed by my own house :-)
Posted by: trudy at February 6, 2008 4:32 AM
Wow, you have done so much to that house! I totally would have passed that "gem" up for something a little less "run down". But you two have done a SPECTACULAR job! :)
Posted by: Heidi at February 11, 2008 2:19 PM
You really did an amazing job. Our house had none of the beautiful hidden touches under the paint like yours does. Great job! Did you ever tackle the kitchen?
Poor thing with the stapf infection - I had one of those and it was NOT fun. Feel better.
Posted by: Teri at February 13, 2008 12:19 PM
My neighborhood association is planning a Restoration Trade Fair, Sept. 21, 2008 in Long Beach, CA. Two questions:
1. How could a Trade Fair help homeowners accomplish what you have done?
2. Are you available to speak?
Thank you -
Posted by: Gretchen at February 14, 2008 4:11 PM
http://www.flickr.com/photos/momjmsbb2
You inspire me to take on this home!
It is an REO. But the walls have this yucky drywall textured coating and it think that they put this fake chair rail on overit. Maybe wainscoting was there hope the builtin is real!
built in 1907 it has awful vinyl siding i have to take off
Do you ever come out for a fee just to look and tell owners what you imagine needs real restoration would gladley hire as I am over my head and dont know where to start PS Lincoln height distric pomona warm regards cris
Posted by: cris wallick at March 2, 2008 11:01 PM
Maybe I missed it but is there an update on the kitchen renovations? Would love to hear how that is going? Sorry to hear that you are sick. Feel better. Both you guys did a great job with this house.
Posted by: terim at March 4, 2008 11:35 AM
I love your home! The woodwork is amazing. I would love to know how you got all that paint off?
My partner and I just bought a 1910 arts & crafts in Bronxville,NY. All of the woodwork is painted. I think I want to restore some of the woodwork. Woold you recomend Peelaway 7 or maybe a heated strip gun? I tried Zip Strip on a portion of the molding; it took forever and I couldn't get all of the paint our of the creavices.
Again, great work on your house, it looks fantastic!
Sincerely, Bill Reinking
Posted by: William Reinking at March 16, 2008 11:03 AM
Heather I look at those first pictures and wonder how the heck you could have lived in it during the whole process but I also know you do what you have to do. You also have to love the house and believe it deserves your love as well because without that it would impossible to do any of it. We bought a beautiful Foursquare in Henderson N.C. We have been in it now for fifteen months and have only partcially cleaned up the kitchen and that alone was just so we could make it functional (not a dream kitchen). It took us months as a little clean up grew with all the surprise problems we came across. It is proving to be overwhelming and there are days when I want to throw in the towel but I don't because I feel this house needs me. Sound crazy? I have connected with it and the people who live here even though I know little about them. I am in a rut and so is my husband in saying that it is difficult to get started again. Is it normal to feel this way. Also we have thought about selling but nothing we look at excites us the way this one does. It is a huge project with 4600 sq ft. and 49 huge windows (only two have been redone with pully's & weights).
Also how do you get anything done when you are inspiring others (like me) on your website. Anyway I appreciate what you do. It keeps me positive.
Thanks,
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon Lang at August 25, 2008 9:08 AM