Mom's Bathroom

 Mom's bathroom is almost done. It's been painted.  It has a a beautiful new tile floor. Her new vanity and toilet are in place, just waiting for the plumber to install.  Her shower doors are on order and should arrive this week.  

I learned how to use my new nail gun and how to hang shiplap.

I told my brother in law that this was my favorite room in the house.  Of course it's the only room that is almost finished!  But I told him if he can't find me I am probably hanging out in here.  I love how it turned out!

Remodel Update

 It's been awhile since I posted an update on our remodel process. Here's where we are now.

The dining room ceiling and kitchen ceiling have been painted. 

We've been staining and staining and have closets doors and frames finished.

I've chosen carpet, tile and flooring .

The yard is coming along. Plants are thriving. Yard is growing and much easier to mow now that it had an initial mow.

Pedestal sink and toilet in Mom's bath have been removed in prep for tile floor going in. 

I've gotten to purchase a few new tools which I am so excited to have and learn to use.  I got a nail gun and a table saw.

I've taken out door jambs and hauled away most of the construction debris again.

Flooring has been pulled up and hauled away in all rooms.  Most of the original hardwood floors are still there but they are in pretty bad shape and where they added on to the house they just used plywood.  I wish I could have saved them but no such luck.

Tile has been laid in mom's bathroom.  The same tile will eventually go in our bathroom as well.

Today I started tearing off the red wainscotting in the kitchen.

Tomorrow is a big day for mom's bathroom.  New vanity, toilet, shiplap and accessories.   Pictures to come soon.

Little by Little

Recently, I hauled away most of the debris from ripping out baseboards and trim. Sometimes just cleaning up a mess feels like progress.

Both closets in the bedrooms have new shelves and are painted.

 Both bedroom ceilings and walls are painted. 

The living room ceiling and walls are painted.

Both bathrooms have bright white ceilings again.

We experimented with wood stain and finally settled on the one we liked and thought matched current stain the best. We will continue to work on staining trim.

Next steps include more electrical work, some plumbing work, a visit from a ReBath rep to discuss a new walk in shower possibility, and trimming out closets and doors.

I created a flower garden right outside mom's bedroom window in remembrance of dad and shared it with her on what would have been his 84th birthday.

Stay tuned for more remodeling.

A Little Electrical Work

 A house built in 1910 most likely needs a LITTLE updating, especially regarding electricity. But that little bit of work has turned into a BIG project. Today the electrician began rewiring our kitchen. Unknown to us, he had to cut out some of the drywall.

Here's the kitchen as he started the morning.

Look at the walls now.

We did find a few interesting things when he opened up the walls. First there is portion of a brick wall. Might have been a fireplace wall. Second, there was a hole that was stuffed with old newspapers. I pulled them out and they were dated June 6, 1996. It was the Council Bluffs paper called The Nonpareil. Here's the front page from that day.

They will be back a couple more days to finish all the electrical work.

And He Can Be Taught

 Over Easter weekend LW came to Iowa to celebrate with the family, check the progress of the house, and help with some of the work.

His brother "taught" him how to paint walls, build shelving for our closet and even stain woodwork.

LW helped us with a full day of work and really helped move us along on this remodel.  The trim work he stained looks so good.  I can't wait to get it up on the walls.

Side note:  Look at the linoleum we found hiding under the cabinets in the kitchen.

I'll be working at the house this week taking out more baseboards and trim.  The electrician comes on Wednesday to update electrical items. Then Saturday we hope to paint bathrooms and our bedroom.

Stay tuned.

A Guest Contractor Arrives

On Wednesday, April 6 my favorite independent contractor arrived....my dad and step mom.  After touring the house, he began tearing out our kitchen cabinets.  New cabinets are on order but will not arrive until May or June.

This same day I received my first package in the mail at our new address.  It was from my cousin Becky.  It was a box of sunshine.  Inside the box everything was yellow like sunshine.  What a cute idea!

 

Stay connected for my next post.

Next Steps in Oakland

I spent Sunday, April 3, at the new house tearing out more baseboards, door trim and window trim.  I took off all electrical socket covers and light switch covers in preparation for paint.

Then ceilings in the living room, our bedroom and our closet were painted.

Our bedroom ceiling

Our closet ceiling

Living room ceiling

Living room ceiling half painted

The next steps involve a guest contractor.  Stay tuned.