My title makes me want to go to the movies.
I have a hard time sometimes deciding whether or not this is an “all business, news and information blog” or if I can actually just goof around sometimes. So, in true form, I’ll just do both!
Neither of the previous “blogagraphs” (paragraphs are different on blogs) have anything to do with the content of this post. Nor do they really apply to one-another.
No, I haven’t been drinking. Unless you count Maxwell House, in which case I’m stone-cold guilty. Throw away the key.
Coming Soon in the proper format: Q & A
Q: Helloooo… what happened to the whole series on wood paneling?
A: Huh? Oh, right, that. The truck broke (wait, I’m a blogger today, not a contractor), er the hard drive… (just tell the truth) Um, well, the truth is:
The next part of the series is about beadboard. I have a bunch of beadboard to do in my house! Very soon! And I want to show you step-by-step how simple and fun it can be to install. So I’m busting my tail trying to get other priorities done so I can do that.
Q: Speaking of your house? What’s the deal? Do you actually remodel your own stuff, or do you just talk about it? Not to be rude, of course.
A: Of course, no problem. This is just between you and I right? I actually don’t know how to do anything. Naaawwww, just kidding. Of course I remodel my own stuff and I, in fact, have been clinically diagnosed with FORD (functional obsessive remodeling disorder), but I guess that’s just tough. Ford…tough. Ha.
My lack of remodeling for the last many months has been all related to the housing market, an unsold house I still own, an appraisal that was hundreds of thousands of dollars higher than the market now, and the uncertainty that went (goes) with all of that.
But I just cain’t take it no more! (Neither can my wife!) We have to do some stuff to our house in Punta Gorda. Due to the aforementioned crud, we’ll be doing it on one heck of a compressed budget. Free would be great! So I’ll be able to show you how to do that!
And of course, I’ll make it look absolutely, totally, 1000% incredible!
Over the next few weeks (RG Time), I’ll be doing the following:
- Creating two kids bedrooms out of one already small bedroom. Complete with built-ins, custom storage, and secret compartments.
- Finishing a custom bed and built-in custom closets in the master suite including paneling the walls and the ceiling.
- Finally finishing the exterior painting and some exterior details to go with it.
- New doors on the kitchen cabinets, which I will build myself and show you how.
- Of course, I’ll have to paint the kitchen cabinets. And I might do something with the counter.
- Updating the outdoor shower, which will be, to use the technical term: macked-out.
- Um, other stuff too, like light fixtures and doorknobs, and custom things.
- Until I run out of my $20.00 budget. (remodeling budgets sometimes stretch)
Q: Whew… that was a long answer. Didn’t think you were going to shut-up there. I’m almost afraid to ask another one.
A: Come on, ask me anything.
Q: Well, okay. You claim that you can take a tiny, almost non-existant, budget and make it look, let me check my notes, here it is: “1000% incredible” What makes you think you can do that?
A: I’ll tell you! I can do that because the way a remodeling job looks at the end is not, contrary to popular belief, all about how much money is invested. Money might even be a hindrance in some circumstances because it provides an “easy way out”. When you’re faced with a situation like mine, where the remodeling really almost HAS to happen, and the budget simply is not there and doesn’t appear to be around the next bend, then you’re forced to think! You have to try really hard to come-up with solutions that work, that look great, and don’t cost a fortune.
That creative process often results in even better results. Let’s look at my house again for example. My original plan was not to make two kid’s rooms out of one. It was to rip the kid’s room out altogether and make that part of the main living room. The boys were heading upstairs, but I don’t have no upstairs…so I was gonna build one. Two bedrooms, a loft, and a bathroom.
Since that’s not in the cards right now, I’m forced to innovate and improvise. But when I look at it I see that the result will be that we, as a family, made it work without spending a bundle. And you’ll see it with me, I bet it’s going to be amazing.
1000% incredible is about design, functionality, and great use of resources. It’s about taking the hand you’re dealt and playing it right. It’s about being creative, innovative, resourceful, imaginative, and determined.
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And that is what this blog is about, so I hope you stay with me!
Amen! 🙂
~Kim
.-= Kim @ Everything Etsy´s last blog ..Etsy Changes For The Better On The Way =-.
Your project list sounds a lot like my project list. Only I (and by “I” I totally mean my husband) also have to install closet doors in the big gaping hole in my bedroom wall and figure out how to make my laundry room not feel like a cattle chute. I like the idea of an outdoor shower. I live no where near the beach.. .but I have 4 kids. It could totally come in handy. 🙂 Looking forward to your projects being completed! (um, and mine too. The house looks funny only half painted)
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..My girls =-.
Ha! I forgot the laundry room! I can’t believe Kim didn’t mention it in her comment! Needs love too! Outdoor showers rock during the summer.
I’ll be here. I’ll give you a list of our home improvement plans. Replace dining/school room floor with marmoleum, paint whole inside and outside, new gutters, all new windows, replace front and back door, install beadboard in dining/school room, new mantle, paint fireplace, paint oak kitchen cabinets, replace garage door, install new tile or paint fireplace, convert second fireplace into a computer desk area, install fencing for dog, and if we get bored, landscape and plant a garden. Phew. I’m pretty sure that isn’t an exhaustive list!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Painting =-.
Sounds like quite a list!
Wow Tim, sounds like lots to do, but I will be here along for the ride! woo hoo!!! Looking forward to all your remodeling projects you will be sharing on a budget. Especially the beadboard and all the built ins and creative ideas you have to make things work on a budget.
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..A beautiful home tour =-.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I have always had to figure out ow to work on a budget. I am hoping some day to be in your league, but in the meantime I am having fun learning.
I love your blog and you give me some great inspiration. I look forward to seeing your projects come together.
.-= Laurie @ Little Blue Chairs´s last blog ..Desk facelift =-.
Innovating is my kinda decorating! Always a treat to read your blog and coming from someone who is also in between a rock and an unsold house – I totally get the “itch”!
.-= Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish´s last blog ..Using Spring Colors: Pink =-.
I’ll be following along…
Kelly
.-= Kelly@TearingUpHouses´s last blog ..Head Case =-.
I can’t wait to see this all come together! I’m especially looking forward to the kids’ bedroom project and painting the kitchen cabinets.
.-= Cheryl (Copper’s Wife)´s last blog ..Now, Where Was I? =-.