My Home Renovation: Hello Lovely Fixer Upper {week 8}

2 months into the cottage makeover

can you believe it???

Hard to imagine there remains any appetite

whatsoever out there for more pics of messes

in the house we plan to call home in a few weeks,

yet share them I will

for y’all faithful design masochists.

p.s.

In the future, I’ll probably

just post monthly on our progress

as I need all the time I can get

for moving us over and ummm, life.

This was the lowdown for WEEK 8:

KITCHEN CABINETS!
Kitchen cabinets arrived and remain in boxes
until the flooring is installed.

I chose a simple painted shaker style door,
and when I learned that one of my design heroes,
Sarah Richardson
used this exact custom cabinet made by Schuler,
in her own home, it sealed the deal.

CEILINGS!

We decided even though the ceilings were an okay
shade of off-white, we wanted to bring as much
bright airy-ness as possible so in came the
scaffolding and paint sprayer.

This did the trick, and fortunately, my husband’s

athleticism allowed him to survive the daunting task.

SMOOTHER CEILINGS!

Remember this blogger’s decision to try

plastering in order to smooth textured ceilings?

these girls are the greatest! missing from the photo is

artist/photographer Melissa, who took the photo of me

in my kitchen above and does incredible work.

I did it!

Yep.

This girl smoothed the kitchen ceiling

and intends to smooth more.

The job is not yet done, and as much as I’d love

to snap selfies up on the ladder with

my trowel…gurl, pleez…use

your dang imagination.

STAIRS!
Mr. Lovely turned to the open stringer stairs
that I was soooo not a fan of and made
me a very happy girl indeed by
closing those motherlovers.

There is still more work to finish
the stair makeover, but if I think
too much about the craptasticness
right now, my head might blow up.

WOOD FLOORS!

Very very exciting!!!!
We hired a master craftsman for our white oak
wood floors which are going in the first floor
and the master bedroom upstairs.

They are gorgeous, and even though
this is a huge expense and tons of
hard work to get just the right
look, we know the value
will be there in the end.

The above is the master bedroom floor after
we ripped carpet and 3 million staples out.

And here it is in progress.

MASTER BATH DEMO!


what life ’round these parts feels like right now.

It has begun.
It is an ongoing nightmare.
I’ll tell you why.

The window in this photo looks absolutely fine.
It’s not.
So it has to go.
That is a lot of dough.

The toilet had been leaking like forever.
The floor under the toilet was shot and water damaged
so it had to go, and we’ll need a new one.

Again, a lot of work (and hence, a lot of dough).

KITCHEN PREP FOR CABINETS!

Our kitchen still looks like this, but the gas line

was moved to accommodate a new location for

a gas cooktop, and recessed lights were moved.

There is still much to be done this weekend

so it will be ready for cabinet installation next week.

Lessons Learned in Week 8:

*I love working with plaster, and it feels good

to leave my comfort zone and push myself.

It’s the only way to grow.

*My husband and I make a great team because

we honor the strengths and limitations of each other.

I stand in awe of the fearless warrior spirit he

brings to all aspects of his life, and I am so grateful.

*Always hire the very best to do the work for

which you are not skilled…be willing to pay and wait

for as long as it takes for things like flooring

which will be in place for decades.

*Uprooting twice within a few months is more

stressful than I can say, and I am paying a

steep price as far as my emotional health.

It helps to have

THE 3 F’S:

faith, friends who care,

and a fierce sense of humor.

Thank you for following, friends.

Please come join me
in this DIY adventure by
clicking here for all my fixer upper update posts!

Coming soon:
KITCHEN CABINET INSTALLATION
MASTER BATH FIXES
FINISHED FLOORS

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
Subscribe to Hello Lovely!
Follow:

18 Comments

  1. September 2, 2015 / 8:54 pm

    Michele I am absolutely amazed at this project; however I can see how gorgeous it is going to be in the end!! You do have great friends, a great husband and of course your loving blog pals!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    Featuring Sharon Santoni

    • September 2, 2015 / 10:31 pm

      we know at least the floors will be gorgeous. thx, karena!

  2. September 2, 2015 / 9:31 pm

    Michele, You all are coming right along and you have made amazing progress, I am totally impressed. Once you get all settled you will sit back and know you touched every inch of your home with your loving, talented hands. Love the updates!!
    Our cabinetry is getting installed and it is an exciting thing to see!! Loving the all white walls in your home and in my new home. I have been busy playing with possible light fixtures on my blog for the new house, It is a fun journey,
    Kathysue

    • September 2, 2015 / 10:32 pm

      thx, kathysue. cabinets! exciting! i love watching your nantucket sanctuary come together. xox

  3. September 2, 2015 / 11:15 pm

    Getting very exciting! I love that you seem to be having fun through it all…..that can make or break the experience..attitude is everything you and you have the right one! Love the kitchen inspiration and on a side note don't you LOVE the smell of newly installed wood floors:) Enjoy!

    • September 3, 2015 / 1:08 am

      i'm a good faker then, tina! it's not very much fun at all right now. the BLOGGING? yes. living with chaos and disorder. no, m'am. you are right. the house smells wonderful and clean! xox

    • September 3, 2015 / 4:32 pm

      hard but not impossible, and since i'm not after a 'perfect' look, i think i'll be okay. using drywall joint compound diluted with some water. i'll keep you all posted. xox

  4. September 3, 2015 / 2:43 pm

    Wonderful Progress!

    Oh Michele you are going to havé so much fun decorating it, and I can not wait!

    Xoxo
    Dore

    • September 3, 2015 / 4:33 pm

      come do it for me, dore!

  5. September 3, 2015 / 2:45 pm

    Wow, it's looking lovely! Once it's all done, all you and hubby's hard work will have been worth it:) Love the high ceiling! I got dizzy just looking at your husband up on that platform…I don't do heights!

    • September 3, 2015 / 4:33 pm

      never again, victoria!!!

  6. September 3, 2015 / 3:16 pm

    Don't you love getting all those BOXES!! YOU ALL are working so hard and I cannot believe those photos of your husband working on the ceiling .. and you doing a little climbing yourself!!! That is impressive (be careful!). The hardwood is gorgeous and I LOVE the kitchen inspiration photo. Your kitchen is going to be so pretty Michele and I can't wait to see all the progress.

    Enjoy your weekend ahead! xxL

    • September 3, 2015 / 4:35 pm

      i hope the kitchen comes together. it is not ideal as far as ceiling height and room shape, but we'll tweak it til we figure it out. thx, leslie–you too!

  7. September 13, 2015 / 4:28 am
  8. October 6, 2015 / 4:53 pm

    Ahhhh! The floors are beautiful!!! … and the stairs were open? i wouldn't like that either. Now what did you do to the ceiling? Was it popcorn and you hand did what on it? I have ceilings that aren't popcorn but kind of textured in a popcorn kinda way… i'm so curious about your fix. Ummmm… standing on that huge scaffolding and looking up at the ceiling would totally freak me out…

    Cindy

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing