My Home Renovation: Hello Lovely Fixer Upper {week 4}

Have you seen me?

Yep, that was me in week 4,

staggering down the cereal aisle with

deep purple undereye circles, roots overdue

for their touch-up, wearing paint splattered clothes

I wore yesterday (after sleeping in them).

I’m not overworked at the cottage, I just remain sleep deprived

and concerned about bears…more ’bout that in a sec.

*Side note regarding blogging about the fixer upper:

I have had moments I felt I should perhaps

simply post some appalling ‘before’ images,

all of them captioned with OY, and call it a day

since I seem to complain here about all the

work, expense, and surprises.

However. OY.

I don’t want that to be my ungrateful jam.

My jam is this:

WE ARE JUST MUDDLING THROUGH

WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR, CREATIVITY,

AND A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE.

scaffolding needed to paint near the ceiling in here

It has been just one month since we took possession of

the one-and-a-half-story we intend to love back to life.

In week 4, the most exciting development was:

this is my best bud who moved away & keeps asking of the fixer upper

IS IT PAST THE ‘LOOKING WORSE

THAN WHEN YOU STARTED’ STAGE YET? Hmmmmm.

So so exciting in 90 degree weather

to be able to close the windows

and cease duct taping those jacked up screens!

In week 4, we mostly took a break.

I took a few days to dream about decor and finishes,
but insomnia wrecked me since my family went camping
in the Boundary Waters and I was home alone
(obsessing about their being attacked by bears and also
about possible bears or intruders in the corn
outside the rental who may or may not know
how to negotiate a sliding patio door).

While they rowed away from civilization, I shopped
for inspiration online and at local shops
even though we are far from the decorating phase.

It may not be realistic, and I could be tired-high-insane,
but I am in love with the idea of
incorporating vintage doors and lighting, reclaimed wood,
and furniture pieces that tell a story with their age
and have become living art.

Who knows? Maybe all of  the above will come home with me.

This week I got more painting done of the staircase,
and in a fit of I CAN’T TAKE THIS UGLY PENDANT
ANOTHER SECOND, I ripped the dirty globe and iron
leaves off a kitchen light fixture (above).

Before he left for da bears, my husband installed
the toilet in the main bath, and I painted the beadboard walls.
When painting walls bored me, I mixed up some chalk paint
and took my brush to some shabby furniture I may or may not
use at the cottage…doesn’t everyone paint on their painting break?

These shots are just me having fun with the light,
my iphone, and a few objects I had laying around.

Lessons learned in Week 4:

*3 layers of undereye concealer + foundation + pressed powder

still FAILS to sufficiently hide the truth you are a

pathetically groomed neurotic menopausal DIY insomniac

terrified of bears in the cornfield and elsewhere.

*Getting away from drywall dust and lists of infinite tasks

is always a good idea, but if you don’t catch up on

ya rest? Mercy, child, you are totes screwdini.

*Indeed it IS humanly possible to obsess about kitchen

pendant lighting for a breakfast bar 24-7 in week 4,

only to then consider…hey, maybe the design police

won’t arrest us for not incorporating pendants.

*Since this project is a whirlwind one and

I love so many different design styles,

the plan is a little loose and evolving…

my objectives at this juncture are to

(1) slow down and (2) listen closely to the house

to see what it wants. So far, whisperings reveal:

SPARE, NATURAL, AND SOULFUL.

Coming soon:
CHOOSING FLOORING
KITCHEN DEMO

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

Peace to you right where you are.

p.s.

hope you will leave a comment

(we love it when you do!)

michele

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13 Comments

  1. July 28, 2015 / 3:52 pm

    Oh Honey! I feel your pain I have been working on this crazy house for years but I now love it and you will love that wonderful home too! xo K

  2. July 28, 2015 / 10:09 pm

    merci, karolyn! thanks for tuning in and offering hope.

  3. July 29, 2015 / 2:02 am

    You are so beautiful and talented! I salute you for taking on this challenge and loving this house into something beautiful. ??

    • July 31, 2015 / 4:28 am

      right back at you, donna. thanks for following the adventure!

    • July 31, 2015 / 4:29 am

      thanks, julie. have learned so much already…like moving at 50 is not the same as moving at 30. 🙂

  4. July 29, 2015 / 2:43 pm

    The bathroom is so pretty Michele and I like the staircase!! I am amazed at how quickly you are getting things done. There will be times when you see lots of changes and other times when your patience will be tested as you wait for technical help or supplies. I have memories of sleeping in this house (husband away on business) and part of the roof (now a vaulted ceiling) was still in progress and just a tarp was there. My girlfriend was worried I was going to get attacked by bats or that someone was going to climb in, ha. Anyway you are doing a great job of keep-in your cool girl. Sleep well tonight and don't forget your Wheaties in the morning!

    • July 31, 2015 / 4:30 am

      good to hear that i am not the first to feel insane at times during the process, leslie. hopefully the roof will hold up for a little while.

  5. July 29, 2015 / 8:40 pm

    NICE! Next time you go on a shopping break, gimme a call. I got your back, girl 🙂 xoxo

    • July 31, 2015 / 4:31 am

      now wouldn't that be a dreamy break? yer a gem, loi.

  6. July 30, 2015 / 2:05 pm

    Wow Michele I do understand and would want to be dreaming and shopping online for decor as well! It will all work out though!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    • July 31, 2015 / 4:32 am

      i got some rest, karena! finally i am feeling human again, and the family returned unharmed by bears!

  7. August 4, 2015 / 2:59 pm

    Haha! Hey, now wait a minute… what is the deal with the bears? … and man, i know, with all your ideas, your brain must be so full of stuff to weed through and finally decide on. I laughed about the light fixture you attacked. So funny…

    Cindy

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