Hi Everyone,
I’m sorry the post is late. I went out to dinner with a friend, returned home, and took a “nap” at 10:00 PM.
It’s no wonder as I am phenomenally stressed out about the floors.
Instead of writing this as one post, you can read part 1, here for more background information.
Since I have written a fair amount about the different floor finishes, I’m not going to address that in this post.
If interested, this link will take you to those posts about various hardwood floor finishes for further reading.
However, what I was writing here is so boring. No wonder I was falling asleep.
While some of you don’t understand and like the floors as they are, I hated them.
Some of you are going to offer suggestions.
Thank you for that, but the process to fix the hardwood floor finish has already begun. Therefore, changing the course we’ve already begun is impossible.
Therefore, this post is here to tell you what we’re doing. Again, if you’d like to read about alternatives and also many wonderful comments from dozens of you, please go to the link above for further reading.
I realize that matte floors are quite fashionable these days. I don’t dislike them, if they are done properly with a hardwax oil, but with a water-based polyurethane the slight sheen looked like a sheet of plastic. Plus, they are dull and lifeless.
However, the floors I adore have a rich sheen and depth. I had that in our townhouse in New York and enjoyed walking on them and viewing their lustrous beauty for 16 years. They held up fantastically, and the finish was satin-y smooth.
We used a product called Fabulon. However, the formulation has changed, and it’s not as good.
So, here’s the deal with my floor finish now that it is two months old.
The satin floor finish is almost matte, and the color has become more drab than ever. I used to love the view from the kitchen, but after the paper came up, all I could see at night was a field of lifeless, matte golden brown floors.
In addition, the new floor looks almost like it has no stain on it. The variation is quite noticeable, and it is in places where there won’t be a rug or furniture.
The next issue is that the floor in the den, like downstairs, is white oak, while the floor in the living room is red oak.
The white oak is darker, more gray, and less red than the red oak. However, it still has red in it, but it is a muddier red. Overall, the effect is a less red floor.
Laurel, didn’t you talk to the floor guy before he redid the floors?
Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times YES!
I emailed him with images and a description and told him in person. We discussed the difference between the new and old wood, and he assured me it would be okay.
“It’ll all blend beautifully once the poly is on.”
I have a zero-tolerance policy for utter BS, and that is only one of several reasons why he is not allowed in my home ever again.
He said he would fix it, and I gave him a leftover piece of the original floor I salvaged from my garden. On closer inspection, I could see the floor finish was in oil-based polyurethane, either satin or semi-sheen. The boards were smooth and satiny and had a lovely sheen, like a piece of furniture with an old French polish.
One or two of you mentioned something about getting some reclaimed flooring.
Oh, guys. Here’s the most disgusting part of this saga. That wasn’t necessary.
Here’s what happened.
I gave my GC explicit instructions to save the floor that would be taken up to create the new staircase. What I didn’t know is that they also took up the floor in the 30-square-foot entry.
All but a few pieces were carted away and disposed of.
Except for the fireplace area and a handful of old boards that had to be replaced, there was more than enough to make the repairs with the existing floor!
This happened when I was living in the rental apartment. I didn’t even know the floor was going in the day it did. Yes, I was heartsick that this happened.
Then, my GCs flooring people put in white oak in the red oak living room. And, they did the suckiest job ever. So, I had to pay to have that redone.
Okay, the living room floor finish was done with the premium Bona Traffic HD in satin eight weeks ago.
It was fully cured at least a month ago. Therefore, one can put either oil or water-based poly over it. However, the floor finish requires a good screening, so the new poly will stick to it.
The screening happened last week. So, now, it HAS to be refinished.
So, here’s what we’re going to do.
Chris, my painter, has kindly taken it on to help me fix the floor.
Step one is to tone the new boards to blend better with the old ones.
Last week, we experimented in two areas.
The first was in the vestibule.
Above is the vestibule by the bathroom, and on top is the den floor.
I know. It’s a horrible situation.
The good news is that it looks worse here than in person. You can’t tell here, but first, Chris put straight Bona Woodline oil-based polyurethane on the horizontal board in the vestibule. A few hours later, it still looked wet—like high gloss. So, that was no good, but the color is excellent.
Above is one board toned on the new floor saddle. This board is a hair too red, but the Woodline polyurethane in satin is gorgeous. This is very close to the old Fabulon I loved. However, when it was dry, I saw that it would need two coats.
The second area was an exceedingly light board in the living room. This one is a hair too green, but this is the finish I love and want. This image took only minutes before sunset, so the colors are off.
Below is a far more accurate coloration of the floor I took the following day.
So, I am helping out by taping off the boards that aren’t being toned. We are only toning in the living room because an area rug will mostly cover the den.
Tomorrow, Chris will tone the living room and hopefully put one coat of poly in the den. I hope that will be sufficient.
The living room, however, will require two coats of poly.
Okay, this is what is giving me a tremendous amount of anxiety.
It’s the smell.
We MUST keep it out of the rest of the building!
This is the mission impossible aspect of this. I am not at all worried about the color. I know that Chris will do a superb job of making the floor finish much more cohesive.
So, what are we going to do about the smell?
Chris has brought over two air scrubbers, which clean the air by processing it through a charcoal and HEPA filter and then sending it out the window. That right there should get rid of at least 80%, maybe 90%, of the smell and VOCs, making it okay. But we’re not stopping there.
Chris will put up plastic barriers over the stairwell and over the big opening between the living room and entrance/kitchen.
The lower entry door will be sealed tightly with plastic.
I am going to try and stay downstairs; however, if it’s not good, a friend has kindly offered to let me stay at her place. If it’s not good for me, then that’s a problem for the rest of the building.
Aside from the smell is the noise from the air scrubbers.
Oy!
However, I put it on and asked my neighbor directly above me if she was okay with the noise.
She said it was no louder than her bathroom exhaust, and it was totally fine.
The only other issue is that all of this is going to take several days due to Chris’ schedule and other factors.
In the meantime, I also bought some small air filters that I can use as the floor finish is curing and continuing to off-gas. These have activated charcoal filters.
Okay, please wish us luck!
xo,
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Related Posts
The First Renovation Tour Of The Upstairs Living Areas! (Parts 1 & 2)- Did the Oil-Based Polyurethane Work Out? + Fume Mitigation!
- Hardwood Floor Issues + New Runtal Radiator, and More!
- Hardwood Floor Refinishing The Good, Bad, and Really Bad
- My Gorgeous Bathroom Tile Floor – Then the Unthinkable Happened!
- Tinted Wallpaper? Here’s How to Do It + Renovation News!
- The Primary Bedroom Suite – Final Design!
44 Responses
I am so sorry your old floor was mistakenly taken up and then carted off without prior agreement. That was painful for me to read, so I can imagine how upset you were. Cudos to you for getting rid of the contractor, that can be tough to do. Imagine what other drama he would be bringing into your life right about now. Best wishes, fingers crossed, all the good juju, that everything goes smoothly as you move forward.
I wish I had known about the onion and water idea for smell. We added on to hardwood in our downstairs several years ago. We lived upstairs because we had two staircases and were able to access without getting on new floors. We had to match the old existing floors. The stain smelled the worse. The oil polymer was not quite as bad. We have red oak also. It is one of the prettiest wood floors. This renovation will be through soon. Good luck Laurel.
Laurel, thank you so much for sharing every aspect of your renovation with us. I have hardwood, carpet and tile in my living-dining-kitchen (“What were they thinking?!”) and I’m saving for hardwood throughout. You’ve taught me a lot about hardwood flooring and I know that when I undertake this project, I’ll be much better prepared because of all that I’ve learned from you.
Good luck tomorrow! So glad you found Chris, the painter. Love the color of the board in the living room. It will be beautiful. Hope all goes smoothly from here on out. And I agree with others—the first pic of the ceiling and molding is just beautiful! So glad you posted today—I too was disappointed and worried when I awoke to no update. 😉
Hi Laurel,
There is an old fashioned method to deal with paint fumes. I do not think that it is the final solution on its own but used together with what you are doing, it would probably do the job. An old painter told me that he always uses it with oil based paints and modern poys. It is this: fill buckets with water and add cut onions. I have used it successfully. Twice a day, drain out and put in fresh onions and water. Worth a try. I am wishing you luck.
Hi Carole,
That’s a great idea and worth a try.
Sorry – I got Chris Z. and Chris A. mixed up!!! Chris Z. is screening the floors, and Chris A. the painter is correcting the too light areas – got it! I am optimistic it will all work out and the floor will look great.
Oh, right! I forgot, too, Janet. They are both Chris.
At this point, I would paint the floors white!
Haha! I love the white floors downstairs, but I think the upstairs living spaces should be stained wood.
Praying that things go better than expected – they often do!
I love part of a line from an old hymn:
“The clouds ye so much dread…
Are big with mercy, and will break,
In blessings on your head”
Can’t wait to hear about (and see!) those gorgeous floors! 😍🤩🥳
It’s so encouraging that Chris the floor guy is listening and talking to you regarding the floor and willing to try different approaches to getting the effect you want. He just seems a lot more genuine and open minded than the previous floor guy.
Hi Janet,
I realize it’s confusing, but Chris is not a floor guy. He’s the painter. However, he began his business as a decorative painter and has stained and stenciled a number of floors. The floors were screened by a friend of his who is a floor guy.
It seems my comment was taken completely the wrong way as I did not mean to attack, demean or in any way make someone feel badly. Perhaps I am just projecting my own feelings of gratitude for having my home in one piece, my own health and that of my husband, dogs and cat. I do realize it is very easy to get caught up in one’s own daily struggles and try to make a practice of being grateful.
Laurel
The ceiling/moulding view is gorgeous! What an elegant, thoughtful color.
You’re moving in the right direction – with detailed attention to the floors & Chris’ ability
to help create solutions.
Thank you for sharing your personal journey of design philosophy and bringing concepts to life.
Managing it all is a great task – which you’ve done well – and survived!
Can’t wait for the decorating fun to begin…
Thank you for writing the blog – inspirational, to say the least…
I’m not here often nor do I comment often. But I hope the best for you Laurel and thank you for taking me and others on this journey. It’s interesting, a learning experience and also an escape from the troubling things in my life. Hopefully, kind and thoughtfulness will abound. If anything, be thankful for this place to come to, enjoy the process and support the author. After all, she is living it and giving us her expert decisions for free. We should all be thankful.
Okay, to chime in about negative comments. Yes, we have witnessed all manner of horrible losses in recent decades. Helene actually remade the geological formations in North Carolina in a way I didn’t think was possible for an inland hurricane. Another hurricane is heading straight across Florida.
However, one’s home impacts one’s everyday living and psychology in ways that are often difficult to describe, especially if one is an interior designer.
Laurel has been under extreme stress for about a year and a half and that adds up.
She is generous with her advice and tutelage and has had to fight with contractors who failed her again and again. She is exhausted.
Give her a break.
Losing your home is a huge and almost incomprehensible stressor. I am sure many people never recover.
Nevertheless, struggling to make a nest, especially in retirement, is enormously hard. One needs all the skills at one’s disposal and more.
If we can learn anything from Laurel’s story, it is that contemporary contractors are unreliable no matter what their references.
The state inspector who met with me over some of the issues in my home explained to me that even licensed contractors create all manner of disasters and that protecting oneself requires more than research, it requires a heavy dose of luck.
People trying to recover from disasters cannot pick and choose who they hire as well as Laurel has and look at the innumerable major problems she encountered.
I think tradespeople who do anything less than quality work are expressing the state of our culture. Unfortunately, the ties that bind people together have fractured almost everywhere.
A well built home expresses love to all the generations of people who come to live in it.
One that is not, expresses, at best, disdain for others. To understand this, read “The Body in Pain” by Elaine Scarry. If you can make it through the grueling first part, you will be rewarded with great insight concerning the love expressed in structures around us and how we react to the messages embedded in the quality of material objects.
Laurel, by creating a beautiful space, will be leaving a legacy of love to future residents of her condo. And while she did so, she gave us useful tools to do the same in our spaces.
Take a good rest soon Laurel!! I know you need it.
I too have had a hard time getting taken seriously by contractors and being ignored despite explicit directions, diagrams and being on site most of the time.
My field is historic preservation and I have spent years studying this stuff and even took courses in home inspection to up my skills in building construction. The guys in my class were totally condescending, but I found things on practice inspections they did not,, and could identify build and renovation history of the structures by construction details. Too bad I look like a clueless old lady in their eyes!
My husband is the one who is totally clueless with this stuff, so he can’t play interference. He was living out of state for a good part of the most intense part of gut repairs to our historic but not fancy home. We had to deal with massive water damage from a leaking roof (roofing contractor didn’t flash properly and we had historically bad weather) concurrent with a failing heating and hot water system (ditto, not installed properly) and a leaky bathroom (just old). Then the pandemic came along…
We have been planning for 20 years to rollover the equity built in this house to renovate our retirement home, which is currently rental property. After all our woes, it is taking a lot to gain the courage to tackle all this again!
Perhaps I should hire a man to be my mouthpiece or general contractor!?
I think Laurel is a big girl and doesn’t need protection from comments that are sometimes more critical than complimentary. Life has many sides and we should be able to handle all of them but wanting everything to be on the same plain isn’t reality. This is the problem these days it seems, some have to have everything be wonderful all the time. That’s not reality and no one knows it better than our author. Laurel is used to things not being perfect so I imagine when readers share their points of view Laurel knows how to deal with them. How about we all worry about our own comments, understand why others might say what they do and move on from those we don’t like. Remember curbing free speech is never a good thing but allowing it is fabulous even if you hate it.
Hi Dianne,
There is a difference between freedom of speech and hate, bullying, or condescending speech. Comments where the aim is to hurt or demean are not permitted on my blog. I’ve only left them up as examples of the kinds of inflammatory comments that will get their subscription terminated and blocked. That’s rare, but I have a zero-tolerance policy for bullies. Readers are invited guests and are expected to behave as they would if I had invited them into my home for real.
That is not to say that people can’t disagree with me. Of course they can; that happens all the time, but it’s done in a respectful manner. For example some have said they prefer a matte floor or they think my choice is too light, dark, red, purple, whatever. That is fine. However, making up shite like: I’ve put pressure on my contractors is not fine. That’s absurd in the extreme.
I am not perfect, nor do I expect perfection.
Gratitude is something I practice every day. I can be grateful and happy and upset and sad at the same time.
Therefore, I agree to a point. Let’s keep freedom of speech, as long as it doesn’t include defamatory remarks meant to hurt and humiliate.
I want my website to be a safe, and supportive place for everyone. Thank you.
I was having such a nice day until I read some of today’s incredibly inappropriate (and wrong!) comments. Jeesh people, this is an ***INTERIOR DESIGN BLOG***. Laurel is supposed to be dedicated to getting things right — that’s a designer’s job. I am grateful for Laurel’s honesty through this process. It makes me feel much less alone as I deal with similar problems. HGTV, Instagram, etc make everything look quick, easy, and inexpensive. It’s not!!! Thank you, Laurel, for making it okay to care what my home looks like and making me feel less like a loser as I think about how much longer my refresh has taken than I had planned for.
I hope there’s a “delete” or “unsee?!” button for comments that are negative or unsupportive or judgmental. You have shared so much important information over the past two years. You have been honest when the mistakes were yours and fair (and tough) when the mistakes were a contractor’s. You have every right to expect the work to be professional. You are paying them a lot of money.
I do hope the floors work out this time and anything that is left to be done will be done correctly. And I hope the end is in sight! ❤️❤️
The opening picture in today’s email of the bedroom ceiling with corner and curved mouldings is perfection. The colors paired with the geometrically complicated woodwork look so soft and elegant and cohesive. Just lovely! For me, the curved kitchen cabinet set the tone for the whole renovation. Extraordinary quality and thoughtfulness. Thanks for sharing it all.
Hubby and I build our second home, no builder we hired CONtractors with what we couldn’t do ourselves. Very challenging undertaking, especially when you have a vision of what you want and it doesn’t always come to pass. You encounter many obstacles in the building part plus the building inspectors with huge ego problems. How high do you want me to jump and how much will it cost me?
You are coming to the end and it will be all worth it. You have done well, and been stretched sometimes beyond what you ever thought you would encounter. Job well done Laurel.
Totally agree with you Traci in Montgomery. We come here to learn from Laurel, and her detailed documentation of this remodel process has been really enlightening. Plus Laurel is generous with her time and knowledge, and has donated to hurricane relief. I have no time for folks who sign in here just to post some virtue-signaling.
Best of luck tomorrow, Laurel. ❤️
Now, to address the one word in these comments that has absolutely infuriated me: Perspective. As in Laurel has a skewed perspective… I’ve been following this project since before it began and Laurel has been gaslit, mansplained to, manipulated, disregarded, and disrespected to name a few. The fact that only a few competent vendors stand out speaks volumes to the shoddy work she has had to endure.
Shame on those who cast a stone in Laurel’s direction.
I’m so glad you have found a way to even out the wood tones. We just had some new hardwoods added and old ones refinished. I am pretty sure all mine is red oak but there’s a difference in the way the old and new took the stain…fortunately ours isn’t mixed in the same room. Get used to stinky fumes. Ours is a month old and officially cured as of yesterday, but when we came back from church today I could still smell it a little. It’s worth it though!
Hi Kristi,
We’re using two powerful air scrubbers upstairs and some babies downstairs to clear the air of VOCs and noxious odors. While it’s curing, I will keep the babies running full-time. They have activated charcoal filters. I’m also going to keep at least three windows open at all times, even if only a small amount should it dip below freezing temps.
After reading a few comments, I am inclined to suggest that if writing, we be helpful.and kind.
If you’re following Laurel, you likely have an awareness of your world and space around you. You’re also likely politically And socially aware. I cannot imagine, one person, reading, or writing here, that does not realize the devastation created by hurricane Helene.
Furthermore, there are many here who have expressed devastation to their own properties via water, fire, and wind. A number of people know, firsthand the pain of the experience of losing parts or all of their properties.
I come here to learn, as well as to experience beauty and have been along for this ride with Laurel for at least a couple of years now. Earlier this year out of the blue, I experienced a complete gutting of my kitchen. Without what I have learned here, the experience would have been a perpetual disaster scene. I do not say that lightly as piles of dirt and rock and water took up a great deal of my kitchen.
Laurel has provided considerations, and hopefulness. Reading of her perseverance has been invaluable.
I thank Laurel, and the followers who stay positive, and play nice.
How disgusting that they threw away the flooring they took up. So many of these flooring problems could have been avoided, not to mention the extra expense, time and aggravation you are going through. You will be so glad when the last contractor, sub or anyone other than invited guests leave for the last time. I can truly understand why you are stressed. I find it frustrating that expecting workers to do their job professionally is asking too much and you are being difficult if you dare to call them on their shoddy work. There used to be craftsmen who took pride in their work – they were the norm, not the exception.
Your paint job turned out beautifully. I’m so glad you found those guys.
I am wondering how you decided to contend with your electrical breaker box. I know you said you had come up with the way to camouflage it, but still keep the building inspectors happy. What is your solution?
Hi Susan,
My Zuber screen is in front of it. I would like it hanging or at least resting on the table, but supported in the center so it won’t fall over. If one bends the right side of the screen forward, the electrical panel is fully accessible. You can see it on the post, “My Renovation Mistakes…”
Hi Laurel,
Whenever your Sunday morning post isn’t in my inbox when I wake up I start thinking the worst.
I start to imagine all kinds of dreadful things that could have happened. I’m glad you’re ok.
Now, let’s all bow our heads in silent prayer & pray that your floors will be fixed & that you’ll love them. Amen! 🙏
Laurel, my fingers are crossed for you that this all works out. Looking forward to the next post. 🍀🍀🍀
I admire your tenacity in problem-solving so that you can have what you want or an approximation, which is possible when done correctly. We know you have perspective about your renovation problems vs the dire tragedies from Hurricane Helene, and you have demonstrated more than perspective — you have demonstrated empathy and have donated $$ for relief efforts. Thank you for that as well as for sharing the realities of renovating.
I love that finish! But I couldn’t admire it sufficiently since I was too distracted by the gorgeous moldings and the fireplace mantle. Just dreamy. In a few weeks, you’ll be so glad you went through the pain of doing it right!
We had our dishwasher flood the downstairs of our townhome in FL the weekend my first daughter was born and my in-laws staying were with us to help with baby. The cleanup crew put a single air scrubber in there to prevent mold and the noise was unbearable on the whole first floor, almost tolerable on the second floor. I would recommend more or less planning on being driven nuts and leaving. BUT they do the job really well, your neighbors sound like lovely people and your floors will look beautiful for decades!
Hi Mary,
We used the scrubber when the painting was going on. They have to add something to the paint when they spray it. And that is horrible. Anyway, it is fairly loud, however, not unbearable.
Laurel,
I am so sorry that the guys that removed the flooring disposed of it. Why is it that subs today are determined to do what they want to do, rather than what will please their client? (Do you think they sold your old wood and kept the money? That’s what our first contractor did when he removed all of the trees on our wooded lot – including the ones he agreed to keep. He sold the trunks from our trees to local loggers and kept the money.)
When we had our house built in 1984, the contractor stayed on top of the subs and made sure everything was done properly. I only recall having one item on our punch list.
By 2009 we lived in a different house. I played the part of the contractor and identified the subs that I used with the help of some vendors. Since they had little work, the subs were all reasonably priced, and they all took their time and did a great job.
Fast forward to 2020. We hired a highly recommended contractor, (the second one, after firing the tree thief) who only takes on two jobs per year, to build our new house. In between the time we signed the contract and construction began the contractor’s adult son moved back home. Dad thought it would be a great idea to have the son serve as project manager on our new build, without mentioning this to us. The son didn’t know the first thing about proper construction. He accepted all of the work, and all of the subs were paid. Then we moved in and discovered all kinds of shoddy and incomplete work. It took 2-1/2 years after we moved in to get the major problems addressed. But after paying a small fortune to have the house built, my husband and I are going to have to correct the rest of the problems ourselves. Apparently expecting a sub to do his job and do it correctly is “being too picky”, or so I have been told.
My heart goes out to you as I read about the challenges that you have faced – challenges that shouldn’t exist if subs were willing to take their time and do their jobs properly. And then there is also the time delay – we broke ground in June 2020, and the house wasn’t “ready” for us to move in until November 2021. The significant items on our punch list weren’t completed until June 2024. (And, of course, there is still that list of things that we need to correct ourselves.) I know that you are facing the same prolonged construction issues. Construction is stressful. It totally disrupts a person’s life. You can’t have friends over, because the place is a mess. You can’t travel, because you have to be available in case the subs become available. You live in a place that is trashed and disorganized. Then when it goes on and on – both because the jobs are not performed on a timely basis, and also because work has to be done over again because it wasn’t done properly the first time around – it’s depressing, discouraging, frustrating – I am sure you could add to this list. Apparently, this is what construction is like in the 2020’s.
Laurel, I sure hope that the floors turn out well and that you are happy with them. I hope that you are able to contain the odors, that you can stay home without becoming asphyxiated, and that your efforts to protect your neighbors from the noise and fumes are successful.
Hi Linda,
I’m so sorry for your woes. I think it’s difficult to comprehend what goes on unless they’ve been through it. However, you hit all of the major pain points perfectly, here:
I humbly ask that you keep in mind that you HAVE a house. There are an awful lot of folks who’ve lost everything in the recent storms who would love to have a problem like yours. Perspective is a good thing.
Hi Gigi,
Yes, I’ve been busy donating to those less fortunate than I am, and I also practice daily gratitude. One can be upset and be grateful at the same time, just as someone can be happy and sad at the same time.
Sometimes you gotta say “this is going to be the best ever”! Your Chris seems to be an excellent craftsman so that is great. Your rugs, furniture, accessories will all pull it together as you know. Wishing you a final move in date soon!
Hi Ann,
I’ve been living here full-time without a break of any kind since November 29, 2023, except for two nights in a nearby hotel in January.
Consider taking pressure off yourself by not aiming for perfection. You’ve spent a ton of money and time on this renovation, and it may be your last house. You’ve had your share of delays and incompetents to drive you nuts, but there’s a big price to this pressure. And consider the intense pressure you’ve placed on your contractors. Give yourself a break. Buy something beautiful for the mantel and stop. Perspective.
Chris is a genius and a godsend. It is wonderful that he is able to help you navigate the issues created by others.
Your end “product”/ you vision brought to a finish will be so exciting and so worth your tenacity!