My Extensive Renovation. Here’s Why I Did It.

Hi Everyone,

FC from NYC asked me the other day:

Dear Laurel,

Love your blog. Never miss a post. Can you please tell us about how/why you decided to do such an extensive renovation on your home? It is full of so many absolutely beautiful things that I would love to have in my home. However, it also takes a lot of time, money, and energy. How did you decide to spend as much time and money as you have?

By the way, I find it very interesting that you, an expert, also have trouble with contractors. I guess they misbehave for everyone, not just novices.

Best wishes,
F

***

Thank you, F! First, please understand that I am not perceived as an expert by the contractors. No, if anything, it’s more like a somewhat eccentric pain in the ass. haha

Still, why I decided to do an extensive renovation is an excellent one.

There are many compelling reasons. These aren’t in any particular order of importance.

1. Blog material.

It’s not that there’s any shortage of material if I don’t blog about my place; it’s that there is a shortage of images I’m allowed to use.

2. Images

For the first three years of blogging, the prevailing thinking was that as long as we linked back to the designer who did the work in the image and made it clear this wasn’t our work, it was fine. It was called “link love,” or “linking with love.”

Well,  to put it succinctly; it’s not okay. It’s really NOT okay. And I don’t want to get into a big thing in this post about why that’s absurd or the benefits to the owner of the photos. But please know that I HAVE been raked over the coals, threatened with lawsuits, and one image, an extortionary lawyer was coming after me for $175,000, including statutory “damages.” This photographer has a rep for making a living from litigation, not photography. Extortion is a felony. “Nuff said.

Bottom line. I must use my own images.

So, for those of you hoping to see more of the type of blog posts I wrote a few years ago, many posts will require heavy modification. There are some photos that I’m allowed to use, like vendors I’m promoting, if I have permission. Otherwise, no. I can link to where they are. And, on occasion, I will use a tightly cropped shot of only what is needed to convey my point.

I have already removed hundreds of images from my posts and data base. I need to remove more. It’s a bloody drag.

So, when I post about art walls, for example, I will either use only virtual art walls, as I’ve already done or create and photograph my own art wall.

It’s also one of the reasons I wanted to do a bunch of hidden doors. Same thing.

When I purchased this place in 2020, was I planning on such an extensive renovation?

No, and when you look around, aside from the kitchen/entry, staircase, and about 2/5ths of the lower level, it doesn’t seem like much. That’s because it isn’t as extensive a renovation as it appears to be.

The contractor didn’t make the cabinets. Those were beautifully made by Crown Point Cabinetry. Altogether, including installing hardware, appliances, mouldings, etc. The kitchen and entry only took about 20 days, at the most. But, 20 days is nearly three months for these guys!*

It’s taking so long because very little happened before October 2023, which was four months into the renovation.

*Another reason is that on average, there are only eight days every month of building going on.

I could keep going, but you get the picture.

Because of the building codes, I had to move the wall that now houses the electrical panel, which meant I had to redo the bathroom.

Knowing what I know now, I would’ve taken charge of this renovation more aggressively, early on.

A year ago, I thought I didn’t want to overstep my boundaries. However, my bad; they were never clearly established in the first place, and they should have been. I would’ve gladly taken on more responsibility, particularly with the doors.

On the other hand, it’s only just over a year. It will be finished this summer. In many ways, the pace of the renovation was helpful because it gave me a chance to devote the time to make it special.

Incidentally, these problems can occur with big companies, as well. Far worse problems. Many of you have shared your horror stories. Renovating is not for the faint of heart.

3. The final reason I wanted to do this, I guess, goes under the category of vanity.

However, that’s also tied to having excellent blog material. In addition, I’ve never had a really nice kitchen. Plus, I wanted to create my very own “unkitchen.” Or, at least one type of “unkitchen.”

***

Some of you have asked about the new painter.

I found Christopher Audley through another kind Boston-area reader, Sara M. Actually, she had given me his name and number in 2020, and with a glowing review! (I save every rec you local guys give me!)

Immediately, we hit it off and chatted like old design school chums for I don’t know how long about paint, finishes, etc.

Later, he texted me, and this time, I gingerly asked him if he did any decorative painting. It’s no problem if not, but I need a stenciled checkerboard floor (technically a harlequin pattern).

So, he texts me his website that shows his portfolio, Painting By Design; it’s called.

First, I saw some lovely interiors, but then it wasn’t long before image after image showed beautifully rendered faux marble, faux bois, strie, stenciled damask, and yes, a couple of checkerboard floors, and much more.

It was exactly like when Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz first sees the magical Emerald City…

No, he doesn’t do decorative painting. He IS decorative painting.

And yes, he said that’s how he got started. Chris began as a decorative artist and then got asked to do straight painting.

So, how’s it going with the new painter?

Fantastic! Chris’ guys have been here only two days, but it seems like a week. They are almost ready to prime downstairs. They have real equipment: electric sanders, a dust extractor, and two industrial-strength vacuum cleaners.

The room is left tidy and as dust-free as possible.

And, 80% of the surfaces are now beautifully smooth wood. I feel like I can suddenly breathe.

Chris is a doll. I have had at least five in-person meetings, and we have shared many texts and phone calls.

He knows paint. And, refreshingly, he has taste.

So, in a “it couldn’t be more perfect scenario,” Chris will stencil the harlequin (checkerboard on a 45-degree angle) floors. All is being coordinated with Gary Dessert, the owner of Sequoia Wood Floors.

Gary is also fantastic, very professional, and clearly loves his work. He has been here three times and brought over several samples yesterday. I never would’ve gotten this with Robert’s guy.

Robert’s guy is the type that says: “What stain would you like to use?” And that’s the end of that.

Please tune in on Thursday or Friday for more about my chosen stain.

I think most of you will be pleased, and I definitely am.

Gary is doing the floors downstairs first. The job is commencing July 8th and will take six days.

I know I promised more detailed shots of the kitchen. There will be more, for sure.

And, more about the bathroom, too.

However, last Monday, Brendan and Eugene temporarily put up the bathroom vanity, got it level, and without the legs looking wonky.

I don’t know how they did it, but it will be fine. Please ignore the bad lighting. All I had on was the one overhead bare lightbulb.

Aside from that, here you can also see that the bathroom walls weren’t finished getting prepped, yet there were finish coats on some of the trim.

Note Monday July 1st. Never mind. I am going to take care of the floor. It’s not just the floor. The trim is all wonky, and now that it’s all primed, it doesn’t look any better.

xo,

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