My Renovation Mistakes + A House Tour via YouTube!

Hi Everyone,

Oh my! I am so sorry that many of you had problems with the videos I posted yesterday. This is a continuation of that post, but instead of posting at the bottom, I’m putting the newer one on top. In this case, it doesn’t matter much in which order you read them.

Thankfully, I see today that some of you who were having trouble seeing the videos were able to do so with a different device or browser.

 

I will try to embed the videos here and also put them on YouTube in the future.

 

Also, I realize that I need to hold the phone horizontally unless it’s for a short YouTube video. That way, you can have the full screen. So, from now on, that’s what I’ll do.

Today, I learned how to combine two videos. It’s easy in Quick Time Player on my MacBook Pro. Then, I upload the videos to my YouTube channel and add a description. Easy. Soon, I will be a video expert. hah

 

Laurel, did you upload the long version of the lower level video to YouTube?

 

Oh, yes, thank you for reminding me to share that. ;] I did.

Here it is! For anyone who needs to, you can turn on the closed captioning. There are some mistakes like it says “nude green” instead of “newt green.” lol But, it’s better than nothing.

 

We are going to see the upstairs sometime on Wednesday. (I think.)

 

In the meantime, would you believe I’m still deciding on the diameter of the chandeliers for the living room and den?

 

Okay, remember when I saw the tray at a party and thought it was 30″ for sure, based on its diameter? Well, I got the idea to get my own 30″ tray.

I could show it to you on the floor, but it’s very different to be on the floor and 8 or 9 feet up in the air.

Then, I tried to put it on top of the blue ladder in the den. I don’t know who that ladder belongs to. However, it’s at just the right height.

My handsome and very tall son and me in January 2022

Well, if I were my son, Cale, who’s 6-2″+, then it would be no problem. It was a very big problem for me as I dropped the tray on my hand and nearly knocked over the huge ladder.

 

So, I got the paper 24″ round template I made about two weeks ago and was patting myself on the back (instead of kicking myself on the shins) that I hadn’t thrown it out yet.

 

I had to put a little tray from my little convection toaster oven on top of the ladder, followed by the template.

 

Tell me that’s not cute.

Go ahead. I’m waiting. ;]

 

Laurel, how on earth did you get that up there? I hope you didn’t climb up on that ladder.

 

Don’t be silly. I only went up one step, got on my tippy toes, and stretched my arm as far as possible. One more half inch and it would’ve been impossible.

Anyway, I think the 24″ size is perfect for the den. And, for that matter, the living room, too.

I just returned to look at my photos of the Athenaeum in 2022.

 

As you can see, these are not overly large bowls on these neo-classical chandeliers in various locations.

While I don’t think the 30″ would be a huge mistake, I do prefer the smaller size. For more of the exquisite Boston Atheneum, please check out this post from 2022.

The problem is that the Palladian alabaster chandeliers Janel at Brass Light Gallery sent me photos of are too gray and brown. I don’t mind subtle veining and variations in coloring, but these are too much.

 

So, I think I will see if they have something more white in another style.

 

However, the biggest news is that tomorrow, a floor guy, (another Chris so we call him Z) recommended by Chris Audley, my painter, is coming to screen and buff the stained floors in the living room and den. Then, Chris will put a tinted glaze over the boards that are too light.

That will have a few days to dry. And, I’m not positive about the timing, but hopefully, they’ll be able to add more poly to the floors next week to give them more depth and shine.

 

What happened to the floor guy you were using, Laurel?

 

He’s fired because he dropped the ball numerous times, and all of the floors look awful. There’s more, but I’ll save it. I am grateful that Chris A. can help me out.

Closing on a far happier note. Thanks to some rare commissions from the affiliate links, and the millions of ads you guys were served yesterday, lol, I had the best two-day weekend this entire year, and by a sizable margin. Therefore, as promised (see below) I just donated $333 to Hurricane Helene Relief via CARE.

 

Below is part 1 if you missed it.

 

Hi Everyone,

First of all, before we get into my renovation mistakes and areas that turned out better than expected, I hope all readers in the path of Hurricane Helene are doing okay.

To show support, I will donate a minimum of 10% of my website earnings from September 28th to 29th, or $300, whichever is greater, to the CARE hurricane relief emergency fund. 

 

Today, there will be a brief post and then three videos giving a tour of the downstairs primary bedroom suite.

 

The first is an intro video, then two videos of about 8 minutes each. They are split up because the file sizes are larger than I am allowed to upload.

Ugh, I’m so sorry. The endings and beginnings are a bit raggedy, and the video quality isn’t as good as I would like. The camera tends to overexpose everything and wash out the colors.

But, guys, the renovation is officially 99% done. All of the protective paper and tape is gone. Two house cleaners spent two hours cleaning on Thursday. I can breathe again!

 

Okay, we left off on Wednesday’s post, written on Tuesday about repainting my bedroom with Benjamin Moore Cotton Balls.

 

So, how is it?

Well, I don’t really like it;

I LOVE IT!

As soon as it was done, I remembered why I adored this soft, warm white. You will see it in the video, but here’s a pic of it taken in the bright afternoon sunshine.

 

Benjamin Moore Cotton Balls walls+trim – Ceiling Italian Ice Green

 

I’ve seen Cotton Balls when cloudy and bright and at night, and it is beautiful in all lights. It does not look yellow or green.* And it blends in beautifully with the Cloud-White door jam and doors you can see in slight shadow on the left.

*It is possible for it and many whites and neutrals to look green if the lighting is cool and there’s a lot of greenery outside your windows.

 

But, look at that chimney breast, all gussied up. This is one of the most satisfying parts of the entire renovation.

 

Oh, you don’t believe me? Let’s take a look to see how it was.

 

Do you believe me now?

However, the most satisfying part of the renovation, excluding the kitchen, was when we murdered the vicious spiral staircase.

 

 

 

If you don’t remember, the Knoxville Gray came about because I was considering this color for the upstairs entry. However, the painters misunderstood and painted a huge sample in the lower entry.

 

This was a couple of months ago and it was then that I decided I loved it.

Please enjoy another satisfying before and after!

 

 

 

I couldn’t manage a blog post on Thursday, but I did post this image on Instagram. A couple of you were a little jealous I posted it there, first as I was disloyal to blog subscribers.

First of all, this is rare, but what made me laugh is that YOU are the first to see it. So, please follow me on Instagram!

 

One more before and after before we get to the videos.

 

We’re still working on the harlequin floor and the lanterns, too. You will see one of them in the videos coming up.

Is the screen staying there? I’m not sure. However, I adore this painting I “borrowed” it from the Otis House on Cambridge Street.

 

 

The artist is unknown, and the subject matter is quite interesting.

Okay, it’s time for the videos. Again, I apologize for the quality. I’ll try to improve that.

 

The first video is a brief intro by me.

 

 

Then we will go downstairs. Part 1 focuses on the entry and bathroom.

 

Note several hours after publishing:

 

Please forgive me. Somehow, part 2 ended up being part 1 again. However, I figured out what I did wrong and I’ve triple checked that this is not a repeat of part 1. I appreciate your patience!

 

 

Below is part 2, where we will go into the bedroom.

 

 

***

This post was supposed to include most renovation mistakes. However, I know I missed a few.

I’m sure you’ll have some questions and comments. Please understand that this is NOT a finished space. Also, the camera is very unforgiving and points out every flaw, like when you take a selfie and don’t recognize yourself. lol, I know the switch plates need to be painted. The electrician is very slow in providing things like that.

Today, the 29th, is the four-year anniversary of my signing the contract to buy my home. It’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Thank you all for your immensely kind words and support. You will never know how much it’s helped me cope.

xo,

 

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