The Bright Light at the End of the Renovation Tunnel

Hi Everyone,

This is going to be a relatively quick post. While the symptoms of my cold have vastly improved, my energy is not yet back.

But, yes, for the last three days, Brendan and Eugene have been working full throttle on the lower level beginning at 7:30 a.m. And finally, there is a bright light shining at the end of this long renovation tunnel.

 

I’ve felt a bit emotional the last few days. (in a good way)

 

Here’s why.

First of all, I made a mistake, not an unfixable mistake, but certainly an annoying one.

I found these plinth blocks online and knew they needed to be trimmed from top to bottom. And that part I got exactly right. However, the blocks were too deep which didn’t occur to me. From some angles, they looked almost comical. But, again, not from all angles.

 

I had noticed last week, when it was only four of them, but figured it would be okay and besides, I felt too crummy to complain.

 

Well, by Tuesday afternoon, they had installed 14 of them. I came downstairs shortly before their quitting time, and suddenly, I could not ignore them.

No, I was standing in the bedroom (currently their primary work area) with Brendan and Eugene, and I wanted so badly to get my eraser and start over.

That’s the thing about construction as opposed to drawings. haha.

 

So, barely above a whisper, asked if it was a big deal to trim them down, knowing full well that it’s a big deal.

 

They reiterated what I already knew but said, “We’ll see what we can do.”

I heard them muttering as I walked away and assured them I felt terrible for asking.

The next day, which was Wednesday, all I heard was the sound of the buzz saw.

 

I returned to the workroom/bedroom near quitting time and asked Brendan if he was still speaking to me.

 

He looked puzzled and said, “What do you mean? Of course, I’m speaking to you! Why wouldn’t I be?”

I said, “Because of the plinth blocks.”

“Oh, that?” he said.

Then, Brendan motioned for me to look down at the gorgeous new baseboard, door casing, and plinth block. Everything looked fantastic.

Brendan smiled. ” We trimmed two of them down as much as we could. What do you think?”

I couldn’t believe it. They were as perfect as could be for not being custom-made.

 

But, as happened with the Chinoiserie cabinet, admiring their craftsmanship, I saw this out of the corner of my eye.

 

What on earth? They made a little house for the ugly baseboard heater?

Now, the guys were beaming. All along, they’ve enjoyed surprising me with little things.

I nearly began to cry as I sincerely gushed about its wonderfulness. Here’s the wild thing: They went to all that trouble for something that’s going to be completely hidden by the bed. Only I’ll know it’s there. I wish they could do those upstairs, but it’s a different heating system.

 

After they left, I went out and took care of the mirror.

 

Oh, Laurel, tell us more!

 

I’m sorry, I can’t right now, but I promise I will.

How much does it cost?

It costs more than a mirror from Pottery Barn. lol

Look, there was a time we were so broke, I couldn’t have afforded a napkin ring from Pottery Barn.

You know, the mirror I was going to get from France, which was going to cost $2,200 to travel from France to my living room, costs about the same, bottom-line price.

I promise to share more soon.

 

But, here’s what I need to tell you.

 

• The carpentry for the bedroom is DONE!
• And the carpentry for the embrasure hall is also DONE!

 

 

Oh, do you notice anything in the image besides God beaming ear-to-ear?

 

Please look carefully and let me know in the comments if you noticed it.

In the meantime, a view from the entry looking into the embrasure door hall.

 

 

Yes, guys, we have doors and door casings, all installed now.

 

Laurel, I give up. What were we supposed to notice in the bedroom?

 

Well, the dufus who I wished I had fired ordered the bedroom door with the door swinging the wrong way. It was specified clearly that it was opening to the left. Well, that’s life. If it were a big problem, I’d make them do it over again, but it’s not in the way. He also sent the wrong hinges. I specified that I wanted the ball hinges. However, the ends screw off, and they can send the balls which are more appropriate for these doors.

Okay, and just because I like messing around, I made another rendering to bring things to life.

I do not want everything to be white.

 

I knew that if I did white walls, a dark teal for the doors would be smashing. I considered a soft off-black like Benjamin Moore Soot or Farrow & Ball Railings. However, it’s a small area, and black seems to harsh, in this case. I also want to paint the closet door the same color to give the embrasure hall some definition and continuity. The deep teal blue door will also look terrific with the blackish and whiteish checkerboard floors.

So, I brought down my Samplize samples of Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green, Newburg Green (A Laurel Home Paint Collection Color), and Farrow & Ball Hague Blue.

Narragansett Green

 

 

Hague Blue

 

While they all looked lovely, the clear winner was Farrow & Ball Hague Blue.

 

There are still some things missing, but I think it gives a good feeling for what I’m going for, minus the stair railing. By the way, I believe that it will be installed next week, but I don’t know what day yet.

 

 

I kind of can’t stop staring at this! I added the art, door color, floor, and lantern, but everything else is as I found it this afternoon. That includes the handwriting on the walls. I’m going to miss that!

 

Oh, there’s so much to share! The light at the end of the renovation tunnel is shining brighter every day.

 

Please hang on until Sunday.

Mother’s Day!

There will be a big update.

xo,

 

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