If you’ve been following along with this little series, you know it was time for an update.
So as luck would have it, things got a little slow for us personally this week. Right when we hit Indiana-Jones-run-from-the-boulder-after-we-were-robbed-mode, all three kiddos came down with strep.
Seriously it’s like we can’t catch a break.
Scrub all the things. Throw away all the toothbrushes. Deal with the restless nights.
It’s just one of those moments that makes you even more grateful for the things you take for granted. Yes, it could always be worse. And other token answers. I need a t-shirt that says, “It could always be worse. And other token answers.” There should be a rule that the only person allowed to say “It could always be worse” is the person experiencing said potentially worse dramaticalness.
Promise I’m not an ingrate. Just a little moody.
I blame septic.
As far as the house, we’re all about those planks. And not the yoga kind.
My shoulders are in shape, yo. Like Michael Phelps sculpted. If you remember from our last post… to save 20k we’re tackling the ceilings, walls and floors ourselves. #thanksseptic
No, we still haven’t heard anything.
But seriously y’all that trim.
So step two, is caulking. All the holes. And all the trim.
FYI, in thirty years when people are all, PLANKS, EW. And Pull these down, they will find pennies. And as they pull down each plank, they will probably be smacked in the face with little copper treasures. We lost a couple in the main great room area. {To make sure you could see the grooves} We only lack a few more on the main level right beside the highest peak {we ran out, and are waiting for a re-supply} and plan to finish them up today. Maybe I’m speaking too soon, but I’m still kind of shocked that I didn’t topple over the top of the ladder and impale myself on a soda can after choking on my own gum. Because that would happen to me.
I was quite proud of myself since heights aren’t really mah thing. There’s always today.
We still lack a few pieces upstairs {see: closet} as well. Then trim.
Then finished.
I hope.
Except we have more caulking and more painting. Wheeeee! We’re just happy to be here… We’re just happy to be here…. I keep chanting to myself. I joke around {read: use heavily layered sarcasm as a coping mechanism} a lot, but this is some seriously rewarding work… especially to see progress after all this time. I sat at the apartment the other day to catch up on laundry and business stuff and thought all I wanted to do was go nail some more boards into the wall. Because progress.
But the good news is, that even though things slowed down a little for us personally, we still made progress with the trim side of things.
And doors. Glorious doors.
And shelving comes next in the closets. It’s the little things.
See ya, {formerly} ugly wallpaper wall.
We finally decided on found some brick for the fireplace… which will be installed this next week.
Couldn’t you just lick that brick? Is that weird? Perhaps a new hashtag? Don’t google that.
In a little bit of this classic pattern.
With a piece of salvaged barn wood for the hearth.
I considered another pattern, but nothing beats simple as far as the fireplace is concerned.
And even the bathrooms are really starting to take shape.
We’re especially ecstatic about how the boys bathroom is shaping up.
Wait for it…
I have this thing with stripes.
And the septic gods said, “Let there be tile.”
Amen.
There’s still a few hefty things on our list. Like trying to figure out the HVAC situation and knock it out. It’s time, but we haven’t been able to bring ourselves to pull the trigger on a very dated {probably original circa 1973} system yet because septic. And budgets. And not zillionaires who came from an awful market to one of the top in the country. It’s to that point where we have to decide, and it affects the floors and… see that vent on the staircase? Byyyyye Felicia.
We’ll be creating cross ventilation by moving it around the corner in the ceiling. And out of our eyesore of a spot.
We will at the very least be paying out of pocket for new ventilation throughout the house, because at this point, it’s a health hazard.
But hey, it could always be worse.
No really. It could. ;}
Oh, and I’m afraid I made my first big personal blunder today. “Wait what?” You may ask. “Other than buying the house?! Or writing on this blog?!?!” Good one.
The kind that makes you kick yourself.
I’ve been pretty sure I meant to order another type of window… for the ones that will be front and center in our kitchen. And we did these instead. Negligence in the due diligence department and stuff. So once I got over being mad at myself, I’m pretty anxious to see how they look with the transoms we have planned in the kitchen area. I meant to do a picture window of sorts, and instead, have this divided window which is perfectly fine… it’s just a lot visually with our transoms.
I guess we will see.
Maybe I’m overthinking because I over think and there’s really nothing wrong with it whatsoever. Hhhhmmmmmmm.
There’s always five years from now when we can finally breathe again.
It just goes to show no matter how much planning and overthinking you do… you may still make some mistakes every now and then. Even if they’ll pretty much only drive you crazy.
They’re supposed to go in next week so wish us luck.
First world probs.
The house is slowly but surely going from this place that makes me hyperventilate, to starting to feel right. One step… one day at a time.
You can’t see it too well here, but I’ve started to experiment with the blue on those planks upstairs. They should be pretty fantastic.
Next week, it’s sanding down those floors, kitchen cabinets, {SAY WHAT!?!?!} ceiling beams and painting ALL the things. Hopefully I can stay awake long enough at night to update here.
Because we just want in.
And it will be soon enough for our strep-riddled, displaced children. Woe. Is. Me.
It’s just awesome to see some sneak peeks here and there with all the little touches we’ve waited for. We love our Eden Estate Pendant Light! {Available in The Handmade Home Studio in Large and Extra Large!}
But seriously… can we just have a moment for that tile again?
Stay tuned and have an inspired day!
Diane@InMyOwnStyle says
It is really coming along. I am so excited for you and am enjoying following your progress.
Julia says
The house looks phenomenal and nothing, but nothing is worse than sick kiddos. It alters all life. I hope they’re all better very soon!
Jessica says
LOVE the stripes! We are also caught in permit limbo right now, albeit on a much smaller level. I know how irritated I feel, I can’t begin to imagine how frustrated y’all are! Hang in there!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe thanks Jessica! Good luck in moving forward quickly for you guys!
Nicholine says
What kind of material are you using for the ceiling planks?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Primed MDF ?
Joelle says
I think the t shirt needs to read “I blame the septic”.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Haha coming soon. I stub my toe and I blame septic. Thanks, septic. ?
Elizabeth S says
That light!!! And the tile (LOVE those stripes!) The planks!!! Oh goodness, we’re in a similar process as y’all (just about 8-12 months behind your story …) and I have my eye on a place that I’m praying is the one for us …..and each time I see one of your updates I’m all “that will be us! In just a few more months …please, God?” Anyway, really hope you still carry the lights in about a year, cuz I’m totally in love. 😀
Lori says
Don’t remember how big your boys’ bathroom is, but installing a urinal would be cool. Have no idea what make me think of that (I have girls) but I remember watching some home renovation a few years ago where they installed a urinal and everyone went nuts over it. The men even put in some game thing that I guess helps boys with their aim. hahaha Love your updates, hang in there!
rose l. says
You all have been so very busy. Phew. The pictures alone wore me out.
Anna says
It is looking so beautiful. I love it. Thank you for sharing even amidst exhaustion and people having strep, etc. Keep it up! God bless your work!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe thank you Anna!
Brittany says
That ceiling!!! That tile!!! Oooo, PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE do a tutorial on installing the ceiling! We (I) want planked ceilings to cover our lovely popcorn ceilings and yours are beautiful.