From these glamorous shots, you'd never guess we're moving in 2 months.
We had been planning to demolish this bathroom anyway, but we were going to wait until the basement was close to being done. A rusty tub drain and a big pool of water downstairs in our living room sorta changed the timeline a little. So now you know why I haven't been blogging for awhile! Actually Steve has been taking care of all the demo work...I'm just drowning in messes and trying to do a bunch of research regarding buying a house in North Carolina.
Here's our beautiful basement, after the flooring was removed and before the sheetrock was ripped out. If you don't know the story, the previous owners installed the wiring in a majorly fire-hazard illegal fashion, and we didn't know about it. Until my studio remodel, and then we had to rip everything out of the entire basement and start over. If you're wondering why we're doing all of this work right before moving, it's because we'll be renting it out and we figure that the future tenants mights want to have power and lighting in the basement. Picky, picky, right?
It's a gorgeous sight, is it not?
Here we are in the current state of construction. We hired a handyman to do the framing (the original walls had no framing behind them) and electric work - Steve had planned on doing much of it himself, but there just isn't time.
There is a giant I-beam and a bunch of ventilation work to deal with in the ceiling. More on that later.
Remember my neat-and-tidy studio? Me neither. :-)
And now you can see why I haven't been sewing or designing anything! A bunch of furniture and stuff got moved from the main basement to my studio space, so things are a little tight.
It's going to look so good when it's all done though! I can't wait to have the basement finished. Because we're hiring out most of the work for that, it should be done sooner than that bathroom...because I'm doing the tile work for the bathroom myself. I'm not really looking forward to the job, but I'm REALLY looking forward to how it'll look when it's finished! I love the tile I picked out for the floor especially. Can't wait to show you! It will be several weeks at least, though, so no breath-holding, okay?
All this chaos is making me a little crazy...but we must keep a sense of humor about all of this, musn't we? :-)
I finally took pictures of my mantel, just before taking all the Christmas things down. The circular sign was going to be a tutorial, but it didn't happen (Hmmm...perhaps finding out just before Christmas that we had to move had something to do with that?) There's always next year, right?
Hopefully I'll have some "after" pictures of the basement to show you in a few weeks....until then, happy Winter!
Oh Shelley! I've been having dreams about you for a few weeks now. NOW I know why!
I just can't even imagine how awesome it's going to look when it's don!
Posted by: Emilie | January 25, 2012 at 08:46 AM
I'm so glad you are hiring out a bunch of your basement project! So worth it! I've been thinking about your sewing studio a lot. I'll keep it in my mind forever as a symbol of living life where you are right now! I'm trying to get the energy to do that! Happy house hunting. One of my favorite activities but SOOO time consuming!
Posted by: Sarah Cresap | January 25, 2012 at 02:22 PM
I can't believe you have to leave your beautiful home you've worked so hard on! I hope you find a great place in NC--and I know you will make it just a lovely. LOVE the mantle.
Posted by: DeAnn | January 26, 2012 at 05:48 AM
So Shelley in your spare time you???? :) I did not realize you would be moving in 2 months!! I know how much time and work you put into your home in Springfield but it appears the Lord has another plan for your family!!
Will the kids finish school in Springfield or will you pull them and head to North Carolina???
I know I am not much help...BUT if you need anything I can do just let me know!!
Good Luck!!
Posted by: Wendi Lane | January 30, 2012 at 01:08 PM
LOL Wendi! Actually, if you must know, I'm reacting to the stress by starting 2 new projects...because I'm completely, irrevocably insane. One is the start of a new series of paintings (2 different themes actually...after I finish some paintings I'll post pics) because I suddenly have the urge to create "real" art again. The other is the ambitious refinishing/re-upholstery project of 4 very awesome vintage chairs for our new living room that I found on Craigslist. Because, after all, I have nothing else to do right now, right?
Posted by: Shelley | January 30, 2012 at 08:05 PM
Oh to have a beautiful basement! It's going to look so perfect when it's finished!
Posted by: Pam | February 02, 2012 at 08:21 PM
I know you're busy with all you have to do. Moving is not fun. Working on the house for rental probably isn't fun either. Just wanted to say I miss you. I look forward to when you're moved and can blog again. Take care of yourself.
Posted by: Beverly Atkins | March 05, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Really, what a great house ! The handyman you hired did a great job. Maybe some professionals like a plumber or an air conditioning technician should take a look ! Anyway, great work, keep on !
Posted by: sullivanservice.com | October 07, 2012 at 10:05 AM
You should put more pictures. Would love to see how the renovation went.
Posted by: Danny Givens | January 30, 2013 at 03:21 AM