Giant Steps Forward

Our home is almost whole again. There is still lots and lots of cleaning to do, and we have to get the furniture cleaned up and back into place. And, oh, while we're at it, maybe we'll change a few things. But it sure feels good to see things mostly whole again.

Here is our new friend, Albert, who handled most of the painting chores. He painted the entryway hall, stairway, and upstairs hall in a slightly warmer, slightly darker color than was there before.


Next, he primed and painted all the new drywall, including the new living room ceiling. We have to give Mark high marks (!) for getting this ceiling so perfect. He told us this was the first truly flat ceiling he had done--they usually texture them. The painter had expressed some concern that if it was not perfect, the paint would bring out the imperfections. Not to worry! It looks terrific!


We had been considering putting a darker color of paint on the living room walls anyway, though this is a heck of a way to get that done. We really like the way it has turned out. The whole room feels much warmer.




Following the painting, it was time for new floors. The first step was to replace all the underlayment with sheets of 3/4" plywood.


The rolls of carpet and padding came in next.


The dining room was the first room to see the new carpet.


Meanwhile, upstairs, new linoleum went into the bathroom (the original "scene of the crime", as you may recall).


Then it was back to the living room, where the pad was put down and then the carpet rolled out and seams taped and glued up.



The carpet will be shedding for awhile. A first vacuuming pulled up several canisters full of loose ends.


And here at last is the finished product.



We are slowly getting each piece of furniture cleaned and back into place. The house has been full of dust from the water residue and the construction efforts, and all those fans kept it all moving. Some furniture is showing significant wear and tear from the high humidity, the drying, and some unfortunate bumps and nicks due to all the moving. But we are making progress. It is good to be reclaiming our personal space, and in a couple more weeks, maybe we will have everything set once again. Oh, except maybe for those changes we are still considering with the furniture configuration in the living room. We're waiting for our dining room table and chairs to be returned too--we decided to have them refinished while all of this has been going on.