Thanks to my handy dandy iPhone, I documented our first tour of the “new place” and all the things that we wanted to change. This is the before photo of the awkward little space with its three doors (left side–powder room, back–small deck/landing, right side–screen porch). I knew in my heart that this house with its ideal location, amazing views, and splendid charm was the one…even with all its problems and outdated rooms.
As I sat down to work on this blog, I thought about how far technology has come in just a few short years–in no way do I want to discuss the beginnings of cell phones or computers because I know very little about such things–other than the basics. I don’t know about you and yours, but my little family runs on the speed of today’s technology. I would love to say that we have a “no cell phone policy” at the dinner table, but that would be an untruth. Should we have a “no cell phone policy” at the dinner table? Indeed, we should…but it is just not practical for my little family. Where was I? Oh, yes. Technology–specifically my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air…I’m an Apple girl… played a huge role in the house hunting process and now, the renovating.
Before we purchased our new home, Stan was living in a hotel in Alabama while Abby and I were living at HatRidge in Mississippi. My main job was to find houses that met our long list of criteria. Stan’s job was to scope them out before I drove over to see them in person. I spent countless hours on www.realtor.com searching for potential houses, I sent countless text messages and emails to our precious realtor, Joyce Tippen of RE/MAX Marketplace ( www.joycet.remax-alabama.com ), and I took countless photos of the houses we toured.
My iPhone photos were not always the best, but they helped me to remember the things that I liked and did not like about the houses we toured. This particular photo shows a wall that I wanted to gussy up and a door that I wanted to remove.
I could chat all day long about how we house hunted…and blab on for days about all the houses we viewed…but instead, I want to talk about rot and progress.
Grab a cup of coffee, and sit a spell with me as we explore the world of house rot.
We had a thorough inspection done before buying our new place. It was great to know what we were facing and approximate cost in fixing all the problems before we purchased.
We knew we had water damage when we purchased. It wasn’t until we removed three layers of flooring that we realized the severity.
Hello, ground below!
Outside view: We removed the deck/landing and walled up the outside/inside. No more door! I will have an upcoming blog about the changes to the outside…as soon as Mother Nature cooperates!
Thank you previous owners for not cleaning out the gutters and repairing door seals…
This photo was taken after we removed the floating kitchen cabinets, and before we removed the door and replaced it with a nice, solid wall! This little area was so awkward because of the three doors and long, blank wall.
Where the door used to be! I filled the awkward wall with antique barristers…which might stay there…we will have to wait and see! The painting is an original Christy Henderson, a talented artist from Mississippi ( www.chendersonart.com ). I purchased this particular one from Deep South Pout ( www.deepsouthpout.com ) in Columbus, Mississippi.
This is the view from the door we left…wishing this rotten, cold weather would go away so we can fire those power tools back up!
Well, there you have it! The ugly, rotten truth about rot and our lack of a “no cell phone policy” at the dinner table. Thanks so much for sitting a spell with me.
Have a Blessed Day!
Chasidy
Chasidy, the C. Henderson painting looks amazing on the wall along with the wall color ya’ll chose. I love the antique cabinet too. The dry rot looks awful, but I’m sure ya’ll will get it all fixed up and looking beautiful. Another great post, keep up the blogging!
Thanks, Amy 🙂 I love your blog Mint2B ( http://www.mint2bbyamy.blogspot.com )! You are a very talented and amazing Mississippi artist 🙂 We still have more rot to conquer, but I am feeling a victory over it all soon!
Chas, thanks for sharing this blog! A lot of hard work and sweat goes into remodeling but you guys seem to have it down pat. I know the home will look fantastic when completed. I don’t see how you keep up with your schedule, and Congrats to Abby!
Awww, Thank you so much, Judy 🙂 Honestly, all my strength and endurance comes from lots of prayer and the good Lord above! Without Him, I am not sure how we would handle any of this…we serve an awesome God!
I am in awe of the fabu transformation- I know it’s so much work, but you are going to be the happiest homeowners!
Thank you, Lisa (beadsoul) 🙂 It is indeed much work…and will be worth it in the end! I love reading your blog and seeing all your new creations 🙂 http://www.beadsoul.wordpress.com