Non-Toxic Strippers

Yes, I thought that might grab your attention. Thus far I've stripped about 4 layers of paint from one side of the built ins that were so poorly painted they looked like giant blocks of painted plastic instead of carved wood. To find a product that wasn't toxic was easy, but the cost was great. Considering how much paint needs to be stripped this may take a lot of $$$ though the money I save on a hotel could balance it out. 

Advice: Do not glop paint onto built ins. 

Plea: Do not glop paint into built ins. 

Threat: Do not glop paint onto built ins. 

...now for the walls. 

A Long Time Going

Homes are hard. Sometimes you just have to keep on plugging away at the little things, take a step back, scrap the project, and start all over. Since last I advised really not much other than painting has gone on. Painting is... well... a challenge with uneven stucco walls that had been poorly painted previously. Had to include some kind of alliteration... 

Better than the horrible paint job I walked in with, but I can improve upon it. They say you shouldn't use harsh chemicals while you reside in the home. Surely this is an excellent excuse for scraping down all the walls, ceiling, wood with a paint remover and spending the night at a hotel, budget allowing?

We shall see...

I Fought the Lamp and the Lamp (almost) Won

A note: electricity is dangerous. Having worked in the theatre as both a light tech and a lighting designer, let me tell you that it's not good enough to just have a switch flipped off. You need to make sure there's no power going to the wires at all. This means switching it off at the fuse box or panel. After you've done this, DO NOT take the light fixture (in this case a ceiling fan) down by yourself whilst balancing on top of a ladder. I say this from a place of experience and warn you that they are heavier than they look. 

The only benefit to taking it down this way is you'll find out if you have a natural self-preservation instinct and how quick your reflexes are. This happened in my case as the weight of the fixture threatened to pull me off the ladder and down (head first) to the floor. Fortunately I allowed the fixture to drop before I went over. 

Now, after taking off a fixture, assuming you've survived this step, you must cap off the wires if you're not going to put another fixture up right away. Again, make sure to keep the power off, cut the wires back with wire cutters and cap them off by screwing the caps on. Give a little tug and... voila. 

safe wires. 

Kitchen Layout Nightmare

When it comes to a low budget restoration, remodel, or redo moving plumbing, gas lines, and electrical is not within reach. In planning the necessary adjustments for the kitchen to function properly it seems there are few options that don't involve the expense of ripping things out and starting anew. 

The purchase of a new range will happen in the next to near future, but as many people are aware, a less than full size range will hurt resale value. That being said, the purchase of a new refrigerator is hopefully not in the near future. Something that works won't be replaced until it breaks. 

Given those constraints, internet, what would you do with this kitchen?

A Quick Turn

Sometimes when dealing with a massive project you'll find yourself overwhelmed and not sure where to start. This is especially true if you're experiencing outside stressors like work, family life, or a furnace that doesn't function during a cold snap. When that happens, try to accomplish something small. 

This door had to remain open because the back knob (below) was broken. 

This morning, while trying to stay warm, I replaced the knob and now have not only a functioning door, but a sense of accomplishment. 

Sand The Floor

No, this doesn't concern karate lessons. As any new-homeowner may feel, my floors are awful looking. Aside from patching wood in to match the current wood in this home, all of the floors must be refinished. 

The floor in the living room. 

No water is on the floor, this is simply how damaged the floors are in here. They rent machines that sand floors very quickly, but it is possible to sand the floor yourself. As this process hasn't yet been completed (or started for that matter) there are no after pictures. Bit by bit the floors will come together... I think. 

How To Stay Warm

Some advice for homeowners: If you're going to move into your construction project, make sure you have the essentials...like heat, especially in the colder seasons. 

The best way to stay warm, it seems, is to keep working. This was the result of trying not to get too cold in a home that was averaging 48 degrees inside. Perhaps it's not the best way to keep warm, but progress is progress!

Now, when you've finished pulling up the old particleboard you'll be toasty warm. The only question becomes what to do with the particle board?