My New Den

August, 2000. Purchased my home.

The den was a nightmare.  Actually, several.  Gorgeous ceiling fan (broken globe, unable to replace).  Not to be outdone by the acoustic ceiling (only 7.5' tall).  LOVELY cheap paneling.  Hideous 70's inlaid vinyl flooring.

First thing to go was the vinyl floor.  I was broke, so all I could do was a paint job. By luck-of-the-draw I found mismatched bookcases to fit the walls perfectly enough. Then I unpacked my shit.  Being a creative GENIUS, I made it work. (OK, you don't agree. Bite me! Anyway, it became home.)

Close-up of bookcases.  Pretty shit can sure help hide ugly shit.

Room stripped and under construction. 

The upheaval of your home causes upheaval of the brain.  My home is my refuge/fort – safe.  It's really given me a new perspective on what my clients endure. The disruption of their home, bombardment of decisions, and the $$$$$.  You're a stranger in your own home.  The things you find comforting are packed away.  You're living in a war zone.  This shit is stressful.  

Being bipolar has made this process more difficult on myself, my partner, and everyone that's had to deal with me. (I've been a dick. Please forgive me, Dan- life partner, Mike- contractor, Shannon- business associate.)

Bookcases finished and room painted, starting to shape up. 

 
Den finished.  Now the fun. Where the hell does all this shit go?

Shaping up. What a mental and physical workout.  Being an interior designer is physical work. Trust me.  We do a lot more than swish about and drag fabric samples around.  My whole body hurts, even my eyelashes.

Lovin' my new digs.  Things will always be a-changin', but for now I'm a-smilin'.

Seein' my shit makes me happy.  Not to brag, but I've got some good shit. 

Oh fuck, David. Tell it like it is. You're braggin'. 

Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter"
"Well, a lot of things have changed since way back then
And it's so good to be back home again"

Renovation / Desecration

On December 3rd, 2014 stuff started happening at my house.  As the work began, I wanted to chronicle everything with pictures, and tell the story as it happened. Blogging like that just didn't work out in a way that made sense. As it all comes to an end, I'm going to fill you in on some of the process.  

The house was built in 1948 for the market of returning WWII soldiers and their new brides. I intended to live here a few years, flip it, and move on. Time passes pretty quickly. 15 years, still here. Love the location, the house is home.  Time to make it suit my needs.

This was the living and dining room.  Small separating walls have been removed, joining the areas into one open space. Repair work has been done to the plaster walls, floors lightened and refinished, track lighting installed, and color updates.  The area will now serve as an entry hall, gallery, and formal dining room.

Today as I write, the entire room is a warehouse full of stuff from other rooms which are still being worked on. Shifting from room to room – what a BITCH.  Living in a small house under construction. There is no escape from the hell!  I think Hell is full of construction dust and drop cloths, not fire.

Kitchen under wrecking ball.  Gutted.  I'm too embarrassed to even show you the "before" pictures.  Can't believe I lived with it for fifteen years.  This mess is prettier.

 

Installation of subway tile, well on its way. What a clean, fresh look.  I love it!

Den stripped of ugly paneling and acoustic ceiling tiles.  This room was also very embarrassing.  What an improvement you see below.

When the book cases are done, the den will be finished and I can move in.  It sure will be nice to have one room ready for livin'. 

In the back half of the house: bedroom and dressing room are finished (but serving as storage), with work left to be done in the bathroom.  After that, finishing touches on the lower level.  All should be complete in three weeks. So for the next few weeks I'll be showing more pictures of construction and rooms as they are finished.  So excited for it to be over.  Some ranting promised. 

The Beatles
"Long and Winding Road"