A Remodeling Update: 7 Holes In The Ceiling + A Few Details About Each Room

/ Ally Bean

We’re in the middle of the remodel now.  It has been four weeks since we began.  

In that time 7 holes have been cut in ceilings to either accommodate new lights and fans that will be placed overhead– or to double-check second floor water pipes from below in the kitchen.  

What I’ve learned about myself during these past weeks is that I find holes in the ceiling a bit unnerving.  Walls torn out don’t concern me so much, but those… holes… up… there… bother… me.

Go figure.

~ ~ • ~ ~

•  The LAUNDRY ROOM has new cabinets in it and the water pipes + dryer duct have been re-routed to accommodate the new washer and dryer– which are to be delivered here later this week.

Last Friday I picked the tile for the backsplash and the wall color with the interior designer, so all that’s left for me to do is to go to the granite store on the day that they cut the counter to decide what part of the slab will be our counter.

•  The MASTER BATHROOM wiring and plumbing have been reconfigured, the dry wall crew has been here and gone– meaning that we’re all about tile now.  We decided on the tile weeks ago and are currently sitting back, watching some of the tile come together, while the rest of it seems to be lost somewhere. Somehow.

•  The FAMILY ROOM is changing from tile around the fireplace to granite– and there’s to be a new mantle.  None of this is anywhere to be seen yet, but the crew has prepped the wall and floor for what is to come. Hence, we wait.

I have no idea what color the walls will be in there, other than to say “good-bye purple.”  The granite, once installed, will show us how it looks with our furniture so that we’ll have a better idea about wall color, but ultimately I’m leaving that decision up to the interior designer.

•  The KITCHEN tweaks are seemingly a forgotten part of this remodel.  I have delegated the whole microwave kerfuffle to Zen-Den because I don’t care what the solution to the problem is… as long as I get a microwave.

As for the other little details in the kitchen they are: 1) a new door and handle on the trash bin cabinet;  and 2) re-doing the juncture where the counter meets the tile.  I’m on top of these details because I want them done before all of this remodeling is over.  Which is to say sometime this month, “God willing and the creek don’t rise.” 

~ ~ • ~ ~

70 thoughts on “A Remodeling Update: 7 Holes In The Ceiling + A Few Details About Each Room”

    • wakinguponthewrongsideof50, we picked out our new furniture before we started all of this… mess. Finding the right sofa, in the right style, in the right size, in the right color, in the right price just about did me in. Best of luck with that.

      The saying is a popular one around here. Don’t know its derivation, but I like it.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Oh, you would have hated growing up in a house where the plaster routinely fell from the ceiling. Well, OK, I guess most people would hate that… but I’d have gladly traded that condition of the old home for a few holes…

    Like

    • evilsquirrel13, you’re right, I would have hated that. I don’t know why exactly, but those holes above my head freak me out. Life is a learning experience, and that’s my latest lesson.

      Like

  4. You are such a patient soul. This has been a long time for a remodeling project that doesn’t leave much of the house to hide in. It will be wonderful when it’s done and it’s nice that you have designer help. Takes the worry out of choosing the wrong color.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Kate, I agree about having the designer for this project. In fact, that’s part of the reason why we went with this remodeling company. Not all companies provide you with one who is licensed as such– plus I like her oodles.

      [There’s a difference between a designer and a decorator here in Ohio. The former requires a college degree + license, the latter is anyone with a flair for design. Both are great, but come at things from different perspectives.]

      Liked by 1 person

    • You’ve been talking with Zen-Den, haven’t you, Janis? That’s what he keeps telling me… as he walks out the door to go to work far, far away from the mess and noise.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Sounds like things are chugging right along! So much happening at the same time! Tim got our garden tub out of the master bath by himself while I was gone this weekend. We are now committed! Meeting with designer tonight. Let’s keep chugging!

    Like

    • Beth, that’s great news! I know how much you hated that garden tub, so great progress. Chugging is indeed the best way to think about these projects. That are all over the house. Mark my words, you’ll be amazed by how much dust gets everywhere in the house as things chug along. 🙂

      Like

  7. ” I’m leaving that [colour] decision up to the interior designer. ”
    You are brave and full of faith. I don’t know if I could do that. First I think, “Sure, why not?” Then I think , “Yeah, but: chartreuse.” And then I think, “Yeah, but chartreuse could work, right?”
    See what I mean?

    Liked by 2 people

    • Maggie, I take your point. And if by chance our designer goes over the top with a color decision, I’ll make sure to overthink it… before I direct her attention back to the 3 gazillion shades of white out there. 😉

      Liked by 2 people

  8. I learned that saying from my parents, and have used it frequently. As to buying new furniture, last time husband and I bought a couch before he died, it was one I ultimately hated and gave away – compromising between his style and mine turned out unsatisfactorily. I selected my current couch alone.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Carol, I like that saying, having learned it when we moved here. I understand about compromise when buying furniture. I happen to like what we eventually picked out, but it was a struggle. Glad to know you’re sitting happy now.

      Like

  10. I don’t know if I could really have so many rooms under construction at once. “You’ll forget about it when it’s all over” sounds like what they say about the pain of childbirth. Fortunately, that is true. Is your washer and dryer going to be a double decker? Thanks for keeping us up to date. Love watching the magic unfold.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janet, it seemed like a good idea to do all of this all at once… 😕

      The washer and dryer are going to be double decker which will be new for me. I’d have been happy with side-by-side but the room is so small and the machines are so big now, that double decker is what fits in the space.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. My goodness that is a lot!!!! Good luck with everything. One step at a time and of course, a cool beverage in the spoon couldn’t hurt!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lori, you and your brother sound alike. I get that this is a process, and it’s going well so I’m not complaining [too much] about the inconvenience. You’re right about the cool beverages, many, in the spoon, will get me through this.

      Like

  13. I could not endure so much at once. Oh my mercy, Ally Bean, so many rooms at once. Oy. I am truly surprised you’ve put your color trust into the hands of a designer. I cannot wait to see how happy you are after, when it’s all new and shiny and space is better used.
    I hear ya on the trash cabinet knob. That was one of the first I went for, too. Something you use 10-20 times a day has got to be perfect!

    Liked by 1 person

    • joey, there’s a lot going on here but I’m learning to love our screened-in porch and deck which are not messy because of extra stuff. I think if I couldn’t escape out there, I’d be in the loony bin by now.

      We’ve worked with this designer before and she hasn’t steered us wrong. She’s not fussy/trendy at all, much more practical/non-judgemental. We click.

      And the trash cabinet situation is icky. I want a handle that I can easily grasp, not a teeny tiny knob that slips out of my fingers 9 times out of 10. I’m like a dog with a bone on this particular point. Just make it so, says I.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Yes, I totally get it.
        You know my other weird thing? No bullnose or beveled countertops — because I like to swipe the choppings and whatnot right off the edge, into the bin.

        I’m glad you have established a good rapport with your designer.

        I totally KNEW you’d be on the screened-in porch! Of course!

        Like

        • joey, I hate ogee edges and have been vocal about not putting those anywhere in our house. I don’t mind a bullnose one, although I see your point.

          I’m on the screened-in porch so often that all the crew guys, when they need me for something, know to look for me there first. When I’m not there, they seem confused. 😉

          Liked by 1 person

  14. That is a lot of work in many different rooms at the same time! Brave souls! I would be stressed to the max, but would keep telling myself, “Short term pain for long term gain.” Still, it’s difficult to suffer in the short term.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I like your saying. That’s it exactly. I can do this because I want this ALL OVER WITH as soon as possible, never to worry on it again.

      Plus, I don’t know how it is where you are, but it’s difficult to get remodeling companies to do small jobs one at a time here. IF you can get a company to deem to work with you, THEN you better do it all at once while they’re available. Otherwise it might never get done…

      Like

      • You are exactly right. That’s why I had the bathroom guys do my downstairs bathroom too, although that wasn’t in the actual plan. Now that I’m retired, my time is more flexible, so I need to start getting recommendations and calling around to find people to do the work I want. They are probably out several months at least.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. It all looks so lovely – you’ll be pleased when it is ALL DONE! Re the creek – may it not rise – is this water you’re talking about or a crack? Just checking …

    Like

    • Susan, well, this creek, that is not a crack, has been the subject of this saying for a good long time, thereby, I do hope, making it a valid request to ask of my creator. ‘Ya know? 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  17. I’m unnerved by holes in the ceiling as well, especially as they created this warm air pocket in the room directly underneath that caused my imagination to immediately jump to thoughts of demons, ghosts, and other spooks until I realized where the heat was coming from.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. We worked with a designer through our remodels and I loved it. Their experience enables them to bring ideas to the table that we would never have imagined … practical, functional ideas that have made our space so much more liveable!
    … and yes, I could see why you would want to leave the colour decision to the designer. That is one thing I’m hopelessly inept at … colour selection.

    Btw – I love the unusual peaked ceiling in your family room!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Joanne, our experiences have been the same as yours. I love having this designer help us. She’s not pushy, but guides us to better ideas that have made the house look more pulled together– without breaking the bank. Also, she has an eye for color that is much better than mine, taking into account how the sun shines into the rooms, and the ways in which the lamps shine light.

      Peaked ceilings are popular in this area. They’re part of what the builders call transitional design; that is, a house with traditional rooms and contemporary rooms juxtaposed in a somewhat random way. Like our house!

      Like

  19. So glad things are progressing! More to be done, but so much done already. I understand about the holes in the ceiling. That would unnerve me too. Who knows what could fall or crawl through there! (Sorry. Not helping!) haha 🙂

    Like

  20. Things can explore and drop in those holes – around this area anyway…hopefully not there..Cardboard and blue tape had to go up immediately for me – even if it’s just psychological, IT COULOD HAPPEN! HaHa.
    When my washer and dryer stop limping along – or when I decide what brand has any hope of lasting, I want to redo the laundry room like yours. It looks great and functional.
    We grew up with that creek saying from rural areas where there a deep ravines usually dry until a gully washer (big rain that washes all the clutter accumulated in the creek bed between storms on down the creek into some other place.) Natives in these plains/wetland use it a lot, too.
    (and now being totally curious while I thought it probably traveled down from Kentucky/Appalachia with settlers, there’s quiet a controversy about the origin: was it Creek tribe or a stream in the phrase? There are several published (news papers in the late 1800’s that refer to creek as in stream – if you’re really bored: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Talk:Lord_willing_and_the_creek_don%27t_rise )

    Liked by 1 person

    • philmouse, I’m taking most of this remodel in stride, not allowing myself to fret too much, but those holes…

      I’ll make sure to report back on how the stackable washer/dryer units behave. Our dryer died in the spring, so when we decided to do the bathroom, while the company was here anyway, we decided to update the little laundry room that doubles as our mud room. I’m looking forward to it as much as the bathroom.

      I didn’t know any of the history behind the saying. I first heard it when we moved to SW Ohio decades ago. Now I say it like a native. I’ll check out the link to the information. You know I love anything about words, phrases, quotes. Thanks.

      And have a happy weekend, ok?

      Like

  21. I’m very impressed with how well you’re handling this. My head spins and I feel faint even contemplating such a remodel, let alone actually doing anything about it. My best fantasy is hiring someone to take care of ALL aspects of everything while I holiday in Hawaii or Paris and I never have to deal with ceiling holes, endless variations on the color white, or lag-about tile. Should you decide to hire yourself out after completion of your remodel, do let me know. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deborah, the remodeling company people have told us about people who do exactly what you said: go on holiday, or to their second vacation homes, while the remodeling company does it all, design decisions included, for them. Sounds smart if you can afford both the time away AND the cost of the remodeling project. As it is, not being made of money, my only choice is to be here 24/7 and deal with it. And drink adult libations each night as my reward for remaining sane one more day!

      Like

  22. I’m thinking you’ll have to celebrate for a long time once this is all done. In the meantime, there are always the little victories and celebrations to look forward to – like no more holes in the ceiling. Good luck with it all!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sheila, I agree about having a celebration at the end. I’m glad we’re doing this, but will also be glad when we’re not doing this anymore! Some of the holes in the ceilings have been fixed since I wrote this last week, so there’s progress. *hurray*

      Like

  23. Yeah, I’d be fretting about all those holes, too. But I have an older home in a place where I’ve already had to request that bats, mice, river rats, and raccoons leave the premises. And those were the ones who were actually INSIDE my house and garage. Let’s not even talk about the Undesirable Animals still wandering around outside in my yard.

    You’re like a Superhero, living through all this with such aplomb. I’m impressed…and envious.

    Like

    • nance, when I was a little girl we lived in an older house with a section that was 100 years old. I remember all of the animals that you mentioned being inside our house at some point. It was icky.

      I’m flattered to be called a Superhero. I don’t feel like a superhero, more like a tired crazy woman who just wants this all finished. If it were winter and I was trapped inside with this mess all day, every day– I’d be nuts by now. As it is, I’m more pre-nuts than actual nuts.

      Like

Comments are closed.