Where Was I?

I feel like I've been slacking recently in my efforts to keep up with this blog and the work that's been happening at the Akron almost-mansion. That's a testament I think to how busy I've been, and also to how weirdly routine this whole project has become. I don't want to say the novelty has worn off (the house still offers its share of surprises), but we'have fallen into some pretty regular patterns this winter.

We drive the 110 miles north almost every weekend to patch, sand, prime, and paint. We spend a day and a half covering ourselves in the dust of the 20th century's finest paints, wallpapers, hardwoods, and plaster and then traverse the same 110 miles back home. We move garbage, cardboard, tools, and equipment out of one room and into another (and then out to the garage). We go up and down two flights of steps; first for the joint compound tape, then for our masks, and then again for the right screwdriver. We misplace tools only to trip over them minutes later. We push the orbital sander and pull the shop vac. We dislodge ancient hardware from sashes and frames. We coax windows open and then bully them closed. We visit family, eat at The Lockview, and sleep in a bed that features a sleeping bag for a comforter. And each Sunday we wake up marveling still at how warm and quiet this house is.

So, how did we get here? Well, around the first of the year all the contractors we'd been working with had finished up their work. The kitchen is now done. The en suite bathroom is done too. The main bathroom has a functional shower and the garage has doors. The house has heat. The house does NOT have gaping holes in the walls or ceilings. Save an occasional visit from the electrician, the remaining work (patching, prepping, priming, and painting) is all on us.

To be clear, this is really good news. The most unmanageable parts of the project are complete. We've turned a corner and bid adieu to our trusted contractors. Given that a year ago the house had no heat, no functional plumbing, a leaking roof, questionable electrics and a gaze of raccoons, it's pretty astounding to look back on how much progress those trusted experts made.

Last week, the kitchen that looked like this one year ago passed it's final inspection.

We still need to install a cabinet panel on the front of the dishwasher and sort out the breaker for the microwave, but it's otherwise fully functional. We've even added the first piece of our granddaughter's daycare art to the front of the refrigerator!

And speaking of our granddaughter, what kitchen would be complete without a designated wall to measure height and track growth on? We've already taken our first measurement and we're thinking this one is going to be tall!

And this sad en suite bathroom? 

It's done too. My wife was going for calming boutique hotel vibes, and I think she nailed it. It's small to be sure, but it's functional and indeed calming.

We also finished the main bathroom. That one looked like this a year ago.

We were able to keep the original tub, sink, and tiles, but we did install a new toilet, sink fixtures, lights and a shower. We also removed wallpaper, because of course we did. This bathroom was never designed with a shower in mind, so that was a puzzler. After a fair amount of head scratching by a number of plumbers, I was relieved to find someone with the ingenuity and problem solving skills to make it a reality. Maybe they didn't need a shower in here in 1925, but we definitely need one now.

The mint green paint was perhaps a bold choice, but it felt right for a house of this vintage. We still need to paint the radiator and do some detail work/cleanup on the tile, but I'm really happy we were able to save as much of this original bathroom as we did.

As for the work we've been doing ourselves (the aforementioned patching, prepping, priming, and painting), we've now made two (TWO!!!) bedrooms habitable. This is the one we're staying in on weekends.

And this one is ready for occupancy.

A number of the floors will remain as is, pending future consideration, but for the most part we haven't encountered anything a good cleaning, rug or carpet won't solve. 

We even have internet now! Talk about dragging a reluctant house into the 21st century. We're doing it! Somewhat related, what's not pictured here is all the work that still needs do be done. Trust me when I say there is a lot! But I suppose that's what weekends are for.

TL;DR, the house is habitable, functional, and insured. It's still not exactly move in ready, but we're getting closer, one dusty weekend at a time. And with warmer weather on the way, we'll be able to spend some time outside doing the equally important work of gardening and landscaping. 

So, as we imagine spring and all the promise it brings, let's look back one last time at winter. 

This is the view looking west across the Cuyahoga Valley from the ravine that falls off our back yard. Once the trees leaf out in spring, you won't be able see quite so far, so I'll be enjoying these views while I can.