The Countdown Is On!
Have you ever been startled awake at night with a thought — a sudden realization that comes rushing out of the recesses to the forefront of your mind with such force that in an instant, you go from sound alseep to wide awake? I hate it when that happens, especially because during the night, anxiety and worry are magnified. Things that seem easily manageable during the daylight hours seem overwhelming during the night. Anyway, that happened to me in the wee early hours of this morning, and I couldn’t go back to sleep.
The thought that brought me out of my restful sleep? We have about one month before our bedroom and hallway remodel starts! ONE MONTH! And I haven’t done one single thing to prepare for it.
If you’re wondering what the heck I’m talking about, we’re about to embark on Phase 1 of a remodel that will be done in three phases. During this Phase 1 remodel, the two extra bedrooms will be rewired, insulated, redrywalled, and will get new windows. We’ll also be moving around some walls that will affect the hallway, so we’ll also take that opportunity to fix the damage done to the hallway floor during the crap volcano that erupted back in May.
During Phase 2, we will turn the current master bedroom into our new master bathroom.
And during Phase 3, we will add on a new family room, laundry/utility room, and master bedroom.
So right now, our bedrooms and hallway look like this. The “guest bedroom” and “Matt’s game room” labels are switched, for some reason. But you can see that we have a relatively large, boxy hallway, and each of the extra bedrooms has a small and almost useless closet.
After all three phases are finished, it will look like this. The pink area shows the addition that will be added during Phase 3…
But during this Phase 1, we’ll just be focused on the guest bedroom, Matt’s game room and the hallway.
Those rooms will get all new wiring, insulation, drywall and windows. In addition, the two small closets will be completely removed, and the wall in the hallway will be moved to square up the future master bathroom. That will make our hallway much smaller, but that’s okay. It’s the size of a small bedroom right now, and no hallway needs to be that big.
Anyway, we got the quote for this phase 1 remodel back in August. It was quite a bit more than we thought it was going to be, and after looking at our finances, we realized it we would have to put it off until mid-November. Well, in mid-August, when it’s still officially summer and the temps are soaring to 100+ each day, mid-November seem soooooo far away. So I just put it out of my mind and got busy on other things.
I’ve been so focused on the studio bathroom (which, I swear to you, is almost finished) that I haven’t even given much thought to the fact that we’re actually in October. I mean, I knew it was October, but it didn’t really register in my mind until early this morning that I actually need to pay attention to the fact that we’re in October right now.
So in the wee hours of this morning, while Matt and Cooper were sound asleep, I lay in bed and made a mental checklist.
The most important, and most urgent, thing on the list is to order windows. All of the windows we buy are custom made to the specifications I give the guy at the building supply place, and then they can take two to three weeks to arrive. So I’m cutting it very close on that. I’d like to have them here a couple of weeks before the remodel starts just to be on the safe side. I don’t like projects being held up because we’re waiting on orders.
And then the only other thing I need to do is clear out those rooms. That doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I’ve used half of both of those rooms as storage for far too long now, and that stuff will take a while to go through. Also, Matt’s exercise bike and my treadmill will have to find a new home, and I literally have no idea where to put them. I most certainly don’t want them in my studio, and yet that’s really the only room that has enough space for them. Ugh!!
Anyway, all of this to say that in between finishing up the studio bathroom, building the second studio work table, making my pink draperies, planning and getting started on my studio cabinets, and taking advantage of the cool weather that’s coming (tomorrow!!) by getting some outdoor projects done, I kind of need to fit “get prepared for the hallway/bedroom remodel” in there somewhere.
I hate being startled awake at night with my thoughts, but in this case, I needed it!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
How about putting the treadmill and bike in the sunroom? I would hate for them to be in your new pretty workshop room
My two cents is that you take the time today to order the windows and at least get started on clearing out the two rooms. Unfortunately, and I speak from experience, clearing out takes much more time than you think it will. You don’t want to be up until 3am the days before the remodel trying to clear those rooms. No one deserves that kind of stress.
I keep my fingers crossed that the windows will be there on time!! Everything else seems doable (if not fun, poor you) – perhaps you can ask your brother to help you again? How about putting your bike and treadmill in the sunroom for the time being? If that is at all accessible for Matt? That way you wouldn’t have to work your way around both in your studio.
Time has a way of creeping up on all of us. You do have quite a bit to do but take it day by day and work steadily and you’ll be ready when your crew shows up to start this project.
Gonna be awesome to see that side of the house completely transformed! I see the storage room off your master & no closets in those 3 rooms. May I assume we’re gonna be seeing fabulous built-ins to be used as closets to replace the small, unusable closets?! (I’m remembering the small bedside built-ins from the condo).
Sounds like an exercise room may need to be added to that remodel! So excited for your new project!
Will you have to remove the built-in that you made in the hallway or will there still be room for it?
Are the unusable closets so narrow that they’re not even deep enough for a full-size hanger to hang on a hanging rod? We flipped a couple of houses that were so old they had those narrow closets.
One thing about closets, and I know this is your forever home so it’s not totally applicable, but by removing those closets you’re basically turning them into rooms that can’t be counted as a bedroom on a MLS listing. In my state, at least, a bedroom has to have a closet. Like I said, I know this is your forever home, so it’s not like you plan to list it any time soon, but that would be a consideration for me.
If it were me, I would focus on getting prepped for Phase 1, but I know your mind works differently than mine does! LOL! Good luck!
I also thought of the no closet thing. Here in Mo., if there is no closet, it’s not a bedroom. And also, about windows, they must be large enough and operable for use as an escape route. (Although Kristi need not worry there!) It is a simple thing to add a closet down the road if they were to sell, so not that big a deal, just a pain! But yes, need to get the rooms emptied as soon as you order the windows! Time flies!
The future closets should be drawn in because the windows and walls should be placed to allow for that. much cheaper to do it on paper……
I’d love to know your plan for a Laundry-room. My dream is to have a very functional one. I seem to spend each day doing laundry of some sort. I love my large load washer/dryer for all my bedding. Dogs don’t help with shedding, I need a folding space, storage a nice pantry for supplies, maybe to put vacuums/brooms/mops- I even thought a small desk for doing my bills. I’d take a nice Laundryroom over an extra bedroom (which I call an overflow room). Would be nice to make this a very versatile room where extra storage for Christmas supplies can be properly but away also. Am I asking too much? We’re aren’t getting younger, so anything of convenience would be welcomed. Maybe a I could pay you for a draft? Your very talented. BTW, this would be in a new build. Looking forward to seeing your new plans come into play.
Note sure how many guests you actually have, but what about keeping the guest room an exercise room and putting in a murphy bed to pull down when you do have guests over? That way the bike and treadmill have a home after the remodel (not sure I am interpreting your quandary correctly). So excited for you!
About bedroom closets, I feel I recall you bringing up the idea of reach in built in storage in lieu of closets. Something nicer and more custom than the old time reach in closets but less space consuming than the walk ins that I am really over. My husband would especially benefit from reach in storage that does not require bending/stooping. He would also appreciate some shallow and wider built in storage that things do no get lost in.
I so understand that jolting feeling. I have it too, 3-5 times a week for far too long now. I’m trying to finish this house and sell it. I wanted to downsize. Now, instead of just downsizing in this town, we are totally relocating 1/1/2020.
Can I get some help here! lol
Seriously, Kristi, you always make pretty good progress. Hurdles get jumped, roadblocks get gone around and obstacles are overcome. Your jolt was to remind you that it’s October. You got this from here!
Thanks for the update, but am I missing something……a closet?
I see storage in the master, and I am assuming that in the gaming room, built-ins will accommodate all of Matt’s computer gizmos, etc., but what about the guest bedroom?
Most of our family and guests are from out-of-town or from another state or country. We have dresser drawers available, as well as closet space, so they can unpack and feel more comfortable than living out of a suitcase. In the closet we also have extra blankets and pillows, plus guest towels, bathrobe, and a laundry basket.
I know you did a great job in your niece’s room, but what about your guest bedroom? Inquisitive me is concerned.