I’m Throwing In The Towel (I Gave It My Best Effort)
I don’t give up easily, but I’m giving up on trying to get the subfloor out of the storage room. I had some help last week, but over the weekend, I was on my own again. And even after having help, and then working by myself again over the weekend, this is as far as I’ve gotten with getting the subfloor removed.
The good news is that I did, at least, get enough of the subfloor removed so that the plumbers could come yesterday and get the new water lines and drain in for the sink that will go in this corner of the room.
And I also had them cap off the old water lines and drains where the old vanity and toilet used to be.
So at least there has been progress, but this subfloor issue really has me frustrated and discouraged. The problem is the cement board which is mortared to the plywood subfloor. The only blade I could find for my circular saw that would cut through the concrete board was one made for Hardie trim, which is a cement fiber board. But it will ONLY cut through the cement board. So I can’t cut through the cement board and the plywood with one pass. And any blade that will cut through plywood and nails/screws won’t cut through the cement board.
Anyway, the problems and challenges don’t end there, but I won’t bore you with them. Just know that I am DONE fighting with this floor, so I’m hiring the rest of it out. This is one of those situations where I could keep going and maybe with several more days of work, I could get it done myself. Or I could just hire it out and get to the pretty and fun stuff sooner and with a whole lot less frustration in the interim.
It’s not easy for me to hire stuff out. I’m such an independent person, and I want to do everything myself. But after the subfloor and drywall is in, there will still be plenty for me to do.
Speaking of the pretty stuff, I’ve been going back to all of those mockups I did with the wallpaper and various paint colors, and I hate to say it, but I don’t like any of them. And as I look around my house, I know why I don’t like them. My style that I’ve surrounded myself with and that I love so much in my house is loads of color paired with lots of white. To my eye, it’s the white that makes the color stand out so much. But it’s also the white that keeps the whole thing from looking like a circus.
The perfect example of that is my studio bathroom. I try to imagine any other color on the lower portion of these walls, and I think any color would take away from the colorful stripes. But the white wainscoting allows the stripes to be the center of attention, as they should be. 😀
So I know this might be a huge disappointment to some, but I think I’m going to do white wainscoting with the floral wallpaper in this storage room.
BUT…I’m still toying with the idea of putting a bold color on the ceiling. This room WILL have pink in it somewhere! I’m still trying to work out the details, though. But just because the lower walls will be white, that doesn’t mean I can’t add some pink somewhere in the room, and the ceiling seems like the perfect place for it.
Anyway, for the time being, I’m walking away from this room and handing it over to my contractor. Once they’re done with the subfloor and drywall, I’ll take over again. I hate giving up, but I also have to acknowledge when I need help, and I’m beyond that point with this subfloor situation.
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.
Kenny Rogers popped in my head reading this…”Ya gotta know when to hold ‘em… know when to fold ‘em…” You get it.
Good choice! Hopefully this will help you be in a better frame of mind for the pretty stuff 🙂
Definitely go for the fun ceiling color – this is your storage closet!
It’s called choosing your battles and you are definitely a wise woman!
White on the lower wall is spot on!
UGH…not worth your time, and forget about frustration. Next time you walk in there it will be truly ready for you to do your magic! I’m happy for you. Some things just aren’t worth the extra stress. They are coming to do the drywall anyway, and perhaps have a tool that will take care of it faster. BUT it will be done, and a clean slate for you. Love that! How about leaving the ceiling white and paint the “blocks” below in a sweet color from the wallpaper. I adore that wallpaper! Best wishes!
What is the contractors plan for removing the floor?
You gave it your best but there’s no shame in admitting defeat! You are amazing and it shows in all the work you have done.
I very much agree with you. The eye needs a place to rest like music and melodies have rests in them. In a room that uses a lot of neutral beige tones white is needed to give it a clean look or everything just looks dingy and with lots of color white gives the eye a place to pause and colors become sharper.
I notice how you work through the process in your decorating decisions. I don’t always agree with your choices at the start but I don’t comment because you are not finished with the process. The number of projects you get through amazes me and I really don’t know how one person can accomplish the amount you accomplish every year. What you do is absolutely inspirational!
I love the choices you’ve made. The white definitely makes the colors pop. (Just a thought if you’re ever in the mood for a little change in your closet. I’d love to see white shelving and island top with ceiling the color of the dark blue island base.)
Like Clint Eastwood said, “A man’s got to know his limitations…” You know them, and it will get done, with less wear and tear on your body and viola, you get to do the fun stuff, although I will admit that taking a sledgehammer and a saw to something stubborn really “Makes My Day”…I’m sorry y’all, I just couldn’t resist. Super smart move on your part, and I love the design, and a pink ceiling, that would be awesome.
Cheers to you, Matt, and the Fur Babies!
Smart decision. Have the drywallers come in and take care of the walls too! They are fast and efficient too. I love DIY but have also learned when something is beyond my strength it is best to hire it out. I agree about adding the white too. You will be ready to paint & wallpaper soon and that room will be ready before you know it!
100% the right decisions- both the white wainscoting and hiring out the subfloor removal. Pat yourself on the back!
The blade you used to cut the blocks outside won’t work in this situation huh? I agree tho sometimes its better for the body and sanity to let others do certain things unless a person is absolutely broke and has lots of time. I like the pink ceiling!
You hit the nail on the head Kristi! I love your decision with the white wainscoting and the pink ceiling!
Ooh yes, sub out the dirty work! Then you can focus your time and energy on the pretty stuff.
Now that’s working smart! You’ll be happier for this decision.
As to pink on the ceiling, perhaps a whisper of pink as opposed to screaming pink?
Wellll, as Kenny Rogers says, “you got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em”. We all know you are extremely capable and hard working, so hiring out this job just makes sense. On the storage room wainscoting note, I agree that a white wainscoting will be a good foil for the very colorful and busy wallpaper. Not sure about the bright pink ceiling. Maybe a low-pile rug in that pink would ground the room?
I am assuming that the guys removing and replacing the floor will also be building the scuttle hole for access? You might also consider putting a light or two under the house while everything is open. Those 6″ Led flush mount lights turn any area into a landing strip!
Team pink ceiling! Or get real fancy with some surface mount molding for a picture frame effect for the pink and white for the perimeter.
I love the pink ceiling idea!
You made the right decision because you need/want to move forward. Like you said you could spend another week fighting with the floor and still not have it up. You would be so tired.
I think the white will be a good choice because while looks so clean and light. A pink ceiling sounds like fun!
Darken the birds in your fabric so they show up. Love your chairs. You are a lucky shopper!
You made the right decision. Some DIY things are worth the money. You have plenty of work to do after they finish.
Kristi, you obviously have a different set of priorities than I for a storage room. I would never waste money on wallpaper in a storage area, never mind worrying about wainscoting & ceiling color. It’s a storage room, with a closed door so that it’s not viewed by anyone other than you. Seems like you’re going another master bedroom closet. Why? Please explain because every day I read your blog I wonder why you’re going to this expense. I just don’t get it.
I think she already had that wallpaper
Kristi may have a different set of priorities than you but I don’t think that is what this blog is about – us questioning her (financial) priorities. To me, it’s more her design process, watching the DIYs and the amazing finished results. I do not have beautiful closets and YES! I would absolutely love to walk into or open a beautiful closet multiple times a day. And if I had the finances or know how, I would! I have painted closets pretty colors, hung chandeliers, artwork, etc doing whatever I can to make it prettier. It’s not like there is a link to a go fund me page for her closets. Kristi has enough difficult things in her life so if “pretty” while highly functional can bring a smile or a small amount of joy, why not? I for one am totally envious of not only the beautiful closets but also the beautiful home she has created and continues to work on! Sorry for my rant.
I’ve fallen in love with the picture of the pink ceiling and the wall paper! Those colours look so good together. God bless.
Here’s a crazy idea, how about pink INSIDE the cabinets & the shelves? Talk about unexpected…
The white contrast—ABSOLUTELY. 😊