|

Sometimes My Procrastination Pays Off (Big, Exciting Progress On The Horizon!!)

While I really hate to do or say anything to encourage my fellow procrastinators of the world in their procrastination, let me just say that sometimes my own procrastination pays off. And y’all, this time it has really paid off in a big way.

I’m getting my carport…NOW!

Okay, I know you’re thinking, “What do these two things have to do with each other?” Well, let me explain.

First, you know very well by now that I’ve been dragging my feet on the whole electrical stuff in my studio. And now you know why I’ve been putting that off.

But here’s the plot twist. In the two weeks since I received the quote from the electrician, and then sat on my hands and made no progress on the studio, my neighbor has been having some work done on his house. He had an awesome covered patio built with a roof that tied in with his existing roof. I’ve been amazed these last two weeks watching this structure being built, and seeing how they tied it in so seamlessly with the existing roof. The entire time, I’ve been thinking to myself, “That’s literally EXACTLY what I want, except I want to use mine as a carport!

So I’ve been watching his covered patio being built, and dreaming about (and now very easily picturing) my own carport built the exact same way. Then yesterday, I posted about my messy studio.

I promise you’ll see how these two things tie in very soon. 🙂

As many of you rightly pointed out, I need a place to use my saws. And once my studio is finished, I won’t be able to use them in there anymore. (I hate using them in there anyway, because that sawdust gets tracked into the breakfast room, and it’s impossible to keep clean.)

Since we moved into this house, any time I needed to use my miter saw or table saw, I’d drag them outside and set up shop on the front porch. That was easy to do when the front porch looked like this…

I mean, let’s face it. There was no way I was going to make it look worse with my saws spraying sawdust everywhere. When it looks like that, what’s a little sawdust, right?

But now that my front porch looks like this…

…there’s no way I’m putting my miter saw or table saw on there. I’ve put far too many hours, spent way too much money, threw a few too many tantrums, and cried way too many tears in pursuit of that porch transformation (which still has a way to go to be finished) to do something stupid like dragging heavy saws across the porch and spraying sawdust everywhere.

So Matt and I were brainstorming yesterday about where I could set up my saws between now and that “someday” when I’ll be able to build my workshop in the back yard. We discussed turning the guest bedroom into my interim workshop. I could certainly make it work, but again, I wasn’t thrilled with using my saws in an area where sawdust would be tracked through the house. I’ve been dealing with that for seven months now, and it’s frustrating.

Then it dawned on me. If we could go ahead and build the carport, I’d have a place to work! There would be electricity and lights out there, so I would no longer be limited to only working until the sun went down. (That was an issue with the studio since it doesn’t have electricity, and during the winter, that meant having to stop working around 5:00 because it got too dark in there.) And since it’ll have a roof on it, I would no longer be limited by the weather like I have been when I set up shop on the front porch.

In addition to all of that, it’s much cheaper (I’d guess about half the price) than building my workshop, and it would give me a place to park my vehicles so I’ll stop parking them in front of the studio.

So it’s a win/win/win type of situation, but that’s not even all!

Yes, there’s more! And this very well might be the most exciting part of all!

I’m going to try my hardest to describe how this carport will be built. Right now, the gable side of the roof on my studio is on the side of the house (i.e., facing my neighbor’s house). The roof for the carport will be built with the gable perpendicular to the studio gable, so that the gable on the carport faces the back yard.

The basic structure of the roof will be very similar to this picture…

via Pinterest

Don’t pay attention to the windows or garage door placement on that picture. I’m simply talking about the roof structure. On my carport, the entrance for cars will be on the same side as the studio door and side window. Hope that makes sense.

So why is this exciting? Because this will enable me to get rid of my absolute least favorite part of my house — a part that I thought I was going to have to just deal with and live with — the flat roof that extends over the back part of the studio where the mudroom and half bath are.

That back section is not an original part of the house/garage. That was added later, and when it was enclosed, whoever did it just tied the roof for the addition in to the existing roof at the lowest point, and then angled it just enough to shed water.

The result is that the ceiling in that back part of the studio is eight feet at its highest, and about seven feet on the back wall with the French doors.

I hate it. Not only do I hate the low ceiling inside, but I’ve always hated how it looks from the outside. (Excuse my junk. This is where I pile stuff that needs to go to the landfill or metal recycling place, and I’m overdue for a trip.)

I mean, there’s just no way to make that roof look good, and you can see that it comes just to the top of the doors and windows.

If you look to the far right in this next picture, you can see that the same flat roof extends over the pantry, as well as the sunroom. I’m not concerned about the sunroom since we’ve been planning on tearing it down and rebuilding that whole section ever since we bought the house. But I thought I was stuck with the rest of it.

Well, it turns out that I’m not. The carport roof will tie in (like in the illustration above) with the original roof, and cover over the flat roof completely. This means that we will be able to get rid of the flat roof altogether. Well, at least the part over the studio. That 12-foot section over the pantry might still have to stay, but I can live with that. (For reference, the French doors go to the studio. The window to the right of the doors is the half bath at the back of the studio. And the window to the right of that is in the pantry.)

So if we’re getting rid of the flat roof at the back of the studio altogether, you know what that means, right? It means that the walls can be raised to normal height!!! No more 7-foot wall at the back of the studio! No more awkward roof line sitting right on top of my doors and windows!

Y’all, I am so excited. I’ll have a covered place to park my vehicles (especially important on days when bad weather is in the forecast). I’ll have a lighted and covered place to use my saws. But this will also do wonders for the aesthetics not only on the exterior, but also on the interior at the back of the studio. And it might also solve another headache of a problem, which I’ll share with you at a later date if this does, in fact, solve the problem.

So how does all of this tie in with my procrastination? Well, I’m so glad that I haven’t yet had the room (specifically that back area with the half bath and mud room) drywalled yet! And drywall is one thing I wouldn’t have dragged my feet on had the electrical work been finished, since I’ve vowed never to do drywall again, and I completely trust my drywall guys to do a great job.

So in this case, I have to say, my procrastination paid off. Sometimes things just work out the way they’re supposed to. And the guy will be here in about 25 minutes to talk over the details. This is exciting!

 

 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

40 Comments

  1. It sounds like a great next step! I hope the meeting goes well and all can proceed quickly.

  2. I believe that somewhere in your subconscious you knew that there was going to be a solution to all of this.

  3. so are you using the company that did your neighbors house? I re-read the post thinking I missed something.

    Thanks Kristi!

  4. I loves me a good conundrum with a new solution! Go forth in the direction of your dreams, we are following you! ❤️

  5. Congrats! Good for you. They there is a reason for everything. You sound so happy. I am glad for you. How far did you get on that mess yesterday? And…in your defense you do need a place to work.

  6. Ah, this turn of events is “bashert” (Yiddish for “meant to be”). SO excited for you.

  7. I reread the post 2 times and i’m still not understanding where the carport is going. Is the “A” of the roof going to be on the side were the french doors are? will the french doors to the studio be under the car port?

    1. Yes, and yes. I’ve been concerned about having the French doors under the carport, but my neighbor’s is that exact same way, and I really like how it looks. I was pleasantly surprised.

      1. You will loose much of the natural light that comes in through that French door but I understand your compromise for the extra space. I hope you are sticking with your commitment to clean up your studio in the next 2 days! A clean space is a productive space; but that’s my own personal motto. Love your drive and passion for taking on your own projects. You do great work!

  8. I don’t believe in procrastination, unless it involves cleaning. This was just your intuition that had not yet been vocalized.

  9. Kristi I’m thrilled for you! So exciting and what a relief to know there is a solution to multiple issues, and it’s a wonderful one that is going to look fantastic
    . I’ve been doing my own procrastination for years, over drapery hardware and draperies. Last night I got miffed and just took down all of the parts that I have been trying to work with ‘because it was a waste not to use them’, and have a whole new plan. A ‘do it right now’ plan, in which I already have everything I need to make it work. Such a huge weight off to have a solution and see the last of the old ‘had to use’ pieces going out the door forever! You are my #1 person for DIY. I check your page every day, and usually catch your posts before they even hit my inbox. You rock Kristi!

  10. I so wish I lived in Waco instead of Ft. Worth, I would so steal your contractors for work on my house! The neighbor’s patio sounds exactly like what I want on the back side of my house – a covered patio with a roof tied into my house, similar to what is pictured. But, finding a contractor keeps me frozen (that and the expected price!). If I was in Waco, I would definitely see about making “your guys”, “my guys” also! 😀

  11. Yes and carports are GREAT for a covered outdoor entertaining spot. Like a permanent tent. My brother use to have one and we used it all the time for parties. I think you will really like this addition to your home!

  12. Elephant in the room….If you are going to park your vehicles under the carport, where will you find the room to also saw on projects? Will your vehicles never be able to be under the carport? I get you, I’m totally like you!!! Be real with yourself sister. At my age though, I embrace the real me and just deal with it. (saws are important stuff and need a home!)

    I think the carport will be fab, because you need a carport. But I still think you need to use the studio space for workshop space-what will you do when winter rolls in again? (that rolling cart suggestion is great!) You also have lumber storage to think about. I understand the debris on your feet objection but I have a contractor that is able to consistently be neat as a pin, never tracks and barely any dust. He uses a small filtration system in the area he works. Leave the shop vac out and vac your shoes before re-entering the house. Also, you can make you a sexy little office in the corner of your workshop. Give it a thought.

    1. I’m going to love the new roofline, especially because it won’t look like a second thought!

      I was thinking along some of the same lines as JANPARTIST. Cars can be moved out of the carport on workdays without issue so not too concerned about that. I get that you want your studio done, as well – who wouldn’t?!

      My question is where will you store all the keepable stuff (lumber, hand tools, miter saw, table saw, etc.) currently in the studio space when the studio is completed? I’m verging on the thought of the studio being the eventual shop and the eventual shop being your studio … at the very least combine it all in the studio until you get your shop completed! Keeps the tools handy and close for a lot of the building projects you do. My big tools are in the basement and it’s a pain when building on the 2nd floor and having to do 4 flights of stairs combined for cuts! What a blessing it would be to have them in a space like your studio attached to the house!

  13. Having a proper roof line will do wonders for making each of those spaces look intentional, rather than afterthoughts/add-ons. Sounds like a great plan!

  14. Ooh! I can just hear the excitement! So happy it’s working out better than you imagined. Suggestion: put your miter saw on a rolling cabinet or table with locking wheels. It is a back/life saver! Those things are heavy!

    Have you thought about partially enclosing the back side of the carport? Maybe a pony wall with openings to put some of your cute bi-fold shutters and maybe flower boxes? Just thinking in the future when your sitting in the backyard. Are you going to want look at cars? (Not sure if your future addition will bump out to conceal the carport or not)

  15. In our last house, I had a workroom that I used for building, painting and sewing. I used the garage or driveway for the messy stuff.
    In our present home, I have a big back porch and an open carport for the messy cutting and sanding. I cover my folding table saw with an outdoor furniture cover.
    There’s always a way to do what you really want/need to do. How nice when the solution fixes more than one problem at a time!

  16. That will be nice and it is always a nice thing to have a place to use saws so the sawdust doesnt’ get tracked into the house. Win-Win. May the fourth be with you!

  17. Is there a reason not to extend the carport to include the pantry? Just wondering…

    I just love when everything comes together and gives you goosebumps. it’s so right! 🙂

  18. Oh that will be so nice to have for your messy projects! Agree you need to put that miter saw on a rolling, heavy cart of some kind. It would save you so much (literal!) pain!
    So how long before you can get this carport up and functioning? I would also consider putting in skylights there and in your studio. Save a little on electricity, and you can spend that elsewhere!
    I forget – is the eventual workroom building going beyond the carport?

  19. I love all the comments and how everyone is sparked by your thoughts, ingenuity, and enthusiasm. You are just rolling along and taking everyone with you. It’s a lot of fun. I think your procrastination is just your mind and body taking a break to process. It certainly seems to be working.

  20. Oh Kristi! I can feel your excitement! Yay!!!!! All good comes to those who wait! (….or procrastinate just a wee bit!). 🙂

  21. So happy this is coming together for you! A carport in back will be wonderful, and getting rid of that gravel drive that deadends in your studio will do wonders for your front yard. You Go, Girl,

  22. If you extended the carport roof over the pantry, would that give you enough room for your saws not interfere with your automobiles? You’d have to move the car for cutting large items, but you’d have space for the saws on their rolling carts (if that’s what you’re thinking about using).