Eighteen days.
After an exhausting trip to the mall on Saturday, I have earrings and undergarments. Add those to the shoes lost somewhere in the packing mess and it’s almost like I have something to wear to my wedding!
My seamstress is an absolute delight and if you ever need services of that kind, I would recommend her in a heartbeat. She seemed momentarily concerned about the fabric remnants – they’re very narrow and in uneven lengths – and the likelihood that the dress could actually be crafted from them, but then she was all reassurances so I have put my worry away. For now.
The house is coming along. Or creeping along, I should say. These last few projects seem to drag and drag – especially with Sunday’s moving day swiftly approaching. But, the floors are now refinished a gorgeous dark walnut and there’s not a HINT of dog smell anywhere to be found. Success! While I wish we hadn’t been forced into the floor task (our refinisher said that while he and his crew were sanding, their eyes were watering from the smell), I cannot say that I’m not loving the aesthetic upgrade. Guh-orgeous.
The bathtub is also gorgeous. I’m so happy we kept it. Some bathroom counters and a couple of sinks would be nice, but I’ll content myself with a pristine porcelain surface on which to rest my tushie whilst I soak off weeks of construction grime. And drink wine. Out of the bottle.
Tomorrow, the replacement doors arrive and by Friday, all of the doors, baseboards and shoe molding will be in place. Not painted, mind you, but in place. I’ll paint them next year when I can hold a paint brush again without wanting to JAB IT IN MY EYE.
Tomorrow, the carpenters come to build the storage benches in the dining room. My original sketches were more complex than the finished product will be, but that’s what happens when you run out of money: value engineering. When the contractor called to confirm that I wanted them left unpainted, he seemed to question the sanity of my decision.
“There will be gaps that require caulking prior to the first coat of primer,” he said, leaving an amusing, patronizing pause between us.
“Caulking? What’s that?”
“…”
“Kidding. We’re prepared to prep, prime and paint. Don’t worry.”
“Okay. I wasn’t sure of the level of expertise here, but it sounds like this isn’t your first rodeo.”
“Mmm, well, this probably is our first rodeo, actually, but we’ve been on this bull for weeks now. We learned some things pretty quick.”
My realtor sent me the MLS for our home so I was able to download some “before” pictures. Then I’m gonna make a nifty slideshow so you can see the fruits of our labors! It’s funny how nervous I am about that, though. Dooce always gets downright nuh-asty comments about her decorating choices and we chose some pretty… specific colors and applied them rather liberally. Philipsburg Blue (Benjamin Moore), Bolero Red and Castle Path (both Behr). One house, three colors. And that’s it. Because we are nothing if not consistent… or really, really tired of sorting through paint swatches.
Heather- You’re my friggin hero! I love that you’re doing all of this awesome work on your new house and getting married. You’re the only other person that I know (I sort of know you.lol) that does everything all at once. <3 You go girl!! Congrats on the awesome life upgrades.
I’m the reigning queen of Biting Off More Than One Can Chew. Actually, I’ll be able to chew it all – I’ll just give myself lock jaw and probably temporarily alienate anyone who loves me.
Love the blue and the Castle Path. They would look really nice together. Couldn’t find the red, though, and it is killing me.
What? I cannot be the only one who ran to look up the colors. That’s why God invented the Internet.
I think it’s newer – it’s one of their paint + primer colors. We paired it with Castle Path in the dining room and the office. We liked the energy of it! The blue with the stark white in the master and the bathroom is very dramatic but soothing. The guest room, when it’s done, will be the only room not in that palette. I’ve decided to make it Caribbean beach vacation colors. After all of this stress fixing it, I want to to be soothing!
The colors – beautiful!
I can see it.
Especially the guest room!
Go, go, go!
I confess, the first thing I did was google the colors. They’re gorgeous!
You continue to AMAZE me, Miss Heather! As hard as it is, everything seems to be coming together so nicely.
Oh are you ever going to enjoy Italy!
It would be most gracious of you to share this part of your life with us in pictures. Please try not to worry about negative comments and such. To each his own. If you’re happy. I’m happy for you and I thank you in advance for sharing. As always.
Wow. Eighteen days, huh?
My heart just skipped a beat!
How do you do it, woman? lol
Keep goin’, girlfriend!
You’re in the home stretch!
very brave but please do it! Picking out your own decoration is one of the joys of house ownership. I put some strong black stencils of flowers on my bathroom walls and got comments saying they were gorgeous but people tend to be afraid to do these things themselves. Can’t wait to see it all!
18 days! Hang in there!
I say screw the haters. You’re the one putting in the hours of work, and you’re the one who lives there. So you’re pleasing yourself, as you should be, and if other people don’t like it, well, they shouldn’t live there. (go me and my runon sentences. My mom must be an English teacher). and I’m really excited to see it!
You’re impressive as hell – I’m SO excited to see it. Can’t wait!!
Not Pittsburgh Blue!…
Are Philipsburg and Pittsburgh the same thing?
So excited for you! Looking forward to seeing the before and after pictures. And just ignore the meanies…I’m sure dooce tends to do that now too.
Thanks! You know, I think until you have complete strangers call you names, it’s easy to say “ignore it.” Because that’s what I would have said too. Until the first time that shit kept me awake at night.
That’s what Ambien is for.
Fan-flippin-tabulous! Look at you go! You’re the fish that won’t give up!
My sister’s kitchen/dining room is Castle Path. Lovely color. You’re on the home stretch now!
I’m really amazed that you’ve known what needed to be done and how to go about doing it! And by all the contractor-speak you’ve picked up along the way
Well done! Looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Also, for Megan, if you haven’t found the Bolero Red yet:
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/paint/paint-samples-posters-fan-decks/behr-ultra/8-oz-bolero-interiorexterior-paint-tester-ul1009-57340.html
Holy huge link, Batman!
I think that as long as you (and the Dark Lord) are happy with the colors, that’s all that matters!!!
After painting my new home last summer, my 60 year-old Mom, who I love to death & who helped me paint the place, described my colors as “flamboyant”. Yeah, that’s right. I told her she could use the word “vibrant”, but not “flamboyant”…I’ve got 7 different wall colors between 4 rooms/areas and I love it! (I think all the meanies are just jealous deep down.) Again, as long as you’re happy with YOUR home, that’s all that matters
And congrats on having an awesome seamstress!
Aw, sister I feel your pain. My hubby and I did the exact same thing, bought the house and then got married a few months later. I can’t believe that your wedding is only 18 days away! It is going to go so fast. I remember 2 months before our wedding thinking that I just wanted it to be over, and then it seems like the next day it was. Good luck, try to remember to stop and just breathe every now and then.
Karie
Your remark about the paint brush in your eye made me laugh out loud! I recognize it’s only funny from here… I have been where you are! It’s all worth it. And I agree — you are SO going to enjoy Italy!
I don’t know if I’m more excited for the dress or the house. I’m glad things are going swimmingly as I was worried for a moment there. Hooray, Heather!
I have 2 red walls, two taupe walls and a chocolate brown ceiling in my living room. Lots of people tried to talk me out of it but I punched them in the face and did it anyway. And everybody loves it. Although I am thinking of changing the taupe and brown to gray now… I mean it’s been 3 years. I need a change.
I can’t wait to see your house! Your wedding! It is all so exciting.
i’m excited for you!! i googled the colors, too, and although my opinion really doesn’t matter all that much….. i definitely love the color scheme! i am looking forward to the before and afters!!
Eighteen days? Well, I guess that’s seventeen now (or 408 hours, but who’s counting?) if you posted yesterday. Just like hitting yourself over the head with a hammer: It feels so good when you STOP.
Who are these haters I read about? I must have missed something, and I really don’t want to know. All the best, and I hope everything keeps working out your way.
Our bedroom is castle path! I love love love it! White linens, and a pop of blue for my nightstand. I will paint every bedroom I have that color.
(tip from a friend: pick colors for your bed & bath that flatter your skin, because those are the rooms where it counts. Ahem.)
Was Castle Path what you used in the guest room and Philipsburg Blue in the bathroom? I loved the pics/slideshows and really loved the colors you chose for those two rooms. I haven’t been keeping up with my favorite blogs lately, and I don’t think I’ve ever commented here, so hi and congratulations on the marriage!