Remodeling discussions and local services.
bsmith51
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RE: Knocking down walls: living with one big space
I have to admit, I’m a bit of a contrarian when it comes to “negative space.” In my 1920s place, if I leave too much open area, it just feels like the ghosts of previous owners are judging my furniture choices. I get the...
RE: What would you do if your kitchen reno budget doubled overnight?
I hear you on the open shelves - mine turned into a display case for historic dust bunnies. If my reno budget magically doubled, I’d be tempted to splurge on custom cabinetry with soft-close everything. But then I wonder...
RE: Keeping up with eco labels is harder than I thought
That’s the spirit - if only my family would agree to the “skip the shower” method, I’d have fewer paint headaches. I’ve also found that even with mineral paints, if you’ve got old horsehair plaster (like in my place), it...
RE: Why Does Running Power to a Detached Garage Feel So Complicated?
Can’t say I haven’t been there - spent an entire Saturday lining up conduit in my old place, only for a squirrel to knock one loose the next week. With these older homes, perfection’s a slippery slope anyway. Half the ti...
RE: Need ideas for draining my pool without flooding the yard
That’s the spirit - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (yet). I did try the sump pump with a 50-foot hose once. It got the water away from the house, but then my neighbor’s dog had a new pond for a week. City didn’t care, b...
RE: my battle with moldy closets and frizzy hair
I hear you on the dehumidifier stress - my old house practically drinks humidity for breakfast, so I’ve had my fair share of accidental indoor puddles. Honestly, just remembering to empty it is half the battle. Don’t bea...
RE: Keeping up with eco labels is harder than I thought
I hear you on the plastic look - my living room’s basically a greenhouse every winter, but at least my toes aren’t freezing off. Rope caulk is underrated, honestly. Tried foam once and it just crumbled out of my wobbly s...
RE: how much did your bathroom remodel run you (roughly)?
Tell me about it - the “hidden surprises” are like a rite of passage with these old houses. I thought I’d seen it all until I found a layer of wallpaper under the tile... and then another layer under that. PEX is great i...
RE: finally got our storm shelter checked out and passed with flying colors
I’ve got to agree, marine-grade plywood is a wallet-buster unless you’re expecting your stairs to double as a slip-n-slide. I’ve had my fair share of sticker shock at the lumber yard, and for most of us with older homes,...
RE: Smart lights vs smart switches for yard setup?
Smart Plugs Are Great, But Don't Write Off Smart Bulbs Yet Timers definitely have their place - my porch light ran on one for years, and it survived three thunderstorms and a squirrel attack (don’t ask). But I’ve gott...
RE: how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?
I hear you on the “contingency” front - my old place is a century inland, but the first time I opened up a wall, I found a bird’s nest, a 1970s Pepsi can, and what I’m pretty sure was a squirrel’s attempt at plumbing. I ...
RE: Which is better for eco-friendly homes: strict rules or flexible guidelines?
I get what you mean about “flexible” sometimes turning into “let’s just wing it.” I’ve lived in a 120-year-old house where previous owners clearly took “guidelines” as more of a suggestion - let’s just say the wind whist...
RE: Need ideas for draining my pool without flooding the yard
Haha, couldn't agree more - I learned this lesson restoring our historic home. Our yard turned into a swamp after draining the old concrete pool. What finally worked for us was installing a French drain system: basically...
RE: remodeling in a flood-prone area - wish I'd known this sooner
You're definitely ahead of the curve thinking about textured finishes. Wish I'd known about broom finishing before my own basement turned into a slip-n-slide after a storm...not my finest moment, let me tell you. Flood-p...
RE: finally got our storm shelter checked out and passed with flying colors
Fans are great, but honestly, in my old historic home, airflow alone didn't cut it. Thick stone walls and ancient foundations laugh at mere fans. I ended up having to install a proper dehumidifier system - game changer. ...