Checking out the demo

Waitin' on tile

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

So after enlisting the entire family to help me choose the perfect wood stain, I was publicly shamed by Carpenter Steve. Apparently I am not proficient at following (or reading) directions. The stain should not be painted on (I blame Maggie's technique) like paint: it needs to be rubbed on with a cloth and wiped off within 60 seconds. My "new" project for this week is to again find the perfect wood stain. And start reading again.

My assistant is helping me choose a wood stain! (Full disclosure: she's painting water on the wood, somewhat safer than stain fumes and easier to get off little hands ;-) 

My remodeling & design assistant

Demolition has begun!

My philosophy on real estate

Here is it, my Jerry Maguire essay. Unsolicited I know.

The old adage of location, location, location is still truer than ever. Buy the worst house in the nicest neighborhood that you can. The nicest school district you can, in the safest area you can. 

Secondly, look past the superficial, the exterior. Go straight to the basement upon opening the door. Look at the foundation, the HVAC system, the plumbing stacks, the electric box. Then the roof, walk around the exterior of the house to look for water damage. These areas and systems can be wildly expensive to fix and could be detrimental to your wallet, not to mention the time and stress involved. As a self-confessed House Hunters-addict, I will never understand the buyers who walk in a house and say, “I don’t like that paint color” or “The house doesn’t face south”. Almost anything can be fixed in a house, with the exception of 2 things: the location and the foundation. Most walls can be moved, faucets changed, tiles glazed. But if the foundation is sliding down a hill, it doesn’t matter if the paints are all neutrals and the house is “modern enough”. Go for quality on the inside (I mean inside the walls and foundation). Good builder and pedigree, quality construction and updated systems. You can work with the rest and make it your own.

Note: This also applies to men.

I can just see Don Draper having a scotch by this fire. Needing ideas on how to fix this?!

Happy hardware day!!!