I know you’ve probably come here looking for a new fractal. Unfortunately, the only thing fractalish around here is my frustrations with home remodeling. I suppose any project can do it--grow madly out of control: each small problem cascading into another, until the whole thing seems overwhelming. Sometimes, it can cause a nervous breakdown. I reached that point over spring break, when we tried to paint and renovate our entire house in a few days. (Hey, they make it look easy on TV!) At that point, I gave up, and said it would have to be done on the weekends. Then, of course, came finals and all the end-of-semester chaos. So, with summer here, I figured I could dive into the remodel and catch up with a billion other things. Heh.
The problem is, the remodel itself is turning into a billion other things. Removing one light fixture reveals ceiling damage which delays painting, which renders the room unusable for another day, and so on. Well, rather than suffer another anxiety attack over the whole mess, I’ve decided to just take it on, one step at a time, until it is done. (As it turns out, that’s the only sane way to proceed. With each little change, a beautiful new room begins to emerge.) The catch is, I have no idea how long it will take to finish. And yes, this blogging hiatus will continue for as long as it takes.
Perhaps, when I return, I’ll remodel this page, too. That sounds a little less daunting than transitioning a home’s style from eclectic and traditional to modern minimalism--but, as they advise, I won’t count my chickens until they’re hatched. In the meantime, please accept my apologies for what seem to be infinite delays on updates.
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I enjoy your blog for a variety of reasons, but I nearly doubled over laughing (with sympathy) at this post. We've been in our north-Texas bungalow (1922) for eight years, and are still plugging away. There are plans to do a blitz over our summer break (we're both college profs), but every time I get down to planning how to proceed, I realize that each step in the process is so intimately connected with other steps that sorting them out is almost impossible. So you're right: one step at a time is the only sane strategy. It's a good metaphor for ecosystems, though, and provides a lovely example of complexity and interconnection. Good luck!
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A few guideliens to bear in mind when contemplating any such project:
#1 All projects take longer than you first think.
#2 When estimating time and cost, take your first estimate and double it.
#3 The 90/90 Rule of Project Estimation: The first 90% of a job will take up the first 90% of the alloted time. The final 10% of the job will take up the remaining 90% of the alloted time.
So, whenever you get the notion that the parlor would look better painted a pale blue with white trim, be aware that you will have to address an unknown number of challenges in order to actually plaint the room. Even if there are no challenges, you will spend at least an hour of preparation and cleanup for every fifteen minutes that you actually apply paint. This is universally true.
Like eating a holiday feast you must take one bite at a time. Break up a job into manageable bites and don't fall for the notion that "I can do this in no time." Your investment of imagination, organization and labor will be best demonstrated by not setting unreasonable goals. And don't forget that our homes, like our lives, are works in progress, as yet incomplete.
Oh, and to mjones. You have done no such thing as is plain to anyone who thinks.
Hi Carmen, here in mid-Europe there is an alternative to liquid paints called "feste farbe", which translated should be something like "solid (or hard) paints". It's a gel-type thing, you don't dilute it and your brush simply takes a layer of it which you spread on the wall as thin or thick as you chose. No dripping and no drying needed to see how your layer ends up looking. It's a WYSIWYG job. They cost a bit more per covered surface, but it takes away a big chunk of work and frustration. Just wondering if you people across the pond find these kind of paints.
Sorry for the delay in response, everyone. In order to get anything done, I had to turn my computer off completely so it wouldn't distract me. Still, it was nice to hear I'm not the only one who has gotten in to too much with a remodel.
Candace, I hope your attempts with your bungalow go well. It is frustrating to do it bit-by-bit, but then again, it can be fun to watch the progress. We had trouble finding a place to start, too. When it came down to it, we stood in the front doorway and picked what we saw first, then moved around, section by section.
Crudely Wrott... how true your rules are! Except one thing... I learned how to take a break from painting without spending 15 minutes rinsing brushes and stuff... I just wrapped the wet paintbrush in plastic wrap, and covered the paint. Even overnight, the paint stays fresh and I can pick up right where I left off. Now I only have to do massive cleanup when I'm done in a particular section, or with a certain color.
Stelios, I can't say I've seen anything quite like you described. I've just been using standard latex paint, from Behr. It isn't hard to use... no diluting, and it covers pretty evenly. My trouble isn't so much the paint itself, just all the little nooks and crannies that needed paint. The kitchen--with all the cabinets and trim, spaces partially hidden by large appliances and whatnot--was a nightmare. But it's just about done, now!
finally, mjones. I don't really expect you to return to read this, but if so hahahahaha! That's quite a tinfoil hat theory you have there. Visiting your website, one can make a delightful game out of counting the pitfalls and fallacies used in your reasoning. If it's a drinking game, one is sure to become thoroughly soused!