The upstairs renovations are getting close to being done! It’s taking longer than I expected – but it always is with renovations right? Either way, I love the way things are shaping up. So much so that I’m wondering what in the world are we doing giving this brand new space that is equivalant to half a new house – to the kids?
Well, the main reason is we need more space to spread out. Period. The upstairs space is a built out attic originally done sometime in the 30’s. There are two bedrooms with high ceiling dormers but the rest of the head room maxes out right at 6’5″. My husband is 6’4″. So basically it’s perfect for short people.
The contractors are on their third day of putting the trim in and bead board in the bathroom (the real kind that goes in piece by piece). The floors were sanded and need one more top coat. Then it’s down to paint, putting in the toilet, sink and light fixtures. So, until I get some of my projects done and have something really big to reveal to you. This will be the last update posts on the upstairs of the house.
But first, since I have’t updated since there was no drywall upstairs. I MUST share this photo of when the drywall for the upstairs of the house was being hoisted by crane on a boomer truck up OVER our dogwood trees and through the upstairs windows. Not a single tree limb was damaged. And our all star contractor from Clinch River Custom Builders was watching their every move to make sure. 
Fast forward to today and this is the hallway and new nook that was made by taking out the wall. Old hardwood was taken from an unused part of the attic and put in here. In these photos it is shown sanded and raw. We chose a water based sealant that leaves the wood looking as natural as possible, and very close to what you see here. I also liked that with that option we get to avoid using the more toxic epoxy sealants. 
This is the crawl space door and hole for what will become —- drum roll please —- a laundry chute! 
The trim, in which a special blade was created to cut the wood so it would match the design of the rest of the house. 
My favorite part is going to be the bathroom. The contractors made custom windows for this space too. With old houses my biggest pet peeve is not having windows on addictions that match the original house and design.
First photo is the shower, second is the toilet nook, the third is where the trough sink is going. The one that I mentioned here, where I got the idea to paint the bottom of it fuschia pink. Oh yes! This will be a GIRL bathroom. 
When the kid space is done I DO have something to look forward to for my self – a new mudroom and kitchen. When the contractors offered to make custom windows and doors – as in actually make in their very own wood shop – for the mudroom. I jumped on that with a big YES answer. Therefore the building of our kitchen cabinets has taken a backseat and will start sometime next month. Incase you are wondering about the cost, them hand building the windows and doors costs about the same as ordering custom, factory built windows and doors. And I’d always rather support the local guys. Plus it will look SOOOO much better.
So far, here’s the mudroom off our kitchen. The doors and windows are coming next month too. 
