Peeling Back the Layers: Part Deux

We're starting the one month countdown to the kitchen renovation- it's finally happening and I can't wait!!  And because I can't wait, I started some DIY demo this week while Dave was out of town.  At least this time I was kind enough to give him a heads up (as well as tell him how lucky he was that his wife just saved some dough on demo costs).  I'm nice like that.

Yes, I consider DIY to be therapy.  Potato, potahto.
Notice the absence of questions on Dave's end, and my ignoring
of his response.  We're such a good team.

So who remembers when I started picking apart the floor behind the fridge to see what was back there?  No?  Check it out...I wussed out and didn't peel back all the layers.

Anyhoo,  as I'm ordering all of my materials for the kitchen, I really need to know ahead of time what I'm working with down there (the FLOOR, people, the FLOOR).  I've got two scenarios:

1. I rip up all of the floor layers and find beautiful wood floors that just need a little TLC to make them shine. (fingers crossed, please, flooring gods!!)

2. I rip up all of the floor layers and find 66 year old plank subfloors, which will require installing new wood floors.  (Yes, naysayers, I'm doing wood in the kitchen.  And I plan on splashing grease and spilling food on it.  If you think I'm doing travertine tile in the kitchen, then plan to start calling me Tarek el Moussa and give me my own show on HGTV  (hardcore HGTV'ers will get that reference...the rest of you...meh.) )

If Scenario #1 happens, I'll be in heaven.  If Scenario #2 happens, I've got a plan. 

I have oak wood floors in every other room of my house except the bathroom (yay for no wall to wall carpeting!).  Side note:  I watch too many episodes of House Hunters where people say they want a house with carpet because it's "cleaner".  WHAT???  Carpet is the most disgusting thing on Earth for people who like a clean house, and for those who have allergies.  I look at carpet, and feel like I can SEE the billions of microscopic organisms just squirming their way into the corners and under the furniture.  Gives me shivers.

My apologies to you if you're a fan of carpeting.
I. Just. Can't.

So.  Because my oak floors are now 66 years old, they are aged and dignified.  If I try to put brand new oak flooring next to these, it would probably look ok, but I'm not going for just ok.  I need character, continuity, and beauty.  So if I need to put in new wood floors, they'll be new to me, but they won't be new- I'll be buying salvaged flooring from an old house. One advantage of living in a large metro area is there are plenty of opportunities for architectural salvage materials!  I've got two places on my radar if I need them:  Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit, and Reclaim Detroit.  Both work with local non-profits to train and employ those needing job assistance in the Detroit area- I'll gladly give some of my renovation money to great groups like these!



source



In order to do some flooring archaeology, I decided to tear up the side entryway rather than the whole kitchen floor.  As I didn't have any muscle to help, I thought it might be better to start small! To give you a point of reference, the side entryway connects the kitchen to the basement, and leads outside to the driveway- a pretty standard setup for a mid-century bungalow.  I actually had my fingers crossed that maybe, just maybe, this side entrance may have some neat-o tile, but alas, that was not to be, which leaves me little hope for the kitchen floor.  Here's what I did:

The floor as it's looked for 7+ years.  

I spent around $75 shortly after we moved into the house in 2007 to put down some "temporary" peel and stick tiles to cover up the god-awful gold 70's vinyl.  Almost 8 years later...

Do the two step.

I started with the two steps that go up into the kitchen...that gold vinyl is starting to rear her ugly head again.

And there she is.  Breathtaking.
Literally.
It takes my breath away, and replaces it with vomit.

Oh look.  A blank stair with nothing good underneath it.
Bummer.

Well, let's start near the door.

More vinyl.  That is now covered in ridiculously sticky residue.
Awesome.

At this point, I had to throw two scrap towels on the floor in order to walk on the floor- my feet would have been stuck otherwise.

Those towels are now toast.
Sorry, towels.

No beautiful tile or wood under here.  Sigh.
Correction: Luan board is only spelled with one "n".
Apparently I have the girly version in my house.

It's crowbar time.

This took some wiggling, and sweating.
Not to the oldies, though.
More to the cuss words.

I wasn't joking.  Those towels are STUCK to that glue.
Also, ghost hunters might say that the white orb to the left is
my faithful house ghost, Anna.
Heyyy, girl.

Wowza...it's another layer of flooring!
Filled with staples- even more amazing!
(sarcasm abounds.)

Every. Four. Inches.

I secretly kinda like this floor.
Ok, it's not such a secret.
Too bad it's filled with staple holes!

Oh yeah.  There's another layer under there.
And it's probably filled with asbestos.
Sigh.

 

So, here's where we leave it.  With a layer of flooring covered in staple holes (I pulled out over 100 staples.  It's a miracle my hands even work to type today!), tools all over the floor, and the toe of my toasty slipper peeking into the picture.

I don't have any amazing "After" pictures, and I'm not giving you a sneak peek just yet into my kitchen plans.

Deal with it-there will be plenty to see in March, and I can't wait!!

Quilt Hugs

Well, it's been a good long while since I've written, but there's a reason for that.  I worked my tail off through October, November, and December working to finish Christmas presents (as any good DIY'er did!!).  I couldn't share any details of my work before now, so as not to spoil the surprise, but I'm finally finished, presents have been delivered, hugs have been given, and all is well with the world.  I've been taking a crafting/DIY break in January- sometimes you can DIY just a wee bit too much.

Here's what I've been working on for the past 3 months:

Quilts...SIX of 'em.

Pause.  Grab some tissues, it's about to get real up in here.


Since my daddio passed away a few years ago, it's been difficult to decide what to do with some of his belongings.   Thankfully, my mom was strong enough to know that something positive needed to be done with his things, and the quilt idea was born.  I pinned this picture earlier in the year, not really with the intent of doing anything specific with it, but just because I liked the quilts, and wanted some inspiration should I choose to make another.  See my first attempt at quilt making here.


My mom saw the picture, and something about it kept nagging at her.  She was set to visit me in October, and as we like to be crafty together, her wheels were turning.  "What if we use Dad's shirts to make that circle quilt?" she asked.  And an idea was born.

So, over wine and tears, she bravely packed up his shirts, and brought them to me.  Over more wine and tears, we took a deep breath and began the slow process of creating beauty and love out of heartache. 

All of the quilt backings were made with different flannel patterns.
You only get to see mine :)

I did not take pictures of the process, as making these quilts wasn't about a blog post, or providing a tutorial to readers.  I'm only sharing my quilts now so that my faraway friends and family can see them!!  If you want to make your own circle quilt, feel free to message me, and I'll be more than happy to walk you through the process.  It's not a quick process, but it is a beautiful one. 

When you can no longer hug your loved ones, hugging a piece of them is the next best thing, isn't it?

Dad's favorite red flannel shirt.

End note and shameless plug:  I, and many others, loved my daddio something fierce, and will be walking/running in his honor in March at the annual Run for Dennis 5k.  Check out our website- join us in person or virtually for an amazing cause!