Canadas at Home: House in 1998

Phase 4

Spring 1998: Knowing that Esprit was on the way, Lisa and I tried to finish most of our immediate house projects last year. In expectation of the open house we planned for Essie's baptism on Easter weekend, though, we returned to our homework this spring. Here are the latest developments:

Lisa planted a large garden, including butterfly bushes and several vegetables.
I built a dovecote, and we set it up in the garden.
We bought a table, chairs, and an umbrella and set them up in the back yard.
We painted the screen door, porch, and mailbox in the front of the house.
I installed shutters on the front and side windows.
Lisa sewed valances for Essie's nursery, as well as new cushions for the dining room chairs.
We finished decorating Essie's nursery and playroom by hanging several pictures.

Phase 5

Fall 1998: It seems that every six months--long enough for us to recover from our last endeavor--Lisa and I launch a major home renovation. At the rate we're going, we expect to begin competing with Biltmore Estate for tourists by the year 2000. The renovation we began a few months ago has been our biggest yet, gradually spreading from the utility room--the part of the house most in need of work--to the kitchen, dining room, living room, playroom, both bathrooms, master bedroom, and even the back step and driveway. Although we managed to do a lot without spending too much money, the renovation was not without cost: We nearly lost our sanity, and I nearly lost a quarter-inch of my thumb, which I sliced off while cutting tile and had to have reattached in the hospital emergency room.

Now that it's all over, we're convinced that the gains were worth the sacrifices. We hope the following room-by-room summary will entice some of our friends and family to come to Laurinburg and see the finished project for themselves. When you call, ask about the package deal featuring the Biltmore and Monticello.

Utility Room

I built a broom closet, built two sets of bookshelves, and installed a dozen or so cabinets.
I hung new blinds.
I installed new light switches and switch plates.
I ran a phone line to the room.
I set up a workbench and installed work lights over it.
Lisa painted the ceiling, broom closet, cabinets, bookshelves, and trim, as well as two walls.
Lisa hung wallpaper and ceiling border.
We installed a new work area and utility sink.
We put down new tile.
We installed a new ceiling light.

Before

After

Kitchen

Lisa painted the cabinets, wall, and trim.
Lisa hung new pictures on the walls.
Lisa sewed and hung curtains.
We painted the ceiling.
We put down new tile.

Dining Room

We painted and installed indoor shutters on the bottom windows.

Living Room

Lisa bought an old end table and painted it.
Lisa rearranged the furniture.
I ran new speaker wire to the bookshelves.

Bathrooms

Lisa hung wallpaper and ceiling border.
Lisa sewed and hung curtains.
I installed new blinds.

Master Bedroom

Lisa painted the closet doors.

Playroom

Lisa put down tile next to the back door.
I installed carpet guards around the tile.
I installed a spring on the back door.
We moved our futon from the den to the playroom.

Outdoors

I installed lights along the driveway and front walkway.
We painted the back door and step.