Did you know I’ve won an award? Albeit a self-proclaimed one. From here on I shall be known as the world’s slowest home renovator. Can you believe work on our living room started before we’d even officially moved in back in February 2014 and 4.5 years later my goodness, but we’re STILL NOT DONE.
I mean for real, HOW do people manage to do full home renovations so quickly? For starters money doesn’t go on trees last time I checked and I find it exhausting just dealing with one room let alone a whole house full. Still, we’re moving forward and I’m determined to make sure that the living room gets finished. That’s another of my failings, getting to about 90% with a room and letting the rest slide. Not this time.
But you know what? I was looking through some old photos of when we first moved in – in fact, the reason I started blogging to document our renovation journey – and it did make me feel super proud. Yep, we’re not going to be winning any gold medals in the 100m but we are thorough and really are putting a lot of love back into our neglected home.
So here’s a little recap of where we’re up to so far because it’s been a while with all the things we’ve done:
- Damp-proofed the external walls
- Replaced the windows
- Ripped out the gas fire and installed a log burner
- Removed the gas tap
- Moved the light switch from behind the living room door
- Taken out the pendant ceiling and replaced with downlighters
- Replastered the room
- Added extra electrical sockets
- Ripped up the carpet and added engineered herringbone parquet
- Installed plantation shutters
- Painted the room
You know, when I see it all out there like that, I realise it’s ok that it’s taken so long. Not everyone is taking the care and attention we are and that’s ok too because people have different priorities and different budgets. Things like replacing windows or replastering (OMG, the amount of people I see just sticking lining paper up bothers me SO MUCH. Half the reason we’re in the mess we’re in is because of bloody lining paper) isn’t on everyone’s lists of things that need doing.
Now, finally, I feel like we’re at a point with the living room where the bulk of the work is probably done. But like I said, it can’t just be left so here’s what I would really need to consider it finished. For budget purposes, I’ve set myself until Easter next year and I’m happy with that. If I can bring it forward and coincide with our 5th anniversary here that would be amazing but we’ll see.
So what’s left:
- Sand and stain the floor
- Build and paint alcove cupboards/shelves
- Tile the fireplace (possibly)
- Install new radiator and valves
- Add new dimmer switch for the main lights
- Treat ourselves to a new TV (the one we have is over 12 years old!)
- Accessorise, ACCESSORISE (you know, artwork, mirror, plants, rugs, sofas, all that good jazz)
As someone who never really had a long-term home growing up, I’m excited to see our living room take shape and become the space I never thought I’d have. Somewhere we love to spend time and cherish. And at long last, they may be baby steps but we’re getting there.
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I can’t wait to see the finished room it already looks amazing! It’s always worth taking your time to get things right. Pretty sure we draw on being the slowest DIYers.
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haha Christine well I’m excited to see what you’re up to at the moment, I spied Jan up a ladder on your Instagram 😉 X
The herringbone floor colour looks amazing, and I am so happy that you are getting so closer to your dream space. We live our lives in such a fast pace that to get round to finishing what should be simple jobs is almost impossible, so don’t beat yourself about taking your time. Better do things slow and keep your sanity!!
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Those are very true words Jenny. And it will all be worth it in the end X
No one says you have to rush it, and the major works you’ve been undertaking cost a pretty penny too. As long as you keep moving (forward hopefully) it’s your journey and no one elses. The floor is looking very gorgeous btw.
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I think this is what I have to remember – its our home at the end of the day and so if things take time and so long as we’re ok with that, then it’s all good. I would *like* to try and get most of it done by Christmas though… X
I’m totally vying for that award Lins!!! 😉 I BET I’d win hands down!!! I am mega slow at renovating too since I had the boys… it takes me so long to get around to doing anything these days!! Cannot WAIT to see it in it’s full glory!! xx
Caro | https://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
I resonate so much with all of what you’ve said here! We are slow movers too, but also 100% the reason we started blogging and it’s always great to look back to see how far you’ve come. You’re doing great hun! That floor is looking immense xx
Blimey that is an extensive list of changes you’ve made there. You should be really proud of all you’ve achieved. I’m also a very slow renovator so you’re not alone. We started our bedroom makeover in 2014 and it’s still not done. I totally blame having kids for the slow speed of renovations though. They make progress very difficult. Really looking forward to seeing you reach your dream though. The flooring is dreamy.
Love love love that floor! Looking forward to seeing the rest of your renovations!
Totally love your honesty! Love the parquet and wall colour. It will all be so worth it once completed x
Home renovation can be so challenging and at time you cannot see the end of the tunnel, but enjoy the process as I’m sure you’ll miss it (a bit) once you have finished 🙂
You’ve actually done loads so far. The lounge floor looks amazing and I love the colour. Can’t wait to see how it progresses.
I’m a great believer that quality is better than quantity when it comes to doing up your home. Anyone can paint over the cracks, but proper renovation work takes time, vision and money!
That’s an incredible amount of work you’ve managed to achieve Lins and you are on the homeward front now!! I absolutely love your herringbone floor and wall colour. Can’t wait to see more as the rest of this room unfolds 😀 x
Lins! Thanks for writing such an honest post. We were without a kitchen for a year and still struggling to see how we can finish it before Christmas. I think especially as bloggers we put too much pressure on ourselves to get things done quickly and efficiently but that is not real life! Money doesn’t grow on trees! It looks amazing and we are currently trying to source a chevron parquet floor so any suggestions very greatly appreciated! It’s going to be an awesome room! Donna
Don’t be too hard on yourself, it was never going to be a quick process! The fact that you know what you still have to do will actually save you a lot of headaches – though it may not feel like it right now. It will be thoroughly worth it when you’re relaxing in the living room of your long-term home, knowing how much work you put in and enjoying some well-deserved rest!