(Un)expected Holiday Project

In yesterday's post, I lamented (with humor) about the organizational mess that we presently call home. In addition to our usual clutter, we decided that since it's Christmas time you know, we would clear out the living area in order to flatten the ceiling, cover the walls with new paint and put down new flooring (flooring that has been 'curing' for several years in its packages in the livingroom ~ you can see it in the corner of the middle photo).  Okay.  So, I'll have more mess during Christmas and New Year, but it'll be temporary, and we'll have a nice livingroom area rather than 'baby-poop-brown' walls and a stuccoed ceiling. 

Seriously,  I am thankful that we're even able to make time to get this overdue project done right now. 

But alas, I should have realized that all home improvement projects in some way or another can bring unexpected changes to the expected plans.  Earlier in the year (top photo) I spotted a bubbling of paint just over top of the mantel.  Water damage from chimney.  Chimney was capped, flashing fixed, sealant put into place.  We were told to replace the smallish section of damp wall with new drywall.  But of course, we waited.  Waited some more. It dried.  No other leakage seen.  Yeah!  Then this weekend as we began prepping our living area for the upcoming improvements (so we wouldn't lose the festive feel of the season, we moved the Christmas tree into the diningroom and livingroom stuff into  the kitchen area...ha!), we removed the mirror over the mantel and discovered mold (black patch in 2nd photo).  Yuck!  So, now we have a large section of the livingroom wall missing, and we're waiting for it to rain to see if the leak has been completely fixed or if this is something new. 

Once again however, I am thankful that:
: we didn't actually paint the walls yet & put down the new flooring and then have to re-do everything
: we did say adios to the family of birds that had taken up temporary residence inside our chimney
: maybe we'll be able to use our fireplace come wintertime?
: a warm & 'creative' house is a very nice blessing indeed!

oh...hot cocoa, warm blankets, a bit of knitting, a game or two with the kids while gathered near a crackling fire sounds awfully good to me...

Comments

[Jodi]

I agree your little "vision" sounds just wonderful. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the chimney is okay -- sometimes these home improvement projects end up going in a completely different direction than intended.

[swanski]

I hope you find the leak! Water is pesky and annoying in the wrong places. The room is beautiful and has wonderful lighting!!

[amanda {the habit of being}]

i know your pain! we've lived in two historic homes while restoring them and it isn't easy. it seems as soon as you make two steps forward, there is a setback. the good news is that you will soon have a spiffy new room to enjoy!

[Tracey]

I feel I am always living in a construction zone so I get it! I do hope you don't have any trouble with your chimney and am very happy you discovered the mold as it can be so dangerous to your health.

[Ellen]

Thanks! It ended up raining and we checked - there's a little bit of dampness on the back side of some of the framing wood, so our progress may be hampered. And we thought this was the easier & less expensive of 2 home improvements that need to be done.

[Cynthia]

Oh my! Home improvements always make me nervous just for this reason. I do hope you are able to move forward here soon. I look forward to seeing more pics in the future of your progress. Good luck with the moisture problem. :)

[Kristen]

Oh no! Now you will really need a break...dinner for you all at my house!

[Kermit Lukacs]

At least now you can do all those improvements at the same time, and not wait for the damage to show. By then, the destruction shall have cost you more money and more mess! Keep it together, you'll soon be done!