Even before we headed to Florida, Michael and Sarah shared the list of projects they hoped we’d be able to complete during our 3-month visit. The first was paneling and painting the kid’s bedroom. The panels were identical to those, which they had previously installed in their dining area. It’s a popular Home Depot product called Primed White Ship Panel and came in 4′ x 8′ sheets at $35.68 a pop. Expensive in our opinion. We viewed this project as easily achievable until the change orders started being voiced.
In preparation, they had removed the dated engineered-wood flooring (existing when they bought the house) and intended on replacing it with a new area rug. We removed the exposed foam padding and uncovered a terrazzo floor, which they decided looked good enough to keep and not cover with a rug. We watched a number of YouTube videos on how to revitalize terrazzo and set about restoring its original condition. Sadly, our efforts were largely in vain. The padding had been glued down in spots and left several unsightly squiggled stains, which we thought could be removed with hand-scrubbing and a floor grinder. Fat chance! We also tried to repair the damaged perimeter of the terrazzo caused when carpet tack-strips had been removed to install the wood floor. So, we did what we could with marginal success, and Michael and Sarah felt they could live with the result.
Next, Sarah asked rather sheepishly whether we could install a book shelf just left of the bedroom door. Believing all things are possible, we responded “yes” and jumped on it before starting the panels. The book shelf required we break into the plaster wall and shorten the hall closet, which occupied the space behind where the bookshelf was going. We didn’t have to build the shelves per se; we only needed to create the space for inserting an IKEA product called “Billy.” Unfortunately, none of the standard-sized “Billy” shelves fit into the available space. So, we bought a new unit and cut it down, took a unit Sarah already owned and cut it down, and attached the two together to achieve the overall desired height.
The wall demo went quickly; however, reducing the width of the hall closet required a fair amount of detailed work. Nothing we couldn’t do, but it took more time than anticipated. Relocating the light and fan switch also became a small challenge, but MFI loved having a problem to solve.
The paneling went up relatively quickly. Of course it helped having Michael, a 6′-6″ strongman, who easily picked up, carried, and positioned each panel. He applied Liquid Nail to the backs of the panels, and we shot pins into each as needed to assure adhesion. This was the same technique they had used for the panels in their dining area. MFI installed their new ceiling fan and light, and TPM installed the new trim required for the bedroom and the hall closet. Sarah and TPM painted the room and hall closet, and Sarah eventually redecorated the finished room.
Neither of the kids wanted the white color of their room changed, but Sarah was determined to use color to add more character. She painted five potential colors on the wall, and we all got a vote. Unfortunately for the kids, the adults were unanimously in favor of the lightest blue. Yet once the room was finished, both Samantha and Happy loved their new digs.
At some point in the project, Sarah confessed she was hoping we could also complete just three more things before nine of her closest friends arrived for her 40th birthday blowout. Could TPM put a fresh coat of paint on the dining area, living room, and hallways to the bedrooms? Could TPM make some minor wall repairs and paint the guest bathroom? Could we p-l-e-a-s-e change the kid’s closet doors from sliding (they had never worked properly) to hinged? Sure, no problem. We got them all done, which made her very happy.
These projects were a family affair where everyone pitched in and helped. MFI had a great helper when doing electrical work, as Happy knew how to wield a screwdriver. A picture too cute not to include.
