Sunday, November 21, 2021

Front Room: Finishing the last 10%


Early in our renovation we tackled the front room. When we first moved in we used the area for a play space for wooden marble run towers, Hot Wheels tracks and the occasional Wii session. Time has passed- kids are getting bigger and we no longer need a play area. Plus, the Covid-19 quarantine crisis has given us the time to finish the basement so the TV and video games moved downstairs. 
Circa 2017-18

An early project for the house was adding a coat closet in the "dead" space between the front door and the hallway. 

Move in day


Framing a closet

Functional but needs some style


Final product: entry way bench & closet

Another project for this room was installing overhead lighting. This room was very dark with the only light coming from a single lamp. We tried using a torch light and it just wasn't working for us. But installing recessed lighting in a room without attic access can be a chore. Not to mention having to patch and paint the ceiling. We finally buckled down and just DID IT. And painting the ceiling was a pain, just like I thought it would be. But having light in that room is wonderful.


D also custom built doors for our sliding, overlapping barn doors. We used frosted glass to give the office (on the other side) some light but privacy to hide our messy craft/office stuff. I'm not sure that is a project he would be willing to take on again because making the doors was a challenge but they sure are lovely to look at. 



The biggest challenge with this front room was just finishing it off. It's the last 10% of the project that is the most boring- the touch up paint, finishing the floor trim, caulking the crown molding. I've been lucky with my new job to have some time at home and one week I just made the decision to finally just FINISH IT. 
I still need to decorate the walls, but I really love our finished product. 


Move in day


After Renovation (paint, recessed lights, doors, flooring, window treatments)



Move in day


After renovation