2020 Review, Part 3

In case you missed them...here's 2020 Part 1 and 2020 Part 2.

In the meantime, here goes 2020 Part 3....

Project #4: New FLOORS!! The floors hadn't been updated since the remodel circa 1975. And they needed some helppppppp (as I would pound a nail or two back into the floor every once in a while). The carpets were super gross, and it was just time for an upgrade. Once Dad got on board, we were good to go ;) 

Mom and I began the long process to determine what kind and color of flooring. We started with four samples and quickly narrowed it to two. The two of us liked one option, while Dad liked another, of course! Everyone else we asked side with us, so that's what we got. It's a darker option, but I love the colors that are threaded within it -- grays, browns, goldens. Combined with the trim it all looks really good!

We weren't able to schedule the floors until after Emily and Caleb's wedding (more on that later), and so in mid-September I was looking forward to new floors....well, of course the flooring I chose was on back order. So finally when mid-October came around, floors were able to go in! In four days, plus a couple of hours to rip out carpets, there were new floors through the main level of the house. It not only transformed the floors, but updated the look of the house entirely! So amazing what one improvement can do. 

Project #5: Bookcases. After the floors were in and finished, priority number one was getting some bookcases made! They went in essentially the same places as the ones that had been there, just taller and wider in the long run. These bookcases fill the wall from the window wall to the door/window. We started by harvesting some wood from the barn.....in total, with the shelves, it took eleven boards per bookcase. 

Much the same process as with the trim (read the next installment for details), we cut, and planed, and sanded. Then! We took the hanging strips from the original book cases and put those on the insides to be able to put adjustable shelves in. After lots of measuring, adding screws, some additional sanding, and a coat of finish on everything, the bookcases got to come into the house. The last step was to make some shelf boards, so we sorted through everything and found some fairly straight boards to finish up the bookcases. Of course, each bookcase is a slightly different width, so the shelves are completely customized.