Monday, September 24, 2012

Guest House Renovation



Renovation of our guest house has been at the bottom of our priority list these past several years. We've had so much to accomplish on the main house that although we were anxious to fix up the space in which our guests stay, there just wasn't the time to do it. 


This past spring we decided that it was finally time to cross that task of our to do list. Once we started thinking of the things that needed to be done, we called Dale, our local structural engineer. In the above photo, he and Mike are checking the foundation. As you can imagine, Mike was thrilled when I got the camera out to capture them. 


If math is not your language, I wouldn't recommend trying to join in on a conversation with two engineers. I stood there for awhile and when I realized that I had nothing to contribute, I just let them be. 

At first we had big plans...removing the roof and expanding the second story, creating a little half story for an extra bedroom, etc. Then we came back down to earth and decided that much could be improved with a few of the most basic things...new windows, new door, and refinished floors, new sink, and faucet, and paint, paint, paint and more paint. 

As do all of our projects, the guest house renovation has taken much longer than anticipated (notice that these photos were taken last spring). I believe the goal was to finish it before my brother and his family arrived this past June. A lot was completed but many things were not...no new door, no kitchen faucet, no ceiling lights, refinished floors...

This little project of ours has reminded us of how stressful renovation can be. We thought that because the structure was separate from the main house, we would be less affected by the typical anxiety inducers, such as noise interrupting the babies' naps, endless scheduling, coordinating and consulting with contractors, delays, and the list goes on - but this was what you might call, wishful thinking..

In the end, Mike has been doing a great deal of work on it himself. Floor sanders and power washers needed to be rented, lots of painting had to get done, many discussions and ruminations were needed over design elements. And then of course, there were all of the other million little things that needed to get done. How quickly we forget! But we are nearing the end now. 

Photos will follow...eventually


35 comments :

  1. As with all your other renovations, I know this one will be the perfect country guesthouse. I look forward to following the journey.

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  2. I can't wait to see the photos. Your so lucky that your hubby can do all those renovations himself. I have lived through many projects where I am home with many contractors, builders etc while my husband is a work at his desk. I want to scream sometimes and say, why can't you do it! So I don't have to deal with these guys. But thankfully we are done with construction, I believe for good. Aside from a roof repair here and there we should be good. Good luck. So happy for you. Can't wait to see the pics.
    xoxo
    Lisa

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  3. How exciting! Your photos will be eagerly awaited by many, including me! Thanks for keeping it real about the "joys" of renovation. It's easy to live with things as they are for longer than anticipated, because renos can be intense and stressful -- even the "simple" projects (my husband likes to remind me that nothing is simple). Kudos to Mike. He's a real go-getter!

    Claudia

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  4. Grays Anatomy's season cliff hanger will come to light this week I believe, and now, you leave us hanging. Guess we can wait.....
    Take care, Sara

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  5. Cant wait to see pictures! !!!! Have a great day

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  6. My goodness, when I saw the top picture, my kids and I thought it was our garage / shed! Looks so similar!

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  7. I look forward to the photos . . . I am sure the guest house will be charming!

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  8. You have described the typical renovation perfectly. Two steps forward and one step back and twice as much work. We just had a new roof installed and are working on finishing a new loft bedroom with construction debris and tools everywhere. I keep telling myself it will all be worth it in the end. I can't wait to see what you have done. I am sure it will be beautiful.

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  9. Renovation is always exhausting. Well, the important thing is that you’ll be able to improve the old look of your home and turn it into a new and sparkling one. Congratulations on your successful reconstruction, and I hope that your renovation plans turn out as intended!

    Mariam Freame

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  10. Ooh,ooh, ooh! Can't WAIT to see! I have been fantasizing about what we can do to our little guesthouse. Like you, I wanted ti build up for a sleeping loft to increase the accommodations, but the roof is slate, and I know it would be cost prohibitive to replace it. It's VERY low down on my husband's list of priorities, but it sure would make it more inviting to entice our friends to visit!

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  11. OOOh! Can't wait to see!! My husband is an engineer and oh yeah -the calculations he does are beyond me. ;)

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  12. I just found your blog and it is fantastic! I love what you have done and are doing with your house and how you are documenting the progress. I love your style, both in writing and interior decoration, even though I like my spaces to be colourful. The house is so beautiful now. I must take a tour soon...

    And I do appreciate the great photos and the fact that they are yours! (It makes my blood almost boil sometimes to see bloggers using photos they don't have any rights for and winning loads of readers that way.)

    BTW, the first photo on this post could be any of the poor old outbuildings at our place here in Finland and I was wondering where in the world might you be living. The US? I didn't find anything on that.

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  13. this is hilarious...I laughed at your photos!

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  14. Trina, you are doing so much already, just go with the flow and enjoy what you have archived!
    Things do take time, especially if you are the DIY person doing it....We have a bunch of such projects and fully understand. But soon you will look back and be delighted with the results! I am sure!
    Have a great fall season ahead!

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  15. Trina, you are doing so much already, just go with the flow and enjoy what you have archived!
    Things do take time, especially if you are the DIY person doing it....We have a bunch of such projects and fully understand. But soon you will look back and be delighted with the results! I am sure!
    Have a great fall season ahead!

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  16. I can't wait! Looking forward to pics. :) Kit

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  17. ohmygosh... too funny. Love the photos. Glad you are almost finished and can't wait to see it! With all that hard work I think y'all need a vacation;):)
    xxj.

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  18. You are killing me! Talk about a cliff hanger! Can't WAIT to see what you've done. If it's even close to what you've done to the main house I know it'll be amazing. So, if you guys could just get on that, you know because someone in another state who you've never met is dying to see it, that'd be great :).

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  19. Ooo! Can't wait to see it! Your renovations are always inspiring!

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  20. I love your photos. I browsed your blog and you've accomplished so much! Please follow me on my new blog. We have bought a vacation cottage in Pinehurst, NC. Come follow our renovation of it. I hope you visit! ~Amy

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  21. Renovations should absolutely be a "4-letter word"!! Stressful is an understatement, and I can positively say, that in most cases, I hate it!! I'm always pleased and satisfied at a job well done upon its' completion, but hair-pulling stress is not something I ever look forward to. Someday, I long to have enough money to simply call a trusted and capable professional...then write the check.
    Wishing you much luck, and patience!!

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  22. Oh, this will be good....can't wait to see...love it!
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  23. Doesn't everything to do with house building take longer than you expect? Looking forward to seeing the finished article.

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  24. I can't see pictures :) It will be great, for sure:)

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  25. I've followed your wonderful blog for many years and I had no idea there was a guest house on the property. Fantastic! Another project! You and your husband have wonderful taste in renovating, so it will be fun to watch the progress. - Maggie

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  26. I'm especially looking forward to the colors you chose for paint, since you have such a lovely eye. (White definitely counts, too.) I remember a post where you pretended you and your husband were house shopping, and that you walked into your home for the first time, the way it is now. It must be satisfying when you look back at all the changes you've made.

    --Em

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  27. I have to admit I am quite jealous about your guest house, that is a dream! I was thinking if I could put a room above our garage...to try & have a private guest room perhaps...but a small house - would be exceptional! Lucky you & I am sure it will be gorgeous - looking forward to seeing the pics!

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  28. Have to laugh at the position your husband is in when you took the photo.
    I absolutely love the idea of a guest house/cottage/quarters.
    We have been looking at homes in NY state, we are moving :)
    And some have cottages, renovated garage spaces and one had an apartment over a garage.. it will be nice.

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  29. Oh yes, projects do take longer than we generally expect... hopefully the end will be just what you envisioned!

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  30. Hoping there has been (and will be until completion!) a very low dosage of 'of courses'...please let me know if any holy water, burning sage, or crystals are needed! ;)
    All the best with the rest...♥
    xo J~

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  31. Its great to have hubby take care of the renovation work at home ..I hope Im as lucky as you..

    goat weed

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  32. I looked back at the guest house as it looked when you lived there. I KNOW it has a lot of potential and will look great. Along with everyone else, I look forward to photos.

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  33. "If math is not your language, I wouldn't recommend trying to join in on a conversation with two engineers."

    Best line ever.

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  34. Have you not yet made changes in your guest house? I was eager to watch these images now as it's always exciting to see the home after renovation.

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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