New year's resolution: be more handy.
Here are two Canadian homesteads, on opposite sides of our great land – Nelson and Toronto – that have taken matters into their own hands. DIY soldiers, really. For is DIY not the essence of a Real People Reno?
From Nelson; a young family grappling with a mouldy addition. From Toronto; a first-time buyer valiantly taking on a fixer upper. Both have chosen to document their efforts on their respective blogs (see below) and have reached out to us here on Stylesheet to start a conversation.
Here are their stories...
From Dianna R., Nelson, BC: This is a project my son HAD to take on after finding mould in an old addition of his family’s house. The house is in Nelson, BC.
Months into the renovations, with determination and all the carpentry skills he can muster, John has hopefully reached “bottom” and is resurrecting their home from the foundation up. He runs on sheer stress at times and the thought of him burning out and/or injuring himself any more (broken wrist right now!) tears at my heart. He loves his wife and almost 2 year old daughter and wants them to have a safe, healthy and comfortable home.
Please pass along any suggestions you may have – any and all support will be welcomed.
Gratefully,
Dianna R.
Jon's Blog
From Ezra, Toronto, ON: I recently bought my first house in Toronto, Ontario. It’s a semi-fixer-upper in a great neighbourhood. After watching numerous home improvement TV shows, dealing with some trades people myself, seeing poor workmanship on new homes and just the overall lack of care other people take in construction work, I have decided to do most of the renovations myself.
As they say, “if you want it done right, do it yourself”.
My father had put tools in my hands at a young age – getting me involved with household projects. I’m not an expert by any means, but very handy. The things I don’t know I will be learning through books, contractors I know, home improvement stores, TV shows and online.
This is my list of things that need to be done so far, excluding cosmetics:
1. Redo and repair the roof.
2. Redo the basement and build into a rental unit.
3. Remove the awning covering the front door.
4. The two walls separating the kitchen and living room/family room I was hoping to remove one and move out the other, more into the family room to make the kitchen larger.
5. Remove the carpet covering all the hardwood floors.
6. Replace all the hardwood flooring throughout the main floor.
7. Redo the main bathroom.
8. Redo the main kitchen.
Second list – that has now come about while the first list was being completed:
1. Remove plaster walls and replace with drywall.
2. Insulate upstairs exterior facing walls.
3. Repair inside fireplace.
4. Redo & add new electrical.
This will be interesting!
Ezra
Ezra's Blog
Advice? Commentary? Positive reinforcement? I’m looking forward to watching these two projects in the new year, and maybe we can take on some of the dilemmas they may experience, here on Stylesheet. Happy holidays to all, and please be safe if you are thinking of trying any of this at home.
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