Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Art....or renovation nightmare?


You know those times when you start a job and then think, "what the heck was I ever thinking?". I had one of those moments, in fact many of those moments as I decided to strip back a few layers of paint off my window. There was the artist in me saying, "look at all those amazing textures" while the DIY-er in me was saying, "how many more bloody layers of paint can there be??!!"


I think I counted about 10 colours...basically one for every ten years of the old girl's life. There was a dark mauve, electric blue, orange and of course a lovely mission brown.


Seriously, what were these people thinking? And more to the point, what was I thinking when I thought it would be better to strip/sand it back instead of just adding a new colour to the mix?
Hours are hours and many sore muscles later it is starting to look ok. Hopefully I'll get some new paint on it in the next few days,


Colin the plasterer actually came and quoted "stopping up" the ceiling but it was a bit beyond our budget so "man of the tools" decided to give it a go. He looked somewhat like a snowman at one point but did a great job.


Below is the lower ceiling. It's almost ready for some undercoat. We still have one more piece of plaster to get up in the higher part but might have to wait for the weekend to muster up some energy.


I ordered cornice today and am chasing up quotes to sand the floorboards.
It's starting to feel like we might get there!


Meet the snowman :) Yes, I know, where's the safety equipment? He's not a fan...me on the other hand, I wear enough for both of us.
ps. thanks for Molly's birthday wishes. She's had a great day with lots of treats.
xx

14 comments:

  1. I love your creative artwork! But that took a lot of work to strip all that paint away. Just imagine the sense of satisfaction you'll get when it's all done!

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  2. what a huge job that was/is. good to have all that paint removed, you might not have been able to close the doors and windows properly with another layer added. Hmmm, not sure about breathing in all that plaster tho, can't be good for the lungs.

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  3. Sounds like something I'd do Sarah! You guys look like you are doing an amazing job and I can't wait to see the finished room. The half stripped paint does look very arty though doesn't it!

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  4. Ah, the wisdom of the rampant renovator! But it looks fabulous, so just think of the end result when you uncover yet another layer. Great job! K xx

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  5. Come Summer I think I will be doing some paint stripping on our casement windows too. Arrgghh, what a job! Just remember that when it is done you can pull up a chair and sit and stare until you are ready to move again. Good luck with it all, it will look fabulous! ;-)

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  6. It's looking good! You're a braver woman than I to try and strip back that window frame. Just sanding and painting all of my timber ones was enough let alone having to take off layers of paint first.
    Kris
    xx

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  7. Busy, busy! We kind of fail OHS around here too - boys are so full of bravado until something happens!! Can't wait to see the finished work! x

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  8. Ah I knew you are of the kind that doesn't mind to get her own hands dirty :) and snowman looks adorable :))). have a wonderful day Sarah! x

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  9. How exciting it's all starting to come together but what a pain about all those paint layers!!! Can't wait to see it all finished and looking lovely ready for you to work in :)

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  10. oh happy b-day to molly! and you guys are braver than me!! i just keep looking at saggy ceilings and think, hmmmm not going to happen!
    jx

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  11. Oh good luck with it all Sarah, looks like you're going great guns. Loving the shelving you have going on too and those frames certainly look very arty to me - sorry that's probably not very helpful for decision making! xx

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  12. Oh my Sarah, my arms are aching just from looking at those plastering pics! As for the window frame, I love the effect that stripping it has produced, but I'm sure you will have such a sense of satisfaction once you get a fresh coat of paint on there. Bravo to you for all that hard work!! Hope you get a rest this weekend, you both certainly deserve it! ~Tina x

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  13. Wow... you guys have been working hard! We've been there, so I know what you're going through. It's coming along beautifully! Love the built-ins! All of your hard work will pay off soon. ;o)
    Funny picture of your hubby!
    Have a great day!
    ~ Jo :)

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  14. I take my hat off to you, doing the work yourselves. It must be very satisfying though..I love your cabinetry so much - it's exactly what I'd like for the study. I'm really enjoying seeing it all come together. And happy belated birthday Molly, big kiss X Rachaelxx

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