The Farmhouse | Pulling Up Carpets
THE FARMHOUSE Last week at the farmhouse, we pulled up the carpets in the nursery. And let me just say, it felt soooooo good!
It is always exciting pulling up carpets (especially when they are stained and stinky) but you're never quite sure what will be be lurking underneath. Well here's what was under our carpets...
Sure enough, those are hardwoods! But unfortunately, that white stuff that you see all over them is splattered paint. It seems that a previous owner *forgot* to use a tarp when they last painted. Ugh.
After scraping and cleaning the floors, we were happy to see that the hardwoods are actually in good condition, except for that paint, which didn't come up with all the scraping. Double ugh. These floors will need refinishing, a rare task we leave for the experts (like at Dexter and Ravenna). But thankfully there are no top-nails in these floors, which can be a huge headache for refinishers. Or crazy homeowners who are willing to set each nail, one-by-one, with a 1/32" nail set, like yours truly ;)
Refinishing floors is disruptive and messy. The chemicals they use are toxic and thus require the homeowners to be out of the house for at least three days. Basically a big inconvenience. So we'll wait on this job until all the carpets upstairs are removed. That will be more convenient for us, plus we're more likely to meet a refinishers minimum square footage requirement with all three bedrooms included. The exact price that we've paid in the past is eluding me at the moment, but I think we've spent around $3.50/sf for refinishing. Not exactly cheap. But it'll be worth it!
In the meantime, I'm planning to throw down a large area rug to cover the majority of these floors so we can get Brooks into this room. While the floors may be a bit of an eyesore, hardwood floors trump stinky carpets every single time. At least in my book. Know what I mean?!
Next up in this room, we'll be hanging curtain rods, updating outlets and switches, adding new lighting, retrofitting a full-size bed into a day-bed, adding in some kid-friendly activities, shoring up an antique dresser, and then putting the room together! Okay, so we probably won't be done by the time guests arrive for Labor Day, but this girl is definitely going to try;)
More on the nursery project here. The before pictures are here. And in case you missed it, the exterior photos of the farmhouse are here. Still can't believe this beautiful place is ours!
xoxo
-Cathy
p.s. The Greek Islands have been number one on my bucket list for pretty much forever. They are just so beautiful (at least in photos). So of course this gorgeous guesthouse would be there!
p.p.s. I'm dying over these little rhubarb cakes. I must find a recipe! And an occasion to make them for... :)
p.p.p.s. I LOVE it when bloggers travel to Seattle and show off what a beautiful city it is. Girl Meets Glam nailed it!