Digging for treasure.
Mike and I spent much of Friday afternoon/evening uncovering the hardwood floors in the front room of our new house. We pulled up the carpet, then got to work pulling out the staples and tacks. This is not the sort of thing we claim to be very good at, so it was especially satisfying to be able to say that we completed the task. The floors are in very good condition - no stains or discolorations. No real scratches, either, except where we had trouble pulling up the tacks. We had to finish the task by flashlight, as there are no overhead lights in that room and we haven’t yet brought any lamps here. Lamps will be here today, along with the rest of our furniture and belongings. About halfway through, we realized we should have taken a before picture so that we would have evidence of all of our work. Since we didn’t, you’ll just have to trust me. What a difference. I have spent many years objecting to hardwood floors, and, to be honest, I really do prefer carpet because I like both sitting on the floor (as I am now) and walking around barefoot. But it’s just wrong to cover up hardwood floors as pretty as these.
This house is a bit of a fixer-upper, it’s true. For many years we said that we needed to live somewhere new so there wouldn’t be as many things to fix, but we have had a little more practice, so we felt a little bit more ready to try. And we have so many plans and dreams for this place, plans and dreams that start today. When we start taking down that godawful wallpaper. Which is something else we’ve never done before.
June 28th, 2008 at
Take plenty of patience when you go to take the wallpaper down. I’ve heard it said that the second most challenging time in a marriage is putting up wallpaper. The most challenging is taking it down.
I’m glad you’re enjoying your new place.
–Jason
June 28th, 2008 at
Save yourself some time and pain, go to Home Depot and rent one or two wallpaper steamers for a day. Also, use 1:1 vinegar:water solution, as it works better than DIF (and is cheaper). Get yourself a good scraper, as well. My mother-in-law recommends plastic ones, as they’ll do less damage to the walls. However, I recommend a hearty metal one, as it deals with the wallpaper a lot better. Sure I made a couple of small gouges (more from being tired and not paying close enough attention), but those are easily enough filled in with some spackle.
I will never hang wallpaper as I know what a PITA it is to take down.
June 28th, 2008 at
Congrats on the move! Randleman will certainly miss you, but I doubt the feeling is mutual. Thanks for putting me on your blogroll, I feel special! I’d love to see pics of the new house as its being re-done, especially the kitchen.
June 28th, 2008 at
Jason - if we run into trouble, will you come mediate? (And by “mediate” I mean “take my side?”
We have already borrowed a steamer from a friend, Mark! Thanks for the tip about the vinegar. Hopefully we will be okay - my mom just took down wallpaper in her house, so at least we can consult her.
Caro - we loved our house, and we liked the community, but we need to be closer to things. We will miss it there, for sure.
June 29th, 2008 at
I’ve also heard that a 1:1 mix of fabric softener & water works, but I’ve never tried it. Maybe when we get to the main floor 1/2 bath.
June 29th, 2008 at
I have heard the fabric softener trick before. You can use white vinegar for fabric softener, so I suppose there’s something in them that has similar properties.
June 29th, 2008 at
Great job restoring hardwood floors to their former glory. Good luck with the wallpaper … I hate that stuff.