Category Archives: Renovation/Restoration

Appetite (& Checkbook) for Destruction

Posted on February 23, 2016 by fitz

Tim gave me his invoice for the miles of re-wiring and many days of labor, and I’ve several quotes for removing the bats and keeping them out (guaranteed for three years by the fellow I’m hiring). So my electric is … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 11 Comments

Might as Well…

Posted on February 7, 2016 by fitz

Hmmm…the living room really could use a chandelier. And it’s directly under the room in which I’m pulling floorboards anyway. Hmmmm…

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 13 Comments

A Widening Gyre

Posted on February 6, 2016 by fitz

My staircase project is spiraling out of control. After uncovering a live wire buried in plaster right where I need to secure the new landing and turn on the stairs, I had to make some exploratory cuts in the ceiling … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 26 Comments

Let Me Explain. No, There is Too Much. Let Me Sum Up.

Posted on January 31, 2016 by fitz

On Facebook, I posted this question: “Best angle grinder for cutting thick plaster?” Thank you to those who answered that question. And thank you for the other advice. But – with the exception of a RotoZip – I already tried … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 21 Comments

Got Pine?

Posted on December 5, 2015 by fitz

The cats have lost their favorite hiding place. I finally got off my duff and removed the three bottom stairs today, in preparation for rebuilding them with a landing and a turn. Clearly, the above is cobbled together, with what … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 14 Comments

What Happens When I Run Out of Red Ink

Posted on November 21, 2015 by fitz

Last weekend I had three chapters to edit for Christopher Schwarz, a book editing project, some other freelance work and a house to clean. But my last red pen died; rather than go buy more, I instead destroyed more of … Continue reading →

Posted in Renovation/Restoration | 8 Comments

Paint as Procrastination

Posted on November 10, 2015 by fitz

For the last several weeks, I’ve been too busy at work to do much real on the house – and Daylight Saving Time isn’t helping (hard to do electric when it’s dark, and it’s not dark when I leave in … Continue reading →

Posted in Kitchen | 10 Comments

It’s About to Get Interesting (I Hope)

Posted on September 11, 2015 by fitz

After almost two months of tear-out, I’m about ready to start putting things back together in the front hall. That’s good…because with an open 12′ drop from the second floor, I suspect I’m just asking for trouble (as a result, … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 13 Comments

Racing to a Standstill

Posted on August 27, 2015 by fitz

But for a tenacious few bits of rock lath (or whatever that old drywall-like stuff is called) on the side of the Harry Potter closet and staircase, I have the major tear-out in the hall completed. I courted my own … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 8 Comments

Try This 1 Easy* Trick to Lose Weight

Posted on August 16, 2015 by fitz

I highly recommend house renovation as a weight-loss regimen. Not only will you work your ass off (literally), you’ll use muscles you forgot you had (you’ll know, because they’ll hurt like hell the next morning), you’ll be too tired to … Continue reading →

Posted in Foyer, Renovation/Restoration | 13 Comments