Hello amazing friends!! It has been a while since I shared any house progress. That’s because there really hasn’t been any since I painted the kitchen and back hall. (See how those areas turned out in my kitchen chalkboard post HERE.)
You saw peeks of my living room when I shared my coffee table makeover. If you missed it, you can see it HERE. That room is done except for one wall. I am keeping my eyes out for ideas for it and then I can finally share that whole space.
The two rooms that are driving me crazy though are my office and the dining room. Nothing has been done in either room since we moved in. I bought the same darker hardwood floors for these spaces as we used in the living room, but they’ve just been sitting in our dining room since our first week here.
Here is my office before we got a hold of it this past weekend:
Yep that’s where I sit and write for my blog. Not a very inspiring space, huh?
I still have a pile of boxes in one coner and rugs rolled up in the other. I didn’t want to unpack and get settled since I knew we were replacing the carpet. You can’t see them, but there are little pet piddles all over the carpet. So gross.
And on the opposite side is the dining room:
Same story in here. Boxes are still stacked in the corner. I put something on the table so it wouldn’t look so naked, but that is about it. This flooring in this space is the reason it has taken us so long to get started in here. We were not in love with the floors in here, and we knew it would be a big job to remove them.
We had three options for these floors: leave them, and buy the same flooring for the other spaces where we wanted hardwoods downstairs; leave them and just buy what we really wanted for the other spaces, but stain these to match; or remove these floors and replace them all with the same flooring. We chose option #3. It kind of broke my heart to get rid of these nice hardwoods. But we don’t like the skinnier planks and they were warping in places.
You can see it a bit in the bottom leftt-hand corner of this photo:
We started yanking them out on Saturday…
That’s a rare Hubby sighting right there. I helped too, I promise. Jack helped as well, carrying all the old planks out to my Hubby’s truck. The DIYer/hoarder in me wanted to stash them all in a corner to use for something in the future, but honestly, I just wanted them gone.
And gone they went:
On Sunday we removed the carpet and all the tack strips from the office:
We were so proud of ourselves until we realized one small problem. The casings. (The trim around the doors.)
See how high they are off the floor? The hardwoods we removed were thicker than the engineered hardwoods we plan on replacing them with. Oopsie. So what do we do? Replace all the casings? This space has five doorways so that is a lot of casings to replace.
We decided it would probably be easier to add another layer to the existing subfloor to build it up. Here we were laying out a piece of scrap luan with the underlayment and a piece of the new flooring to see if it would bring it up to the right height:
And it was perfect, so up to Home Depot went the Hubby and Jack to get 12 sheets of luan. Disaster averted!
I spent the better part of Monday painting the all the trim in the office. Luckily our trim was already white, but you can see how really dull it all was when you see it next to the new paint:
I used Behr’s Ultra Pure White in satin right off the shelf at Home Depot. Don’t spend the extra money on the “BEST” coverage (the Marquee line) for the trim, I found the next step down worked equally as well and wasn’t as thick to work with. Both still required two coats.
And this is pretty much how it looks right now with all the trim painted:
Next step: wall paint! I’m using the same color I used in the rest of the downstairs: Campfire Ash by Behr in eggshell. I also have a cool feature wall planned for that back wall, so stay tuned!
Yesterday, I got all the trim in the dining room painted. It makes such a big difference already! You can see some of our luan sheets stacked in there already too.
It doesn’t seem like it should be an all-day job, but this room has ceiling moldings, chair rail, three windows, a closet door, the back of the front door, base moldings, and the sides of the stairs…two coats! It took me pretty much all day non-stop.
Tomorrow I will start cutting in with paint. I am so excited to say good-bye to these bland walls! I plan to use the same paint color I used throughout the rest of the downstairs: Campfire Ash by Behr.
We will likely have to hire someone to paint this area above the stairs, but I will get as far as I can and hopefully it won’t cost too much to finish it off:
(Anyone have any idea how much I should expect to pay just for that area plus above the front door?)
Then I will be able to start laying the additional layer of luan needed to raise the floor height. And then…wood floors!!
I will finally be able to make some decisions on what I want to do with these rooms décor-wise. The dining room furniture is getting a new paint job for sure and I am still undecided about the light fixture.
The office desk will also get paint and I am really excited about my feature wall for that room.
I found this sweet painting at the thrift store which I kind of love, on the clearance for only $3:
There’s just something about it that drew me to it (maybe because the background is my favorite color to use in my home??). Hopefully it will find a home in my new office.
Well that is all for now, sweet friends! If you took the time to read this far, thank you!
When I get these two rooms completed, my downstairs will be just about done! I’ll still have my kitchen cabinets to paint, but that is a project for next year. Then I can focus on filling my booth for the upcoming Holiday season, which will mean lots of thrifty makeover goodness to share with you!!
If you need me, I think you’ll know where to find me! 🙂
If you missed any of my new house adventures or projects so far, you can catch up here:
Ready for Move-in Day: House Progress so far
Pedestal Kitchen Table Makeover
Upholstered Thrift Store Chair Makeover
Front Door Updated and Ready for Fall
I’ll be back on Tuesday with another floor update and I’ll be reshaping one of my favorite hutch makeovers:
UPDATE: See our floor progress and the hutch replay HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
I can’t believe that you didn’t stash some of the hardwood floors you took out! I laughed out loud when I read that you were taking them out because I would have bet money that they would become part of a new stash!! I love what your doing with the place, it is simply beautiful. I like your painting also, I am not sure about the color of the frame, but love the painting itself. Thanks for always sharing your adventures.
Christy says
I know!! Letting that wood go goes against everything I believe in!! But the hubby was helping and I know he just wanted it gone, and so I let it go! I;m not sure about that frame either, we will have to see what happens there. So happy these rooms are getting tackled! XOXO
Christina in FL says
Christy, great job troubleshooting the floor height issue. I bet you and your husband are exhausted. Yet, your home is beautiful now and will only get more so. Congratulations on getting so much done. I hope you let Calgon take you away for a little while in a hot bath.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! Yes, relieved that we worked out that floor issue! Hoping to get the walls finished today. No rest till it’s done lol…have a great weekend! XOXO
Susan says
Christy, I have fallen in love…with your blog. ???? It has been so inspiring for me. I really look forward to your emails. I especially appreciate that you attempt to do as much as possible yourself and that things don’t have to be expensive to be special and amazing. Keep up the good work. You’re wonderful!
Christy says
You just totally made my morning, Susan! Thank you for that! It is amazing what a little paint and sweat equity can do. Thank you so much for following along! XOXO
Janice says
Hopefully this will inspire me to get started painting my trim. I have 7 windows (all trim is wide), 3 doors in my living room and my bedroom has 5 windows and a door, not to talk about doors, baseboards, crown molding, and a few more windows in the rest of the house. I sympathize with you. Everything is looking good.
Christy says
Oh wow…that is a lot of trim! It really is so nice to see it all freshened up though. Getting started is the hardest part for sure. Thank you! XOXO
Regina says
What are the ceilings in the two rooms? Are they painted or textured? Love your choices so far.
Christy says
Thanks, Regina! They have a swirled texture just like what is on our walls. I know it looks a bit 3D in the photos with the way the light hits them. 🙂
JamieK says
It’s looking beautiful! Can’t wait to see the flooring down! Oh how I love your office chair. I have one in the same style that needs recovering but I’ve never done that and it scares me to even try. ????. You are truly inspiring! Can’t wait for the next update! Yay for you all! Gonna be Awesome!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jamie! I am so excited to get to the floors…I think that is what is keeping me moving through all of this painting! My office chair was redone several years ago. It is a super old post, but I shared that makeover here if you’d like to see it: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/desk-chair-makeover/ Have a great weekend!! XOXO
Melinda says
Your place is looking good! I am going to love your new floors in the dining room. The light in there is pretty. That is a strange sighting, a guy! lol. You will be very busy to say the least; Do you suppose you will have it done before Christmas? Have a great rest of the week!
Christy says
Thank you, Melinda! I love seeing progress! And I know lol…it is rare that my hubby makes an appearance on the blog. He does help with the heavy lifting all the time, but that usually isn’t blog-worthy! I am very optimistic that we will at least have all the floors done and furniture back in place by the end of the month. Not sure how long until the rooms will look finished though. Have a great weekend! 🙂
Janice says
I love and look forward to your posts in my email! It is so fun to see what you are doing because you do what we all can manage to do on a budget! Thanks for sharing your talents.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I appreciate that! It is amazing what you can do with just paint alone! XOXO
Michelle says
Looks great so far!! I can’t wait to see the finished room. I know with your talents, it will be gorgeous!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Michelle!! XO
Becky says
Wow! BIG progress! Seeing your pictures reminds me of what an outright PAIN it is to work in a furnished house, haha! It was so easy to paint our house the first time, last summer though?… what a pain in the back, literally! Luan has been known to save the day here too. : ) Glad you could solve that problem withOUT trim-cutting!
I take it none of you like standing at the top of a skyscraper-ladder? I send my husband up the massively-tall-borrowed-from-the-in-laws ladder to do the cutting in, and then he uses a 20-30 foot extension pole to roll the rest of the wall. It’s quite the abdominal/arm workout to lift that thing up and down a gazillion times. Oh. we also have to open the opposite wall of sliders though too so there’s space to lower the roller for reloading… maybe you do well to think of hiring out… : ) Looking good!!!
Christy says
Yes progress YAY!! I really wanted to take an extra week to get more painting done before we moved in, but it didn’t work out that way unfortunately. As for the ladder, my hubby swears he can do it, but he is not the neatest painted in the world. Someone did mention renting scaffolding, and that sounds like it might be an option worth considering! Either way it will get done. Have a great weekend!! XOXO
Melinda says
yes Christy! My friends rented scaffolding,they said it was a lifesaver!
Christy says
Awesome…definitely looking into it!
Norma Rolader says
It is really coming together
Christy says
Yes…progress!! 🙂
Carole says
You are putting so much thought and planning into your new home so I am sure it is going to be magnificent as usual. I love everything you have done so far and looking forward to the rest. You certainly are the hardest worker and busiest person I know (too bad I really don’t know you because we would be great friends who have the same taste in decor). Can’t wait to see what is next.
Christy says
Thank you so much for that, Carole! You are so sweet! It will be nice to get a break from home projects for a bit once we get these two rooms done. SO looking forward to not having boxes in the corners ha ha! XOXO
Wendy Somerville says
Lots of work Christy but it will be so worth it in the end.
You might want to check into renting Scaffolding for that stair area. And see if it is cheaper than hiring someone. There is usually a minimum cost that contractors use no matter how small the job. I had a similar problem cutting in at the ceiling for only 1 foot! For me, purchasing a 21′ ladder worked. Adding the Luan was not only a good idea for raising the floors but it is also necessary to level the floor completely when adding hardwood, or vinyl plank. With carpet it is not necessary and more forgiving of course.
Have fun renovating. I love it! Gives me the sense of all NEw again, clean again, feeling.
Christy says
That might be a great idea on the scaffolding, Wendy! I will definitely look into that! And I agree…I am loving how everything is looking new again!! XOXO
Susan Williams says
Progress! I love the painting and the background color which I am slowly adding to my dining room redo. I can’t wait to see your rooms finished! I am wondering about your choice of the eggshell finish. Is it to prevent a too shiny surface? Your arms must be aching from all that painting!
Christy says
Thanks, Susan! I was really excited about that painting and the deal I got on it! I chose an eggshell finish because that is what the guy at Home Depot recommended. It is perfect though, it has just the slightest sheen. I think that is a new option since the last time I tackled painting walls…it has definitely been a while ha ha! My arms surprisingly are ok…it is more my legs from climbing up and down the ladder lol. XOXO
Kathy says
Please tell me included in your projects is the left front desk leg. It is screaming at my OCD self.
Christy says
Ha ha! I didn’t even notice that until I started editing my photos! It just needed to be screwed back in…already done! 🙂
Karen U says
You’re making amazing progress! Just a thought on the door moldings though, instead of raising the level of the floors, might it be easier and less expensive to just trim the molding a little higher than the foot trim and put a ‘plinth (just a rectangle slightly wider than the molding) right on the floor after they’re installed? Almost like a base to the door molding.
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! I appreciate the encouragement! I should have asked here first for solutions to our casing dilemma because ya’ll have some really smart ideas! XO
Marcie Lovett says
That’s a lot of work, Christy! Did your poor desk break a leg in the process or is just a weird angle?
I kinda love the painting, too. And if you get tired of it, I know you’ll repurpose it into something fabulous. Speaking of fabulous, I want to know what’s going to happen to that door. Is it a project?
Christy says
Thanks, Marcie! Ha ha I didn’t even realize that leg was like that until I started editing my photos…it just needed to be screwed back in properly lol! I’m happy to hear you liked the painting…I love it. Hope it works in the room! That door was a friend’s front door that she was replacing, and I grabbed it. It used to be on the small wall in between our kitchen and living space behind the staircase. It is super heavy, but I hope to be able to use it somewhere! XOXO
Kimberly says
Whew, Christy, it makes me tired just to watch!! Congratulations on all you have gotten done there at your beautiful new home.
Christy says
Girl, it makes me tired to think about all that needs to still be done, but I just keep moving! It’s getting there!! Thank you! 🙂 XO
Sherry Stuifbergen says
I LIKE your dining room chandelier. I am wondering what you have in mind to replace it when it is so lovely. So glad you got the flooring dilemma figured out. The dark flooring will look good with the contrasting wall color. You have good taste. Can’t wait for the “wall” to be shared.
Christy says
I have to say that the chandelier is starting to grow on me! I have no clue what I would replace it with if I decided to anyway. Can’t wait to start on the floors. The spaces are really starting to come together. I think you will be surprised at what I have decided on for the wall! Ahh the suspense! 🙂 XOXO
karine says
Que bien luce todo y seguro se verá mejor a medida que lo termines , espero fotos . hay cosas que deseo mejorar en mi hogar incluido una habitación con una alfombra que no me hace feliz, ni a mi ni a hijo alérgico al polvo…=( .Deseo este espacio me sirva para animarme a hacer este cambio .te sigo. gracias ! =)
That looks great and sure will look better as you finish, I hope photos.there are things that I want to improve in my home, including a room with a carpet that does not make me happy, or my son allergic to dust … = (.
I wish this space will help me to make this change. I follow you. Thank you ! =)
Christy says
Thank you, Karine! Replacing the flooring is always a big job, but so worth it! Especially if your son has allergies! XOXO
LeAnn Hileman says
My gosh girl, you are getting so much done! We put in wood floors throughout our house and then hubby and I put in all new baseboards, wall by wall, and that included some curved corners. Ten years later I’d still say it was worth it but I do remember how much work it was. Keep up the good work and I’ll be looking forward to seeing more….
Christy says
Thanks for the encouragement, LeAnn, I need it lol! New floors make such a huge impact, don’t they? So glad we have finally made it to this point! Hoping to get it done quickly! XOXO
Ange says
Wow, that is a lot of work. Painting isn’t my thing because I get so dang messy. Usually it looks like I rolled in the paint when I’m finished. And it takes me days to get the paint out of my hair. But all your hard work will be all worth it in the end. Looking forward to the after photos and your accent wall. ❤️
Christy says
I did okay today and yesterday, but Monday I had paint all over me, and in my hair ha ha! Yes, it will be so worth it! Hoping my accent wall turns out how I imagine in my head! XOXO
Patrice says
I love your style and energy. I would have saved the old hardwood floor, painted them white and used on an accent wall. Just a thought.
Christy says
Thank you, Patrice! I had actually considered planking a wall in my office with the old flooring, but decided on a different treatment for that wall. The old flooring had tons of nails and we were so tired, nobody had the energy to sit there and pry out all the old nails to store it. As much as it hurt my hoarding heart, I let it go, which made my hubby very happy! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I can’t wait to see that pretty new flooring down! We ran into those kinds of problems when redoing flooring here too. Fun, fun!! lol Love your new print/picture you found. The colors are perfect! What a great find! Can’t wait to see the feature wall too! 🙂 I need to get over there! But dang, we are both so busy…but soon, promise!! haha xoxo
Christy says
I can’t wait to see the new flooring going in either! When we tore up the old stuff, I was thinking I was going to be able to get started on the new floor right away, but I remembered I needed to paint before the new floors went in…duh! I cut in both rooms today, and hoping to finish painting tomorrow. Wasn’t that painting a great find? Thinking of hanging it above my little slip-covered sofa that will be in my office. Let’s make plans for a visit as soon as my floors are in! XOXO
Joan says
So excited to see your post on your new home progress! I think I am living vicariously through your new home posts! Love to see what you come up with for each room.
I think you will be glad you had to lay the luan as it will give you a nice level fresh base for your flooring which will look beautiful by the way. We have a tall wall also that my husband has painted twice with much nail biting on my part! He jerry rigged some scaffolding and ladders and and hung out over the stairs…Yikes! Well worth paying someone to do it!
I love your picture and can see why you were attracted to it. And once more, along with your mom, I vote to keep the chandelier. It’s just so different and pretty. I like it even more seeing it over your dining room table.
Thanks for posting your progress, Christy! Can’t wait to see your beautiful new floor!
Christy says
I am so happy to hear you are enjoying my progress posts, Joan! I am happy to actually be making progress enough to share ha ha. Yes, I agree it will be nice to have the luan to give us a nice level surface for our new floors. My hubby insists he can paint that area above the stairs but he is not that neatest painter lol. Someone did suggest renting scaffolding which might be an option. The chandelier is growing on me lately, so it might just stay. Thanks for the encouragement to keep going! XOXO
Julie Briones says
It’s coming together so nicely! Good job, you!
Christy says
Thank you, Julie!! XOXO
Angela says
Don’t knoknow HOW you juggle it all. Amazing! I’ve got hardwoods in my house that need replacing for 5 years!
Christy says
Ha ha I just keep envisioning the finished spaces! And I am tired of looking at the boxes and dirty walls etc etc. It looks better already! 🙂
Cecilia says
Groan…trim painting. Not my favorite thing to do at all! It looks so nice and fresh though! Whew, I’m so glad the floor/casings issue was an easy fix. Yay for progress!
Christy says
I know…trim painting is my least favorite for sure! It really does freshen it up though. I am just so excited to be making progress in these two rooms! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Bonnie says
It is really coming together Christy and the fruit of you all’s labor will be worth it when you step back and say ” It Is Done”. You inspire so many with your endless energy but, I have this funny picture of you at the end of the day flopped on your back on your bed saying sleep I just need sleep lol. Hugs and prayers Bonnie
Christy says
Thank you, Bonnie! Yes you are so right…really looking forward to the finished spaces! It does seem like I just keep going, right? I shut it all down by dinner and chill at night, so I can enjoy some downtime. 🙂
Lauri Kunze says
You asked about getting a professional to paint the high spots in your entry/stairwell. If you get quotes that leave you stunned, you might consider renting a single section of scaffolding. It’s surprisingly affordable. You could set it up at the foot of the stairs and run extra long planks over to the stair that best lines up with the top level of the scaffold.
I am considerably older than you (translation: stiff and out of shape) but I’m perfectly comfortable on scaffolding, especially on level ground.
Christy says
I love that idea, Lauri! I am going to look into that. I think it will be less expensive in the end. Thanks for the suggestion! XOXO
Jamie says
Tearing out all that beautiful wood is heartbreaking 🙁 but the warping would have drove me nuts too. Where you able to salvage any of it to maybe use in a smaller room? Can’t wait to see your completed rooms.
Christy says
Oh I cant even tell you how it broke my heart to tear it out and then not even repurpose it. It goes against everything I believe in! I know it would have sat in a corner forever taking up space though waiting for a purpose. My hubby took it to his work though, so hoping someone there might have been able to use it for something! XO
Rose says
Hard work always pays off.Love the frame but not the print.
Christy says
Yes it does! I love the painting but not the frame ha ha. 🙂
Mary Jean says
First, I love the flower painting! It’s so pretty!! You certainly are busy, but you seem like the type that can’t sit still. I’m in the process of redoing one of my spare bedrooms. Hardwood floors that need some TLC, removing wallpaper, what was I thinking? Painting and decorating. It’s slow going because I’m still working full-time, but in December I’m retiring and I’ll be able work on everything. Can’t wait to see your finished rooms.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary Jean! It feels so good to give a space a new life, doesn’t it? That’s okay if it is slow going, you will get there…don’t envy the wallpaper removal though! And yes I can’t sit still lol…so this pace works for me! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Tina Matteson says
It’s gonna look amazing!
Christy says
Thank you, Tina!! XOXO
Ann says
It’s coming together and looking great! Looking at the piddle spots on the sub floor made me cringe. It’s helpful to paint the sub floor with a product like Kilz to seal the odor from other pets. They can smell things we don’t. Last thing you want after all that hard work is your pet marking their territory on your new floor because they smell the old piddle spots.
Christy says
Funny, I had to look back at the photos for a minute…very lucky for us, those aren’t piddle spots. It was raining while we were carrying out the wood flooring so that was just water on the floor ha ha! Our last home we did have to paint the subfloor for that reason, so very good tip! 🙂
Linda Petersen says
Hi Christy, gosh everything is looking fantastic! Love the painting and the price????. BTW— love the tool
caddy too. Cool idea for the new handle & the knobs. Can’t wait to see the next installment????. XO
Christy says
Thank you, Linda! It is coming along! I’m so happy to hear you like the painting…hoping I can work it into the office somehow. As for the caddy…I kept it lol. Finding it hard to resist keeping what I make now that I have the space for a few new things! 🙂
Norma Rolader says
It is really coming together in all rooms it will be all done soon and it is starting to look amazing
Christy says
Thank you again, friend! XOXO
Maria Buscani says
Christy,
Some time back I thought I saw a post of yours where you painted a fabric chair…I mean the actual fabric. I can’t find it anywhere on your posts. Am I mistaken? If so do you have any idea about how to do that? Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Christy says
Hi Maria! I have not painted any fabric chairs, but my friend Nancy has! You can see how she did it here: https://www.artsychicksrule.com/painted-upholstered-chair-makeover-chalk-paint/ Hope this helps! 🙂
Maureen Deaton says
Good morning, Christy!
Wow, great job on the new house! My hubby is the sole proprietor of his business, Deaton’s Interiors, supplying interior paint and wallpapering for over 25 years- so we can appreciate all of your family’s hard work. It’s looking great!
Just looking at your stair case and wondering if you own a paint stick? It allows you to extend 10-12′ up, making painting ceilings and entries much easier. I’m sure you could locate one at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s (he purchased his at the Benjamin Moore paint store). Hope that helps.
I look forward to further inspirations from your posts. Thanks for all of your creativity shared with us!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Maureen! That painting business is no joke…that is hard work right there! We do have a paint stick but I’m afraid it still won’t give us the reach we need. Plus we need to find a way to cut in along the ceiling. Thank you for the suggestion though! Glad you stopped by! XOXO