So when this was bumped the other day I saw that this thread has gotten over a million views. I'm pretty surprised and flattered that so many have watched the progress as I slowly learn and transform what was a once beautiful (I can assume as I've never seen original photos) then neglected and now mid-resurrected midcentury home.
This fall has been busy and with the rains and cold weather work on the house has slowed to a crawl. I need some inspiration as my raw enthusiasm as a first time home owner has fueled me for two plus years and now that I'm finishing my third year I'm beginning to feel the frustration of a project that never seems any closer to being done. In fact, it's beginning to feel like painting the Golden Gate Bridge: it's taking so long that as soon as your finished you need to start again.
So, as promised, I decided to take a few photos of where I'm at today, almost three years into this journey. I used the same gear and the same places although in some cases furniture or new walls prevented the
exact same spot. Hopefully that will inspire me to finish some of the open projects.
I look at these shots and part of me feels a sense of accomplishment but most of me sees the mistakes. My standards are very high but my resources are not nearly at the same level and so I struggle to keep motivated while feeling that everywhere I look I'd like it to be better, to be perfect.
The flip side, although I rarely allow myself the slack, is that over the holidays we stayed at a "luxury" retreat in the mountains. I spent so much time looking at the trim, the drawer slides, the sheet rock, the bath caulk and the backsplash tile and seeing cheap, uninspired and sloppy work that I'd never find acceptable and yet this was a
very expensive retreat. I am far too critical it seems and I should just buck up and finish rather than belabor the process. It's also hard to be doing this over time with kids who's ability to accelerate wear and tear is something to behold.
Anyway, I want to take this moment to thank all of you who've followed, commented, offered help and encouragement along the way. I was and am still way over my head and the support of this community is greatly responsible for helping me maintain the energy to continue this Sisyphean task. With luck I'll be able to rally this year and actually finish some parts of the house.
Happy New Year!
Gregor
