Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Type of building: Single-family bungalow, 950 square feet
The Renovation Diaries are a new collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style.
Tearing down plaster and lath walls: a MESS. Every surface in the house currently has a thin layer of dust on it. FUN. But now the wall is down. Light is flooding into the space! Also, I am overzealous and encouraged us to start before all the packing was done.
We've removed the old stairs...
And replaced them with new ones. Grace is kinda wary of them. She'll get used to it. :-)
No major hang-ups. We're hoping to be on to installing repurposed hardwood this week to patch areas that need it. I think I found a hot lead on Craigslist offering the correct size for $1.35 sq/ft. If that works out, golden. If not? We'll need to visit a salvage yard with all our free time. HA!
Once the floors are patched, we'll be renting the floor sander, refinishing, staining, and sealing. We are both noobs in that department, so we're hoping some experienced and talented buddies' time can be bought for the cost of a few craft brews. *Fingers crossed* for finished floors by the end of the week.
Estimated time for project: 4-6 weeks
Time remaining: 3-6 weeks
(Images and diary text: Claire Moyle)
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resist the temptation to rent a random orbital floor sander - not powerful enough. go with a big burly belt sander and you wont regret it.
If you've never been to the ReUse center near Hiawatha and Lake, you've got to check it out! THey will have all of the reclaimed finishing you could ever need or want.
The ReUse Center has been closed since 2010. Spread the word, because I'm getting tired of getting it recommended to me!
Hey guys. Claire, here.
Yes, ReUse center relocated out to the MSP burbs. Not sure if they're still open out there, but the Lake/Hiawatha location is gone. Our preferred salvage center is Bauer Brothers in NE Mpls. Super friendly guys there and tons of cool stuff. We were able to get all the salvaged hardwood we needed for the kitchen for only $30. We think we'll soon revisit to pick out a new (old) back door when the kitchen is complete to cast more natural light down the basement stairs.
Good luck with the reno. You guys are brave to take this on!
When I see these pictures I have a mild panic attack. The demo is always the scariest part for me!