UPDATE: We couldn’t just remove the carpet and expose the wood that was there. Belive me I wish we could have! There were lots of holes in it that had been patched with tin and some we had to patch where there had been electical outlets.(no, I do NOT like electical outlets in my floor!) Also, that floor is FREEZING in the winter. Another layer will make a huge difference. We know, we’ve done this with 2 other rooms in this house!
The floor is not completely level, it’s an old house. We put down the wood and the sander got it smooth so it will clean easily. That’s the beauty of sanding after the wood is down. Also makes it worth the mess!
In the living room of this house we tore out the old wide-plank flooring and saved it to use somewhere else. Then Travis ‘leveled’ the floor by shimming the beams before putting down OSB to lay the hardwood on. One thing you HAVE to remember – You canNOT get an old house perfect. You do the best you can and deal with it!! (I have to remind my husband of this MANY times with every project we attempt!!)
As for the black cupboard – it’s getting a paint job. What color – I’m not sure yet – I’m deciding between red and white. The wall color – same as the rest of the downstairs 🙂
This is what my sewing/computer/school/craft room looked like 10 months ago.
The curtains were changed since then, but this is pretty much as good as I’ve got for ‘before’ pics. This was right before a birthday party so it is actually cleaned up rather well!
2 1/2 weeks ago. Some of the little stuff has been moved out, waiting on the big stuff to go. Can you see how horrid the carpet is?? If not, trust me, it was horrid.
Reclaimed, oak harwood, waiting to be cleaned before re-laying.
Room minus the carpet – YEAH!! My dislike for carpet only deepens every time we tear more out. This was the last of the downstairs carpet. 2 bedrooms upstairs to go and my house will be completely carpetless:)
And the work begins.
10 rows the first evening. Not too shabby:)
3/4 done
Time to sand.
Messy job. Thankfully my wonderful husband did a very good job of blocking off the rest of the house. It really wasn’t too bad. (except for him of course, he had to be right in it. Too bad they don’t make a robot sander!)
Happy to be nearing the end. (don’t you just love the ear plugs!!)
all sanded, ready for finish.
Can you tell there is finish on here? Middle Sister took the picture so it isn’t the clearest but I think it shows a little. This is 3 coats of water based finish. Now we move on to the walls and will put another coat or 2 of finish on the floor when I am done painting. Any guesses what color I’m gonna paint the walls??????????
Olivia Coy says
June 3, 2010 at 4:02 pmI just love looking at the pictures of when you had all your stuff in the room. All that thread, fabric, &, ribbon gives me inspiration!
Kay Ann Wilson says
June 3, 2010 at 4:24 pmhmmm….red? 🙂
Hoosier Mama Now says
June 3, 2010 at 4:42 pmWOW!! the floor looks awesome!! What a job! Why didn't you just sand and re-stain the wood floor that was under the carpet?
How did he level it? Every time I talk about flooring to Steve his eyes glaze over and he starts mumbling incoherent things that sound like "not plumb" and "need to be shimmed" bla bla bla!
Mrs. K says
June 3, 2010 at 4:47 pmIt's gorgeous, I was wondering too why you didn't use the original hardwood. But then I'm a woman and I ask too many questions. I like that black hutch – very cute.
Deborah says
June 3, 2010 at 5:01 pmLooks great! Can't wait till it's finished! I'm laughing at Hoosier Mama Now's comment! Especially the eyes glazing over part!
laura says
June 3, 2010 at 5:18 pmThis is the comment in which I try not to be insanely jealous… I WANT HARDWOOD FLOORS!!!!! There, I got it out…. It looks marvelous :0) No idea on the wall color.
McMaster and Storm says
June 3, 2010 at 7:41 pmi'm so ready to get mine in after seeing how it looks sanded. amazing!!! I love not putting any stain on it.
looks great & no worries about food stains in the carpet–ya!
wall color??? or is it none at all????
see you saturday.
k
Anonymous says
June 3, 2010 at 8:14 pmfloor looks great. I painted my sewing room snowdrop from walmart. I don't remember the brand. I think Walmarts brand of Sherwin Williams. It is very pale blue. i love it with white trim, hardwood floor and white flowing curtains! much more inspirational than hot pink.
LorettaV
Anonymous says
June 4, 2010 at 11:28 ami choose creamy white – creamy
cream or soft gray!!! floor is
incredible….
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
June 4, 2010 at 7:21 pmWhat a wonderful improvement! So much work, but such great results.
Happy belated birthday. I hope you enjoy your new year.