I own a 1950's house that is adorable and quaint and original.
Which means it is REALLY small and has some cool old-fashioned details, but also needs lots of repairs and renovations. And often has issues like flooding and rotting windowframes, etc.
I've done lots of work on the house, but at my own amateur pace. I ripped carpet out of most of it, (crowbarring the carpet tacks, removing a million staples and cutting and rolling the carpet for disposal.
I removed miles of wallpaper, and in the process, pulled down the kitchen and bathroom wall (plaster attached to cardboard! Who knew?). So, I replastered the walls. And repainted it all.
But everywhere I look, I notice details. Small things that need to be done. Things that drive me crazy. Things that make the house seem shabby to me, compared to a brand new house.
The biggest problem I notice all the time are the floorboards. When I removed the carpet, I noticed that the wood underneath finished before the floorboards. This means that there is a gap open to the internal house walls. This has been a horribly dusty, gross black hole of dirt. No matter how much I clean, I look at the edges of the floor and feel that the room is still dirty. All I have to do is find someone to install quarter rounds of wood to fill the little gap. For the last five years or more, I have procrastinated about dealing with this problem. Actually, it's probably MORE than five years by now!!!! Can you believe it???
Here are my excuses:
1. I don't have a miter saw so I can't make the perfect 45 degree cuts needed.
2. I don't own a truck, so I can't transport the pieces of quarter rounds.
3. I don't know what type of nails to use. And maybe I will hit a wire or a telephone cord when I nail the wood.
4. I don't know if I need to prime the wood first, or later.
5. I don't know if a quarter round will actually cover the gap.
6. I don't know who I could hire to do this work.
7. I am afraid if I hire someone, they will do a poor job, and I will feel cheated... or worse, want to have it redone.
8. I am afraid someone will cheat me and charge me too much to do the work.
There are more excuses... but that's plenty.
So... a few days ago, I took my mum to see Mamma Mia, (very fun, fluffy and lighthearted...)... and for some reason, I was inspired to try, once again, to make some repairs.
So.... I did it. I just tried and it worked.
I went to the store, and bought four pieces of wood (already primed!!! Who knew it was so cheap?). I didn't measure. I didn't stress. I just bought the biggest lengths that would fit in my car. And I measured. And I hand cut the pieces. And fitted them into place. And nailed them (hard work requiring me to lay down to get the right angle). And applied plaster to the seams... And voila!!! It is ready for painting.
I DID IT!!!! I didn't measure a million times. I didn't worry about perfection. I didn't worry about short pieces... I just measures and did it.
And the biggest plus is that the place instantly looks cleaner!!! And the dust has already decreased!!! Seriously! In a matter of hours it looks like a different floor.
I raced back to the store and loaded up with more wood. I have done my living room, dining room, hallway, and still have to do the tv room. Then I am DONE!!!!!!!
Phew. Sorry for the long story. I just had to share it, to remind everyone how sometimes the things you procrastinate about are the things that you are most proud of when you finish.
