My Father’s Office

I promised my mother that I would clean this space when I retired. It's a small room with one window facing east. It’s been quite the project. Not one to do things halfway, or knowing when to stop, I'm fully immersed! We got rid of the computer desk and one of the shelving units. My oldest brother took one and I’ll probably use one for my clothes in the guest room. There was a lot of genealogy stuff that this brother was happy to take. He came upon diaries my father had kept from his 20's and 30's; it's fascinating reading and so wonderful to have found. This room hadn’t been cleaned in a long time. I recently started up again when my youngest brother called me out for abandoning the project. Well, I'll show him! I took a vacation from all projects during the holidays.

I’ll rip up the rug and replace it with a pink and green one from my sister that I had in the parlor. It “clumps” up and drives me crazy but that’s my most-used room. This room will have one large desk and my great-grandmother's gateleg table, which I have to repair. This space will hopefully be used by my mother for paying bills. 

I’ll paint the ceiling, install a light fixture from my guest room and clean up and oil the paneling. I’ll use the curtain rod I found upstairs in my mother’s house and hang curtains from her or me. But right now I’m working on removing the third and final layer of wallpaper. I’m almost done. Then I have to spray and scrape the wallpaper backing that’s left. Then patch holes, prime and paint the drywall Salisbury Green. Thankfully my mother trusts me, having seen my makeovers of her living and dining rooms.

I might have to paint the window frame on this old vinyl window.

Bare lightbulb!

Looking into the bedroom addition.

As of last night. Just a little more to do!

This should be beautiful with the dark paneling.

Baseboard needs painting.

But right now I’m working on removing the third and final layer of wallpaper, which was apparently painted bright rose. I’m almost done. Then I have to spray and scrape the wallpaper backing that’s left. Then patch holes, prime and paint the drywall Salisbury Green. 

This is in the early stages after we’d already removed some stuff. 

My mother always loved Americana/Colonial Style and this wallpaper references nearby Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut. Thick wallboard had been installed on top of plaster. This house was built in 1945. It's a really nice, large brick home with a bedroom, bathroom and family room addition.

Can you see the three layers?

The Guest Bedroom (After 9 1/2 Years)

 Well I've finally gotten back to this reno/rehab job. The woodwork is scraped; the cracks and holes are patched and sanded; the closet is skimcoated; everything got a good sanding; the window, shelves and doors are removed; and all is vacuumed. Friday I primed the ceiling, and most of the closet, plus some baseboard, with oil-based Kilz. It wasn't quite as miserable and messy as I thought, but the roller absorbs a lot and then you have to keep re-dipping it. The closet is a nightmare because I was breathing in too many fumes and felt nauseous. Plus there's no room to move around. But it'll all get done, and look really nice! Here are some before shots:

Closeup of horrible cracks at the top of the closet.

To the left of the closet (note cracked ceiling).

Left side of closet.

The one window and radiator facing west.

Entry door.

Right of closet (note painted floor).

Right side of closet.

I forgot to patch holes in the wood. I have to prime (or re-prime) those areas. Then I'll caulk, cut in and finish priming, use latex primer on walls, paint ceiling, paint walls (Yarmouth Blue), paint closet and paint woodwork. Then I'll prime and paint the window and shelves. The doors I will place on my bed and prime and paint one side, then hang and paint the other side. I also still have to spraypaint the nightstands. I think I've decided on Lagoon and Deep Blue.

It'll be so nice to get this done. This has been the worst room so far, especially the closet. It was creepy, like the creepiest rooms you see in old houses. Plus my furniture has been in the hallway all this time and it's getting really old, and very embarrassing. I'll make this my master due to it being quieter and cozier. My master bedroom is very large with two walk-in closets, quite full. It'll be easier to keep cool in the summer due to its size, even though it's the warmest room in the house. I'll have to hire an electrician because I want to put the television, cable connection and air conditioner on the side that has no outlets. I'd also like a light in the closet. I have a friend that hopefully can do that. I haven't decided about the light switch yet. I'm thinking possibly another schoolhouse lamp (this would be my third).