My Disaster DIY

My confession: I have a HUGE crush on Bryan Bauemler. I watch his shows all the time and wish so bad that he would come and finish our house.

One of my favorite shows is Disaster DIY. Before starting our own renovation, I used to watch it and wonder how one room in someone's house could take that person years to complete. If you can do the work then do it already! Make time! If you can't make time then hire someone. If you can't afford it then don't start it!

I have now come to the realization that, like most things in life, it's way easier said than done. We have past our one year house anniversary and we are close to the finish line, but our projects have seriously slowed down. It took us an intense six months to do the kitchen, two half baths, re-drywall all the stucco ceilings and paint most of the rooms. It's taken us eight months and counting to complete the stairs alone, which is why I have only made two before and after posts thus far. It's the worst.

There is really not much work left to be completed inside the house. We have a staircase to finish, a full bathroom to gut and the basement/laundry room to do, as well as some finishing touches like furniture, art etc. Not a huge to-do list but definitely a few time consuming projects; those finishing touches seem to take forever. After we took a little hiatus on the renovations in the spring (and when Chris got busier with work), it was hard to find the time and get the motivation to start back up. You learn to live with the mess and the construction, even if it's rage inducing. I now have a better understanding of why Disaster DIY exists. Ha! Well, it's not that bad... yet. BB wait for my call.

Here are a few "in progress/should be finished already" projects we are working on.

Death Trap Stairs:

The treads are not attached and we have no rails yet. Well we do have rails, but they are not installed. Peep the 1/2" tempered glass panels laying against the wall. EXCITING!

Dark "Laundry" Area:

There are no lights in the entire basement or laundry room. Cleaning clothes in the night time with a flash light strapped to my head is a joy!

Basement That Looks Like an Episode of Hoarders:

During the renovation we have been taking things from the main living area and throwing them in the basement to store/deal with later. The result? A pile of shit with no place to live. I would show you a picture but it's night time (please reference above photo).

World's Worst Bathroom:

I don't even have to say anything about this. This photo was shot before we moved in and it's gotten so much worse! Everything is falling apart and the shower diverter valve is broken - baths only baby! Or cold showers, take your pick.

Good times!

We're trying to put the push on to finish the majority of these projects before Christmas, with the stairs being the most important. If we did a full kitchen in six months, I think we can do a bathroom in three. We will see how that goes. I am still hoping Mr. Baeumler will show up on my doorstep offering to finish my laundry room.

Hopefully more before and afters soon!