Hi there! It’s me again — the little house in Bear that Mr. Mark and Ms. Kim have been so diligently restoring. I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me, and I’m sure you’ve been wondering what I’ve been up to. Well, pull up a chair. I have a few things to share!
First, the really good news: I’m getting so close to being ready for my new owners! I can hardly contain myself. After years of neglect, a rather unfortunate collection of questionable renovation decisions, and enough demolition to make a grown house weep, I’m finally beginning to look and feel like the home I was always meant to be. Of course, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t throw in one more little surprise.
Just when I thought I was almost ready to put my best foot forward, part of my family room ceiling couldn’t hold on anymore and began coming down. Apparently, it had been hanging on by little more than tape and sheer determination. There are no studs in that section to attach the drywall to, which opens up a whole new world of WHY, HOW, WHO WOULD DO THAT?
I tried. I really did. I wanted so badly to spare Mr. Mark another headache and keep Ms. Kim from adding one more item to the “con” list. But sometimes a ceiling just has to let go.
The good news is that I’m going to be properly repaired and good as new. In the meantime, a rather ingenious support system involving a metal pole and a scrap of wood is keeping things in place. It may not be featured in any home design magazines, but I’ve learned not to be fussy. At this point, I’m grateful for anyone willing to hold me up!
Fortunately, the rest of me is looking pretty wonderful. My kitchen, which had previously achieved the remarkable distinction of being both ugly and entirely useless, is now beautiful! Cabinets, countertops, and all the things a proper kitchen needs have come together, and I can finally imagine someone cooking a meal here without first having to build a fire in the middle of the room.
And then there’s my main bathroom. Oh, my goodness! My lovely big soaking tub — one of the few things that survived my years of abuse and neglect relatively unscathed — now has a beautiful new tile surround to show off. Previous attempts to dress up this bathroom were, shall we say, a bit more enthusiastic than successful. But now, at long last, my sweet main bath has reached its full potential. I can practically hear someone drawing a warm bath, lighting a candle, and closing the door on a long day. I can’t wait to give my new owners that kind of comfort.
My basement has also undergone a transformation that would make even the most optimistic house proud. What was once a dark, musty, moldy, and thoroughly shameful mess is now clean, fresh, and full of possibilities. Storage? Hobbies? A workshop? A place to escape the family for a little peace and quiet? The possibilities are endless! The stairs have been reinforced, too, so going downstairs no longer requires courage, good balance, and a willingness to accept your fate. You’re welcome.
I suspect Ms. Kim was a little disappointed that the basement cleanup happened before she could host a Halloween party down there. Honestly, I think she missed a golden opportunity. I already had the spiderwebs, the creepy atmosphere, and probably a ghost or two. Why spend money on decorations when your house can provide the real thing? Is that a ghost in the picture? I’m not saying it is, but I’m not ruling it out, either.
Safety improvements have continued upstairs, where my old, rickety, broken-down banister has finally been replaced with a beautiful, sturdy, and — imagine this! — functional railing, newel post, and spindles. No more worrying about Mr. Mark or Ms. Kim taking an unexpected tumble while working on my second floor. I’ve caused them enough trouble without adding an emergency room visit to the renovation budget.
As I look around at everything that has changed, I can hardly believe how far I’ve come. Room by room, problem by problem, Mr. Mark and Ms. Kim have given me back something I thought I might never have again: a future.
They could have walked away when the work became overwhelming. Believe me, I gave them plenty of opportunities! But they kept going. They saw past the mess, the damage, the outdated finishes, and even my occasional structural temper tantrums. They saw what I could become. For that, I am more grateful than words can say.
I know I haven’t always made this easy. I’ve sprung surprises, tested their patience, and probably added a few gray hairs along the way (I think Ms. Kim colors her’s). But they never gave up on me, and because of that, I’m getting a second chance.
Soon, I hope to welcome the people who will fill my rooms with laughter, make memories in my kitchen, relax in my beautiful bathroom, and turn me from a renovation project into a home. I can’t wait for that day. And yes, I promise to have my final repairs finished before the big reveal. I’m very much looking forward to those glorious before-and-after pictures. I think we’ve all earned them!
So stay tuned, friends. I’m almost there. I have a little more healing to do, a few final details to finish, and one ceiling that needs to learn how to stay put. But I’m standing tall (with a little temporary assistance), feeling grateful, and looking forward to my new beginning. Thank you for following my journey. And most of all, thank you to Mr. Mark and Ms. Kim for believing that even an old, tired little house like me was worth saving.
I can’t wait to become someone’s home. ❤️
You do what you have to do to hold the ceiling up. Won’t see this in Architectural Digest but it works!
Beautiful new countertops and cabinets in the kitchen
Soak or shower in this beautiful spot!! That’s just a bit of dust in the tub. It cleans up beautifully!!
Don’t have to worry about falling down the stairs anymore
A nice clean baselment space to do what you want with. You wouldn’t want to come down here without wearing a mask before! Is that a lens flash or a (friendly) ghost? You tell me.
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