It seems I'm the only person excited about your renovation. I have done a bit of it myself, and really enjoy it. My advice: 1) know when to call in help. Minor plumbing Iran do, replacing an outlet I can do, but anything beyond that and I will hire a professional. 2) you can do a lot more than you think you can. I know these are contradictory, but you can stretch a little without bitting off more than you can chew. 3) plan plan plan. Living in a the home while renovating is exhausting and giving yourself a timeline and knowing what tasks need to be done and in what order will be a tremendous help. 4) yes. There are tons of videos on YouTube and it does pay off to find a good handyman or woman's channel. I know how to mud and tape drywall but I did not know how to do corners, I was able to find a great lady on YouTube with a very helpful video. 5) I don't know if you have the very short handled paint brushes in N. Ireland, but they are great for cutting in and give nice crisp lines. And are worth the wait if you have to have them shipped.
Please gives us revo updates! I love this stuff and I promise to cheer you on! Good Luck! You can do this, just think of how your home will be once you are finished.
Is there one little area that you could make habitable and get some peace in as you work on the rest of the house? Is there some competent trustworthy person who could help you? I would suggest asking God for help and guidance. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1)
Oh, man, Jenny, you've got a hard row to hoe. I, myself, don't think I would have had the courage. So, hats off to you for being so brave. I confess that I feel really sorry for your dogs. I'll be praying for them. : )
I’m another inept writer type. Well done for taking it on. I’m not sure that I would. My fiver a month is secure, so just get back when you can. If you wouldn’t mind sharing some progress in Notes as well as Instagram, that would be cool. I’m trying to keep off the phone apps other than this one. Good luck!
Oh my, I do not envy you the task ahead! Best of luck! My only tip - buy at least half again as much paint as you think you need. That old plaster will absolutely absorb it. Use the fluffiest roller you can find, even though it feels like it wastes a ton of paint (it does, but it covers in one pass).
Good luck in your new old house! It'll be a beauty when you get it restored, and you'll be glad you put in the work. Someone suggested YouTube how-to videos, and that's a great source. I've learned how to do lots of things on houses, cars, and appliances that way, and so can you. You may think you're not good at those kinds of things, but the more you learn the more confident you'll get, and you'll find that there's a lot you can do. When you do things yourself, you'll have a lot of pride in them afterward. If something's really beyond you, vet contractors carefully and try to come by them through recommendations. If you decide to change any outlets or switches yourself, be damned careful with electricity! Think of one room or one area at a time, to avoid being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the whole project. It might take many months, or even years to complete, but you'll get there. Please post photos and tell us about your progress along the way. And happy new year!
Wow… looks like you do have your hands full…built houses for 15 years and also had boarders collies to help control geese on golf course I’m managed for another 25 years..not sure if yours is with those ears but probably…if they only knew how to handle a paintbrush…good luck..keep us updated…
Wow, this entire project seems pretty darn exciting to me. From those few photos I suspect that your new old house has lots of potential. I’m sure you know this but please make sure you wear the proper filtration masks when you are tearing stuff down and stirring up dust to protect your lungs. I wish I could send you a special house warming gift . Since I can’t do that I will give a gift subscription to a friend and you can use that money for some little tidbit that you need. I am rooting for you and can’t wait to see how it unfolds. If possible please post some photos so we can see your progress. Jenny... you and your family can definitely pull this off and end up with something extra special.
Before removing drywall, make sure you have noted watermarks (find sources of leaks and potential wood rot), and plumbing issues. Don’t use a sawzall without marking wiring (my ex got zapped by 220-not sure how I felt about that in retrospect). Use Kilz brand paint if possible. Check out William Morris prints for wall paper for that place - looks about the right era.
It seems I'm the only person excited about your renovation. I have done a bit of it myself, and really enjoy it. My advice: 1) know when to call in help. Minor plumbing Iran do, replacing an outlet I can do, but anything beyond that and I will hire a professional. 2) you can do a lot more than you think you can. I know these are contradictory, but you can stretch a little without bitting off more than you can chew. 3) plan plan plan. Living in a the home while renovating is exhausting and giving yourself a timeline and knowing what tasks need to be done and in what order will be a tremendous help. 4) yes. There are tons of videos on YouTube and it does pay off to find a good handyman or woman's channel. I know how to mud and tape drywall but I did not know how to do corners, I was able to find a great lady on YouTube with a very helpful video. 5) I don't know if you have the very short handled paint brushes in N. Ireland, but they are great for cutting in and give nice crisp lines. And are worth the wait if you have to have them shipped.
Please gives us revo updates! I love this stuff and I promise to cheer you on! Good Luck! You can do this, just think of how your home will be once you are finished.
Is there one little area that you could make habitable and get some peace in as you work on the rest of the house? Is there some competent trustworthy person who could help you? I would suggest asking God for help and guidance. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1)
Enough about you, how are the pups coping?
Are there badgers in Belfast (sound like a great title for a book) to keep the badger hound occupied?
I used to have one big tip. It was called the Yellow Pages 😂😂
Oh, man, Jenny, you've got a hard row to hoe. I, myself, don't think I would have had the courage. So, hats off to you for being so brave. I confess that I feel really sorry for your dogs. I'll be praying for them. : )
It may be a good thing that B is not there with you. Building/renovating a house brings its own special stress to a relationship.
...And if you eat plenty of garlic, your new digs will be vampire- as well as badger- free!
Happy new year.
Let yer husband do the heavy lifting that’s what he’s there for.
You’re there to keep kicking the establishment door down , you’re doing a good job. Keep on swinging.
Patience,....and keep an open mind.
Rome wasn't built in a day.....
But then, I wasn't on that particular job.
Perhaps this is strange but Belfast is my favorite Irish city.
I’m another inept writer type. Well done for taking it on. I’m not sure that I would. My fiver a month is secure, so just get back when you can. If you wouldn’t mind sharing some progress in Notes as well as Instagram, that would be cool. I’m trying to keep off the phone apps other than this one. Good luck!
Oh my, I do not envy you the task ahead! Best of luck! My only tip - buy at least half again as much paint as you think you need. That old plaster will absolutely absorb it. Use the fluffiest roller you can find, even though it feels like it wastes a ton of paint (it does, but it covers in one pass).
Don't let waste accumulate. Clear it away every day. Dedicate specific hours to work on it -- every day. Don't let it drag. Attack!
Good luck in your new old house! It'll be a beauty when you get it restored, and you'll be glad you put in the work. Someone suggested YouTube how-to videos, and that's a great source. I've learned how to do lots of things on houses, cars, and appliances that way, and so can you. You may think you're not good at those kinds of things, but the more you learn the more confident you'll get, and you'll find that there's a lot you can do. When you do things yourself, you'll have a lot of pride in them afterward. If something's really beyond you, vet contractors carefully and try to come by them through recommendations. If you decide to change any outlets or switches yourself, be damned careful with electricity! Think of one room or one area at a time, to avoid being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the whole project. It might take many months, or even years to complete, but you'll get there. Please post photos and tell us about your progress along the way. And happy new year!
Wow… looks like you do have your hands full…built houses for 15 years and also had boarders collies to help control geese on golf course I’m managed for another 25 years..not sure if yours is with those ears but probably…if they only knew how to handle a paintbrush…good luck..keep us updated…
Wow, this entire project seems pretty darn exciting to me. From those few photos I suspect that your new old house has lots of potential. I’m sure you know this but please make sure you wear the proper filtration masks when you are tearing stuff down and stirring up dust to protect your lungs. I wish I could send you a special house warming gift . Since I can’t do that I will give a gift subscription to a friend and you can use that money for some little tidbit that you need. I am rooting for you and can’t wait to see how it unfolds. If possible please post some photos so we can see your progress. Jenny... you and your family can definitely pull this off and end up with something extra special.
Before removing drywall, make sure you have noted watermarks (find sources of leaks and potential wood rot), and plumbing issues. Don’t use a sawzall without marking wiring (my ex got zapped by 220-not sure how I felt about that in retrospect). Use Kilz brand paint if possible. Check out William Morris prints for wall paper for that place - looks about the right era.