Windsor Terrace Reno

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February 26, 2008

Lil' back bedroom all grown up

Traveling back to before we started renovating, the very top floor of the house was a separate apartment while the lower two floors was the owners' duplex. (I use these terms loosely as I have a hard time truly calling any space without working plumbing a duplex but I digress). The top floor apartment had what some might call a "kitchen" (again, using term loosely).

Since our plan was to reconfigure the space and make the top floor our bedrooms, the "kitchen" had to go. Before the construction really started, Mr. Limestone did some of his own "demo" by carefully removing the leaded glass doors and removing the disgustng floor to determine if there was hardwood underneath.

Then during the reno, this room became a sort of garage for extra parts. The clawfoot lived in here for a few months as did the marble top for our master bath vanity.

This room doesn't have the same wow transformation as the kitchen or bathrooms but I think it came out pretty well. The things that were done in here: removed cabinets, wallpaper, old lino floors, new window, recessed lights, electrical outlets, crown molding, skim coat, floors sanded and poly, paint.

This floor had the most damage and wonky repairs. There are patches where its laid in a different direction and there is one larger black blob from what I presume is water damage. I considered painting it (I love a painted floor) but it turned out better than I expected so I think I'll just leave it. It might get a rug if its lucky.

I think we are pretty much done right now short of a few boring touch ups. I plan on doing another couple of posts about how the bathrooms turned out but I think thats pretty much it. If anyone has any specific requests for a post topic, let me know. Otherwise Im very close to being over and out! Woo-hoo.

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Comments

Please give us a final tour. We need to be weaned off the house.

Posted by: dt at February 26, 2008 2:09 PM

I totally agree. You have incredible taste and I adore what you've done with your home. You're a true professional. And your writing is terrific. I've learned so much. Thank you.

But before you go can you please help me. I'm trying to decide what type of 4" low voltage recessed lights to buy for my living room (Jesco $50/unit or Contrast $100/unit). There's such a price difference but I don't know if it's worth getting the more expensive ones. I want them in white trim.

Also those baseboards look great. Where did you get them?

Thanks so much!!

Posted by: guest at February 26, 2008 2:21 PM

dt - I think I need to be fully "finished" before a house tour is in order complete with furniture. So maybe Ill be back in the year 2011 when Im done :)

Guest - Ill look in the cellar to see if I have any left over boxes for the lights but I wouldn't go by what we used. This is one area that I just gave up on the research (too many options that all seem exactly the same). We had our contractor select the recessed units so I have no doubt they were on the cheaper end.

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at February 26, 2008 2:32 PM

Thanks so much. The choices are baffling and I find lighting incredible difficult. I'm still debating if I even want recessed lights. But since my living room is 15' x 21' one lone chandelier in one end, isn't going to cut it.

Thanks again!! Btw, love your shiny wood floors.

Posted by: guest at February 26, 2008 2:46 PM

Please recommend your contractor (if you can) before you go! Many thanks for your devotion and time to the blog.

Posted by: guest at February 26, 2008 5:58 PM

I discovered your exhaustive flickr album which I thoroughly enjoyed. But it would be nice to see more shots of the garden level apt., and maybe a floorplan, however crude. I get kinda mixed up as to the layout.

That said, it's been a wonderful trip and i always looked forward to your posts. Good luck to you and keep up the good work.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 9:46 AM

can you adopt me and let me live in that little room?

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 10:28 AM

Forgot to answer your question about the baseboards. The baseboards are original to the house...where they were taken out in other rooms, they were reinstalled in here.

I haven't realy gone into the garden level (other than to mention that its there) because it was renovated entirely for the 'rents. Its not really a topic I have much of a desire to blog about because its not really my style.

Ill consider adoption of live in maid and cook. (aka slave). Otherwise, this room is going to be my office :)

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at February 27, 2008 10:57 AM

I will definitely miss your posts! It would be great to see a furnished room at some point (but I understand that that may take awhile.)

And thanks for taking the time to do this--it's no small feat.

Posted by: tinarina at February 27, 2008 11:07 AM

what is that weird little bump on the top right of the windowed wall.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 12:34 PM

Floor came out looking really nice - glad you didn't paint it. How did you get rid of the black blob that was on it?

Room looks dramatic to me - that crown makes this little room look dressier than it ever has in its life!

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 4:09 PM

I love the paint color - would you mind saying what it is?

Posted by: CMM at February 27, 2008 4:20 PM

The blob came out with additional sanding. Its not totally gone but its not as noticeable now.

I can't remember what that bump out thing is. I remember early on discussing it with architect and I know it has something to do with the chimney but I can't remember anything else about it. I do remember deciding that it wasn't a big deal to leave there and I didn't want to futz with it so we left it.

The paint color is Benjamin Moore Waterfall.

Hope that helps.

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at February 27, 2008 5:02 PM

I think the little bump is the sort of thing that gives old houses character (in a new house, they'd do it so the room was square, and you wouldn't see the chimney function.)

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 5:13 PM

Excellent job both with the renovation and with the blog. It's very helpful to be able to read someone else's experiences. Wondered if you wouldn't mind noting cost breakdown, or even overall.

Also - did your architect charge you a percentage or a flat fee ?

Congrats on the finish line.

Posted by: 10thStreetReno at February 27, 2008 9:04 PM

Beautiful, thanks for sharing.

Posted by: guest at February 27, 2008 10:53 PM

10thSt - Our architect charged us a flat fee for the various stages of drawing up plans and filing. And then an hourly fee for the occassional site visits he made to ensure everything was going well. As Ive said, I won't be broadcasting what I spent in total to the internet because a) I don't feel comfortable with that and b) my total nut won't really mean much b/c there are so many variables in each house. If you have specific questions, feel free to email me.

Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at February 28, 2008 8:08 AM