DIY Vinyl Floor Installation

The other day I watched a renovation program about a couple who won a weekend kitchen makeover and the pros installed the new flooring on top of ratty vinyl flooring.  The host said they were using the old flooring in lieu of installing a new vapor barrier.  I'm no pro, so the following is based on my limited experience and irrational bias: installing new flooring over existing vinyl grosses me out. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I was thinking about <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DisplayTemplate?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&display=buying_vinyl">vinyl flooring</a>, I realized not a lot of people talk about it.  People tend to blog about installing marble or intricate tile.  So, here are my reasons for loving vinyl flooring in our bathroom and some installation tips that might make life easier, should you try this at home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Why I heart our vinyl floors:</strong></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Super</em> affordable</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Super easy to install and fit</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Super durable and kid friendly (ceramic tile & stone can chip - trust me)</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Embarrassingly easy to clean, partly because there's no grout!</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ours is textured so its no-slip</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, a great choice for our bathroom</div></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>How to install:</strong></div><u>Step 1:</u><br />Remove old flooring, but <em>if the old flooring was glued down then wait to remove until you're ready to install</em>.  My grandpa tried to remove the old flooring early in the game but the floor was sticky, so we halted removal until the tub and tiling was done and we were ready for flooring.  <em>Tip: we tossed on some saw dust and then swept it away - it helped deal with the tackiness.</em><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIrbKMvJNLPSDSLR9Os66r6fJPdX_nkAABzAi2Cveh6LSpH-wTmzZfT6SfKbYswLqffJfmXliDs6vCiN7rioDJDsSRZmcUWMgIXxdSAJRK1WQA0ubu3gXPYVZEGSjcfN9KJ_gY78br4c/s1600/P1030175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIrbKMvJNLPSDSLR9Os66r6fJPdX_nkAABzAi2Cveh6LSpH-wTmzZfT6SfKbYswLqffJfmXliDs6vCiN7rioDJDsSRZmcUWMgIXxdSAJRK1WQA0ubu3gXPYVZEGSjcfN9KJ_gY78br4c/s400/P1030175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaLHUlR-5C_4zNep8g2GUXFAUqXUt-8kuBMFEhqdvSC05rLdg62lrpQZFrwKNV70abcZYxu_yKDvDqA3Yez1ufsn_aOFmM4K-MTn0lwKs6VaFH_lpsRdATEtoX5kPcYEfXse1_m4VFns/s1600/P1030631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaLHUlR-5C_4zNep8g2GUXFAUqXUt-8kuBMFEhqdvSC05rLdg62lrpQZFrwKNV70abcZYxu_yKDvDqA3Yez1ufsn_aOFmM4K-MTn0lwKs6VaFH_lpsRdATEtoX5kPcYEfXse1_m4VFns/s400/P1030631.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The removal process</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdCDxXZTYWw7GjsQ_tezVHbmyHf0_gK-7chbtikD9ynu5kbQsokYCWVUJls7ihPgXVumjawROuL_Thr462rA2vcLK11wgH17addOD4XcQeA-1tRD3AGrhbevxU3yOMpV-oLAO4Or8bO0/s1600/P1030630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdCDxXZTYWw7GjsQ_tezVHbmyHf0_gK-7chbtikD9ynu5kbQsokYCWVUJls7ihPgXVumjawROuL_Thr462rA2vcLK11wgH17addOD4XcQeA-1tRD3AGrhbevxU3yOMpV-oLAO4Or8bO0/s640/P1030630.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><u>Step 2:</u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Make sure the floor is level, even and clear of debris.  Any lumps and bumps will be felt through the flooring.  We found it easiest to install when the tub was in, but the other elements were not.  Be sure to remove your baseboards & toilet at least.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuvwi0ps_uvlyoc6bHgvzT2XX6-Q0qUNSww3jg6TPp0JrGSgSNl2e14gtQoYuYPEA0jAGAKoLLy4r6Cqq67uyuNQ_CY9x_9-r1pAKon3Gs9f57GPMVSvBOZ5xNiNKf1Ej6yOBs4brmhQ/s1600/P1030732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuvwi0ps_uvlyoc6bHgvzT2XX6-Q0qUNSww3jg6TPp0JrGSgSNl2e14gtQoYuYPEA0jAGAKoLLy4r6Cqq67uyuNQ_CY9x_9-r1pAKon3Gs9f57GPMVSvBOZ5xNiNKf1Ej6yOBs4brmhQ/s400/P1030732.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandpa, hard at work removing the old flooring</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Step 3:</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dry fit and cut flooring to size - marking and cutting holes for the toilet drain, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Step 4:</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Working in sections, apply the contact cement (designed for vinyl flooring, talk to store rep from where you bought your flooring for a recommendation on the right kind) with a toothed trowel.  Wait as per instructions for adhesive to get tacky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuR2GOaPn4ZFWbAwTWM5n4LN2UTsoULT5a6D9CH5bE_uzxBUoWQcjyjhYvQrvQ1OREnYO31n-y1FUlhyphenhyphen7z2potTuJIdcVnBZatVhEznitOvOkCYu1NQE6JboRFZG04LRNVuQ6T83c1_c/s1600/P1030742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuR2GOaPn4ZFWbAwTWM5n4LN2UTsoULT5a6D9CH5bE_uzxBUoWQcjyjhYvQrvQ1OREnYO31n-y1FUlhyphenhyphen7z2potTuJIdcVnBZatVhEznitOvOkCYu1NQE6JboRFZG04LRNVuQ6T83c1_c/s400/P1030742.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1ss8FNa8rPGL1S81pb0e-TsXO1Bq_Av9vyszOcf6QCiAkdKZRtUQx4bIKH8umxXUiSvUbgSYpd5xew3P0eeGm7Aa8aJQ6Zr87MoKLi1RTx1QMib4dhtODBBU-DDw6O99ep0OtEW4DW0/s1600/P1030743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1ss8FNa8rPGL1S81pb0e-TsXO1Bq_Av9vyszOcf6QCiAkdKZRtUQx4bIKH8umxXUiSvUbgSYpd5xew3P0eeGm7Aa8aJQ6Zr87MoKLi1RTx1QMib4dhtODBBU-DDw6O99ep0OtEW4DW0/s400/P1030743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><u>Step 5:</u><br />Lay down half your flooring and roll out bubbles, working from the middle out.<br /><br /><u>Step 6:</u><br />Repeat for other remaining section.  Roll out again - you want a nice smooth surface.<br /><br /><u>Step 7</u>:<br />After waiting the appropriate dry time (as per manufacturer's instructions), you can install your baseboards and transitions.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvHCd0VZ6oKfSPFP5ZJPdy07k_KsaIupmv48Zx4aJFawSYc1EURIlHVQtg9e8I1-_w37liLTSgISXP2RTPfb7G_tU_2dFUjfSZmbqzYk8FQm6Qbqb0xIhrhVrbFzQysjzZlnDcbQR5O8/s1600/P1060475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvHCd0VZ6oKfSPFP5ZJPdy07k_KsaIupmv48Zx4aJFawSYc1EURIlHVQtg9e8I1-_w37liLTSgISXP2RTPfb7G_tU_2dFUjfSZmbqzYk8FQm6Qbqb0xIhrhVrbFzQysjzZlnDcbQR5O8/s640/P1060475.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All installed, with the baseboards, vanity & toilet in place</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXK3rIZozH0srQRceiUgFI6eIE662fI5xzMkKGLvaoln835GqEMof9C9kLTVEkKNkp3XkB6X6gPQu_YTT8QY6mfLsNHNUqkSWlMOCfW_A9p9DpSthIqApEMembUgp6jXpS9dyd1z32xE/s1600/P1060489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXK3rIZozH0srQRceiUgFI6eIE662fI5xzMkKGLvaoln835GqEMof9C9kLTVEkKNkp3XkB6X6gPQu_YTT8QY6mfLsNHNUqkSWlMOCfW_A9p9DpSthIqApEMembUgp6jXpS9dyd1z32xE/s400/P1060489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDmVLv1it5mqDST1ieW0BNefAW43d6wLbvxr3jle9JnkMwQ1-rElFZ0fchjNlfChd3i2ZlA6e0V2ZVPg7QZ7qK0fSROY9E6iGdzpLkIJchCDMJ2WjRa5mEwQIr5l5KXZROpzZRbNRIY8/s1600/P1060471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDmVLv1it5mqDST1ieW0BNefAW43d6wLbvxr3jle9JnkMwQ1-rElFZ0fchjNlfChd3i2ZlA6e0V2ZVPg7QZ7qK0fSROY9E6iGdzpLkIJchCDMJ2WjRa5mEwQIr5l5KXZROpzZRbNRIY8/s640/P1060471.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><em>Make sure you get the right transition.</em>  There are different kinds of transitions, for different applications.  We accidentally bought a reducer, when what we needed was a threshold.  Back to the store we went . . . <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="diagram of floor transition moldings" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235479325304378258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71R0iJLyR_h3locYzqAjTUEUNzA7tYSFcq9UjDy9OpGkFpvfTk27QvN2J1TvAtpqANwpnlYj1AoBPSFUsUheDJQEqQr-SqBCibGHgt5IFiK1hp2tj3eqT9Z4AkejTWwlrLaA3KQVn7Hc/s320/transition+mouldings.jpg" style="margin: 10pt auto 0px;" title="Floor Transition Moldings" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://guides.tv20detroit.com/DIY_Flooring_Transition_Detroit_MI-r1133358-Detroit_MI.html">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUWff7cCHX4rsk3bTjZnmhvwNMDwVZ-MgWuK919at_0JTw26v7YGBjsZQvaKeWVmA_kv0UqtXKzwzfokCcWKS4UTLzOyhUd9nWY4dkp1tP5BhF5nyzmuENNHM0zNxDya3i-xb4ZmA6SPu/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUWff7cCHX4rsk3bTjZnmhvwNMDwVZ-MgWuK919at_0JTw26v7YGBjsZQvaKeWVmA_kv0UqtXKzwzfokCcWKS4UTLzOyhUd9nWY4dkp1tP5BhF5nyzmuENNHM0zNxDya3i-xb4ZmA6SPu/s400/050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, the right transition . . . </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, that's how we installed our floors.  If you don't like vinyl, there is also more natural <a href="http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Public/NaturalFlooring/Marmoleum/index.cfm">linoleum</a>.  Linoleum is made from linseed oil & flax seeds and can last 50 yrs., while vinyl flooring is a petroleum oil product.  We chose vinyl because I picked a look I liked and it happened to be vinyl.  In my opinion, with vinyl or linoleum flooring, it is best not to pick something <em>only</em> because it is trendy or looks almost like something else.  Pick it because you like the pattern.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. Click <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/12/main-bath-before-now.html">here</a> & <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/lighting-conundrum-feedback-appreciated.html">here</a> for more bathroom pictures.</div>

DIY Vinyl Floor Installation

The other day I watched a renovation program about a couple who won a weekend kitchen makeover and the pros installed the new flooring on to...

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We're Floored

Awhile ago, I blogged about our DIY hardwood floors (see <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-post.html">here</a>).<br /><br />When we (truthfully: my hubby and father-in-law, I technically installed three floorboards.  I can show you which ones, if you like) installed hardwood on the upstairs level, dark hardwood floors were more in style but we picked light maple floors.  First and foremost, we picked maple to match the existing maple on the mainfloor.  But equally important to us: because its a townhouse, our house doesn't have <em>that</em> many windows and the light floors and walls we have bounce more light around, making the space feel larger and brighter.  We don't "do" area rugs except in the front hall because I hate them.  I have allergies and apparently don't lift my feet when I walk (I'm a shuffler), so between the sneezing and the tripping, rugs and I aren't friends.  <br /><br />Well, guess what?  We're in style now!  Canadian House & Home listed their reno trends for 2011 and this is what they had to say about flooring:<br /><br /><strong>Floors go blond</strong><br />"Wood flooring continues to lighten up, but without last year's grey tones.  Now, we're seeing pale yellow floors that, when left uncovered, make rooms feel bigger and brighter" p. 52 (January 2011)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0sWpjSPFg2L0nzaB8ZePGECVovswjxaMokPvLJcf1F_T034ClORNSf0kJz8hORz13iVMzcETEtBdca3z3n8oPvlXrPz7B5gNZIQPA3NZGrsw4DAEAwbXPZZ_yXFpQbI8Ma_vTyHH5Qw/s1600/P1030689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0sWpjSPFg2L0nzaB8ZePGECVovswjxaMokPvLJcf1F_T034ClORNSf0kJz8hORz13iVMzcETEtBdca3z3n8oPvlXrPz7B5gNZIQPA3NZGrsw4DAEAwbXPZZ_yXFpQbI8Ma_vTyHH5Qw/s400/P1030689.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCXt04kDkPBcWlRS1zu8pihjFz_RJLaYIoBLuZ_PK_0FZaP8aZElLczmErJFpD-a1SA2jQTg1RoV1_TH3JaUemYvQt7EUYchnkqOzKP22I0PA15U741qzogqLknJvZpjrD81h0WWYpMw/s1600/P1060194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCXt04kDkPBcWlRS1zu8pihjFz_RJLaYIoBLuZ_PK_0FZaP8aZElLczmErJFpD-a1SA2jQTg1RoV1_TH3JaUemYvQt7EUYchnkqOzKP22I0PA15U741qzogqLknJvZpjrD81h0WWYpMw/s640/P1060194.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><strong>Hells ya. </strong>

We're Floored

Awhile ago, I blogged about our DIY hardwood floors (see here ). When we (truthfully: my hubby and father-in-law, I technically installed th...

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Master Bedroom: "Before & In Progress"

<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Come on in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>See how this nursery became our bedroom . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEJTSkyRNp-IYKU1cF4cLwvodr9dkFSVdZqiSXwVf2Ykw5Wfuf3e3Vf34g67H5k8M1-2fFQJ82wL1jqhD8wNa8T_7xecB4evP4i4T6o42zVfKb62Qf3OFHdvqag2DcIdCUCym5F7EQw8/s1600/P1030172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEJTSkyRNp-IYKU1cF4cLwvodr9dkFSVdZqiSXwVf2Ykw5Wfuf3e3Vf34g67H5k8M1-2fFQJ82wL1jqhD8wNa8T_7xecB4evP4i4T6o42zVfKb62Qf3OFHdvqag2DcIdCUCym5F7EQw8/s400/P1030172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before"</td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJlZsQE6W7Dp0aSiShSK5Hli8KKYJycohnA2Rl8fYwjSHaQomdnqysC9xyTph7Crw05vzXzrn3NfYtPsJrfEcaMUxsyFmd3qt7VeYMsBERktXiseH1O1alCHpY9yuLrdmmOrwROZUUzU/s1600/P1030289.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJlZsQE6W7Dp0aSiShSK5Hli8KKYJycohnA2Rl8fYwjSHaQomdnqysC9xyTph7Crw05vzXzrn3NfYtPsJrfEcaMUxsyFmd3qt7VeYMsBERktXiseH1O1alCHpY9yuLrdmmOrwROZUUzU/s400/P1030289.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>  <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Process:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">After removing the wallpaper border (thanks mom & dad!), painting <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">everything</b> a crisp white and installing hardwood floors (see the process </span><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-post.html">here</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">) we have a clean & bright canvas to work with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgdJJxWpioQuQHJ-Xplz7C1mABDjPjdxRXHvvtXkW37Rr2k44kT7s_X6EwQQ21TiEYLN-1XHw-npikIeoPC_CLlMC4AxMHrQ_6-WNZWQ6QiW9lFxQtyHmBJt7bp4iTNtWCsOuWmEg_KI/s1600/P1030622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgdJJxWpioQuQHJ-Xplz7C1mABDjPjdxRXHvvtXkW37Rr2k44kT7s_X6EwQQ21TiEYLN-1XHw-npikIeoPC_CLlMC4AxMHrQ_6-WNZWQ6QiW9lFxQtyHmBJt7bp4iTNtWCsOuWmEg_KI/s400/P1030622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In progress . . . </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlRBiDI2MHaeIYCzJzsnvRAZfnkQhgt6wyAk6i-OXBKLWG1_mBjgVz3pSyQZSFUU12sFhHKfswCHwGDhILjWpxojBrPsrXt7sN6RC_Ed1fJys3BDp7Yux-Gd9S2w3QB2utXSvhE8YVv8/s1600/P1030639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlRBiDI2MHaeIYCzJzsnvRAZfnkQhgt6wyAk6i-OXBKLWG1_mBjgVz3pSyQZSFUU12sFhHKfswCHwGDhILjWpxojBrPsrXt7sN6RC_Ed1fJys3BDp7Yux-Gd9S2w3QB2utXSvhE8YVv8/s400/P1030639.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom, hard at work!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwhVa8h_ujzlbupK0zAJTw4BkRBXuvSFUS0-BVI7dyOch_FJseM5cRCfb_agiitALTv34LOmtI_Ef3l04bRfec6MPBDfWhOBwM7ItTK0VQdPf8biY4U9gj6ksjnS30NWRiPb5qXSaMb0/s1600/P1030664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwhVa8h_ujzlbupK0zAJTw4BkRBXuvSFUS0-BVI7dyOch_FJseM5cRCfb_agiitALTv34LOmtI_Ef3l04bRfec6MPBDfWhOBwM7ItTK0VQdPf8biY4U9gj6ksjnS30NWRiPb5qXSaMb0/s320/P1030664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello floors!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>TA DA!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">This room needs some shaking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I love our headboard and side tables which were designed by my mom and I, but built by my grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The wall to wall curtains my grandmother sewed for us are gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The lamps are new—we love how crisp they look and the tiny bulb in the base is great for when we want just a bit of light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  But its a bit . . . blah.  </span>Scroll down for my plans so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The rusty cogs in my brain are turning as I plan how to liven up this room . . . </span><br />  <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYmFSkt9GlgBQubBJ9tLYFhO3bYZdp5rJzGcM8zHb09FYH0i-Nb69jYwlQFGqGBAImvmmJBLkemOIGkZAEQ_JdvootsnY5QR0v6T99Nl80u0y1PfVlfsJaOnhq7cPqg-IkuuHXDrROnI/s1600/P1060212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYmFSkt9GlgBQubBJ9tLYFhO3bYZdp5rJzGcM8zHb09FYH0i-Nb69jYwlQFGqGBAImvmmJBLkemOIGkZAEQ_JdvootsnY5QR0v6T99Nl80u0y1PfVlfsJaOnhq7cPqg-IkuuHXDrROnI/s640/P1060212.JPG" width="480" /></a>  </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom & I designed the headboard & side tables <br />which were handmade by my grandpa</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6r0ArDSeCrqJCv52P8D6q5ru7i0Ff-T7twtyD3JQt8bCcNFzdSRyF4q1FRxZM1zlL-FGbK8C4xn78kFfwoeOrQ5Et4hQQwo11YNsqqy65JzQYEtUWK-eVfSOnbTlCMjYkM_ZM9CUNwk/s1600/P1060203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6r0ArDSeCrqJCv52P8D6q5ru7i0Ff-T7twtyD3JQt8bCcNFzdSRyF4q1FRxZM1zlL-FGbK8C4xn78kFfwoeOrQ5Et4hQQwo11YNsqqy65JzQYEtUWK-eVfSOnbTlCMjYkM_ZM9CUNwk/s640/P1060203.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44p8g8M8EctbVGrUaPdj5dKS8gDrk-P8S2FY9xlXvz1y8HPY20yiYgG4THzb3tDn0NAZtvW0SVYqQyvtUMa1wLnZphCtWWejuF6tJwLQdYiRVHcw4_8EBs6uzk3kz7RoM_suzjxwFkX8/s1600/P1060204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44p8g8M8EctbVGrUaPdj5dKS8gDrk-P8S2FY9xlXvz1y8HPY20yiYgG4THzb3tDn0NAZtvW0SVYqQyvtUMa1wLnZphCtWWejuF6tJwLQdYiRVHcw4_8EBs6uzk3kz7RoM_suzjxwFkX8/s400/P1060204.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;">   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKReM8n36hDsUMbdl40SDeGLv9bDNrfEKZC3DDR75xZr3w2wGMs8XHl2CBqg5iVNIuTYtIVek-m2AA1s7f170kat-QZHwkx_44ZV0gQkubfKKPVFdJJB776LE96Y8YIPrYN4e3SyhlKDQ/s1600/P1060206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKReM8n36hDsUMbdl40SDeGLv9bDNrfEKZC3DDR75xZr3w2wGMs8XHl2CBqg5iVNIuTYtIVek-m2AA1s7f170kat-QZHwkx_44ZV0gQkubfKKPVFdJJB776LE96Y8YIPrYN4e3SyhlKDQ/s640/P1060206.JPG" width="480" /></a>   </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This room has the biggest window in the house, <br />emphasized by the wall-to-wall curtains my grandmother sewed for us</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><strong>My plans:</strong><br />Artwork and new bedding should do the trick.  I am ogling a few duvet sets right now, but the Dwell Studio duvet cover below has really caught my eye.  That set would look gorgeous with a jumble of differently coloured silk pillows (I have some burnt organge silk that never made itself into the scarf I planned).  I plan on painting a large triptych for the empty wall across from the headboard, but this plan is hinged on my feeling creative enough . . . <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFMyf6IvPis9cGVsmvoge0576uj806_WnblT0HShLrJIBxabqyrfgj400PtLK1MF8FImQiavmTX8ElyQJx0sWNND8TMSlfvsJJWLsFXggKbf1Q59LVAWJRtepO12Lifr5HqoZz_1Qd3s/s1600/Dwell+comforter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="375" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFMyf6IvPis9cGVsmvoge0576uj806_WnblT0HShLrJIBxabqyrfgj400PtLK1MF8FImQiavmTX8ElyQJx0sWNND8TMSlfvsJJWLsFXggKbf1Q59LVAWJRtepO12Lifr5HqoZz_1Qd3s/s400/Dwell+comforter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This great bedding by Dwell Studio (Draper Stripe Ash) has won my heart</td></tr></tbody></table><br />If you also love this Dwell Studio bedding, you can find it <strong><a href="http://www.dwellstudio.com/modern-home-decor/modern-duvet-covers/draper-stripe-ash-duvet-set.html">here</a></strong>.  My mom has the <strong><a href="http://www.dwellstudio.com/modern-home-decor/modern-duvet-covers/chinoiserie-duvet-set.html">Chinoiserie</a></strong> set and I am sooooo jealous.   Although . . . I am tempted to go for the white bedding look I have in the guest room (see <strong><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/guest-bedroom-before-after.html">here</a></strong>).  Decisions, decisions, decisions.  Anyone else like <em>so many</em> different styles and looks that it can be hard to commit to something???<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNshet0VfIZlNzLgcixaUxPI-L1DOPKJ5sOhUzEk3z7za7fAbC0hNCn5ktjM9FPLAzZVYywtyT4k4OFxSr8_3IxfMmPRuOoDUmZMZbdxCPz1xUN_FhiQ6AE6jMFhW1RMuwGRUAgiQtUjE/s1600/P1050720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNshet0VfIZlNzLgcixaUxPI-L1DOPKJ5sOhUzEk3z7za7fAbC0hNCn5ktjM9FPLAzZVYywtyT4k4OFxSr8_3IxfMmPRuOoDUmZMZbdxCPz1xUN_FhiQ6AE6jMFhW1RMuwGRUAgiQtUjE/s640/P1050720.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted this, but my mom made a sad face until I gave the painting to her.  <br />But I bought three GIANT canvases, so hopefully inspiration will strike again <br />and I can paint a tryptich for the room-maybe with brighter colours</td></tr></tbody></table>

Master Bedroom: "Before & In Progress"

Come on in!   See how this nursery became our bedroom . . .    "Before"    Process: After removing the wallpaper border (thanks...

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DIY Hardwood Floors

<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>When we purchased the townhouse, the first thing we did was run to Home Depot to order flooring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We had to wait about 6 weeks, so if you are planning this project, plan ahead and budget wisely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Even installing it ourselves, the flooring took a huge chunk of our budget: just over $4000 when the dust settled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>My husband and father-in-law installed approximately 600 square feet (plus a staircase) of hardwood flooring in a few days, working <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all day long</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Luckily, they had both installed flooring previously at my sister-in-law’s house so they had some experience with flooring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>There are plenty of resources and books highlighting the nitty-gritty of hardwood flooring, so we won’t provide step-by-step instructions (unless you want them!), but here are our progress pictures (to give you an idea of what is in store for you) followed by some tips we had to figure out on our own.</span> <br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd4gYXnjxyOyRoc0seJo7E0-6Ai6G9uLxMpfwboQYTskf_uPiKxqCyNedqeSZgSAhhw3PhPFEjspPge-XeGVzP-_WOo0fJkxnGu9Ynm5RB_GB8Xf9bPsJW1NehAsTEuQQsyAqkJGxMQg/s1600/P1030261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd4gYXnjxyOyRoc0seJo7E0-6Ai6G9uLxMpfwboQYTskf_uPiKxqCyNedqeSZgSAhhw3PhPFEjspPge-XeGVzP-_WOo0fJkxnGu9Ynm5RB_GB8Xf9bPsJW1NehAsTEuQQsyAqkJGxMQg/s400/P1030261.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallway: "Before" (Note the ripple)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCuqsEgag8AvNtCYSexUIZUQeQ_KUzMEjWDZ_C7NvuoJ_jCz-SSPdLgeV71gkqTnKBd5_tiK2ksO5R7uvicleitJ4FNEJn3eLFoXNuY-1cdjPFd0buNwElK2gI6XVIgcxomTZyEpsEkM/s1600/P1030161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCuqsEgag8AvNtCYSexUIZUQeQ_KUzMEjWDZ_C7NvuoJ_jCz-SSPdLgeV71gkqTnKBd5_tiK2ksO5R7uvicleitJ4FNEJn3eLFoXNuY-1cdjPFd0buNwElK2gI6XVIgcxomTZyEpsEkM/s640/P1030161.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs: "Before"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEordbRLwdgCz9vUO6S4PJ1Cl4WNg8S6jasJtqkz7FOCTc8YiJOvh4OHonbKL3bRvnHBvQD4zMK0-wNbN9WXDb-IiZizI7ro21Om2Uzo2KICvimZ6y_XJD8NTAx2dWbe8MWenIuI3cvFg/s1600/P1030652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEordbRLwdgCz9vUO6S4PJ1Cl4WNg8S6jasJtqkz7FOCTc8YiJOvh4OHonbKL3bRvnHBvQD4zMK0-wNbN9WXDb-IiZizI7ro21Om2Uzo2KICvimZ6y_XJD8NTAx2dWbe8MWenIuI3cvFg/s640/P1030652.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpet is gone! Removing nails from subfloor . . . </td></tr></tbody></table>    <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdY9GhhrIGNjbDhwKbJSMOF2UZABCHRrk9RwJTwM6pL9hqPQr-2-iiIH9YSQABe64jOX5S3ho7oeu-ihVVqSC9dxt9wqxXX0i0tmfIBUM0uPiOULWizcVpBA6y6-pvFroMe8y0OIN320/s1600/P1030614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdY9GhhrIGNjbDhwKbJSMOF2UZABCHRrk9RwJTwM6pL9hqPQr-2-iiIH9YSQABe64jOX5S3ho7oeu-ihVVqSC9dxt9wqxXX0i0tmfIBUM0uPiOULWizcVpBA6y6-pvFroMe8y0OIN320/s400/P1030614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandpa helping remove staples too! (This was a big job)</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5-4g0nZvRvy4ocQiQ6IN4L0AWxGWx7iA66dFhmor0A9pItDYYRY1PL10U110Gmu7XosTKLgxuFSh1JoSO3ayYOZeAWoDyA-yEuXa64kLO75oymGUU_UuNU4IpuMlk78V2NwKUVdTXMU/s1600/P1030612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5-4g0nZvRvy4ocQiQ6IN4L0AWxGWx7iA66dFhmor0A9pItDYYRY1PL10U110Gmu7XosTKLgxuFSh1JoSO3ayYOZeAWoDyA-yEuXa64kLO75oymGUU_UuNU4IpuMlk78V2NwKUVdTXMU/s400/P1030612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello subfloor! Where did your carpet go?</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3871L0vcm1xF3RU2s6dQFmbaxBx8iBnPqrxcQomV6TP3GXq1hTtK_s1u67y_KWlRyajDKYg7BiYYeVieMzYuuOUwYoIwmDBJZjx0ukkzmCb2UKuJr9Zroh6Csgdl-WWF9sf5kTYcF-v4/s1600/P1030613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3871L0vcm1xF3RU2s6dQFmbaxBx8iBnPqrxcQomV6TP3GXq1hTtK_s1u67y_KWlRyajDKYg7BiYYeVieMzYuuOUwYoIwmDBJZjx0ukkzmCb2UKuJr9Zroh6Csgdl-WWF9sf5kTYcF-v4/s640/P1030613.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started to feel panic set in at this point.  <br />As in, "What have we done?!?!? We'll never get Humpty Dumpty back together again."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8y7QIiFJZ3187MkOfddob5jhipk7AWEvNjyWZ05jRIc30oFcHwXeSrpjlt4TI_aD8VuaypEVNvPn1gyajoZtyOiTjwRAbTfZERtU5wE51SU2mcUwLoes06LY_9zVvwcHDaFDkA77KO8/s1600/P1030659.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8y7QIiFJZ3187MkOfddob5jhipk7AWEvNjyWZ05jRIc30oFcHwXeSrpjlt4TI_aD8VuaypEVNvPn1gyajoZtyOiTjwRAbTfZERtU5wE51SU2mcUwLoes06LY_9zVvwcHDaFDkA77KO8/s400/P1030659.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>   <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItjLfdpefTphJChk1hSqqRhBCqDtI99hOs2pCNCPn_xEAeC915LgrJxXkEDUjkJL5zO4SLyeo-TlC4flLKjHL6ZIuHgY4EBGEv8xiXlhPGS0n0lTowaRj8VO9y9dDw1WknSnM9pso_Do/s1600/P1030676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItjLfdpefTphJChk1hSqqRhBCqDtI99hOs2pCNCPn_xEAeC915LgrJxXkEDUjkJL5zO4SLyeo-TlC4flLKjHL6ZIuHgY4EBGEv8xiXlhPGS0n0lTowaRj8VO9y9dDw1WknSnM9pso_Do/s400/P1030676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebmhNoTi14mOLWGZSCHogVq-QZ8W_GzUzPAICLS4IumnH3py0wrUOOE-_XVKTKOovg6Sj1yFIe4WdL3PsLAGID3mHEEwlm5bK4BgCbIXT8Q4w3ViV10AjEX1Zs6_4LsxZ-dNutI5OaT0/s1600/P1030681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebmhNoTi14mOLWGZSCHogVq-QZ8W_GzUzPAICLS4IumnH3py0wrUOOE-_XVKTKOovg6Sj1yFIe4WdL3PsLAGID3mHEEwlm5bK4BgCbIXT8Q4w3ViV10AjEX1Zs6_4LsxZ-dNutI5OaT0/s400/P1030681.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used maple plywood for the stair risers.  First we applied a few coats of varnish.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRJyxK_0zAOZc-81fZjwETf4cMb1dq0RpKHH57s0SqWrmxpwVPsstCzZoiqaDa6RBGwLPJv-XOFyX_0yCKn1ilrEyR_ld3A5D7fDQHm0mowgfC3K35RC4-Vm5BsEaMHs8kPRVGYcHjkM/s1600/P1030689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRJyxK_0zAOZc-81fZjwETf4cMb1dq0RpKHH57s0SqWrmxpwVPsstCzZoiqaDa6RBGwLPJv-XOFyX_0yCKn1ilrEyR_ld3A5D7fDQHm0mowgfC3K35RC4-Vm5BsEaMHs8kPRVGYcHjkM/s640/P1030689.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn2PC8qQq9CKymlruVRFBHrORmRVB_84YszTNRwtD14Hx_HjqFcnmIMzKzex4pfoHLwtXmTWppxedEeA04MRHwPtnxT4C3U_ysMT9rQspg563tkbutxPBlUBcJZJXzLUpRpKzw8Nug1U/s1600/P1030726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn2PC8qQq9CKymlruVRFBHrORmRVB_84YszTNRwtD14Hx_HjqFcnmIMzKzex4pfoHLwtXmTWppxedEeA04MRHwPtnxT4C3U_ysMT9rQspg563tkbutxPBlUBcJZJXzLUpRpKzw8Nug1U/s400/P1030726.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0wwjF6mJ-J1MaCL3GV_5xztnGdx31gB-tjFYOV6kdQVfVPZqVxjEkewJOqi86sqm3jofjKOO3n0qtYgKGB-aSY75HQfOkmcNqt5fPLT_eR999BfiyercaL4SlzwEyOFyAwLLdYncyrY/s1600/P1030697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0wwjF6mJ-J1MaCL3GV_5xztnGdx31gB-tjFYOV6kdQVfVPZqVxjEkewJOqi86sqm3jofjKOO3n0qtYgKGB-aSY75HQfOkmcNqt5fPLT_eR999BfiyercaL4SlzwEyOFyAwLLdYncyrY/s400/P1030697.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc_IPfCQGKS_CPN3unSfwcjlQNUTKqzYtJynzFuUlP7wySa823jGoVoHewOq3cslmCBS3GwzZmgI1hDG_kKVBSpP4YtJCaD6x1QMxLYGWog5Q9RdcVHo0UexD37Zz7cuiwnohJG3RDyI/s1600/P1030724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc_IPfCQGKS_CPN3unSfwcjlQNUTKqzYtJynzFuUlP7wySa823jGoVoHewOq3cslmCBS3GwzZmgI1hDG_kKVBSpP4YtJCaD6x1QMxLYGWog5Q9RdcVHo0UexD37Zz7cuiwnohJG3RDyI/s400/P1030724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjopjoqJaVK-8FjrRUJ2CIRhxpGOx-XZ72Eyo9Xcg1ZiF04nQATybntqIyqQnNYY5ubDqLO2i45rOqP-5VGrb3uRR03GLYwp09-y_V4Kco-gH9jGuBQEHF0WNhzOquPZb5_MmcVdTT3Us/s1600/P1030717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjopjoqJaVK-8FjrRUJ2CIRhxpGOx-XZ72Eyo9Xcg1ZiF04nQATybntqIyqQnNYY5ubDqLO2i45rOqP-5VGrb3uRR03GLYwp09-y_V4Kco-gH9jGuBQEHF0WNhzOquPZb5_MmcVdTT3Us/s400/P1030717.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to look good . . . <br /><br /><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP1N9LlI6VmasIeaHVHFN08avbvsJoIqGGBk5Gye06wY17Ej1FaHAyxiesSi6oP2867tsSRRAp1saIz3-3OW9iy-JjvDsNFb-nmHisoFTSrel63j-u1Z8viIgEA8eVeQ0QBaWBRuPnIc/s400/P1030711.JPG" width="400" /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56tycjO4EqfTlwZJtUCn7W9pFI9Lhhrq8tjLvNzEvactFSVwtxro387hGRIz8E6jCL0NTF6t29dtlKU3YtxCSMkT7DdqZcrXuZXiGS4Uxx_Xszv6F-k-l0cFKL7Ke2B6S6hMjZXTA39c/s1600/P1060195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56tycjO4EqfTlwZJtUCn7W9pFI9Lhhrq8tjLvNzEvactFSVwtxro387hGRIz8E6jCL0NTF6t29dtlKU3YtxCSMkT7DdqZcrXuZXiGS4Uxx_Xszv6F-k-l0cFKL7Ke2B6S6hMjZXTA39c/s640/P1060195.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh . . . hardwood floors!<br />Ignore the ugly chair.  Soon we will part ways.  Soon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVXsXT16qCteFg3X2Pdn47J076sAMTxH8lY6WjTM3yDxbRTsGhy2gE6zR-AG_e4yzrAoMz0M1R6cwl7nB76yCz9etFr8CDe2Qfm5kpwbyF84osc0otedpSd8jvOefmiK0yb0EFOGTmek/s1600/P1060197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVXsXT16qCteFg3X2Pdn47J076sAMTxH8lY6WjTM3yDxbRTsGhy2gE6zR-AG_e4yzrAoMz0M1R6cwl7nB76yCz9etFr8CDe2Qfm5kpwbyF84osc0otedpSd8jvOefmiK0yb0EFOGTmek/s640/P1060197.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGjC0tDTnRSenyE9POgJql5LbOg1Jdi2gi2viNZLQK4CcFL5qB_5Pe2EDaACdPTZafi9SRlY9zlQd9aCHxouh-2B09S_1zBmxNmoyvmERoeetvXDJ_wnJc2tF12zzvskSem1LCsvTukw/s1600/P1060198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGjC0tDTnRSenyE9POgJql5LbOg1Jdi2gi2viNZLQK4CcFL5qB_5Pe2EDaACdPTZafi9SRlY9zlQd9aCHxouh-2B09S_1zBmxNmoyvmERoeetvXDJ_wnJc2tF12zzvskSem1LCsvTukw/s640/P1060198.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">OUR TIPS</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Purchasing/Ordering your Flooring:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Have your calculations done <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before</i> you even begin looking at flooring and ask the salesperson to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">double check</i> your figures—don’t rely on that person to do all the math for you</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">If you haven’t done flooring before, consider 15% extra (as opposed to 10%) to account for mistakes cutting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>You don’t want to wait 6 weeks to finish your project</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">When you order your wood, ask for a copy of the guarantee and the instructions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We didn’t ask for it ahead of time and were scrambling last minute for the proper underlay we didn’t know we needed and wasted an entire day</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Ask about the return policy, you might have to pay a restocking fee for returning unopened boxes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Double check your entire order before taking your boxes of hardwood home—we almost left the store with 12 fewer boxes than we ordered!</span></li></ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Getting Started:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Let your neighbors know—this is LOUD work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Apologize in advance, especially if you are new to the neighborhood</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Make sure you allow the wood to acclimatize as per the manufacturer’s instructions (that’s why it is wise to get the instructions ahead of time so you can plan your schedule accordingly)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Don’t stack in one GIANT pile, it might be too much weight for the subfloor (depending on the size of your project) so spread the boxes in a number of rooms if possible</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Allow for some “wiggle” room in your schedule—it took an entire day to pick up the flooring, rent the tools, find the underlay, etc., and we didn’t account for this time in our schedule</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Make sure the subfloor is clean, <u>level</u>, and free of nails and staples</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Start doing some measuring and figuring before you cut a single piece—plan the project: where to start, trouble areas, etc.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">My husband and father-in-law started at the stairs (which were also stripped of carpet in exchange for hardwood) because the house isn’t square and they didn’t want the top of the stairs to showcase the crookedness</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I asked them to do the guestroom last—in case we ran out of flooring, it would be an underused room that stayed unfinished not our bedroom or the office</span></li></ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Installing the Flooring:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Lay your hardwood across the joists—I wanted it the other direction, but it isn’t as structurally sound going in the same direction as the joists</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">If you have more than one person working, rent two floor nailers for the days that you are working on a simpler, wide open space with few cuts—it will really speed up the process</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">You may need to trim door frames and doors, depending on the thickness of the previous flooring</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Look at each piece of wood carefully and pull from a number of different boxes at a time, so you don’t end up with a darker room and light room and some random piece in the middle</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Don’t rush—it can be very difficult to fix mistakes once the planks are installed</span></li></ul></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you have any tips of your own??</span>

DIY Hardwood Floors

I hate carpet.   When we purchased the townhouse, the first thing we did was run to Home Depot to order flooring.   We had to wait about 6 w...

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Guest Bedroom: "Before & In Progress"

<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before (with the seller's items):</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill9J6KUu_Y7h5xg9qY_KKl2DrZe5M9w-BFIi2LkGSlCcP0ibBDnMBDkrChmiZGCNa6U0q6CZZju01UxUuEwslSNR-4InuD-fSUXZOXJfUjivL3wukFL6yAJXzv_mhn_j-bnpmjWfgW0c/s1600/P1030168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill9J6KUu_Y7h5xg9qY_KKl2DrZe5M9w-BFIi2LkGSlCcP0ibBDnMBDkrChmiZGCNa6U0q6CZZju01UxUuEwslSNR-4InuD-fSUXZOXJfUjivL3wukFL6yAJXzv_mhn_j-bnpmjWfgW0c/s400/P1030168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzIZeydO5zE63SDk_IHjHKP68rMvuVrbtEhdcgnysdoB3Sa6FZctZ-4YGnjE1STOMJBgysSdzN1i7agKyxUZ1sZ1WNlhML5i5B4ZF7lR5VV15J5LoRJbDaWIR990zQxS2xZBZ8YTx2h0/s1600/P1030254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzIZeydO5zE63SDk_IHjHKP68rMvuVrbtEhdcgnysdoB3Sa6FZctZ-4YGnjE1STOMJBgysSdzN1i7agKyxUZ1sZ1WNlhML5i5B4ZF7lR5VV15J5LoRJbDaWIR990zQxS2xZBZ8YTx2h0/s400/P1030254.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the floofy heart.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkeIJOzSP3ToqRvd92VUQrVrk2542mQiuiCa_PqaxOcIPq0fOnN3fepLYoeveMNJzPlqamNK2_oQB9STIE_gdwE0r19SUIzG-mF-akxGrdZdZ7mwSdTJp100YB9hUd9PScnbAI0zf0IY/s1600/P1030253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkeIJOzSP3ToqRvd92VUQrVrk2542mQiuiCa_PqaxOcIPq0fOnN3fepLYoeveMNJzPlqamNK2_oQB9STIE_gdwE0r19SUIzG-mF-akxGrdZdZ7mwSdTJp100YB9hUd9PScnbAI0zf0IY/s400/P1030253.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">And now, after much labour. . .   </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGntEHNdAeVpekeK1OjrIYhaNQKPCQPt2x-iXHfTF4NdjzgVYhTaqC3W_0Cog3tpR8CcO1Dm7KVwpwudLeAthrqQOaYcb_bUbNT8-Ri1sfpcydEFMyuDDfqOjYByuWo3k8Pf-bawY1OI/s1600/P1060103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGntEHNdAeVpekeK1OjrIYhaNQKPCQPt2x-iXHfTF4NdjzgVYhTaqC3W_0Cog3tpR8CcO1Dm7KVwpwudLeAthrqQOaYcb_bUbNT8-Ri1sfpcydEFMyuDDfqOjYByuWo3k8Pf-bawY1OI/s640/P1060103.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLxCyEGusEVPlKv4xfqkuN8LoxZOvikZnpia6PZbIM0fjkbO3CeET62ON-0PUYGS8eBIqyF3iR894f-ZyEYfFsZS06-f5VXewSmBF2UHarWMw8wHH-a09Vr0m17sa9hnpVWLJW3AkKhs/s1600/P1060104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLxCyEGusEVPlKv4xfqkuN8LoxZOvikZnpia6PZbIM0fjkbO3CeET62ON-0PUYGS8eBIqyF3iR894f-ZyEYfFsZS06-f5VXewSmBF2UHarWMw8wHH-a09Vr0m17sa9hnpVWLJW3AkKhs/s400/P1060104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this bedroom (officially the master, but used as our guest space) we removed the shutters, ripped up the carpet and ripped out the ratty closet fittings in the walk in closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>My husband and father-in-law installed maple hardwood floors (which was an awesome DIY success! See <strong><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-post.html">here</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/were-floored.html">here</a></strong>) and new closet fittings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We also painted everything—the walls, trim and ceilings, even the new bed!—the same crisp, clean white used in almost every room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I repurposed my beloved maple armoire (the first piece of furniture I ever bought) for linens and storage for guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The vintage teak bedside table (meant for beside a sofa) was an estate sale find and the Lotte lamp matches the pair in the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It too had lost its original vintage shade, but a crisp white drum shade suits it well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This non-traditional assembly of furniture works for us, which is a bonus because we didn't have to purchase too many items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Even though the items don’t match, I’m trying to create balance—a small bedside table and lamp would make the room seem lopsided. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to use substantial pieces, with height and presence (both items lived elsewhere in our previous dwelling).</span><br /><br /><strong>Still to do</strong>: curtains!  But so far the neighbours haven't complained.  And a new reading chair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bTxmHt8igde42umSJXgMXY1_nIKKtRhlk3t_jtJb-OBObiL4ztWMV5F_lJrpYh2_xwGHevDb1xtpXsFlQw6AmGDDihIh0OFgyfX3LpYUc-tHST2KZyPbXK8YzuleyewSuBXoRyB9-iY/s1600/P1060106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bTxmHt8igde42umSJXgMXY1_nIKKtRhlk3t_jtJb-OBObiL4ztWMV5F_lJrpYh2_xwGHevDb1xtpXsFlQw6AmGDDihIh0OFgyfX3LpYUc-tHST2KZyPbXK8YzuleyewSuBXoRyB9-iY/s640/P1060106.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of the artwork is by my grandfather-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I’ve kept the décor simple to let his work shine.  I love the hits of turquoise and bright green against all of the white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The emerald green silk pillows were sewn by my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRkCQT82h7vaZpZ1Mz89xa9OfoAafsigNHOP0micACgKlzYU8KRjg73Y0zGlI6Ng37J4SwrXXobfSQdvmbbNDqwaXguvEQ3P9S466UUW0pbTtzEbR_3UwClcbo_Ar6D5PZ7jK8r9N-kQ/s1600/P1060105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRkCQT82h7vaZpZ1Mz89xa9OfoAafsigNHOP0micACgKlzYU8KRjg73Y0zGlI6Ng37J4SwrXXobfSQdvmbbNDqwaXguvEQ3P9S466UUW0pbTtzEbR_3UwClcbo_Ar6D5PZ7jK8r9N-kQ/s400/P1060105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />The Ikea chair is a (pretty bland, but oh so comfy) placeholder.  My husband is reluctant to replace it.  It was originally in my office but I scored a sweet vintage teak chair from an online classifieds ad and he doesn't heart it like he hearts this one.  When this chair departs the guest room, I think he will be crushed.</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-24W9gDPEC8GQ4NDgj0EHG0lHPbRzn8vTmpjkMHv0ktJ2MU-BplHPkis8xDhJrOpe-s_RbqiOxmz4Pq9bz-SKE-fEpxp68mFloJmmKBap8xBo8zzIef1hCpPfMAJt9qd2qbSher5vp0/s1600/P1060102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-24W9gDPEC8GQ4NDgj0EHG0lHPbRzn8vTmpjkMHv0ktJ2MU-BplHPkis8xDhJrOpe-s_RbqiOxmz4Pq9bz-SKE-fEpxp68mFloJmmKBap8xBo8zzIef1hCpPfMAJt9qd2qbSher5vp0/s640/P1060102.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate you Ikea chair.  Except your price.  Your price was right.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaV4W9HxI0v0bgkTSt98uncXkICdB1FqhhGnQPwGnZyAJ6hr20eyNN04qppUdQZ5brJxHrXd-tOXNRy1kBAHR03I7dyanuZnVAxjQsYer-CsEs2IiWejTSFkpbX6MEp1Zh-n0Y-3Poig/s1600/P1060094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaV4W9HxI0v0bgkTSt98uncXkICdB1FqhhGnQPwGnZyAJ6hr20eyNN04qppUdQZ5brJxHrXd-tOXNRy1kBAHR03I7dyanuZnVAxjQsYer-CsEs2IiWejTSFkpbX6MEp1Zh-n0Y-3Poig/s640/P1060094.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been ogling the chair below: a stunning vintage Swedish teak piece I spotted in a local vintage shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It even has new upholstery that is the perfect colour!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>But, it is quite pricey ($1250!) and although gorgeous, that (imaginary) money could be better spent on a new sofa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>But I will keep my eye out for a more affordable vintage piece I could recover myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>In the meantime, the Ikea chair offers guests a private place to read when spending time with us becomes a little overwhelming!</span><br /><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F9zO-IXpvWBKy537wgQVFuRT8gSNZIPq3CZflQMpBfR5uheXxv87mbUAVRrEWFRj1uiGu9ruVukZjAwOB2b_rKJ4L7P8swsuunB6mqntlrQvTWSG2UrJi4BYrviFkgMEW6X3NFUULWs/s1600/Green+Teak+Chair+I+Pine+For.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F9zO-IXpvWBKy537wgQVFuRT8gSNZIPq3CZflQMpBfR5uheXxv87mbUAVRrEWFRj1uiGu9ruVukZjAwOB2b_rKJ4L7P8swsuunB6mqntlrQvTWSG2UrJi4BYrviFkgMEW6X3NFUULWs/s400/Green+Teak+Chair+I+Pine+For.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I pine for you.</td></tr></tbody></table> UPDATE: I found a great chair and picked out a fabric! See <strong><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/12/youre-one-that-i-want.html">here</a></strong>.  I'll have "after" shots of the chair soon.<br />SECOND UPDATE: Woot. <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/theres-new-chair-in-there.html">New chair</a> looks awesome!

Guest Bedroom: "Before & In Progress"

Before (with the seller's items): Note the floofy heart.  And now, after much labour. . .   In this bedroom (officially the master, but...

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