That’s why I sort of turned our living room into a library/study…there is still room for family and friends to gather, but when it is just the two of us, I can relax and read a good book or do some hand crafts like stitching or knitting. Real estate is too expensive to just let it be for “show”.
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I didn’t notice my 2-step ladder was on the grate for the heat vent. I was minding my business, touching up corners near the ceiling, when I felt the ladder give way under me. I thought the ladder had broken. It had already hit my shin. I tried to carefully step off the ladder. It went further through the grate, and I fell, hitting the ladder several times on several areas of my body on my way down 
argh. I was doing so well. I even made sure to not cover the vent with the drop sheets, so that I wouldn’t fall through the grate. And then I put the ladder on the grate anyway, because I didn’t look…
On the bright side, the room is pretty much painted now. There are some places I could touch up a little, but… I think it’s just going to have to stay as is…
The only thing left to do is finish the closet.
Then put the new bed together and put the switchplates back on.
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Ouch!!! That sounds so scary! I hope you’re not very hurt. The room looks nice though, and you managed to get it done in time.
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My husband and I are strictly forbidden to go on a ladder. Falls at our age can be deadly…so glad you are ok…nothing major, I hope!
The room does look inviting and soothing…you can take care of any touch up later now that the main painting is done.
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Oh no! I hope you are okay.
The room looks really nice. Sorry it tried to take you out.
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I’m hurting. I did some kind of damage to my foot. But I managed to get primer on the walls of the closet. Early to bed tonight.
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@LindyBlues I hope you heal quickly. Anything at all squirrelly that happens with a ladder is instantly terrifying.
I also love a bit of a distressed look to a home; I love the evidence of lives lived.
Re the outside temps, I def chose a temo that I knew would be workable with my gear: insulated overalls, heated socks, hand warmers, etc. I chose 2 hours, because that’s just a bit more time than snow removal takes when there’s a lot of snow. At least in the shop there’s no wind!
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You are so hardy! I won’t even step outside if the temp drops below 40 unless I absolutely have to! I know it is going to take some time to acclimate to the cold, but definitely not this year…I can’t believe all of the workers outside my house that show up daily, even with windchill at 7 degrees!
All I can do is watch them work and keep a pot of hot coffee available…brrrr.
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I was just cutting some fabric using my rotary cutter and then I got this idea in my head … Can you use a rotary cutter to cut wallpaper?
I’m done with the wallpaper, I just still need to cut the wallpaper (already on the wall) exactly to size in a few hard-to-reach places. Our walls aren’t completely straight so in some places the wallpaper ended up a bit too long. I have been using a Stanley retractable blade knife and a ruler, but knife handle has a bit of an odd shape, it doesn’t feel comfortable in my hand so my cutting is sometimes a bit wobbly. I stopped cutting because I didn’t want to ruin the look of the wallpaper, and was still searching for a better option.
My Olfa rotary cutter is much more comfortable to cut with than the retractable blade knife. Has anyone tried cutting wallpaper using that? (I still have a bunch of spare blades so I will probably just go and try in an invisible place tomorrow)
I guess the issue would be if they would cause damage to what is behind if you cut after you put it up. I am sure cutting it on a mat with an old blade would not be a problem, but up on the wall, you could damage the wall?
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Not more than with a different type of knife, I guess? That’s just one of the things that happens with wallpaper. Our walls are all brick & plaster so if we ever want to remove the wallpaper and paint instead, the wall wouldn’t be too difficult to repair. Honestly I don’t think we will ever remove it. We’ll be so glad when we’re finally done 
Maybe in 20 years or something.
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I can think of two things:
- control, which would depend on the user. I’m not particularly skilled at keeping a rotary cutter against a straightedge myself
- getting into an inside corner, but that’s just a matter of using another blade for that last bit
@AIMR Oof. I won’t say that 40 (or 25) is not COLD, because it is, but I will say that we have a lot of days without much wind at all AND dry heat gets all the attention, but dry cold is also a lot easier than wet cold. 25F here in Montana feels warmer than 40 in Portland often times.
I finished putting my lights up in the shop today! I also attached a top to a metal table base I was given which makes a good spot for my compound miter saw, at least for certain materials. I shoved off the stairs to the “greenhouse” which I use for storing some lumber, so I could get the door open and put some stuff away. WOO!
Then, I got to move inside and add some rigid foam insulation to a cutout in our cabinetry I had to make for the control board, etc. for our downdraft vent for the new stove installed in 2023. We were getting one heck of a draft through there, presumably the source being the hole cut in the floor for the vent itself. It was a bit tricky to get to through the drawer stack next to it, but I managed! The difference was immediately noticeable.
Before
After
As of now, the foam is not attached to the surface, but it is pretty well stuck in there because of the stuff at the base. If it turns out it needs something, I’ll add it. I didn’t have to buy anything for this, which is a big win.
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So true. We call that wet, winter 40 degrees “Jersey cold” because my husband couldn’t understand why I complained about it when I first moved here when I grew up with much colder temps in upstate NY. But man, that Jersey cold goes right to my bones.
Awesome solution for the draft! Our gas bill was…unsettling this month and last. I’m loving the proper winter this year, but my wallet sure isn’t.
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And I’m finished! I still have to replace the grate I broke and put the curtain rod back up, but that can wait a few days.
Credit to my husband abd daughter for putting the bed together.
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We’re still far from the aesthetic stage here.
Dirt floor crawl space sealing job looks pretty clean. Weirdly salmon pink down there now tho.
Industrial air conditioning unit.
There are 2 rooms. One of the giant rocks lives in this one. His name is Rocco, lol.
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It looks fantastic!! You did a lot of work really quickly!
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It’s been a satisfying week. Our new side entry door is in and the new decking is almost done. It is always scary to cut a hole in your 75 year old house. What will you find? But everything was dry and in good shape. We’ve had the door sitting on our porch for almost 4 years!
Next week the old kitchen door comes out and replaced with a window, and the old window filled in. Should be an easier week for the builder. Then the kitxhen remodel can be started.
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Looks good! You’ve finally started on the big job, I can’t wait to see how that will turn out.
We have also started a big job - emptying out my craft room for the last time! It’s 50% painted, with a temporary floor. I’m emptying it today and tomorrow, then we need to finish sanding, priming and painting the walls, then the woodwork, then levelling the floor & laying the floor. And all of this before the last weekend of March when our guy comes to put in the stairs.
After that, I’m still thinking about storage / furniture. I hope to find a sturdy bookcase in the thrift shop but it hasn’t happened yet.
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@marionberries Oh my goodness! That is exciting! I hope you’ll share more progress pics along the way.
@Immaculata Oh, it must feel so good to be in the home stretch of getting your creative space done.
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How exciting! Those are huge changes.
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