a peek inside the fishbowl

1 | Vivian Cheng

November 4th, 2011 at 10:42 am

I’d be ecstatic to win this!

Our house was built in 1958 and has pretty much maintained its original “charm” (read: very little has changed about the house) since then.

I’d love to have some help on how to plan our basement. It was “finished” sometime in the late 60s, which means they didn’t add any insulation but did put up some faux-wood-panelled walls. Since the house is a bungalow, there’s plenty of square footage to divide up, and then add to that, we’d like to make the basement a walk-out eventually.

So yeah, help needed!

2 | Kaitlin

November 4th, 2011 at 11:09 am

Erm, not to nit-pick, but isn’t it deep-seeded? I mean, deep seats are hard to get out of, but they aren’t buried in you…

As for the crux of your post, I know my husband and I have talked about renos and building houses (not that we’re anywhere near that stage), and he’s of the mind that a build-to-spec house would cause a lot of headaches, because it’s the ultimate opportunity to idealize.

I’m sure that’s not helpful.

What I’m trying to say is this: We’re moving across town into a new apartment at the end of this month, after four years here. I empathize, because on the one hand, it’s exciting. On the other hand, I’m scared about not being able to turn back. But, I don’t doubt that it’ll be okay in the end.

3 | andrea

November 4th, 2011 at 11:17 am

Vivian – you posted your entry on the wrong post. I’ll copy it over for you!

Kaitlin – I’m pretty sure it’s deep-seated. ;)
In my view, going a more customized route means that we’re getting exactly what we want. I think those headaches will be worthwhile, and yes, we will both be okay in the end!

4 | Lindsay

November 4th, 2011 at 1:48 pm

Always love these updates. Are you planning to live in your house while these renos go on or are you going to have to live somewhere else?

5 | andrea

November 4th, 2011 at 1:59 pm

Lindsay – Thank you!
It’s too big a reno to stay put. We’re looking at 6 months, possibly as long as 8, and it would take even longer if we stayed here. We’re currently looking for a place to live nearby.

6 | lacoop

November 5th, 2011 at 10:16 am

There’s a house for rent on Hillcrest, just beside Nepean…might suit your needs during renos (close by so you can keep an eye on things). That is, I think it is still for rent…

7 | Moneca Kaiser

November 6th, 2011 at 9:12 am

I think it’s just butterflies :) when something has been reflected on as carefully as you have I think it will come together well and butterflies can be fun hope you will be able to just enjoy the ride cause it will be a little bit loopy again in my professional experience:) here’s a few thoughts…

Marmolium is available at the healthiest home and bldg supplies they have a great showroom with nice big tile samples.

I love cork and the only place I wouldn’t use it is a mud room though it might be fine if really well sealed. I often use it in kitchens and it’s so cozy and easy to keep. There’s a great place in Quebec that stains it in lots of beautiful colours and well worth considering for upstairs cause it’s also quieting.

For the mud room you might want to consider is ceramic with a heating coil underneath. I have been using this in mud rooms for awhile and it works really nicely and is so indestructible.

And so glad you are moving out for the reno. They call drywall dust divorce dust sometimes cause it makes us all a little bit crazy when we live in it.

8 | Jennyjag

November 7th, 2011 at 4:18 pm

Hi Andrea – we went thru the same thing (we just reno’d) and found real linoleum at a local place, I’d be happy to share just let me know. Then we had to find the goop that makes it stick, which was also a challenge but we found a source! I can understand your apprehensions overall (re reno) but having lived thru it, I wouldn’t look back. Our ‘hood is a gem & a decision to reno is a sound one in my experience so far! You’re research is commendable & it’s good that you’re taking the time to do that & think through your likes & needs.