Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Why I'm Studying To Be A Lawyer

This summer Melbo and I decided to take on a little home remodeling... I clearly had no idea what I was getting myself into. Our plan was to gut the main floor and install wood flooring, new tiling, a new kitchen, and a revamped bathroom. We kicked off the festivities in August after I finished my time as a summer associate. My brother-in-law, a contractor from cheesehead country, drove down to volunteer two weeks of his life and we went to work (aided by the generous help of my father-in-law and my other brother-in-law). We managed to finish the floor, set the tiling, build a new mantel and hearth, and install most of the kitchen before my contractor brother-in-law had to take leave.

Sounds good, right? Well... that's when school started back up. The remaining remodeling work (the "finishing touches" including caulking and grouting tile, finishing the kitchen, plumbing, re-doing the bathroom, painting, etc., etc.) stretched itself out painfully over the next 6 weeks. It was pure misery. Luckily Melbo's mom came into to pinch hit with the painting (a veritable lifesaver) while her dad did some bullpen work in the bathroom (he's a quintessential jack-of-all-trades), but we ended up living in a state of perpetual construction for almost two months nonetheless. And while there's still a long list of little to dos (like replacing our kitchen ceiling fan), at least the drapes are hung and the semi-normal life of a law student has resumed. We're now relishing the home improvements... and, through it all, I've even learned something. I'm not sure I could hack being a full-time handyman.

14 comments:

melbo said...

Yes, my husband is the one that refuses to wear shoes while walking all over nails, drywall, and various construction debris...
I love my house though!!

Anonymous said...

Our bathroom remodel alone took 4 months! This due to having a 110 year old house and the need for rebuilding the walls and rejoisting the floors, plus all the regular stuff, plus his job and my school. We TOTALLY feel your pain!

It looks beautiful! You did a great job. Hopefully we can come down and see you guys some time and see it in person.

Anonymous said...

Looks really nice Marc. I kind of liked the red walls in the living room though. How come you decided to go with white?

Alice said...

My goodness, I am very impressed!

Tara said...

Wow your kitchen looks awesome! Looks like you are living large. I thought that wasn't supposed to happen until AFTER law school. Why are you making the rest of us look bad?

King Family said...

I am so impressed! I love the cabinets. Nice classic choices.....Where are you guys going after you are finished? It would be sad to leave such a great space....Also I think home improvement is a lot like moving. During the whole process you swear you won't do it again, but then you forget.....

Sammy Pow said...

Looks lovely. Hopefully being a lawyer will be all that you've hoped and dreamed it would be...

Marc said...

Melbo - I really can't take credit for it... It's all in the calloused feet.

Buddens - Misery loves company.

Sheldon - Sold you soul to buy bread eh? Didn't learn much from Esau, did you?

Mind - We liked the red too, but it really didn't go with the new mantel or the dark floor.

Alice - Awww... thanks!

Tara - Two words... Student Loans.

Blonde - Moving AND remodeling suck... but we plan on being in the area for a few years so it seemed like a worthwhile investment.

BA - Grass is always greener on the other side... give me a year or two and I'll probably be joining the Carpenter's Union.

Anonymous said...

Well it is nice to be done, I am putting in a 20 x 11 foot patio in my backyard right now, and it has taken two months. I am pouring the last slap of concrete tomorrow and I can't wait to have my saturdays back. Just in time for the snow to start falling.

Alifinale said...

It looks great. I am a bit jealous... I would like to do a whole lot of home improvement junk but it isn't as fun by yourself and you know my husband - he could care less. You guys did a great job!!

Anonymous said...

Looks great, but what I want to see is where me and my wife will be sleeping when we come out this summer?

Marc said...

Maui - You're a man's man my friend. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for concrete pouring just yet. Baby steps.

McDreamy - But you're our INSPIRATION! You're our trading spaces connection. Don't you remember the entertainment center you convinced us to spraypaint black? We still have it!

TFB - Not sure my brother-in-law would like me photographing his dirty room.

Sue Ellen Mischke said...

That kitchen is gorgeous! And I love the colors you picked. Nice work.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you are going to have a tough time burning the new counter top Marc!!