The Project
Back in 1995, we said: "It's not great but it will have to do. So we moved in and Jenifer already was plotting out new designs and layouts. Along the way things started, well, to put it mildly, to fall apart. To put it more harshly, disintegrate. It was time to bite the bullet and reengineer the space.
Several things had to go. That 1970's brown paneling, however "retro" it may be -- out. The Strange Barrier Wall between the family room and the breakfast area -- purged. The drop ceiling lighting design (when opened up the lights appeared to have been installed by a bunch of third graders - uh no, offense Arianne) - obliterated.
A few choice observations by the workers were recorded for posterity:
"You sure have a lot of lights."
"You sure have a lot of cabinets."
"You sure have a lot of counter space."
"You want EIGHT outlets in there (just in the appliance garage)?"
We found several key items for any home renovation project to be a success:
1. The adventure of eating in the basement all the time - roughing it with microwaves and hot plates and one sink and the like increases dry cereal consumption - so plan accordingly.
2. Go to marriage counseling before starting the project or just have one spouse stay away from everything.
3. Psychology only goes so far - refusing to resupply paper plates and bowls and plastic utensils because the project is almost over does not make the actual work on the project speed up at all.
4. Measure twice, cut once. Or in our case, measure by David, measure by Jimmy, measure by Jenifer, remeasure by David, remeasure by Jenifer and question all the measurements by Scott when he comes home from traveling the world on business.
5. Windows=Doors. This is true. When you need to get to the basement and other means of entry are blocked, use the window. For three or four days. So plan your basement renovations in conjunction with future kitchen projects.
So all in all, we built it and now we are eating much less dry cereal. Marriage and family life are better than ever!