I'll start by saying that we know we're crazy!!
February 2, 2010 we moved from Cambria to San Diego. We bought our new home knowing we wanted to remodel the kitchen and clean up the yard a bit. We love the "bones" of this house, the great view and it's location near Steve, RJ and Jenna.
Since we are strangers to the area we chose to hire a "remodeling firm" that does everything - design, interior design support, construction, etc. No doubt this is a more expensive way to go but will allow us to accomplish our goals quickly. So far we have interacted with the architect and, as Stan puts it, the chief salesman. Their job is to listen to our needs, then suck us in to adding more to the project. I'd say they are very good at what they do! The architect, Michael, has been great. He loves what he does, listens well and respects our "ownership" of this project. A very different experience from the one we had in Cambria.
Tomorrow the team increases to include the "project manager" who will join a walk through of the house in advance the actual start. There are others on this extended team but we don't yet know who they are (stay tuned...). Monday they begin "staging" which lasts for two days. We've been told our project will be completed, or close to completed, by Memorial Day weekend when we plan to celebrate mother's 95th birthday.
The extent of this remodel now includes knocking down every interior wall save one. It encompasses the kitchen, moving the dining room, moving the laundry room, moving the powder room, redoing the guest bath and replacing ALL the flooring. We move out on Monday. Demolition begins on Wednesday next week after staging. Our understanding is it will take two days to accomplish the tear down. Incredulous!
For the record I've gone from being calm, cool and collected to having a major breakdown. Today it was so bad that I went on-line (supposedly) to see if our buyers in Cambria had sold their house. Before I knew it I was looking at pictures of our former house, longing for unpacked boxes and organized spaces. This will pass, but not for awhile.
Dear Ellen and Stan,
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!!! Of course, you have to make it yours and I know, with absolute certainty, that it will be fantastic when you are done!! Take lots of pictures of before and after and post them when you can. I am so happy for both of you in this wonderful new phase of your lives.
Much, much love,
Sandy xoxo
Guess my first one didn't work... Congratulations and good luck you knuckleheads. I know it will be awesome when you finish - with the Balcomb touch. Try to keep your sanity, take care and best wishes to all of you. Please do keep us updated with posts and photos so we can live through it vicariously. Love you all. Karen
ReplyDeleteWell NOW it begins. Try to keep your sanity. I know it's hard. Once the process begins you'll be caught up in the creativity and hopefully the anxiety will abate. I know that with your taste the final product will be fabulous! Looking forward to following the process with you and of course wishing you well. Love to all, Nina
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate that you like the "Bones".
ReplyDeleteWe will bring vino to help with the insanity!
doug
Looking forward to following the progress of another Balcomb collaborative masterpiece! I had no doubt that you'd be compelled to completely renovate to make this home your own. Have fun with your insanity and enjoy the process. Thanks for letting us in. Where will you be moving to?
ReplyDeleteLove you, Mar
calm, cool and collected?
ReplyDeletehello
ReplyDeletei like pie :-) xoxoxoxoxooooooooxxoxoxxoxox
ReplyDeletehere comes the sun doodadoodoo
ReplyDelete