Remodelog (Of Making a House a Home)

February 20, 2020 As I write this, it’s day 1.  The contractor is coming to do the tear-down. The room is going to be completely empty by the end of the day. I remember that the first Latin phrase I ever learned was tabula rasa. Empty slate. The phrase is used most often in relation to child development and learning theories, the idea proposed that we are empty slates and life fills us up with learning new information as we grow. We have an infinite potential, according to the theory. And that’s how I feel about this room now. The potential is vast. It’s my white canvas. And that is more than a little intimidating, I’ll admit. Will the dimensions work? Is my design user-friendly? Will the update stand the test of time, or will I hate it after a few months? Is it too white, too stark? Was wood flooring a poor choice? The only way to know is to jump in, to start painting like mad on that canvas. If I made planning mistakes, well, so be it. Because indeed, althoug...

It is February 10 as I write this. We’re about to embark on a major kitchen remodel, and I’m going to blog about it. Not because we’re remodel experts. Not because we’re DIY-ers. Not because I’m trying to make money by using affiliate links for crap products that I don’t really want to buy or want you to buy (but if I do link it to something, it will be solely because it’s awesome and I want to share). Not because I’ve discovered some fabulous IKEA hack that will involve time and expertise I don’t have, and that will look good for five minutes until the damn thing falls apart. (I have a story about some bookshelves that will be told at some point.)  I’m writing a blog about it because I’m sick of remodeling blogs. You know the ones—with professional photos of bathrooms that look like they should be in Architectural Digest, or at least on Houzz or Pinterest, kitchens that have never even dreamed of stinky clouds of accidentally scorched garlic or splatters of Sunday morning bac...