first snow!

this morning brings us our first snow of the season. so pretty! it does make me question our sanity, though: we're about to have all of our radiators taken over to pennsylvania metal cleaning for a good dip and strip. it's the place that did the same for the first radiator we had done, a few years ago when we were doing the last round of major renovations, and that radiator is gorgeous. it's one of my favorite things in the house, actually. (we did that one then because that room was completely gutted, but we couldn't quite swing paying for all of them at once.) it's not cheap, but the result is jaw-droppingly beautiful. all those layers of paint from centuries of redecorating get stripped away (and the radiators are cleaner and therefore more efficient), leaving bare, gleaming metal and all those details of the turn-of-the-century craft shine through. just gorgeous. anyway, it's not really practical to do one at a time because the whole plumbing system has to be taken down and drained before any can be taken out.

and next week begins the installation of our new hardwood floors throughout pretty much the whole house. we're not doing part of the first floor, where there are still dropped ceilings (we didn't do any renovations there earlier) and a kitchen to be renovated, so we'll live there while the work is being done, which will take a couple of months, i think. but the whole second floor except the darkroom and bathroom (which andrew redid a couple of years ago) will get new floors, and the whole third floor except the to-be-built bathroom (it's gutted except for the laundry machines) will be done. "done" in our case means that they (nova flooring) will first create a level surface by laying plywood and oriented strand board (osb) on low spots and then pouring self-leveling concrete. this will happen on all three stories of the house. and they'll add a support post in the basement to accommodate the extra weight. it kind of gives me the willies to think about our house collapsing under the weight stress of three levels of all this wood and concrete, but i'm trusting the pros to take care of things. 

anyway, before they can install anything, the radiators need to be removed, so this is why the dip and strip is happening now. right after the first snow of the season. and right before thanksgiving, which we host every year. they assure us that the first floor will be finished in time for entertaining, but i'm guessing that we won't have radiators back in then unless we can convince the plumbers to bring back a couple at a time. we'll see about that.

so space heaters, warm clothes, blankets, and snuggling will be key parts of our november and december. the results will be worth it--i can't wait! (note to self: take before pictures asap!)

Comments

[Karen]

Goodness gracious, lady, so many plans at such a crazy time of year. But it all sounds magical. Your place will be amazing! I hope everything goes smoother than expected. Stay warm!