Sunday, April 11, 2010

We're so cultured.

It was spring break this week. School starts again tomorrow. Many families go on trips during spring break. They go to fun places like Disneyland or Disneyworld. Some travel to visit nearby countries like Canada or Mexico. Some just go to warm, sunny places like Hawaii or the Bahamas. Some wealthy friends of ours go on a European cruise every spring break. We opted for a different spring break experience--let the exotic come to you--in the form of exotic hardwood flooring that you install yourself! We're still putting the floors down, so I'll post final pictures in a few weeks when we're done. But, let me say--WOAH!

We've lived in our home for 15 months now. The downstairs foyer, hallway, and kitchen had a lovely cherry colored laminate flooring. I tried for months to find the same colored laminate so that we could rip out the living room carpet and put the same flooring in. We have a very open downstairs floor plan. Can't figure out why the previous owners didn't just put the same flooring in the living room (probably because of costs--but still!)

Anyway, to make a long story short---we decided to just do it--put hardwood floors in the ENTIRE downstairs (except bathroom and laundry room). It has been THE project!! We started about a month ago. My husband has done a fantastic job at ripping all the old flooring out, sanding and leveling the floorboards, fixing all the squeaks (all after putting in 10-12 hour days at work). And now, after letting the hardwood cure in the house for a couple of weeks--we began installation! Of course I'm not in any pictures, but trust me--I've been yanking nails and flooring staples and chiseling glued-down linoleum and the like! If all else fails, at least I know I could handle construction as a career!


Barren living room--I was waiting to start from the ground up for its transformation.





My hubby rolling up the old carpet, after having fun tearing it into strips.




Cherry-colored laminate flooring in hallway.




Dad and the boys taking out the cherry-colored laminate.




Sanding, sanding, sanding. It's been a dust bowl at our house for the last three weeks.
Not fun, but I kept telling myself it will all be worth it!



Underneath the laminate in the kitchen we found....



Linoleum (which was glued on top of press board that had been
stapled AND glued down to the floorboards).



Curse you, stupid linoleum/press board compound!!
Took us almost 6 days to get it all chiseled out!!
Can I just say, crow bars, I love you!




I wasn't sad to see this pile go to the dump!!



Might as well take out a wall while you're at it.




That's right kids--hide in the bathroom as Dad unleashes his fury!



Even the family room would soon fall victim.




The kids didn't help much, but they looked
really cute rolling out the felt paper
(still the family room--yes the carpet is gone).





Seeing if he missed a spot with the hammer stapler--
now one of my new favorite tools!






After the felt paper goes on the foam sound barrier stuff
(I forget what it's called--but it helps muffle noises).




Laying the first pieces of wood.




All I can keep saying is, "You're so pretty!!!"
Yes, I'm talking to a floor.


My husband and I have done this project ourselves. Whenever I ask him if he wants to have so-and-so come over and help him out with ______, his response is always, "You and I can do it." Well, the man has some great faith in me and my abilities. Seriously though, it's been so flattering that he wants my help and trusts me. I love working side-by-side on things. We've found common ground (no pun intended).

I'm loving the new floors!!

11 comments:

Marie' said...

LOVE it, Kiersten! It is beautiful!!!

Eileen said...

Congrats! You guys did an awesome job. At one point in our lives Will laid flooring for a job, so I know how tough it is on the body, but look at those results!

ldsjaneite said...

Oh. My. Wow.

You all are awesome--kids included!

Melissa said...

Holy moly girl! What a project! Good for you guys. Can't wait to see pictures when it's all done.

M-Z-T said...

Lovely! I love putting down floors. My parents just did their front room not too long ago and Jakob had his first opportunity to lay down flooring. Now when we get to actually doing it in our house, he'll know what to do. I actually find it kind of relaxing (yes, I know. I'm weird like that).

Now you need a good rug. . . =)

Jennifer said...

It's looking beautiful! You two are amazing tackling it all on your own. But you're right that that it is a neat experience to work on such a big project yourselves and then be able to look back and know you accomplished it together. Good job, guys! :)

Camille said...

Wow! I'm impressed. It's looking great!

Kelli Burton said...

good spring break activity! save the vacations for the summer. the floor looks good. nice work!

Shea said...

Wow! We have laid laminate before also and it is no easy chore in a new house! All the ripping out would drive me to drink. Good on you!

Becca and fam said...

The floors look beautiful. I think it's amazing that you guys did that by yourselves. I can't wait to visit you up there and check them out first hand. ;)

Susan said...

I'm impressed. The floors look great. Good work!