A Few Island Home Improvements
The weekend before the New York International Gift Fair, where we debuted the Dunes and Duchess line, Dunes and I headed to the island to do some cosmetic work on our little wreck. You’ve seen the before photos so you know that in the long run it’s going to take more than a few coats of paint. But we’re determined to vacation in it before the fall comes (it’s uninsulated and will have to be shut for the winter).
There were a couple of problems preventing mainly me from staying at the house for more than a night—LIKE THE FACT THAT WE DIDN’T HAVE A WORKING TOILET! I can get over that there’s no bathroom sink and that grass grows in the gaping hole between the rotted floor and the wall.
Ever resourceful Dunes though was convinced he could figure out the problem. After conferring with locals he determined that tree roots had grown into our pipes (these were Yankee pipes made of something akin to stiff tar paper), preventing the toilet from draining. He started to dig.
And I started to scrape and paint. Eventually, we’re going to have to take the house apart bit-by-bit so we’re not wishing to invest a lot of money into cosmetic changes. For example, my whole color scheme for the house (indigo, coffee, and cream), was thrown out the window when Dunes found a bunch of turquoise-y colors in the sale bin at Home Depot. I pouted about not having a choice and the house looking like a Caribbean T-shirt shop, but the happy hues are kind of growing on me. Here’s what the kitchen looked like before.
With a little sweat now, they took on a different look.
We ripped up the linoleum covering the countertops to discover awful rotting wood. Dunes had some leftover spackle and covered them so now they look like plaster. When we get there for vacation we’re going to see what happens when we put high-gloss paint over the top.
And finally!
I’m proud to say we have a working toilet too, but this is still my bathroom.
And this is my shower. I have to admit that it’s totally cool to shower out there around midnight under the Milky Way though.
I’ll have more updates this week on a few other rooms so please check back!
This post is tagged: island house, island house before and after, island house makeover
9 Responses to “A Few Island Home Improvements”
Leave a Reply
You are making strides and it looks great! As for showering outdoors…I think it’s the greatest during the summer months. I’ve been known to shower by only the light of the stars and the moon! I believe creating a home takes time, regardless of how you enter the project. Love what you are doing! (You’d love to see the before/after of our Hamptons home…I’ve rolled my sleeves up many times for projects!)
I love it!!! My sister always told me if I ever got a face lift it would be with scotch tape and safety pins and that is exactly how I have done every house–never for a client of course! It’s amazing what paint can do–wishing you so much luck and happiness
So exciting to see some big changes! Isn’t having a working toilet wonderful?! Can’t wait to see more improvements down the road. All your hard work is already paying off!
Love it, Lisa!!! You can hide the scotch tape and safety pins under your mop wig, right?
Thanks so much, Lisa! I love your positive attitude. Bathroom or no bathroom I’m just going to enjoy every bit of it I can through the fall. Would love to see the befores and afters of your Hamptons home. BTW, has it been published?
Stacy – what a terrific house! So excited for you, and looking forward to future updates. “Old House Love” is a peculiar thing; so many people can’t understand it. I have a serious case of it myself! Enjoy the journey, and the new toilet!
Stacy, I stumbled upon and now though through your blog and feel so happy for you. I am thinking back to the photo shoot at my house for BH+G and a beautiful stylist skreaching out of my drive way on two wheels to a dreadful emergency situation. Life can be cruel and life can be kind, I am so happy your going down a kind (and exciting) path.
Melissa
So excited for you and making it work however you need to! Sometimes “roughing” it just makes us all appreciate what will be even more! I like the turquoise paint it is very happy! It also sounds like Dune is a real prince, digging out and fixing that toilet, he obviously knows how to make a girl happy : )
Hi there! Just found your blog via @blog.wainscotsolutions.net, and wanted to check out your posts. Your home renovation sure sounds fun
I know that renovations can be difficult, but at least you have a working toilet! And love the change to the kitchen with the new turquoise wood flooring, very vibrant. Look forward to your future photos for the renovation.