Construction Woes & Wins!

To those of you who are DIY'ers, you will understand.  To those of you who are not DIY'ers, I envy you!

This year has been the year of 'basement finishing' for Mr. G and myself.  We are so very lucky, in that we both are quite competent at all sorts of construction and finishing.  From electrical to tile, carpentry to design, we really can do it all.  While that SOUNDS great, it also stinks. Why?  Well, because we do it ALL.  How exhausting!!

Since we reside in Virginia, we've been making the 12-16 hour drive up to Maine (traffic-dependent) every two weeks, or thereabouts, to spend a long weekend working on the basement.  Don't get me wrong....we love doing it...but it can be a bit overwhelming.

The GOOD NEWS, however, is that we're within a hair's breath of being completely DONE!  Hallelujah!!!  We began this 'finishing trip' in February, literally walking construction supplies in (our road was impassable due to snow), in March (walking more supplies in, due to impassible road ~ deep mud this time), in April (yup, more mud)…..you get the idea.  So, being so close to the end is deeply exciting for us!

Allow me to regale you with a couple of our before and after photos (only a couple though because I can't give it all away yet!) and explanatory captions.

The Basement Bedroom:

Studs up. Basement bedroom straight ahead.

Mr. G installing first sheetrock panel in bedroom (please make note of the red & black lumberjack flannel shirt ~ a MUST.

Moose-themed bedroom is nearly complete (crown moulding still to be added & a few décor items).

The Basement Rec Room:

Bare basement. No stairs, no studs, no insulation, nuthin'! Rec room is on right-front. Basement bedroom is right-back.

Studs up. Stove in. Insulation in.

The now-complete stacked stone fireplace wall.

The Basement Half-Bathroom:

Studs up! Basement half-bath on left; utility room on right.

Bar area (with large mirror). Doorway to half-bath is on right.

Fishing-themed half-bath is nearly finished!

So there you have it.  Looking back, it doesn't seem like it should've taken so much time....but, finishing a 38'x48' basement is no walk in the park, let me tell  you.  We just hope that our present and future guests will enjoy this space as much as we do.  :).

​Happy DIY'ing!!