Home Improvement Project

Remodel, anyone? While spending a weekend at a friend's river front cottage, http://mountoliveoutdoors.com/RubysLandingCabin.html , we determined we had the attic to create living space, much like the 2nd floor of the cottage. Not expanding the existing footprint of our home was a cost saver, and we are the quintessential "do-it-yourselfers'.

Beginning in October of 2010, we took the first baby steps of the project. By the first of January, you could say we were up to our proverbial a#!es...er..uh...elbows ... in it!

My husband works at the local Hardware store in town, http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Miller.G.H.And.Sons.870-368-4361, and thus, our materials have all been purchased locally, supporting the hometown economy, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgs3tqIEwAU&noredirect=1

The digital evidence of this adventure will provide insight, humor and understanding to you, the readers.

As you view this today, in the new 2012 year, we are approximately 70% done with the overall project... which includes changes in the original first floor (hence some pics of the living room) as well.

I recall stating in the beginning that it mattered not to me if the whole thing took two years to complete... I believe it will not take that full two years....(or at least I hope not...)

The video in the following post is easy to view... just click and we hope you enjoy.

When Frumps go for home improvements and redesigning, money is a large factor. When living on a budget, creativity becomes the currency substitute. This chimney was created using recycled drywall sheet rock, which came from the cut out for the new door entrance you see to the right of the chimney. Cutting the "bricks" into 3 x 8 inches using a razor knife for clean cuts; then using texture mud for the adhesive, allows for the appearance of aged imperfection. After allowing enough "curing" time, this chimney will then be textured with dry wall mud for the rough brick appearance, then painted using multiple colors and tones for a desired finish. Can you BUY these faux bricks already finished? Yes. Do these frumps have the money for home decor, redesigning, home improvement? NO. Do they now have a faux chimney in their living room which adds ambience? YES. How much did it cost $$? Well, they have the bucket of mud for other projects of home improvement, the bricks are recycled dry wall from another home improvement project and they get "oops" paint whenever and wherever they can, in their workshop, so basically, this was a " FRUMP FREEBIE" !!!