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Jeni Obermier
I’ve written before about the misadventures William and I have had as we’ve navigated homeownership, but right now I want to shine a light on what is evidently a widespread problem.
After looking at the homes of people I know and talking with them it seems that the topic of trim, placed around floors and doors is a difficult subject for many.
The issue we’re facing is when we moved into our home we still had superficial things to do and thought, of course, we can get that done once we are settled. It is amazing how quickly those things can fall to the side once you are trying to manage a house.
Now not having the trim didn’t make the house unlivable as I’m sure many other people who have renovated know, but it became one of those nagging things you see in the corner of your eye.
As time went on things like installing trim went even more to the side as furniture was placed, life got busy and more immediate repairs needed to be done.
The trouble came from the fact that after a day of work the concept of moving everything out of a room was too time-consuming and often just not within our schedule.
Beyond that, the prep work needed to paint and cut was limited by season and free hours, of which both were just unpredictable.
We bought our home sometime in 2017 and at the time were living with my dad until the house had actual walls and things like running water. While I am forever grateful for him letting us crash there we were both ready for the excitement of living in a house that was completely ours.
As soon as we could move in we did and I have got to tell you that hindsight is truly 20/20. What could have been a couple of days of work for the trim has become a delicate situation as we work to prepare the house for the incoming baby.
It also just makes me focus on the other projects that I totally swore I was going to do on weekends and then never ever did. (Sorry about that kitchen tile, Will.)
So I guess I write this column as a warning to all out there working on their own home. Just do it. No matter how small a job seems and how sure you are that it can be done later -- don’t wait. Just don’t. Learn from our mistakes and our false confidence.
Thankfully, the upcoming arrival of a baby has spurred us, mostly William, into action. It may not be much but every time I walk into the room and see the current trim I think to myself, “Damn, that looks good.” I also wonder why we didn’t do it sooner.
Unfortunately, with that ticking clock comes the realization that the other rooms probably won’t be done in the immediate future. I have a creeping feeling that the last thing we’re going to want to do is home construction while running on no hours of sleep.
Who knows though, maybe we’ll go so stir crazy such that continuing the renovation will seem like a great idea. That’s what I’m banking on with the kitchen tile. I’m hoping that after a month at home I’ll be desperate enough for something to do that the thought of meticulous tile work will seem like a treat.
So at the end of the day, I wish anyone working on a home project the best of luck and may you have more inner strength than we did.
JENI OBERMIER can be reached at features@ hamilton.net
