smallest space, longest project.

We've gradually been working on our bedroom closet for about 4 months now. You wouldn't think such a small space would take so long to complete, but then again, pretty much everything we've done has taken about 3 times longer than we've initially thought. Nevertheless, we have a real closet now and it's SO nice!

The original closet was a bit torn up from some brackets that the previous owner had installed incorrectly, so we did a lot of skimcoating to fill in the holes and uneven walls then we planned a new system for hanging shelves with rods. We selected solid wood double doors instead of the hollow bi-folds that were there previously. Once we were able to install the doors we could complete the new casing around the doors and finish repainting the interior, adding the wood shelves, rods and baseboards. We still have to add the crown trim to the top of the door frame but we'll be doing all of the doors at the same time (once we pick out the crown we want to use).

Today we installed the doorknob hardware so it's finally feeling complete! Here's a few photos:

We also finished installing the light for our guest room. Another task completed! Woohoo!

It's been a busy couple weeks in the Weidl household. We've been hard at work to stick to our holiday deadline and complete our front two rooms, and we're getting closer! Even though Halloween weekend was a whirlwind of hanging out with friends, costumes, handing out candy in the suburbs, and our usual errands, we managed to finish paiting the living room as well! Here's some progress shots from Halloween weekend and this past weekend.

Justin, rolling out the walls...

The lighter color makes sure a difference in the space! I love how bright it makes it feel... and the sunshine through the windows in the morning is the best! Can't wait to get the fireplace going now as well... (hopefully re-tiling soon!)

Our Christmas tree window! Can't wait to break out the holiday decor! =)

Working on painting the french doors for our closet... still 1 more coat to go and then these will be ready to be put up for good!

We've been procrastinating the woodwork for the tops of our doors for a LONG time. We knew we wanted to match this detail (above) that is the original detail from the 1890's above our front door. We have similiar details above our windows too, however they are all painted white (this is why we chose to go with all white woodwork). The detail includes 3 seperate pieces - the bottom routed piece, the middle rectangular piece and the top crown piece. After months of trying to figure out the bottom piece detail, one of Justin's Dad's friends lent us a router so we could simply route our a square piece of wood to get a nice curved inset edge... it came out really nice! Now we just need to put up the middle and top pieces, caulk them all and then paint them all! Whew!! This project will be ongoing, as you can see...

Here's what the bottom routed piece looks like installed. Now we just need to finish it out!

Last but not least, we got our first ceiling medallion up! This is in our master bedroom. The job is not nearly as easy as I had originally thought it would be. This too will be a multi-step project (still not yet completed). We got the medallion up and secured, but we had to spackle all the screw holes and allow that to dry. Next steps will be sanding and painting the medallion and then installing the fixture for good! Can't wait!

doors, medallions and hardwood

After 5 weeks of waiting, our doors are finally in! We ordered them custom through Lee Lumber in Chicago. We picked them up yesterday right as the skies broke open and a thunderstorm blew through (perfect timing, right?) But, they are everything we hoped and dreampt about! =)

We debated endlessly over the paneling: 5 panel? 3 panel? 4 panel? raised panel? flat panel? jamb style? hinge style? hinge finish? There are honestly too many decisions to make when choosing doors. But we finally decided: 4 panel, flat panel, colonial jambs, square hinges, oil rubbed bronze finish.

Today Justin and my Dad worked on installing two of them. Of course, in an old building like this nothing is plumb or level, so it look took them about 3 hours of shimming, nailing and sawing but they're up! And now, every time we walk down the hall we catch ourselves doing a double take because a.) we actually have doors again! and b.) they're beautiful!!!

pre-installation

post-installation

We also purchased and just recieved the ceiling medallions we're going to install above our light fixtures. Medallions compliment the victorian style and should add a little extra detail to the bedrooms. The style of the bedroom medallions is pretty simple but we will probably pick something a little more ornate for the living room (once we get to that project.)

I also got fed up with our lovely brown paper/blue tape protective flooring and took it all out in the bedrooms. In general I'm starting to get a little tired of feeling like we are living temporarily (first in my parents basement and now in our kitchen); I needed to see something pretty in my house to keep me sane and optimistic that we are still progressing - slowly but surely. We put that paper down in the bedrooms the day after the wood flooring was complete, so getting to finally see it again was a very welcome sight. Farewell brown paper! Now, I just need to get it out of the hallway...