The bungalow project

Project updates and progress reports
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eclecticcottage
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The bungalow project

Post by eclecticcottage »

I will, over the next couple days, post the befores. Then the afters as the happen over the next couple months.

I LOVE old homes. Always have. My grandfather was a carpenter and mason, and instilled the value of proper craftsmanship. Although, my grandparents lived in a "new build"-which he built (he was a GC and owned his own business for quite a while). I used to watch This Old House, back in the day when it seemed that they actually restored old homes, as a kid and teen. Circumstances being what they were, I've never had an opportunity to own a "grand" older home. Our first house, The Old House was a 1920's vernacular (picture every kid's house-rectangle with a square on top, a 1 13/4 story) that had been updated in the 70's. We have since sold it-we renoed it and rented it then sold it to the tenants. Our current house, known as The Cottage, is just that-a 1950's summer cottage turned home.

Recently I had a mid life crisis of sorts and decided it was high time to start doing something I dreamed of before I ever saw "flipping shows" or heard the term. I cashed out a retirement account and went in search of a flip. I was open to whatever good candidate I found-cape, ranch, older home. The stars aligned and I have an accepted offer (closing is scheduled for next week) on a (mostly) brick 1920's Craftsman Bungalow.

Don't worry, although much to the chagrin of many, the only major "updates" to "modern" will be vinyl windows (yes, I KNOW, lol, but they will be done), replacing the sinks in the bathrooms with pedestals with single faucets, and covering the flooring with laminate (which will be done in a way that does NOT effect the original floors in any way). The old sashes and sinks will be saved and resold. I am not your typical flipper. Everything I do has been thought about, hashed, rehashed, and pondered over to be sure it is in keeping with the era and style of the house. I will make some compromises to the way a modern family expects to live, but there will be no open concept, no glass tile, the built ins and clawfoot tub are staying. So there it is. Stay tuned!

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Lily left the valley
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by Lily left the valley »

:happy-cheerleadersmileygirl: Looking forward to this.
--Proud member of the Industrious Cheapskate Club
--Currently pondering ways to encourage thoughtful restovation and discourage mindless renovation.

eclecticcottage
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by eclecticcottage »

As promised, some befores. I'll add more as I tackle individual projects.

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kitchen. door to the left goes to a half bath to the right, to the mudroom

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door to the left goes to dining room door beyond that to downstairs bedroom, to the right, bonus office/play/craft room

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half bath

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full bath

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random kitchenette in upstairs bedroom which will be removed and sold

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living room

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dining room

[img]http://photos.zillowstatic.com/p_f/ISew5mq7ms9s3t1000000000.jpg[img]

bonus room

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downstairs bedroom

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upstairs bedroom

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upstairs bedoom

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hall upstairs

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Texas_Ranger
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by Texas_Ranger »

Lots of potential! Those vinyl tile floors are just screaming "asbestos" though.

eclecticcottage
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by eclecticcottage »

Yes they are. Luckily I'm the owner so I can remove them (with a mask). It's a "hazard" of old homes-most of them have them, even if they are buried under other flooring.

eclecticcottage
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by eclecticcottage »

Did the final walk through today, still scheduled to close wednesday. Confirmed the upstairs sink is rather rusty. Also noticed the shower on the clawfoot has a random piece of copper in it, so I'll be looking for that and the curtain rod now. Found a number of places where the plaster is quite loose and moves easily when poked at. Mostly all as it was when I saw it last, although there seems to be more cracks in the ceilings. No new pics. Stuck a few paint chips up here and there, and picked up about 30 more lol. Also found a HD with the schoolhouse light I wanted in stock so I grabbed it. Still need over sink lighting but at least I got the big one. I found all the sconces are replacements. There is ONE original fixture hiding out in an un-original location. It's just the base though, the globe is mia. I really want to reuse it, the whole rewiring thing is putting me off of it. I'll see-if it's straightforward enough, I will do it. But I have to feel confident in doing it safely.

I know this isn't a pure, true restoration so some folks might be a little off put by me and this house. I promise that while it won't be a resto, I will be mindful of what it is and try my best to keep with the history of it. I know some things I'll do will make someone cringe, but in the end if I can reach my goal, it will be a great house for a family for many, many more years-and I will have the funds to move to the next one. I already have one on mind. It's not for sale but I know it's in preforclosure (Lis Pendens) and it's a lovely old place, been vacant about 5 or 6 years now.

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Re: The bungalow project

Post by Texas_Ranger »

Just my personal experience but I feel I'm actually faster patching with real plaster than cutting complex-shaped plasterboard patches and feathering them in. You simply trowel on plaster until the hole is reasonably full and scrape off any excess with a long spirit level or reasonably straight board long enough to span the entire hole. Once that base coat is solid you skim to a smooth surface as you'd do with a plasterboard patch.

eclecticcottage
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by eclecticcottage »

It has a blog now http://thebrickbungalowproject.blogspot.com/ lawyer is set to close tomorrow am. :dance:

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Mick_VT
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by Mick_VT »

eclecticcottage wrote:It has a blog now http://thebrickbungalowproject.blogspot.com/ lawyer is set to close tomorrow am. :dance:

Awesome! You should submit it to the blog roll in the Library if you haven't already
Mick...

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Lily left the valley
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Re: The bungalow project

Post by Lily left the valley »

Best of luck with a smooth closing. :happy-cheerleadersmileygirl:

I don't know why, but the ivy wallpaper in the upper hall is growing on me the more I see it, and I'm not one for wallpaper.
--Proud member of the Industrious Cheapskate Club
--Currently pondering ways to encourage thoughtful restovation and discourage mindless renovation.

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