Over the past two years, the vision for transforming this remarkable property has undergone countless revisions. What started as a singular, straightforward idea quickly blossomed into a complex, evolving blueprint, shifting direction at least a dozen times. After the third major overhaul, I stopped sharing every new “plan” with you, deciding it was wiser to simply forge ahead with any progress I could make. My life felt like a ship tossed in a relentless storm, and I needed a solid anchor before declaring any plan truly settled. Eventually, in the last year, a significant portion of that vision solidified into a concrete goal, a destination I’ve been diligently working towards. Reflecting on my previous updates, I realized I hadn’t explicitly shared this exciting development with you.
The expression on my face in the photo below, captured by my camera on a tripod taking pictures every 30 seconds, pretty accurately depicts my daily reality. I’d wager that look of intense concentration, slight bewilderment, and sheer determination graces my features about 80% of the time. It’s the face of someone orchestrating a complex dance, a delicate balance of tasks that jumps from Phase 1 of Project 12 in Room 6 to Phase 4 of Project 3 in Room 2, and back again. Every day is a whirlwind of overlapping projects, an intricate choreography of construction and design. But now, with March rapidly approaching, a definitive deadline looms for what I affectionately call my new, new, new, new Plan!
Unveiling The Lodge’s Main Floor Transformation: Our New Chapter
The core of this new plan involves a significant lifestyle change for Wes and me: we are officially moving into the main floor of the residential portion of The Lodge. This move isn’t just a simple relocation; it’s a strategic decision that allows us to immerse ourselves fully in the property’s ongoing development while also preparing our current home for new occupants. Back in October, when we finalized arrangements with our fantastic future renters, March 1st seemed like a perfectly achievable deadline. Our goal was to have the kitchen, pantry, laundry room, and our primary bedroom and bathroom fully completed and functional by then, ready for us to move in. As the deadline draws nearer, I admit there’s a certain level of uncertainty about how “complete” everything will truly be by March 1st. However, I can assure you, we are working with an intensity that borders on a marathon sprint, pushing every single day to get as much as possible as close to done as humanly possible. There are very few days that pass without me uttering to Wes, my helpers, or sometimes just to myself, “I’m getting too old to work this hard!”
Beyond our personal dwelling, The Lodge holds a grander vision. I still very much intend to welcome Bed & Breakfast guests at some point in the future. The second floor of the residential area boasts two beautifully designed suites, purpose-built for this very intention. This endeavor represents a long-term dream, one that aligns perfectly with the hospitality and charm we envision for The Lodge. However, personal health must take precedence. I’m scheduled to undergo lens replacement surgery in both eyes, a procedure that will necessitate a period of recovery and rest. Therefore, while the B&B remains a cherished aspiration, for the immediate future, my entire focus and all available energy are channeled towards meeting our March move-in deadline. Once settled and recovered, we can then begin to explore the next exciting phase of The Lodge’s transformation into a welcoming retreat for guests.
Crafting Functional Spaces: The Halfway Finished Pantry & Beyond
The journey to a functional kitchen often begins with its supporting spaces, and for us, that meant the pantry. I embarked on building the custom pantry cabinets while patiently (or not-so-patiently) awaiting the specific fasteners required for a crucial final kitchen project. It’s a classic renovation story: you plan meticulously, but then unexpected delays throw a wrench in your timeline. In our case, the wrong fasteners were sent not once, but twice. By the time the correct ones finally arrived, I was already so deeply immersed in the intricate details of the pantry construction that diverting my mental energy back to the kitchen project felt like an insurmountable hurdle. Consequently, that last critical kitchen task patiently awaits its turn on our ever-growing to-do list, a testament to the unpredictable nature of large-scale DIY projects. The pantry, however, is a beacon of progress, evolving into a highly organized and aesthetically pleasing storage solution that will be the heart of our culinary operations.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this renovation journey has been the invaluable contribution of my mentees. Their competence and dedication are truly exceptional, proving to be incredibly helpful on a consistent basis! They join me at least once a week, bringing enthusiasm and a strong work ethic, and together, we manage to cross a remarkable number of tasks off my extensive lists. Their involvement not only accelerates our progress but also transforms the often-solitary work of renovation into a collaborative and educational experience. It’s a joy to share skills and witness their growing confidence as they tackle various aspects of the project, from precise measurements to detailed finishing work. Their steady hands and keen eyes have been instrumental in pushing forward multiple fronts simultaneously, ensuring that even when I’m wrestling with a particularly complex problem, other areas of The Lodge are steadily moving towards completion.
The Living Room’s Enduring Project: Custom Bookcase Wall
While the goal is to have the essential living spaces ready for our March move, I don’t anticipate the living room itself being entirely completed. However, one significant feature of this room, the custom bookcase wall, has been a steady work in progress for quite some time. This particular project serves a dual purpose: it’s not only a crucial element of the room’s design, providing much-needed storage and a focal point, but it also lends itself perfectly to being a “helper project.” It’s something that my dedicated assistants can work on when they’re here, even if I’m tied up with more complex tasks or unable to teach them an entirely new skill. The nature of building shelves, repetitive cuts, precise measurements, and careful assembly, allows for consistent progress without requiring constant, direct supervision after initial guidance. This approach ensures that even in rooms not on the immediate move-in priority list, progress continues steadily, transforming The Lodge piece by piece.
Rapid Progress: The Bathroom and Bedroom Makeover
The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” certainly applies to the furious pace of our bathroom renovation. We literally just commenced work on our primary bathroom, and the sheer volume of progress achieved in the last three days is truly astounding. It’s a testament to focused effort and effective teamwork. Wes and I tackled the critical task of installing GoBoard, a lightweight, waterproof tile backer board, and meticulously waterproofed the interior of the shower enclosure. This crucial step ensures the longevity and integrity of the shower, preventing any moisture issues down the line. Simultaneously, Traci, another incredible helper, was diligently mudding the drywall on the exterior walls, smoothing out imperfections and preparing the surfaces for their final finish. This synchronized effort has propelled the bathroom from a bare shell to a space rapidly approaching its tiling phase, a significant milestone given our tight schedule.
Adjacent to the bathroom, our bedroom is currently serving as the temporary headquarters for our tiling operations, with the tile saw set up and ready for action. Compared to the other more intensive renovation zones, there isn’t an overwhelming amount left to do in the bedroom itself. The primary tasks involve installing the doors and laying down the final flooring, which will instantly transform the space. Beyond that, it’s merely a matter of bringing in furniture and personal touches to make it feel like home. This relatively straightforward remaining workload means I’m not particularly concerned about this room; its completion feels well within reach. Even if the doors aren’t hung immediately by move-in, the foundational elements will be in place, allowing us to settle in comfortably. The focus now shifts to preparing the surfaces for the beautiful new tiles that will define both our bathroom and eventually, our serene sleeping quarters.
Streamlining Utility: The Laundry Room Prep
The laundry room, while modest in size, is a crucial utility space that demands efficiency and careful planning. Its compact footprint means every inch must be utilized thoughtfully. While there isn’t extensive structural work required, the completion of this room is intrinsically linked to key functional elements. The most pressing item on the agenda is the flooring, which absolutely needs to be finished as soon as possible. This is because I need to order the appliances – the washer and dryer – and their installation depends entirely on a completed and level floor. To expedite this, Traci, with her keen eye and meticulous approach, provided invaluable assistance in prepping and leveling the floor. This preparatory work is a foundational step, ensuring that our new appliances will sit perfectly and function optimally. With the floor now properly prepared, we are poised to move forward with the final finishes and the much-anticipated appliance delivery, bringing us closer to a fully functional and organized laundry space within The Lodge.
The Culinary Heart: Conquering the Kitchen’s Unique Challenge
The kitchen, often considered the heart of any home, has presented its own set of unique challenges. The final major project required to bring this space to completion was the construction of a custom suspended ceiling. This wasn’t merely an aesthetic choice; it was a highly functional necessity, designed to precisely accommodate and securely hold a flush ceiling-mount range hood. This particular task had been looming over me for a considerable time, a source of significant procrastination, largely because it required me to venture into uncharted territory – essentially, to invent a solution from scratch. The sheer daunting nature of conceiving a secure, functional, and aesthetically integrated system for a flush hood felt immense. I spent countless hours searching online, scouring forums and articles for even a glimmer of a starting point, an inspiration, or a comparable project. I mulled over myriad possibilities, sketching ideas, and running calculations in my head. Eventually, through persistence and creative problem-solving, I conceptualized an idea that finally gave me enough confidence to use it as the foundational base for a plan. I had to trust that the remaining intricacies would reveal themselves, and I would figure them out as I progressed. I’m keeping the full details of this intricate suspended ceiling project under wraps for now, until the range hood is successfully installed and fully operational. That pivotal moment is scheduled for this Wednesday, so please cross your fingers with me and hope that everything goes according to plan and, crucially, that it doesn’t all come crashing down! I’m 99% positive that my engineering solution is sound and robust, but in the realm of DIY innovation, does one ever truly know with absolute certainty? Only time, and the upcoming installation, will tell.
Reflecting on our progress, I was actually feeling quite accomplished and positive about how far we’d come until I started writing up this comprehensive post. Now, reviewing the sheer scope of what still needs to be done, I confess a slight sense of unease, a familiar knot in my stomach. Though, that feeling could just as easily be a lingering effect from last night’s celebratory second glass of wine! On a serious note, Wes has been an absolute rockstar, providing an incredible amount of help and dedication over these last few months. His commitment has been unwavering, and he’s currently poised to finish waterproofing the shower, a crucial step that will allow us to commence tiling tomorrow. His partnership is truly invaluable.
Indeed, I find myself reiterating that sentiment quite frequently these days: I am truly getting too old to be working this hard. 🙂 However, the end is in sight for this intense phase. I’m scheduled for my first eye surgery in April, which will provide a much-needed, albeit medically induced, period of rest and recuperation. This pause will be a welcome opportunity to recharge and return with renewed vigor for the remaining stages of The Lodge’s exciting transformation. The journey is demanding, but the vision for our new home and future B&B keeps us pushing forward, one meticulously planned (or inventively improvised) step at a time.