Scary Cabin

That’s right, it’s been 3 years since we purchased the scary cabin in the woods. Over the past three years it has become less scary and more comfortable but it’s still not finished.

Looking back at the original pictures, we’ve come a long way. We had a group of people hanging out in the finished downstairs and it works. It was comfortable. It is also satisfying to sit there and realize that yes, we made this what it is. We can actually now enjoy using the space.

When we started, we expected the remodel to take a year, maybe two, but certainly not three years or even longer. No one thing has contributed to the extended timeline, just a lot of underestimating how long various tasks take and just general poor planning. This past weekend provides a good example. Previously we picked up 6 1×12 redwood planks to use as exterior door and window trim and picked this weekend to do the install. Most of one day was spent ripping the boards down to trim size, cutting and nailing them up. It all went according to plan until we ran out boards. Three windows and a door remain still need to be done. With better planning, we would have had enough boards to finish and that task would be complete. Instead, another day of another weekend will be spent doing the exterior trim.

We continued working on the upstairs. Genny painted the balcony door (inside) so now all the doors upstairs are painted. More construction on the back bedroom kneewalls. We’re making progress on the dog bedrooms (or cubbies). Hope the dogs appreciate all this work going into making a nice comfortable space for them to sleep.

Here’s the updated todo list.

Back bedroom

1. Dog cubby baseboard (one done, one to go)
2. Dog cubby outside trim
3. Figure out kneewall design
4. Kneewall door trim
5. Build/install bookcase
6. Install hangers for clothes
7. Install drawer carcasses
8. Install drawer boxes
9. Install drawer trim
10. Install baseboard
11. Trim wall to ceiling corners
12. Install conduit for ceiling fan
13. Build new ceiling fan mount
14. Install new ceiling fan

Front bedroom

1. Paint balcony door
2. Frame kneewalls
3. Trim knewalls
4. Door for closet
5. Drawers and doors for kneewalls
6. Install baseboard
7. Install wall to ceiling corner trim
8. Install conduit for ceiling fan
9. Build new ceiling fan mount
10. Install new ceiling fan
11. Install grill cover for vent fan
12. Install window blind