Nursery is Done... Well almost done

If the nursery project is any indication of a hypothetical career in general carpentry I must regrettably accept the fact that I would starve. I say that not because I failed to produce a solid work product, but because it took me forever to do it. A large part of me rationalizes this by saying that it isn't my 9-5 gig so time is always limited. There is a great deal of truth to that. However, the other aspect is the number of times I simply chose to do something else, i.e. relaxing, playing video games, sleeping, etc. In the end I cannot even begin to tell you how much time I did spend in the nursery over the last month and change. Now, as the project nears completion, I can also not accurately communicate how happy I am that I did spend all that time on it.

Throughout the process I received a great deal of help from both Karyn and Eleanor. Obviously Karyn helped in a more substantive manner, but I was surprised by Eleanor's ability to paint by rubbing up against the walls. In case you were wondering, paint washes out of a dog's hair surprisingly well and Eleanor absolutely loves eating dried paint and chair rail modeling pieces.

With the project nearing the finish line we assembled the crib last night. That was easiest part of the project to far and it still took 45 minutes or so. The moral of the story is this: Every project will take longer and be more difficult than you could ever imagine. This isn't the first time I have learned that lesson. Unfortunately, it is an easy lesson to forget and that usually happens right about the time you are starting a new project.

I wish I had some pictures to post showing the finished product but I'll have to follow-up tonight when I am back at home. The room still isn't put back together because I have some touching up to do, but I'll get that done tonight.

As I mentioned above, when I looked around the room last night I was very happy to have spent the time that I did on the project. I am thankful for the opportunity to do things like this and for the opportunity to dream about baby D's first nights in his new home. It might not be the best example of high-level carpentry, but it has been completed with love and the best intentions.

On to the Nursery

Well I finally finished my work in the second extra bedroom last night. That means my focus can now shift to the baby's room. The good news is that this will be the last room in the house that will need painting for the foreseeable future. We've decided to have the husband of one of Karyn's co-workers give us a quote for the wainscotting that we want in the nursery. We were initially going to do it ourselves but our better judgment kicked in before we got too far into the construction project. It isn't that we couldn't do it ourselves. It is more that we probably shouldn't do it ourselves for a variety of reasons.

In any event, the first part of the project is repainting all of the walls. I'm tentatively scheduled for a Saturday start time. With any luck I should be able to get the room done this weekend, but that might be too ambitious since it is a big room with a vaulted ceiling. Actually, I am not sure if it is a vaulted or cathedral ceiling, but the walls extend pretty high in place. Either way it will be a fun project. Once the painting is done the contractor will install the 4 foot wainscotting over the newly painted walls. He is also planning to transform the lower portion of a built-in shelving area into a built-in toy chest. I'm really looking forward to seeing the end result of Karyn's plan for the nursery. I have a feeling she has been inspired to some extent by Jeff Lewis from Bravo's Flipping Out. The show is ridiculous, but I have to admit that it is hilarious at times.

To keep up with Karyn's use of pictures on this blog I will take some before, during and after pictures of the nursery. I just remembered something that has put a slight damper on my spirits. Unfortunately, the nursery is not my last painting project for the year. I need to repaint/stain/protect/whatever the outside stairs and decks as well. I better get that done soon as the temperatures have really dropped lately. Well wish me luck.