Greenspeed , Sustainability 5 by Moneca Kaiser , February, 02 2011
Sammy's HOME Renovating 820 sq ft in just 3 weeks has been quite a ride! There are little things left that will be wrapped up in the next day or two and I have a few more days of settling in and the space feels great. It feels like home.
This may be one of the most sustainable projects I have ever done, not cause I used low voc finishes and gave whatever I could to Habitat for Humanity which I happened to and is pretty much my company’s default.It’s sustainable because of the efficiency of it’s realization, it was like an improv ballet on water. It embodied the elusive element of greenspeed. It flowed and when mistakes were made as Markle said, ‘it’s not my first one,” we just went with it and found elegant solutions.
There was no time wasted, or rather just the right amount to be effective, it can waste a lot of time not to mention resources to try not to waste time. It’s how we get in our own way in my humble opinion and cause we wasted the right kind of time it made everything we touched exponentially productive somehow. I don’t really understand the physics of it beyond knowing that x=s grace. And I suspect it’s because I broke the rules, not in spite of, like by doing the electrical after we started the plastering, that it all came together. My electrician was saying how he didn’t like to work this way until I told him what a great job he was doing and how I knew we had to double back but it meant we could steam forward and even Jimmy had to admit the way I work is more fun. He thought I was nuts when I said I was moving in in two weeks but I did and to his credit he told me so, and yes it went straight to my head as any of you who have been following my blog would guess.
There are no ABC’s in nature, it’s organic and I suspect there is a little bit of anarchy going on, but wouldn’t presume I am too awe struck. I am certain that it’s anything but linear, and I know for pretty sure that a tree can’t count to three.
This is what my training has been about for the last 25 years and it’s all distilled into just one word, happening .
I love chaos it’s so full of combustion and energy and creativity and passion and I am slowly learning how to stay out of it’s way and also dive in, three weeks, we did this very extensive renovation in. Just 3 weeks.
Nature doesn’t know from gant charts or spread sheets, it has a rhythm that I imagine we’ve all felt, there is a beat, a melody with a harmony teasing through it. We were able to ride it like a wave and soon I will share the “afters.”
The getting there was very fun and here is a list of some of what we have done.
gutted the bathroom to the studs choose, bought and replaced all the fixtures
upgraded all the electrical, and grounded the house including planning for next stage for triplexing
found bought and installed new light fixtures/ a few still to be installed
tore down a few non structural walls mostly closets to open up the space
took up all the various floor coverings that were glued down with adhesives almost as tenacious as me
exposing a gorgeous birch hardwood floor that seems to have never been sanded in all the 60 years this house has lived
patched in all the spots where the walls were removed on the floor in a pattern that I love and was dictated by the walls
figured out a design that allows for a great space for me to live in for now with a second phase conversion into two 1 bedroom rental units, planned for all the electrical and plumbing for that second stage
drew up drawings for a permit and got it for basement 2 bedroom apartment addition
removed all kitchen cabinets and appliances, modified the design, purchased and installed new cabinets and countertops
oiled said countertops that were butcher’s block, and oiled again and agian
realized that the use of the steel desk top from ikea as a countertop is brilliant and may win ikea hack of the year especially cause we figured out how to actually do it right next time
picked a paint color, then another cause the first was too yellow and will be perfect for the basement
plastered out all the walls and ceilings
patched in all the trim that was missing from when we pulled out the closets
built two new closets
patched painted and rehung all the doors and replaced their hardware
new white mail box, after trying out two silver ones and returning them
moved me in
tiled 1/3 of the bathroom shower
tiled bathroom and foyer floor with a great tile I went to 5 stores to find
… Having a wonderful time, wish you were here!
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2 Comments
Nancy E. Blacksays:
February 28, 2011 at 2:54 pmBravo Gal! Mon, that is alot to have accomplished in 3 weeks. Look forward to seeing the plans of the addition you have planed as well. Love the bathroom tiling. xoxo Nanc:)
Moneca Kaisersays:
March 1, 2011 at 11:12 pmhmm, you will have to come and stay, am gonna figure out a cool way to have a great space for guests that isn’t stuck being a bed room all the time. I love making flex spaces and am sure you will enjoy sleeping on the hammock I will string up in the admin office my friend. I miss you! love Mon
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