Although we've been planning a major renovation of our 1746 farmhouse for 18 months, we have finally made it to D-Day, better known as demo day. We now have a port-a-potty and a 25 foot long dumpster in the front yard. Our neighbors are thrilled. Our house consists of 3 separate structures-the original log cabin that is now the dining room, a full size cape that was dragged up and attached to the front of the log cabin sometime in the 1800's most likely, and then a carriage house that was dragged up and attached to the log cabin in the back. This part houses the kitchen and a family room of sorts and an old shop once used to make knives. This is the most uninhabitable part of our home and since we've inhabited it for 6+years, along with many squirrels, mice and a rather eager woodchuck we are more than ready to begin.
We are part of an historically regulated neighborhood which is good until it is regulating your own renovation, then it's just intrusive. However, we've jumped all their hurdles and have actually gotten permission to tear down this old carriage house. Don't shed tears for history being lost. It is structurally unsound, and by the time we rebuilt the foundation (or actually built one as it doesn't have more than a few pieces of granite and some tree trunks) rebuilt the roof, and rebuilt the walls, there wouldn't have been much left of the original. So we're saving all the doors, windows, hardware and interesting parts, which we are hoping to put back into the new structure.
Now don't misinterpret my liberal use of the word "we". My husband and I are DIY-ers with the best of them, but this is beyond our skill set, not to mention a full time 6 month project. We already have full time jobs. So we have a wonderful contractor who will be part of our"we"for the duration. The purpose of this blog is not to provide any educational info or tips. It is a chronicle of our project. It may serve as warning or inspiration to future 200+ year old home owners, or it may just provide me with an outlet for venting my looming stress and frustration.
Time will tell.
