When you have a vision, its ideal to start with a clean slate and a plan. But that bit of wisdom, goes right out the window when it comes to the adaptive reuse of an unconventional, and dilapidated structure. A conversion of this kind, brings with it, a whole different level of challenges, right at the on-set. For visionaries, that forsake architectural convention, practicality and predictability, on the pretense of euphoria in bringing the unimaginable to life, can be a recipe for insanity.
Oh well, it's my party, and my vision. I’m committed to soldiering on.
The picture on the left is an earlier view of the property. Notice that it had a picture window. When the prior owner began using it as a living and workspace for business, the picture window was removed to insert (and later extract) a large 3D Printer. A tiny casement window was put in its place when it was listed for sale.
Now, let's get a close-up of my first order of business, ridding the build of tasteless vegetation, and a bewildering first impression. Oh, it's so sad....
The first thing to go, were the hedges in the front. Next was the removal of the vines and trees on the sides of the building. I hired a local landscaping crew to handle this big job. In total, I spent about $2,000.00. Well worth the expense.
Remember, there are just some jobs that you may not be physically equipped to handle, nor have the right equipment for the task. That’s when you call in the professionals. Save your sweat equity for things that you can handle. Called in the "big guns" for mammoth jobs.
Yuck! Getting to that "clean slate", uncovered a dingy and grimy exterior. Now my building looks like a green algae covered storage facility.
Reality check! Once you open "Pandora's Box," you’ve got to keep going. The cracked stucco and algae stained facade needed to be triaged ASAP! The place actually looked worse than it did flanked by the trees, hedges, and overgrown vines. WTF!!! Oh wait… Ya gotta endure the ugly before you can enjoy the beauty, so embrace the imperfections. In the words of my mom, “Time will bring about a change.”
So stick with me as I pour my heart and soul, sweat equity and prayers into my very big project.
I hope that purchasing a place with the least amount of curb appeal (aka -ugly) will eventually appreciate in value with a little TLC.
I would love to hear from you with any ideas and suggestions to support this pay and learn-as-you-go home conversion.
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.
Carol
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