We are inching towards the finish line, some days gallop forward, then quiet down waiting for a trade to come back to site. The painting is never ending, it’s said it’s all in the prep, it really is. Once the skirting is fixed down, there is so much work to get the final finish from filling and sanding the screw holes, hoovering up the dust, then caulking the gap between the skirting board and the wall, masking the floor, then applying 2 coats of satinwood paint. YouTube has been good to get tips on decorating and caulking. But I usually try to give something a go and then consult the experts when it feels there must be any easier way. I’m a whiz at the caulking now! Another tip I learned by doing is using a clean tapered brush to paint the top of skirting boards, you can achieve a clean line without taping and risking the paint coming of the wall.
We also had the electrician back to fit light fittings, these give an immediate feeling of home, highlighting spaces and giving indirect light. I bought most of the lights with lights.ie, it’s a bit of a gamble to buy online, but quality has been good and they do free returns. It’s still a bit of a risk until it’s fitted, but the majority are working out well.
Dad has been busy with the numerous carpentry jobs that appear at the end of a job from hanging doors, timber trims and fitting door handles. We’ve worked well as a team and he feels proud that there will be a constant reminder of his work and craft as we move through our lives in home, from holding his handrail to opening doors, it will be an inspiration to Malin and Iarlaith of what’s possible with your hands and mind.
There are always hiccups to deal with but we’ve got this far and we have only become more resilient from the journey. When mistakes happen as Murphy’s law dictates, I trust in our ability to problem solve and use it as an opportunity to learn more about the anatomy and systems of our home, we will get there.
I look forward to sharing finished rooms shortly, it’s hard not to see the unfinished parts but I’ll just have to get comfortable with this transition stage and remember to ‘keep calm and carry on’.
