Gentrifigaytion

This weekend we recruited friends for a painting party at the house. First off, I love how you can throw the word "party" in there so that it seems like a fun event when in reality you're breaking your back for pizza and beer. But as a writer, I know the importance of a good spin and so we kept it light, fluffy, and tipsy with Rolling Rock which was on sale at the House of Spirits located down the block.

You may have seen some photos along the way, but the picture above is of the guest room floor-- we think it's the original flooring from 1914, and it was uneven on two different levels so the floor guy had to rip them out and then relay wood. Needless to say, this is the "before" pic.

By Saturday the new floor, minus the floorboards, had been put down. We covered everything on Saturday morning and started priming the walls because the current colors and sponge painting were too bold for a simple coat of Martha Stewart. Then our friends Brian and Rodney (slightly hung over but troopers and good friends nevertheless), Matt & Rick, Steve's brother and father, Jerry, Meghan (or as we likes to call her "Megsbian"), and Sarah all came over during the two days and helped paint. Here is a pic of Steve priming away the mermaid trinity from the bathroom. This room will eventually be light blue and chocolate brown.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Martha Stewart also helped us with two small messy tasks. First, we added a few drops of vanilla to the paint and it cut the smell. Seriously. And second, Matt learned that if you put a small nail hold in the top rim (heh, I said "rim") the paint will drain back into the can without leaving that messy drip on the lid. You really can learn things from her, ya see!

Here is a pic of Megsbian and Jerry painting the dining room/living room. They're both single, by the way. (I'm here to help my friends...)



Here is a pic of the living room with the floors and with the final coat of paint on Sunday. We still have to do small detail work on the trims and such, but for the most part the main living areas are set... and no longer orange and yellow sponge-painted-by-square-pants.

And finally, here is the pic of Steve in the same position as that "before" picture. It looks so much nicer... and less violet. The move is next Friday/Saturday. Pray for us.