IN THE ‘HOME’ STRETCH
This is part three in a multi-part series by Miranda Fabricius about her latest renovation project, Crest View House, in Belleville’s East Hill neighbourhood. Check out part one here and part two here. Follow along with Miranda on Instagram for the latest updates!
Spring is here and we are on the final stretch of our renovation. Crest View is about to emerge, updated and improved.
We are taking advantage of this beautiful weather. Thanks to some of our great local contractors, our exterior projects are underway a month earlier than expected! We’re taking the opportunity to create a courtyard, install a sleek new fence, establish new gardens and give the old carriage house a major refresh.
With everything in full swing outside, we continue to work away inside too. The drywall is up and we are starting to paint: one of the most exciting times for me.
A FRESH COAT
Painting marks a big turning point. We go from a messy job site where we’re focused on the mechanics, to a new home where I can focus on beautiful finishes. Painting is the first thing on the long list of finishes. It feels so good to be at this point.
Next up on that long list are tile and hardwood floors. Then we install trim, a fabulous new fireplace, brand-new kitchen and laundry room cabinets, and finally: custom finishes, bathroom fixtures, lighting fixtures and stained glass window restoration. “Exciting” doesn’t do it justice. It’s such a wonderful phase in the process of reinvigorating a new home.
I know it’s still a good-sized list, but we have many talented tradespeople lined up to work with us, so we’re confident we can finish by our projected date.
Although we are moving along well now, we have had our fair share of hiccups: some COVID-related, some not.
Some tradespeople have become so busy after the lockdown that they can no longer fit us in. Some materials are not available, or have been so delayed that changes need to be made. And then there’s always your regular renovation surprises.
It is such a busy time for so many trades in this area. We live in a growing community and many people are having work done on their homes, so it’s understandable that timelines need to get moved around.
LOVE FOR LOCAL
I have been so glad to have Koopmans Contracting, Limestone Contracting and Murrant Electric working on our Crest View team.
Koopmans are doing an amazing job on the carriage house redesign, understanding our vision and transforming the old building into a beautiful, functional two-car garage with a large workshop.
Limestone Contracting showed up a month early to create our lovely courtyard oasis in the side yard. They have been helpful and good-natured about an expanding landscaping scope as we pursue our vision of a quiet and lush outdoor sanctuary in the city.
Murrant Electric have been great to work with, doing more than expected and coming up with clever ways to avoid disturbing original features and details.
Having these great local companies working with us has made our renovation surprises easier to manage: and not all surprises are bad! Our most recent reno-finds were an antique fire extinguisher from the Canadian Pacific Railway and a vintage license plate from 1938. I love uncovering relics of the past while making an old home new again.
We have an action-packed couple of months left on the schedule before Crest View is ready for its next life. I’m so excited to see our vision realized and to share it with you all.
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