24 - North Shore News — Wednesday, June 14, 2000

inaroo

The first in a series of bi-weekly columns on home renovation, ay
’ News contributor Barb Lunter.

“WHAT do you
think of a black
Dutch door for the
-kKitchen?” I asked
my husband as we
walked throngh our

_ new “old” house.
‘He looked at me ©
with a very strange
‘look and said: “Are |
‘you kidding?”

It became clear to me.at that moment that there needed
to be one principal decision maker for this renovation pro-
ject. After a democratic discussion it was decided that I
“would appoint myself as the boss.

‘When the paper asked me to do a diary of this renova-
tion/update project of ours, I approached my husband with
the idea. “No” was his emphatic response. “This is not a
good idea, we have too much to do, blah, blah, blah...

So, with that out of the way I decided ‘ to put an outline

-togetherfor the renovation diary.

“When you purchase an old home you tend to suffer from
post-purchase blues as you. walk through the house the sec-
ond and third time. The excitement has worn off and the
planning and work begins: Sometimes we asked ourselves:

“What have we done?” Bur, as discussions and plans pro-
ssed:we. were ultimately always reassured by our purchase.

It’s going to be'an interesting challenge and I’m sure we
will‘have our share ‘of setbacks and surprises. F do however
fe at inthe long run it will bes wor un it.

lit plan for ‘the long, term is to temporarily fix up the
old house for.two to three years until we come to a decision
to remodel, add or rebuild. In the i interim, the

rth Vancouver.

The North Vancouver Parade Route

house needs some
major updating.
The house itself is
just shy of 100
years old but it
does have a
strong founda-
tion,

We have put
together some
ideas for the reno
asking ourselves
such questions as:
What wil] be the
needs of the fami-
ly? What are the
safety concerns?
Will the house
require mechani-
cal upgrades?

We decided the
heuse was solid __
and required only
a cosmetic uplift.

The lighting in the house is weak. I have always felt that
good lighting is comforting emotionally.

There really is no substitute for natural suntight. To me it
feels like it lifts your spirits. This particular house is not 2s
bright as the one we are leaving so there will be a challenge
to perfect the lighting.

We felt at this point we needed to establish a theme for
the house. We would like to stay true to the house’s First
World War era.

Having all the rooms in che house work together is
important. The overall effect is key.

Working on walls and floors at the same time isa good ~
idea. 1 like to think of them as textures. One balances off the
other.

At the same time we will try to keep things as simple and
clear as possible. (Husband’s translation: “cheap.”)

I’ve always liked the quote from Boston designer William

bourhood they love, into a home.

Waterfront Park Program starting at Jpm-
Fabulous. evening ‘show with headliners

Spirit of the West & Jim Byrnes
West Vancouver. .

@ Special Citizenship ceremony a at 12 noon
e. Family Picnic, Barbecue & entertainment until 6pm

THE Lunters are apprehensive about their challenge: converting an old house in a neigh-

Hodgins: “Understatement and clarity are hallmarks of. im
less rooms.” In today’s economy, irendiness is no longer
affordable. Keeping the decorating as simple as possible i is :
easy, affordable and timeless.

We have dev eloped a budget and the estimated time
needed for the renovation and we have hired a contracto!
with the necessary sub-trades.

The gut

How do you decide what should go and what shoul
stay? Ee’s not as easy as it sounds.

We are coming to final decisions on what is is necessary, to
replace and what items and arcas we can live with-‘In repla
ing items we have been sceking out architectural salvage
yards. Used picces can be incredibly interesting.

We're thinking of replacing some old doors with som

See Costs page 126

ophne upc thea ote gt will bne
SES shop located in Lower Lorsdale, Sunfhaver Emperion is fl,
* inderesing wie nae’, fucriture, bools, antiques und collectbtes,
furetandebaviewcairriran

COME if AND PULL A BEAD FOR BIG. SAVIN Ss:
“30% off BLACK: 95% off YELLOW - 20% off “PURPIE: :

15% off BLUE - 10% off WHITE