We all remember 2020 rolled around with the beginning of COVID-19. It was a big adjustment for the household, as it was for the world, we were all home..together...all the time. Like everyone else, I was trying to learn how to Zoom and unmute my computer microphone, while Josh was settling into the pattern of wearing polo shirts with gym shorts for virtual meetings. We realized this was going to be our life for a while.
Do you remember the navy painted desk from the other post? That became my new desk for my new office, aka the niche in our bedroom, and Josh set up shop in the front room by the foyer. It did not take long to figure out that with having twin girls, a nanny, and all the comings and goings of a busy household, Josh needed more privacy and noise control in order to work.
Before we moved in, we had removed all the flooring and replaced the main level with 7" Engineered Pre-finished Hardwood Floors from Real Wood Floors and painted the interior walls, trim, and ceilings. I wanted a wider board and decided to go with white oak in a lighter, matte finish. These two changes made a HUGE difference in the home.
I sketched out a layout for an office to be added by our dining room and foyer. Josh cannot visualize anything and was convinced closing in the space would make the dining room and foyer feel cramped and dark. Josh knew he was about to spend some money when I got out the tape measure and started taping the layout on the floor. He was not wrong.
I do not usually like to put walls on angles if not necessary, but to allow as much light as possible through to the dining and foyer, I angled the wall to the new study and planned for French doors. We love our house's main floor layout, with some small exceptions, one being lack of storage. We decided to add a closet to the study.
We received quotes from about 7 different renovation companies and/or handymen and got started. Of course, day one, I added to the scope of work! Josh was shocked (not at all). I mean since we are already adding crown molding in the study, why not add it in the foyer and dining room? Am I right?
First the electrical was addressed by adding four can lights and since we were spending so much, we declined the option for a ceiling fan and to this day we regret that decision! Josh wanted a TV in a niche so we added an outlet at 5'6" AFF (Above Finished Floor), as well as an outlet on his desk wall so he could mount computer screens in the future.
I finally had the guts to ask the contractor if he would quote installing picture molding boxes on the walls of dining and foyer. I thought Josh's head was going to fall off of his shoulders. Whoopsies.
By adding the applied picture molding in simple boxes, it gives texture to the walls and a formality to the space, which feels appropriate since it is the foyer and formal dining room. I decided to paint the foyer and dining all Extra White SW7006 creating a fresh, and bright background for artwork and lighting.
The guys tried to talk me into leaving the walls the Agreeable Gray convinced that the molding would blend too much with the white, but I stood firm and said "Nay nay!" They even tried to get Josh on their side, thinking he can sway my decision. Isn't that precious?
The doors arrived and we were so excited! We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! Of course, I wanted the hardware to match my other hardware in the house so I bought the super builder grade brass knobs and got to work sanding those bad boys, you can read more about transforming the knobs in a previous post.
Before we knew it, about 5-6 weeks from project start date, Josh had his office. I wanted to do built ins with desk and filing, but since I added all the molding, the column, and the painting I ran out of money! He can keep my desk from high school, while I got my molding!! I will work on the built ins at a later date.
You can see in the first picture that there is this knee wall and column that defined the foyer from the front living room area. In order to make the column feel balanced, we furred out, or built out a column on the other side of the foyer. I could have removed the column, but then I was going to figure out how to feather in more hardwoods, and I didn’t want to deal with all that.
Josh begrudgingly installed a semi flush brushed brass light fixture in the foyer. I added a Persian styled rug, I am done, well except for adding art work and redoing the dining chairs! I love it!
What do you guys think?
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