Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
Mayday! Mayday! Lady Retro Hath Doth Bitten Off More Than She Can Cheweth. Office remodel is killing her. Has decided to do a Big Reveal, rather than a drip drip drip of what is happening. What is happening now is that she has been painting painting painting painting. Hands all dried out. Shoulders aching. Has lost count of number of trips to Caligari’s (local hardware store), but will get harsh reminder when credit card bills come in. Next few days are critical: Denise coming this morning to help with epic part of project. She is bringing Bugto play with Astro. Will stay a couple of days. Expect blog postings to be erratic and if/when they come, to include miniature schnauzers being uber-cute. Contractor dudes (above) — the awesome Kevin Sullivan (on right) of Colonial Restoration, Dalton, Mass., with sidekick Dave — have been amazing albeit not onto my ways. I lecture them on how to pose for the camera. Arms at side! “Come on, take the picture already,” they say, exasperated, not knowing I’d already taken 12.
Looking forward to the big reveal! I like to live vicariously…
Melaniesays
Whoa! Your contractor dudes are way better looking and have more smiles than the contractor dudes I see around here!
Kristensays
Pam you are so funny! I’m so excited for the big reveal! Also I have been a reader for four years now and I’ve finally decided to comment even though you usually have an abundance of commenters 😉
pam kuebersays
Well howdy do, Kristen. So glad to lure you out of lurker status. Epic Day #1 went super well, but I think I have never ever been so tired in my life!
Jaysays
Hey Pam, sounds like you are really in the thick of it now. Have fun! Be nice to your contractor guys and don’t make them crazy with constant changes.
pam kuebersays
I only made them rip one thing out and do-over, and it was pretty minor. Funny thing was, Kevin said he suspected I’d do what I did and he was only sorry he’d nailed all the holes in permanent-like. Other than that small one, I think I have been a good client so far.
Just another Pamsays
They look like they are having a darned good time, Pam, are you sure you’re not spoiling them? Reading your blog makes me suspect there’s coffee and cookies and indoor plumbing….you’re setting standards they’ll dream of in years to come.
Ally Catsays
Hey, I’ve bet they’ve seen it all. Cookies, spoiling, then rip-out, then nice, then no checks, then annoyed. I’m in the south where sugar-coating comes with everything—good or bad. Just be real and genuine (as you are) and they’ll give you their best!
Holleysays
WHOA! When they’re done there, these guys can come on down to Texas! I’ve got a ton of stuff that needs to be done! We’ve got plenty of coffee for them too!!! Thanks for the update, Pam — of course it’s going to be an AWESOME transformation!!!!!
Nancysays
Haven’t we all been there! It didn’t look like that big a job??? Good Luck!!
pam kuebersays
We gutted the room — so that I could double up the insulation of the outside walls. A gut job. That’s what happens.
MCM is Grandsays
Re: insulating the walls…you will thank yourself many times over during those cold MA winters…
It will all be worth it in the end when the dust settles! Glad you have a friend to help and a friend’s dog to keep your dog company! Anxiously awaiting the reveal!
Christasays
Hang in there, Pam. I’m sure all the aches and expenses will be well worth the end result. I can’t wait to see it!
Natesays
Hang in there. It will all be worth it in the end!
Oh…and can miniature schnauzers be anything BUT cute? I laugh at mine constantly!
Pam, after the dust has settled, the paint (and the tears) have dried, and the retro renovation computer is back on its desk it will all be worth it! Don’t let your curious schnauzer near any open paint tins, paint lids or paint clean up, as I have discovered that the only way to get dried paint out of schnauzer beard is to trim! Kevin and Dave look like fun guys to have on the job. How did you do the moving photo effect (above)?
pam kuebersays
animated gif via picasion.com — a tip from my graphic designer suzy massey!
Jenny A. says
Looking forward to the big reveal! I like to live vicariously…
Melanie says
Whoa! Your contractor dudes are way better looking and have more smiles than the contractor dudes I see around here!
Kristen says
Pam you are so funny! I’m so excited for the big reveal! Also I have been a reader for four years now and I’ve finally decided to comment even though you usually have an abundance of commenters 😉
pam kueber says
Well howdy do, Kristen. So glad to lure you out of lurker status. Epic Day #1 went super well, but I think I have never ever been so tired in my life!
Jay says
Hey Pam, sounds like you are really in the thick of it now. Have fun! Be nice to your contractor guys and don’t make them crazy with constant changes.
pam kueber says
I only made them rip one thing out and do-over, and it was pretty minor. Funny thing was, Kevin said he suspected I’d do what I did and he was only sorry he’d nailed all the holes in permanent-like. Other than that small one, I think I have been a good client so far.
Just another Pam says
They look like they are having a darned good time, Pam, are you sure you’re not spoiling them? Reading your blog makes me suspect there’s coffee and cookies and indoor plumbing….you’re setting standards they’ll dream of in years to come.
Ally Cat says
Hey, I’ve bet they’ve seen it all. Cookies, spoiling, then rip-out, then nice, then no checks, then annoyed. I’m in the south where sugar-coating comes with everything—good or bad. Just be real and genuine (as you are) and they’ll give you their best!
Holley says
WHOA! When they’re done there, these guys can come on down to Texas! I’ve got a ton of stuff that needs to be done! We’ve got plenty of coffee for them too!!! Thanks for the update, Pam — of course it’s going to be an AWESOME transformation!!!!!
Nancy says
Haven’t we all been there! It didn’t look like that big a job??? Good Luck!!
pam kueber says
We gutted the room — so that I could double up the insulation of the outside walls. A gut job. That’s what happens.
MCM is Grand says
Re: insulating the walls…you will thank yourself many times over during those cold MA winters…
Kate says
It will all be worth it in the end when the dust settles! Glad you have a friend to help and a friend’s dog to keep your dog company! Anxiously awaiting the reveal!
Christa says
Hang in there, Pam. I’m sure all the aches and expenses will be well worth the end result. I can’t wait to see it!
Nate says
Hang in there. It will all be worth it in the end!
Oh…and can miniature schnauzers be anything BUT cute? I laugh at mine constantly!
Secret Design Studio says
Pam, after the dust has settled, the paint (and the tears) have dried, and the retro renovation computer is back on its desk it will all be worth it! Don’t let your curious schnauzer near any open paint tins, paint lids or paint clean up, as I have discovered that the only way to get dried paint out of schnauzer beard is to trim! Kevin and Dave look like fun guys to have on the job. How did you do the moving photo effect (above)?
pam kueber says
animated gif via picasion.com — a tip from my graphic designer suzy massey!