Thursday, January 14, 2010

FLOOD!

I happened to be talking on the phone with Daughter as she arrived at the house in Hooterville yesterday morning.  In mid-sentence, she gasped and said, “OH MY GOSH!”  When she opened the back door to the laundry room to enter the house, water came pouring out the door! 
I could actually hear the sound of rushing water over the phone!
She said, “The laundry room is flooded!  I’ll call you back!”   
Definitely not comforting words to hear when I’m 40 miles away!
Of course, my first  concern was how much of the house had flooded and whether the new wood laminate flooring and carpet that was just laid a few weeks ago was ruined.  
A water pipe for the hot water heater in the laundry room had burst.  Although water was gushing out of the broken pipe fast and furiously, it would appear the floor is somewhat sloped toward the back door and at least upon initial inspection,  it seems  the  flooding was primarily contained to the laundry room because of the slope.  
Fortunately, there was nothing in the laundry room the water could really hurt.   I just painted the room last weekend so everything had been removed to make painting easier and my new washer/dryer hasn’t been delivered yet.  Three of the walls are outside walls so they are concrete block.  The fourth wall is wallboard so we’ll have to wait to see if it sucked up any of the water and will need replacing. The current flooring  is old vinyl tiles (over a concrete slab).  The vinyl tiles were  due to be replaced today anyway but the installer called me a couple days ago and said my new flooring hasn’t come in yet.  It is sitting on a truck that has been delayed due to bad weather.    Of course, I was disappointed but now it’s probably a good thing  that the installation of the new floor had to be rescheduled because the laundry room needs time to dry out. 
:::sigh:::
Since updated photos of the laundry room  will be delayed a little longer, I decided to post  a few photos of the formal living room/dining room progress.
During the remodeling process, the formal living room/dining room area has undergone several incarnations in my mind.  There was never any question that  my white slip-covered sofa and love seat, and all my white painted furniture would go in the “formal” living room so initially, I was thinking of a white/off white tone-on-tone look for these rooms,  much like the photo below (minus the flowery wallpaper).

Picture 087photo source: salincataikikisi.com 

 

As a reminder, here’s a “before” photo of the living room.

IMG_0477

Below  is the “after.”  The carpet is an off-white color called “Whipped Cream.”   I was somewhat hesitant but ultimately decided to stray from the white-on-white look and try some color on the walls, a bluish gray (Valspar “Winter in Paris”).    I really like the color…it’s actually prettier  than it photographs (and not as blue)… but I’m wondering if  it might end up being  a little too gloomy for this north facing room that doesn’t receive much natural light.

IMG_0912

This is the “before” photo taken from the foyer, looking across the sunken living room to the dining room in the background.

IMG_0450 (R)

 

And “after” (with the floor all one level).  (Still need those wall plugs replaced with white ones!)

IMG_0988

 
On the back dining room wall, I used the fabulous and famous Blogland  beadboard wallpaper that I posted about here and here because…

IMG_1020

 

this is my  inspiration picture.  I would like my dining room to have a similar style.

BRIGHT_DESIGN_PLAN-layla Photo credit:  The Lettered Cottage

The lovely and very talented Layla over at The Lettered Cottage designed this gorgeous dining room for one of her clients and I thought many of the elements  would work great in my dining room.
I’m keeping my eyes open for some similar furniture pieces on Craigslist.

10 comments:

Adrienne said...

So sorry that your laundry room flooded but so glad your new floor wasn't in and that nothing was damaged. Your inspiration pictures really gave me some new ideas and I love the way your home is coming together. It's gorgeous! Thanks for the reminders about the beadboard wallpaper - I think I need to add some to my bathroom soon.
~Adrienne~

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a blessing the new floor wasn't down in the laundry room. I am so glad that all the damage was contained to just that one room. Your home is starting to look fabulous. You have been so busy. Your inspiration pictures are just gorgeous. Love them. Hugs, marty

Cindy said...

What a sweet surprise to see that you had been over at my blog for a visit.:0) So sorry about the flood, hopefully no long term damage was done. I had a flood once, a few years back, we cried out the carpets and we had to fix sheet rock ceiling. Your visions of your rooms are lovely! I am excited for you and I am very much looking forward to seeing them in reality. Have a lovely day, Cindy S.

Cindy said...

Sorry about the typo, we didn't cried out the carpets, we dried out the carpets. I might have shed a few tears, I don't really remember. :0)

Jocelyn said...

Oh my goodness Shari! Did you find out if the pipe burst because of the cold weather?? And how great that your daughter was there in time to stop the flow! Your rooms are going to be gorgeous. Can't wait to see the final results.

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

How terrible with the flood, but it's a good thing it happen when it did so everything wouldn't get ruined.

I have to say your home is going to look FABULOUS- I can't wait to see the results with your good taste at work. What a great job leveling the floor and I do love those columns. I think the wall coloring looks great too!

Happy Day to you Shari-

Lisa said...

Oh it's all coming right along! So glad you didn't have too much of a disaster from your flood! That can be so awful! I like your crisp white walls and your inspiration photos! I cannot wait to see it all done! I know you cannot wait for it to be done!
Hugs, Lisa

Anonymous said...

I too am sorry to hear about your laundry room. Hope everything is fine now. Love the improvements you have made to the other rooms.

Willow

Denise Marie said...

wow, it is looking fabulous. I'm so impressed with you girls that can see a picture and totally go for it. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, keep us updated!!!