We asked a contractor friend to come out and take a look at the house. We really needed some other input on this project. He brought his wife - also a great friend. At the same time, some other friends wanted to see the house, so after work that evening we had a little party of 6 going on in the house up the hill.
The word 'unbelievable' was used more times than anyone can count (just ask my kids - they love to tease me about that!). I really needed to find some other adjectives. Amazing, huge, gorgeous (except where it's not). Anyway you describe it, it really is big and needs a lot of work. As the house grew, there became odd doorways and funky closets. Attention to detail was not the owner's strong point. There are numerous areas that need re-doing or tearing out, and a wiring and plumbing system that is, well, just this side of unsafe in places.
This is a picture of the old gardener's potting shed. It's an outdoor space. Notice the wiring?
As the long tour came to an end the 6 of sat on the carpet in the library to discuss what was swimming around in our heads. I'm not quite sure who suggested it, but somewhere along the line we began talking of tearing down about 1/3 of the main floor. And not rebuilding it. Who does that? Who buys a house to tear it apart?
This is a shot of the library (otherwise known as the livingroom).
This is another view of the library. Notice the beautiful built-ins? Hence the name. You can also see what might be the front door on the left (so many doors in this house!).
Well, the idea grew and with it, the realization that by tearing away that portion of the house, most of the funky stuff - plus the unsafe wiring - would go away. We'd also loose: the 2nd kitchen, the 2nd livingroom (or Sunset Room, as we call it), 1 bathroom (the Redwood Bathroom with the cool glass blocks!), the sewing room, the laundry 'room', and numerous closets, cubbies and pantries. Plus the wine storage room and most of the deck (well, that needs replacing, anyway). What would we gain? Peace of mind, for one. Stability - yeah, real, tangible stability. The supports under the Sunset Room are kinda iffy. Another great thing? The addition was built over what appears to be a concrete pond and multiple stone walls framing terraced areas. Steps leading down into the yard, as well. We would restore a beautiful outdoor living space. We would also be able to expand the wonderfully cool, shaded, refreshing covered patio. Big plus!
On that note, we decided it was late and we should all go to dinner. We had a wonderful time with our friends and we appreciated (more than they'll ever know!) what they had to say about the house. Thanks, guys!
Nearly midnight, as we were trying to get some sleep, we began thinking...Who needs a house this big? Think of all the beauty that must be hidden under the addition. Tear it down!
Day Five
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