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Yikes, I took everyone and everything out of the townhouse side of the HFIM House. And pondered, and pondered and pondered.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
The storyline will be---that two houses/remodeled were worth more to the residents/investors. The Chicago market has been hot throughout the pandemic.
BMR Ltd. Barbara Millicent Roberts-my no.3's company bought the two properties and began the separation.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I picked my nose for two days trying to figure out the new configurations and how to do the 'remodels'! What would new families/residents want in a higher end town house. Meanwhile the craft room was in upheaval.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I thought I was organized, but my thrift store stashes have gotten out of control. I have 8 totes of furniture, and lots of bits here and there on shelves.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I pulled out all kinds of furnishings to see what I had that would work in the potentially newly remodeled homes.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
The HFIM guys (7) have moved into the basement apartments for the time being. Belle and Mulan are still living upstairs in the Victorian Mansion. Everyone else is scattered.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
It really has become fruit basket upset. I couldn't help adding another bunkbed to the 4 girl's duo townhouses to give them two bedrooms(adding a wall) and I 'll eventually add some bathroom walls too, for privacy. Meanwhile there is an extra gal on the sofa. (So that is five gals here).
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
One thing was obvious---I have more than enough furnishings to do 10 more dioramas.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
The biggest issue still is...the floors in the townhouse are too shallow for any kind of furniture arrangements. Do I expand the floors out, or just try and work with it as is?
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I decided to definitely add to the ground floor living space, extending the floor about 7" out to match the depth of the Victorian Mansion. This will leave walk space on the open side of all the homes. My imagination says they are all on one crowded block in Chicago, north of the Loop.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I used an old piece of thick foam core. I actually remembered to notch room for the elevator line.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
The old foam core had (tiles on one side, concrete on the other that gotten raggy.) Thick foam core is running about $7 a sheet now, so I reuse, reuse, reuse.
I ripped off the old papers and had pristine thick foam core. The thickness wasn't quite enough so I added another layer of $ store foam core on the bottom.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I also gave the magenta kitchen cabinets a prime coat of brush on multi-surface acrylic after a thorough cleaning with alcohol. OMG..what a difference. I'll finish a second coat tomorrow and silver handles on the appliances, then a sealer. I like the gray---it is neutral and not six layers of white to cover the magenta...LOL!
I ripped off all the wall paper and the pink/white tile flooring(contact paper). I 'drywalled' the walls in white contact paper. It will be easy for new residents to change it to their tastes with wallpapers. (double stick taped papers are easily removable from the contact paper).
There's still a pink tint...I wish I had time to do this in summer so I could spray multi layers of paint. Honestly that ghastly pink is potent!
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
Here I have put up some scrap foam core on the sides for the walls, just to see how it will finish off! The center window on the bottom screams for built-ins, which will take some time. First new walls, and deciding on the flooring application. I plan on redoing the elevator---in spring when I can spray it, that will involve restringing it---cross your fingers, I may paper it now, or cover it up...I really don't like that pink!
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I 'drywalled' the second floor room also. The bathroom is fine as it is. I am debating on the flooring or to work with it. There are a few touchups needed here and there of the white!
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
The third floor got the same treatment, although the walls on the right were temporary, I finished them off to match. I don't have to add lighting to this floor as it is so close to the ceiling lights in the shop. I plan on painting the windows and adding moldings to the square ones.
PS (Because the walls on the right aren't permanent, I can easily add the original patio/pool and light posts at anytime) Patio pools aren't really cost effective in cold Chicago. Did you ever notice that Barbie apparently lives ONLY in warm climates????)
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
So three days in, this is what I got accomplished. A good start!
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
And, here is the IKEA LEDBERG lighting which was the reason I started this to begin with! (No more Batteries!)
Lighting and flooring, more painting in next post!
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |