How Handy is My Man? The Big Basement Project

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I sometimes joke with my husband about how soft his hands were when we first started dating.  He had just graduated from college and was getting ready for the police academy.  No calluses in sight – I wasn’t used to seeing that on a man.  My dad, a working man that made his life in the flooring business – tough, laborious work – has calluses that won’t allow him to even wear his wedding ring…my mother doesn’t mind – she wears it on a necklace and is often asked when her husband died – eek morbid, I know – he’s not dead!

Ok…on to something a little lighter…Bob’s dad recently commented about his less than stellar, handy-man work ethic as a youngster – “Geez, when you were a kid I couldn’t even get you to use a level…would just shrug it off saying ‘why not just eye-ball it’?” -H (disclosure: this may not be the exact quote from H…but close enough – ha)

Well let me just tell you, some things can really change.  Now the level comes out for everything! Even simple picture hanging…ok maybe that’s a little extreme, but I’m telling you he is very particular.  In any case, I would claim that’s a good thing – nobody wants a crooked house or walls or their doors to not shut right because they just eye-balled it.

When Bob and I got married we moved to a home that we could live in but definitely needed some work.  We were often cramped and stepping on each others toes trying to figure out our schedules for the one, half-functioning bathroom.  Now with our house complete (and on the market I might add) we have 4 bathrooms…too many toilets to clean in my opinion, save for the fact that their are only 3 of us living in the house (but this would work for a larger family, hint hint).  Which brings me to the fact that I wouldn’t mind if it sold anytime now (did I already mention something about that?).  We’ll miss this house though.  Over the past 7 years it has become our own, we put our stamp on it. My then little girl grew into a beautiful, smart…sassy teenager, here – yikes! Already!  Let’s take a walk down memory lane…

The basement before…

This basement was completely unfinished when we bought the house, all the way down to the cinder blocks and I must admit I was terrified to start such a large project.

At least the mess was confined…to the basement…

Finally seeing progress! The drywall made the vision really come together, however we would recommend hiring this particular job out unless you really know what you’re doing.

This is one of the cooler features in the basement and was an awesome idea straight from my amazing handyman. TV feature wall…the best part? All the wires are hidden behind the wall and if anything needs to be switched up just go back there. No need to strain yourself.

Little wet bar, mini-kitchen…

Hiding the support beams…

The rock features were a real pain, but sooo worth it.

Oh boy…so obviously these aren’t the most clear photos, but you get the picture…ha – pun intented…ok I’m such a dork. Actually all of these photos will be a little off and I apologize for that. The progress pictures were taken on a whim. This blog wasn’t even thought of when we started the finish work on this home. By the way it’s still for sale – did I mention that…Any takers? Well maybe when you see the after photos…

Ok so that’s not a throw blanket on the chair, Mr. D really likes to get involved…can’t you tell how much he’s contributing??

The room with the double doors is really meant to be an office…not yet set up of course, though if we are moving we probably won’t bother. Oh Mr. D again…by the way, you need a haircut, where are your eyes?

I must disclose that we are not experts.  Most of what you see is the result of YouTube tutorials, DIY blogs and good’ole fashion muscle with hard-working friends and family. It’s going to be hard to leave but we agree as a family that our hearts are at Twin Cedars Resort in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am to begin making our mark there. Projects Galore! that I can document and share. I have a feeling Bob’s calluses are about to grow – eeeuwaa!  That’s just a weird mental picture, sorry.

Are you or is your husband handy?  Let me know…comment below and please share!