Carpet Diem

Playtime at Parag's, layers and layers of floor coverings dissevered. In one bedroom, three layers of carpet sat atop two linoleum rugs.










The fir floors beneath looked worthy of refinishing, most had been covered/protected for over half a century.



Baseboards grew in height, as over an inch of padding and carpeting was rudely escorted to the curb. 'A carpet salesman'll be by any minute', we joked.




Then we began removing the luan (or luaun) panelling, 1/4" wood veneer, tacked in the stairwell, entry, and hall.

The layers theme continued, as the luan revealed de-laminating wall-paper, painted, and finally beautiful sand-finish plaster.









In looking for obscured value, I often counsel clients to consider those things that can be done quickly and easily and therefore cheaply (because most improvement/restoration projects will take long, require money, and impose difficulties). Yes, it will cost to refinish the floors and to patch the scarred plaster, but probably less than it took to cover these surfaces originally, and the psychological return is immediate.

I'm going back for the awnings and security bars.....