Renovations are like having a baby

I  was chatting with a friend the other day about my last big renovation. It was a complete gutting and redo of a cottage on Vancouver Island. I have pictures on my Facebook page (under Kathryn Haley) of the process and I titled the album, “Welcome to my Nightmare.”   My friend looked at the pictures and commented that my nightmare turned into a masterpiece.  I admit I am very proud of what we accomplished and the transformation is incredible. I joked to her that the process was probably comparable to childbirth. You are so pleased with the result that you forget the pain that you went through to get it.  Although I was just kidding, the more I think about it, the more I realize renovations really are like having  a baby.

Phase # 1   Nervous anticipation

You and your partner decide it’s time. You both agree you’re ready for the next step in your relationship. You’re going to renovate your home. Just like the decision to have a baby, the decision to renovate is met with nervous anticipation and a degree of panic. You worry about whether you can afford it. Will it change your relationship? What if you don’t like it in the end?  However, despite the concerns, your enthusiasm and the excitement carry you forward until there is no turning back.

Phase # 2   Just breathe through it

The long anticipated day arrives and the renovation process begins. Some renovations will go like those easy births where the mom is in labor for an hour and it goes like clockwork. Other projects will be more like those long drawn out, painfully slow, terrible to watch labors that drain the energy of everyone involved. Those are the ones where obscenities are screamed and threats of bodily injury can be heard down the hospital halls.

Getting through either scenario requires patience, understanding, humor and remembering to breathe through the pain. If your renovation sounds more like the second scenario you may need a couple of shots of bourbon and a leather belt to bite down down since you  won’t be getting an epidural.

Phase # 3  Euphoria

Just when you think the pain is getting unbearable and you don’t think you can take it another second, it’s over. One last big push and you can relax. Exhausted, sweaty, and slightly giddy you and your partner marvel at what you have created.

Even though that day you may swear you will never go through it again, with time you forget the pain  and misery. You start to look around the other areas of house that don’t look so good now. You feel like your life just isn’t complete and you give your partner that look that says  “honey, I want to renovate again.”

Kitchen After