I was single for many years after my 2003 divorce. The stories that I could tell about Evansville’s dating pool would make your toes curl. I’m discovering that locating, buying and then renovating an old house is quite similar to post-divorce courtship. In the beginning, you cautiously interact with one another — only see the best features, overlooking red flags and emotional baggage — and start to imagine storybook endings and “they lived happily ever after” montages.
After several weeks of working with banks — reno loans are a b*#%h – inspections, construction estimates and preliminary designs – yes, I downloaded SketchUp and I’m sure my architect is going to strangle me – I am starting to develop a vision for our little fixer upper near the historic district.
I’ve enthusiastically shared my models only to have flaws highlighted by friends or suggestions for improvements voiced by family. The deja vu is overwhelming – “He isn’t right for you.” “ He has too much baggage.” “You need to move on.” Yikes! Of course, they were right fifteen years ago, and they are 100% spot on now. So, as much as it stings to have folks poke holes in our vision, I continue down the path of design, present, absorb and re-design.
Initial vision: We knew from our first visit that the house would need at least a small addition. It’s very narrow at only 30’ feet wide and 50’ long. It just doesn’t leave a lot of room for an amply sized kitchen, family, dining and master bedroom. I’m happy to downsize but microscopic is not on my list of priorities. Of course, the lot is also very narrow and there are numerous restrictions including property setbacks and % developed area to consider. Fortunately, the lot behind and beside the house, once blighted properties, are owned by the Evansville Land Bank. This affords us the opportunity to purchase additional lot footage and gives us options for a small add to the house and the construction of a garage. Yeah – we need the extra storage!
With our application to the lank bank approved, we trudge forward with some initial designs. I place the kitchen on the west side of the house with an addition for a butler’s pantry in the area of the existing driveway. I can add the six and half foot needed and stay within the setback, but the garage is on the opposite side of the house. Not particularly ideal when bringing in groceries or supporting the hubbies love of grilling, as there is no room for a patio on the kitchen side in this proposal. Back to the drawing board.
After many hours, I have a plan for the kitchen on the east side with a two-story addition and eventual connection to the garage. However, in order to break the construction into two phases and minimize the need for roof rework, I really need to hold the addition to the back half of the house. Marcy hates it, pointing out that I’ll have a long, dark tunnel between the house and the garage. Sigh…. back to the drawing board. (Note: Marcy also challenged tearing out the existing fireplace. She exposed the brick of an old fireplace in her 1920’s farmhouse and loves the results. I need to ponder this.)
Finally, I realize my conundrum – retaining the existing office – a whooping 100 sq ft of space – along with the ill placed and monstrous front door on the east side of the house is restricting our ability to get both the living space we need and retention of some of the original charm of the home, i.e. the brick chimney and the decorative transom between the office and parlor. This calls for serious noodling — is my relationship with my fixer upper doomed to a break-up? Divorce? Ugh!