Phase three. Because renovating once is apparently a lifestyle

We renovate in phases. Strategically. Thoughtfully. Or simply because at some point you are so done with dust, mess, and the smell of fresh sealant that you say, “Let’s take a break,” and that break quietly turns into a year. Or in weeks in our case. 

Phase one was the attic. Done.
Phase two was the first floor. Also done.

And now… phase three has arrived. The ground floor. The final frontier. The place where we have lived for fifteen years and which now needs to be completely stripped down to the concrete.

A floor with layers and a bit of history

Here comes the part that is either fun or mildly horrifying, depending on how you look at it. The underfloor heating has to go. That might sound manageable, until you realize our floor is basically a timeline. The previous owners had white tiles. Very white. Very nineties. About fifteen years ago, we placed large anthracite grey tiles over them. At the time, a great choice.

Now everything needs to be removed.

First our grey tiles. Then the original white ones. Then the sand-cement layer. And only then do we reach the underfloor heating that has been there since the house was built around 1990. It still works. Technically. But as my husband wisely says, you do not want to wait until it stops working. Because it will stop at the worst possible moment. Cold weather, wet days, and absolutely no patience for a full demolition in your living room. So we are doing it now. In decent weather. With the windows open. Like sensible adults.

Pipes versus Pinterest

Now, let me be honest about something. My husband and I approach renovations very differently. He focuses on the technical side. Pipes, materials, leveling, all the practical decisions that actually make a house function. I listen, nod, and pretend I fully understand and care.

I focus on Pinterest, Instagram, and interior blogs. My laptop currently has an impressive number of tabs open, all dedicated to “warm neutral living room inspiration.”

Because if the floor is coming out and the walls are being redone anyway, you might as well take the opportunity to refresh everything. Out go the pink and green tones. In come beige, caffe latte, warm sand, and soft off-white shades. Colors that sound like coffee orders but somehow work beautifully on walls.

A latte macchiato is not just a drink. It is also a perfectly acceptable design choice.

The couch decision that took five minutes

Then there was the couch. Our daughter described the current interior as “too ugly to sit in.” Her words, not mine. Although I did not entirely disagree. Which earned her a trip to the furniture boulevard to help pick a new one. We went on a sunny day, fully prepared for a long search. What actually happened was the opposite. First store. Second or third couch we saw. We sat down, looked at each other, and that was it. Decision made. We still visited a couple of other stores, just to be sure. But in both places we quickly realized we had already found the one. Sometimes it really is that simple.

Negotiating like a professional

Back at the first store, I did something that deserves a moment of recognition. I negotiated. This may not sound like a big deal, but for me it absolutely is. Years of gentle pressure from my husband, who always asks if I checked for a discount, have finally paid off. I asked. I negotiated. And I ended up below the price I had in mind. Not exhausted. Just very satisfied. And yes, a little proud.

Just looking… for once

On the way home, we stopped at another furniture area to look at accessories. The plan was simple. We would only look. And surprisingly, that is exactly what we did. Not because I did not want to buy anything, but because I had a rare moment of clarity. There is currently nowhere to put anything. The entire ground floor is about to be turned upside down. Buying a beautiful vase now would mean storing it in the hallway for months. So I did not buy anything. A very mature decision, if I may say so myself.

Six chairs and one good idea

The dining chairs were a different story. My husband absolutely loves our current chairs. They are comfortable, reliable, and have served us well. The only issue is that the color no longer fits the new direction. For a moment, that seemed like a problem. Until I had a simple idea. What if the same chairs were still available, but in a different color? They were.

So the next day we went back, ordered six new chairs in a better shade, arranged another nice discount, and came home with that task fully completed. While I was at it, I may have also ordered the rest of the furniture online. Spending money efficiently is one of my stronger skills.

The best part is still coming

Now that the big decisions are done, the fun part begins. The details. Art, accessories, cushions, lighting, plants. All the little things that bring a space together. My husband knows exactly what this phase looks like. Every time I say, “I was thinking…,” there is a brief moment of silence on his end. He knows what is coming. Either something needs to be painted. Or something needs to be bought. Usually both. But that is part of the process. You cannot create a beautiful space without a bit of vision. And sometimes, that vision comes with a price.

Phase three has officially begun

So here we are. Phase three is underway. The ground floor is about to be completely transformed, and I am ready for it. Armed with a mood board, a cup of coffee, and a notebook full of ideas. My husband is ready too. He just might not fully realize it yet.