August - Priming & Painting

August kicked off with a huge help from my wonderful family! They tackled the priming of the bottom unit, while I dove headfirst into the walls. Ten layers of cracking paint clinging to cracking lath and plaster presented a serious challenge. My tools and materials included joint compound, wood glue, an orbital sander, and foam sanding blocks. It was a meticulous process, but the results were worth it.

The living room ceiling, also lath and plaster, was in even worse shape, riddled with cracks and sagging from years of Midwest humidity seeping in through open windows. Plaster washers, liquid nails, and more wood glue became my go-to solution. After securing the plaster, I applied a fresh layer of drywall mud, carefully matching the existing ceiling texture for a uniform appearance.

A few weeks later, my amazing girlfriend (now wife!) helped transform the rooms with fresh coats of paint, breathing new life into the space. I continued the wall repairs, painted all the laith and plaster ceiling, meticulously painted the trim and window frames, and replaced outdated outlets throughout the house. The "vanilla bean" (aka "cigarette yellow," my friend's spot-on description) and the disgusting turquoise dining room are finally gone (objective opinions).

I wish I had more photos to share from this period, but unfortunately, I was more focused on getting things done and hadn’t considered needing the pictures for anything later.