Red ladder propped against brick building with trees and lawn in foreground.

I'm learning to love the middle


I got the keys to my building in March and in the beginning my emotions were 100% centered around excitement. I mean... demo and dreaming of finished spaces was what consumed my every waking moment. Then things happen with a 100 year old building and the management of people and expectations... surprises come up. Things you don't expect. Then bills come in. Luckily I've remained debt-free but the big ticket items (contractor, sub contractors, some higher end finishes I've chosen, etc...) are on the horizon. And that is wearing on me. Plus the fact that I'm so anxious to move out of my current studio and start anew. I've been painting every chance I get and doing what I can to expedite things. It's energy draining, but also feels so promising that (little by little) that progress is being made.


Every time we leave a huddle, we say 'progress.... not perfection!'

Person looking through a blue circular object against a light green wall.
Collection of framed black and white photographs laid out on a concrete floor.
Construction site showing yellow support beams and renovation materials in a room with green walls.
Sequence showing installation of black framed artwork on white walls during renovation.
Progress shots of cabinet installation with white walls and black fixtures being mounted.
Workers installing insulation material in basement walls during renovation project.
Construction workers installing new fixtures and cabinets in a room under renovation.
Installation sequence of bathroom fixtures including toilet and grab bars in white tiled space.
Person on ladder performing maintenance work shown in sequential shots.
Close-up of paint-covered hands and clothing during renovation work.
Workers in casual clothing working on renovations in an empty room.
White bathroom under renovation with exposed fixtures and blue painter's tape visible.
Person on ladder working on ceiling renovation shown in progressive stages.
Person sitting and working near baseboards during room renovation.
Exterior view of brick building with multiple windows and weathered windowsills.

Hoping to be in end of July


...which I think is realistic and doable. And hopefully into living there by the end of August.


Here's a punch list of what has to happen between now and then... and this is just for the studio.

  • new drywall hung/finished
  • old electrical holes patched
  • painting/touch ups
  • doors hung/replaced
  • countertop installation
  • floor painting
  • finish tile installation (I measured, so of course we ran out. Waiting for more tile to arrive)
  • light fixture installation (right now, I have ZERO lights! so I'm restricted to working during the daylight)
  • curtain installation
  • artwork installation!
  • ADA bathroom requirements (such a grey area... hope I'm doing this right)
  • dirt work and landscaping
  • windows reglazed/repainted
  • move in!

Want to be one of the first in the new studio?