So Close We Can Feel It

After finally uncovering the beauty of the upstairs floors, it felt almost cruel to turn right around and cover them back up so work could continue. I could have happily sat and admired those floors for weeks… but I keep reminding myself that day is coming soon enough.

With the floors tucked safely away, the crew jumped right into the next phase: hanging doors, prepping and painting crown molding, trimming out windows and doorways, and adding wainscoting to the walls.

It’s a strange kind of excitement being this close to the finish line, but still only getting to experience the space in pieces. I know delayed gratification is supposed to be the sweet part… but that doesn’t make the waiting any easier.

Just as things were gaining momentum, the crew had to pause and clear the space for HVAC installation — units and a spiral duct that will bring everything together behind the scenes. What started as a “quick, we need access” moment has turned into a couple of weeks waiting for schedules to align.

And honestly? I’m taking it in stride.

After everything this renovation has taught us, a little waiting feels like part of the rhythm now. The HVAC team is wonderful (and very busy), and I’m hopeful we’ll see big progress while we’re closed for Spring Break.

(Spring Break update: the cameras are capturing the HVAC team in motion while we are away - hoooray!!).

We’re so close to wrapping up the upstairs. Close enough to start dreaming about what comes next. And as excited as I am to see these final details come together, I can’t help but feel a new kind of anticipation building… because once we cross this finish line, it’s time to head back downstairs and begin the next chapter of this renovation story. One space at a time, this old building is coming back to life.

And the best part is, we get to bring it back to life together.