Renovating - simple pleasures

While the show Renovators can clearly be described as simple (isn’t it just Masterchef with hammers?) It is definitely not a pleasure.

However doing renovations for oneself can be pleasurable. Surprisingly so.

Of course there is the ultimate pleasure of finishing the work and sitting back and enjoying your own handiwork, but if this is the only pleasure then so many pleasures have been missed – in what reality television would describe as “the journey”.

In amongst the hard work, unintended damage to property and self and endless expenses there are many moments to be enjoyed and savoured.

Stripping. Paint, stripping paint. What a rush when a long strip of paint comes off in one go. The sense of dominance and power! It is like the feeling of peeling an apple in a way that ends with one long strip of peel, but so much better. Stripping paint using nothing but a scraper can have its success moments but is more likely to result in frustration. Throw in some paint stripper chemicals and the high received is not just due to the fumes. Paint on the chemicals and then place then scrape from one end of the house to the other. What joy!

Lifting floor boards or carpet, demolishing a defunct kitchen, all of these create the same rush. It is the of power of destruction. It is one of the few times we can get in touch with our inner super hero. Sure we are dominating an inanimate object rather than a master villain but the victory is just as sweet.

Deciding new paint colour or wall paper. The sense of excitement walking back into your home with the paint tins or rolls of paper. It is the excitement of possibility. Definitely a moment to pause and enjoy as it will soon be ruined by the reality of your actual skill. The first lick of paint or strip of paper that hits the wall is equally exhilarating. It is only when you realise that the cutting in is not as accurate as you hoped or that the pattern you chose on the wall paper whilst spectacular is really difficult to line up.

Packing away the tools at the end of one part of the work is satisfying, regardless of the countless weekends ahead to finish the entire job. Rejoice in the small milestones. Especially if you are like my dad who may be a little ADHD and is easily distracted, which means my childhood home is full of unfinished maintenance and renovation jobs.

The exhausted shower/bath at the end of the day that never completely removes the grime and residue of the work. This is one of the most soothing shower/bath one can ever have. Waking the next morning still sore from the previous day’s labour is not as rewarding. Pulling back the covers to discover that the grime that would not be removed in the shower despite scrubbing to the point of bleeding has miraculously shifted itself simply by laying still wrapped in material – the very material it now seems to be covering.

Of course the ultimate moment during renovations is the drink/food break, made all the more sweet if someone else prepares and serves the refreshments. There is something unique about being sweaty, slightly exhausted with stiffening muscles and consuming items with your hands that may or may not have the residue of toxic chemicals used only moments before. If there are traces of toxins present then that may lead to a whole set of moments to be enjoyed and savoured – but that might be the topic of a different blog.