December 10th celebrates 3 years in my little townhouse.  I realize this may not seem like a particularly long time, but for me it’s huge.  It is actually the longest I’ve lived in any one place since Alaska, and I left there in 1999 so we’re talking a decade.  Wow.

But that’s a topic for another post.  This post is about flooring.

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’ll be familiar with some of the drama that I’ve had to face being a homeowner.  This has included a rogue washing machine, appliance issues, and a suicidal heat pump.  Owning an older home typically also includes a vast wish list of improvements, enhancements, changes, or other adjustments either to make the home your own, or to at least bring it into the current decade.

My townhouse was built in 1987 when Cindi Lauper, Def Leppard, and sheet linoleum were all the rage.  Since moving in, I have repainted every wall (and I mean EVERY wall) of the house, I have put up new closet shelving, replaced appliances and the roof.  I painted the kitchen cabinets, put in a pantry, and even added built-in shelves (that I made myself, I might add) to the bathroom.  Still, these are all very minor compared to some of the items I still have on my to-do.

One of my dreams for my little space is to replace the floors.  As I discussed in my original Hopelessly Devoted to Hardwood post, replacing the pre-Deb carpet in the downstairs with hardwood was certainly at the top of my list and I am most happy to report that this week it has actually happened!

That’s right – hardwood floors now abound throughout my downstairs.  No more hidden dirt and grime.  No more haven for dust mites.  No more fearing what might lie in wait between the fibers of the nasty-ass carpet.  Swiffer is my new best friend.  The new floor starts at the door and carries through the powder room, entryway, and back through the dining & living rooms.  It looks fabulous.  It makes the whole downstairs feel bigger and lighter.  I couldn’t concentrate on the debate last night because I was so distracted by my floor’s beauty…and I can’t wait to get home tonight just to look at it some more.

Of course the staircase and the second floor are still carpeted, but that’s okay – it’s going to be replaced with better, clean, safer carpet.  Carpet that I wouldn’t be afraid to lie down on.

Naturally I’ll take pictures (or better yet, a video!) and post on here, but in the meantime I just wanted to share the joy.  The only thing outstanding now is the kitchen…  The floor was ripped up in there as well because it ran into the hallway, but is now just a mess of paper backing from the original linoleum.  It’s weird and rough and messy and smells funny.  I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it past the weekend with it like that…

Anyone interested in helping me tile?

Later that same day…

Look at my shiny new floors!