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[p_xavier]

HomeGAF Putting your hard hat on!

As someone who loves to build stuff, Im amazed that GAF doesnt have its own construction thread (or Im lousy at handling the search engine). My new place is currently in construction, and I would like to show you the complete process of reconverting an old factory space to a modern loft, be...

www.neogaf.com

As someone who lives by home restorations and renovations, I want to show you what I'll be doing with my recently acquired 1968 house. The link above is what I did with my previous condos. Hopefully you'll share your ideas and tips for an house renovation!

 

[rykomatsu]

We are planning on relocating to a more rural area in the next year or so. Still undecided on buy land and build or your traditional real estate purchase, but I'll keep an eye on this thread for ideas.

Personally, would love to do a barndominium with a large shop / car space, though with all the heat and humidity here, HVAC costs might be insane...

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

I wish I had the know how and experience you do mate. I'll be watching the thread for updates. We renovated our old house twice and I got in myself with basic labour but don't have any of the carpentry or construction skills beyond lending a hand. We finally opted to demolish and build a new house, I miss that old house but enjoy the new one. Respect for your efforts and I'm curious on the results.

 

[p_xavier]

We are planning on relocating to a more rural area in the next year or so. Still undecided on buy land and build or your traditional real estate purchase, but I'll keep an eye on this thread for ideas.

Personally, would love to do a barndominium with a large shop / car space, though with all the heat and humidity here, HVAC costs might be insane...

I put an offer on a bigger house than I had. Teleworking means I don't need to travel everyday.

 

[p_xavier]

I wish I had the know how and experience you do mate. I'll be watching the thread for updates. We renovated our old house twice and I got in myself with basic labour but don't have any of the carpentry or construction skills beyond lending a hand. We finally opted to demolish and build a new house, I miss that old house but enjoy the new one. Respect for your efforts and I'm curious on the results.

I'm handicapped one hand (bone degeneration) and wasn't terribly good but practicing makes it much better. I have a friend that lands me a hand, litterally.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I have no tips or wisdom to share. I am an amateur who just finished wiring and paneling my basement so thanks for sharing the thread. I'll take a look for inevitable future projects.

 

[p_xavier]

I forgot that I had started this thread. Basically I'm currently renovating my entire basement. I've finished my main floor last year. Here are some pics of my renovated space. I didn't have much budget last year so it's not as high end as I hoped for.

My bedroom :

Deck with BBQ

Living room:

 

[p_xavier]

Still some decoration to be finished. Working on that today.

Guest bedroom : (trying to align the damn pictures)

Dining room :

 

[p_xavier]

While the upper floor I wanted a military theme, the basement I want is more modern. The basement was renovated in the 90s so it was not as bad but I don't like much of the look. I will only keep the floors and layout, will redo most of the rest. I should be done in a month or so. I have a budget of 65k CDN.

So a few pics of "before":

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Woah. Super impressive.

 

[haxan7]

I forgot that I had started this thread. Basically I'm currently renovating my entire basement. I've finished my main floor last year. Here are some pics of my renovated space. I didn't have much budget last year so it's not as high end as I hoped for.

My bedroom :

Deck with BBQ

Living room:

I don't think I could make my place look that good even with an unlimited budget and infinite free time. I guess I'd have to hire a designer.

 

[p_xavier]

Here's my plan :

Redoing the baseboards of the entire basement (5k$)
Do 2 concrete walls, one in the living room, one in the office (3k$)
New ceiling tiles in metal for two rooms and bathroom (7k$)
Extra/new furniture for the basement (5k$)
Bathroom hardware (15k$)
Bathroom tiles (5k$)
Plumber/electrician costs (5k$)
Paint (2k$)
...And a 10k$ buffer.

 

[p_xavier]

I don't think I could make my place look that good even with an unlimited budget and infinite free time. I guess I'd have to hire a designer.

I found my previous places more up to my style (link in first post). I only had 30k$ to renovate a whole floor last year, including a kitchen (but excluding appliances) so I was stretched fairly thin, especially with the costs of materials so high last year.

 

[haxan7]

I found my previous places more up to my style (link in first post). I only had 30k$ to renovate a whole floor last year, including a kitchen (but excluding appliances) so I was stretched fairly thin, especially with the costs of materials so high last year.

Old place does look sexier but I'd take the single house, basement, and water view any day.

 

[p_xavier]

Old place does look sexier but I'd take the single house, basement, and water view any day.

Well that was my call too! Especially that the house is a few minutes walk to a train station... I can't drive so, was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

I really got a great view from the end of the land. I bought two kayaks and a paddle board when I have guests so it's nice to entertain.

 

[p_xavier]

So I'm redoing/finishing these rooms :

Office/small bedroom
Small bedroom (adult play room)
Arcade room
Gym space

I unfortunately don't have the money this year, but the hallway will be a future wet bar area.

Inspiration is modern architecture and late 80s early 90s culture (punk, arcade etc.) I will try to pull it out by having concrete/black walls as the main focus.

Here is part of my mood board.

(3 bathroom/shower walls and wet bar area)

(you can't be more French Canadian than the tile company's name)

 

[Krappadizzle]

That's awesome.

My wife relinquished the down stairs den area to me to let me do with whatever I want. I'd eventually like to install a bunch of shelves and an arcade cabinet. I also have this 2 story shed in my backyard that has say essentially empty for the better part of the last 3 years aside from some of my dads motorcycles. Though, with how tight money has become, none of the things I'd like to get done will get done for quite a while I'd bet.

 

[AJUMP23]

So you like black minimalist style. Good work.

 

[Mossybrew]

Yeah that is soooo not my style, but kudos to you if you like it.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

That BBQ deck and view is the stuff of dreams mate. Love it.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Those bedsheets look different than I've ever seen. What are they made of?

 

[p_xavier]

Those bedsheets look different than I've ever seen. What are they made of?

Sheep leather.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

Still some decoration to be finished. Working on that today.

Guest bedroom : (trying to align the damn pictures)

Dining room :

No giant dongs for the guests? Rude.

 

[p_xavier]

No giant dongs for the guests? Rude.

Look closer in the numbered lockers.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

While the upper floor I wanted a military theme, the basement I want is more modern. The basement was renovated in the 90s so it was not as bad but I don't like much of the look. I will only keep the floors and layout, will redo most of the rest. I should be done in a month or so. I have a budget of 65k CDN.

So a few pics of "before":

Also, you should switch to book shelf speakers if you don't have the floor space to accommodate floor standing ones. As an audio nerd, this triggered me. But seriously everything else looks very nice man.

 

[p_xavier]

Also, you should switch to book shelf speakers if you don't have the floor space to accommodate floor standing ones. As an audio nerd, this triggered me. But seriously everything else looks very nice man.

You're quoting the pics where I didn't do anything yet lol. About the speakers, I used to have bookshelf ones but prefer these, even if yes they're designed to be on the floor. I just find the sound more direct to my ears plus the smaller Atmos speakers are closer to the ceiling and sound clearer for audio separation.

 

[Maiden Voyage]

You're quoting the pics where I didn't do anything yet lol. About the speakers, I used to have bookshelf ones but prefer these, even if yes they're designed to be on the floor. I just find the sound more direct to my ears plus the smaller Atmos speakers are closer to the ceiling and sound clearer for audio separation.

As long as you enjoy it brother. Love your setup. The dedication to large objects being inserted into yourself and others is real. I am curious if you work in the industry or are just a mega fan. Either way, you seem like one of the most interesting people I would love to have a drink with sometime.

 

[p_xavier]

As long as you enjoy it brother. Love your setup. The dedication to large objects being inserted into yourself and others is real. I am curious if you work in the industry or are just a mega fan. Either way, you seem like one of the most interesting people I would love to have a drink with sometime.

The big dildo was a gift from my old boss by the way. Just to say how different things are in Quebec.

And no, I'm just a sex addict, well I'm addicted easily to anything really. I did a few porn scenes when I was younger but I don't have the confidence. Many of my friends are ex porn stars. My day job is in IT and I teach aerospace engineering courses part time. Design and architecture I'm a bit fan as well as the history and reasons behind it, hence the nickname.

And thanks for the drink, if a meetup is planned, I'll buy you one.

 

[p_xavier]

So two cans of identical paint, not the same colour. Will need to repaint the whole thing... Tip, don't try to paint at night if you can't see the colours well.

 

[Chittagong]

Tom of Finland vodka

 

[p_xavier]

Tom of Finland vodka

I didn't take you as one of the "vodka" club?

 

[Chittagong]

I didn't take you as one of the "vodka" club?

Many of the most important people in my life are in the "vodka" club

 

[StreetsofBeige]

That's slick looking renos.

I like the white/grey/black colour tones too. My place is kind of similar, but not as new or nice as your set ups.

Shit! How big is that BBQ?

 

[p_xavier]

That's slick looking renos.

I like the white/grey/black colour tones too. My place is kind of similar, but not as new or nice as your set ups.

Shit! How big is that BBQ?

91" wide. Got it from a Weber vendor from Alberta, couldn't get it here directly. I prefer big meat in general.

 

[p_xavier]

Old baseboards removed and new doors are installed. I injured myself playing PS5 (really) so I have to take a break for about a week until my left wrist heals.

 

[haxan7]

Old baseboards removed and new doors are installed. I injured myself playing PS5 (really) so I have to take a break for about a week until my left wrist heals.

dark theme

 

[p_xavier]

dark theme

Matches the new wall colours.

 

[p_xavier]

So broke my brand new medicine cabinet trying to work on it because of my bad hand (so 500$ replacement... at least will get it in the upcoming week). And anyone else who ever got a contusion playing with a PS5 remote? I find it such a silly thing.

 

[mitch1971]

 

[Mistake]

p_xavier you should really look up wrist stretches on youtube. I messed up my left wrist a long time ago, and it started getting a lot worse from playing games, but after I did those I almost never have problems now

 

[p_xavier]

Hand is getting better. I finished painting and installed one concrete wall. It's polished concrete on a cardboard substrate. Really easy to cut and it took about 3 hours to be done with a friend.

Next will be moldings when my wrist is fully healed.

 

[jshackles]

I've done a massive amount of home renovation in the last two years. In 2020, I bought an old trailer home from the early 90s that still had its original everything. It's been a massive chore getting it to a livable state (while living in it!). There is still a lot of work that needs done.

I'd post pictures, but after seeing p_xavier 's setup I'm extremely embarrassed of how incredibly plain my place looks by comparison.

 

[p_xavier]

I've done a massive amount of home renovation in the last two years. In 2020, I bought an old trailer home from the early 90s that still had its original everything. It's been a massive chore getting it to a livable state (while living in it!). There is still a lot of work that needs done.

I'd post pictures, but after seeing p_xavier 's setup I'm extremely embarrassed of how incredibly plain my place looks by comparison.

Please share, this thread shouldn't only be about me. I did used to go into custom everything, but I didn't do well much for this one. Sometimes doing just different from contractor grade makes a big difference. I also live alone so no one to argue about my choices. Even my last condo, an entire black kitchen was seen as crazy for everyone that worked with me on the project and the place won a design prize.

 

[jshackles]

OK - I couldn't find a "true" before photo of this bathroom I redid. Because when we bought the place, all the bathrooms had shag carpet in them, and it was extremely disgusting. So this first photo was after I had ripped the carpet out of this bathroom I found the original linoleum tile, also gross.

And here is the finished product:

Spoiler: WIP for anyone that cares

First, I took out the tile they had around the vanity, and pulled up the air return vent (gross)

Next, I removed the toilet

Started to demo the vanity (it was original to the house)

Goodbye ugly vanity

Cleaned up a bit

Coat of primer on the walls

Paint going on

Paint on, but drying

Starting on the flooring

Getting there

Done with the floor!

Toilet going back in

Here comes the new vanity

Getting there!

All together now

Hung the mirror, put fixtures on the walls, replaced shower head

I guess... thanks for going on this journey with me.

The whole project took me about two days. Like a lot of the stuff I did when I first moved in, this was like "version 2.0" of this room where I'm probably on version 4 or 5 now (replaced toilet, retiled shower, etc.) but it was "good enough" to at least start living in. Definitely an improvement over the urine-soaked-for-years carpet and the 30-year-old particleboard vanity.

There has to be at least 50 of these types of projects I've done on this house since I moved in. I probably have 50 more on my "to do" list.

 

[Sub_Level]

Installed a toilet bidet yesterday. Took a solid 25 min. I suppose you could say I'm something of a scientist.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

I fixed a fly screen that had fallen off because our dog hammered it chasing a possum. I'm doing my laymen part. I even had to use that wheel thingy to fix the screen into place again, nice and tight.

 

[p_xavier]

Installed a toilet bidet yesterday. Took a solid 25 min. I suppose you could say I'm something of a scientist.

With mixed water I hope, cold only you'll get hemroids.

 

[ResilientBanana]

I forgot that I had started this thread. Basically I'm currently renovating my entire basement. I've finished my main floor last year. Here are some pics of my renovated space. I didn't have much budget last year so it's not as high end as I hoped for.

My bedroom :

Deck with BBQ

Living room:

Not judging, but I don't know if you know this or not, but there's a concrete dick on what looks to be your dresser.

 

[p_xavier]

Not judging, but I don't know if you know this or not, but there's a concrete dick on what looks to be your dresser.

Yes it was a gift from my old boss.

 

[haxan7]

With mixed water I hope, cold only you'll get hemroids.

Didn't know that. I'll have to take that into account for my future bidet plans. My anal integrity must be protected.