READY, SET, REAHAB! Minneapolis remodel gets worse before it gets better.
If any of you watch old movies, you might have noticed that in 1940 romances he carries her over the threshold of a dump he has just purchased where they will start their lives together. She is thrilled, and even misty among the rubble. Next morning, after she prepares a stack of waffles, sausage and Maxwell House coffee for her man, she sets to work on the house. By the time he gets home at 5PM, the shack is transformed into a darling cottage that is cleaned, painted with a remodeled kitchen complete with new curtains made by the bride. All this is accomplished with time for her to cook a sumptuous dinner. 
Women are wondering who wrote those scripts, and the men are laughing. Rehabs get worse before they get better, and it takes a little more than 8 hours. Rehabbing takes careful planning, a timeline, permits, materials, and some helping hands. The Minneapolis duplex in Uptown is under way, and it looks awful. Rehab is messy. The kitchens have vanished, and bathrooms are a mere shell. Only stubs of plumbing lines remain and most of the old lead tubes lie on the floor waiting copper replacement. Wires dangle everywhere since the whole house is being rewired and replummed. Some walls are stripped to the lathe, the ugly faux wood laminate in the living room is a thing of the past. Underlying lathe and plaster walls are in good shape, but covered with a vintage printed wallpaper. The main floor bathroom is gone completely, it is being moved to another location and the space will be replaced by a sunny second bedroom, although you’d never know from the looks of it today. All the carpets are gone, revealing solid hardwood floors that will eventually gleam again. The second floor bath is pulled apart, its being reconfigured. The third floor bath will also be moved. Right now the tub abuts a low slanted knee wall for a ceiling. Unless you are 4 feet tall you cannot stand in the tub much less take a shower. It is a small space that feels smaller because the slanted roofline only has full height at the center. Clever planning and use of space will give it new life and openness.
The first phase is to take out what isn’t working or outdated,clear it out to make space for the new. The false ceilings on the first floor have been removed, new framing already replaced it. All the original millwork, doors, architectural details, and floors will be preserved and restored. But, that is in upcoming projects. Wiring and plumbing come first. The main sewer line has a crack, and needs to be replaced too. Next, plans for the kitchen and baths. Stay tuned.
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