Why It’s Taking 3 Years to Renovate 700 Square Feet

And a perfect pizza for when everything is everywhere.

I’m renovating. I have been since the November of 2022. I will continue to be until sometime in 2026.

My mother, quite rightly by most people’s estimations, said I should move in with my sister, who lives 10 minutes away, for six or eight weeks and just get my whole condo renovated at once.

Bite the bullet, rip off the Band-Aid.

In theory that’s not a bad idea: I like my sister. I like her family. Even the kids. We would get on well for a few weeks, or months, potentially.

And renovations, while exciting in the planning phase and delightfully satisfying in the completion phase, are an absolute pain in the ass in the during phase. Drawing it out just seems to be a torturous exercise in frustration.

And my condo is only 700 square feet; I would only need to vacate for a few months, max. Not like some of my friends who have completely rebuilt their homes and been left homeless for close to a year.

In theory, these are all good arguments.

In practice, not wise. When all is done and dusted (and there has been a lot of dusting) it will take nearly four years to renovate my entire home.

I know that timeline seems ridiculous, but it makes sense on every level: financially, I can tackle one or two projects a year. I don’t like taking on unnecessary debt, and right now, my renovations are a want and not a need, so I can’t justify taking out a loan — especially at current interest rates. Sadly, I forgot to plant a money tree, so I have no other option but old-fashioned budgeting and saving. It’s not sexy, but it allows me to sleep at night.

While money is a very good reason to spread out the upgrades, it’s turning out there are more – and potentially more important – reasons for crawling through the renos.

Flexibility is Not Just for Yoga

Before + After. From basic shelving to a sleek hutch.

Everyone loves a grand reveal – a mess in the morning that –TA-DA! – is a picture of breathtaking elegance by the evening.

That works on HGTV, I’m coming to realize, not IRL.

Since I started planning these renovations, I’ve had my heart set on a white quartz tulip table as my next dining table.  

My heart literally skipped a beat when I saw one on Facebook Marketplace for about half the price as others I’ve seen of lesser quality. I messaged the seller immediately asking if I could pick it up next week.

While waiting for his response, I realized… I don’t think I want a white quartz tulip table, after all.

My condo has one big room where the kitchen blends into the dining room which blends into the living room. My new coffee hutch is south of where the table is situated, and the kitchen is east, creating a loose L shape. The table goes in the corner of the L.

The coffee hutch has a stunning white quartz countertop, and the kitchen design is also planned for a white quartz countertop. To add a table with a white quartz top, would make my small space look like a skating rink. It’s not a look I want (no offence to the ISU.)

I’m now thinking a mid-century wood table would add some texture and interest. We’ll see. I don’t have new furniture budgeted until 2025. I’ve got time.

But this is just one example of literally dozens the slow build has allowed me.

Rejection is Redirection

I know, embarrassing. But the upgrade will be soooo good once it's done.

I’m currently renovating my office. A 100-square-foot, windowless space that, because of its darkness, and as the antidote its all-business formality, I envisioned designing in a slightly Palm Springs, Slim Aarons whimsy.

With the custom cabinetry designed and ordered, I took to the internet to find my desired wallpaper (large, green leaf graphic), lighting (gigantic white bulbs on gold track), and a desk (an airy and sleek white and gold table.)

As I loaded up my wish list, I had a rare moment of clarity: what if it doesn’t fit? I lack any kind of spatial ability, so I reasoned it might be best to just wait until the cabinets are installed to see the scope of the space.

Sure enough, now that ¾ of the work is complete and I can see the reach of an open door, my dream track lighting will hang too low to fit. Only flat lighting will work.

The desk size? I really can’t go beyond a compact 40 inches if everything is to flow.

And perhaps the large leaf wallpaper might be overwhelming in such a small and artificially lit room.

Let the Space Speak to You

Opposite the brick wall, I painted the sitting area white, and installed a 10 foot floating shelf for texture, interest, and … storage.

This sounds airy fairy. But I believe in airy fairy. It’s far better than believing anything else that’s going on right now.

My bathroom upgrade – a total gut job – is scheduled for August. It’s desperately needed, as after 18 years of living, and an urgent pipe repair a few years ago, has left the cheap, builder’s grade cupboards and tile broken and beaten up.

I’ve decided a walk-in shower will replace the tub. I’ve heard all the worries and objections: my condo will lose value, it will be difficult to resell, I will miss taking baths. Doubt it, I’ve been here 18 years, and, possibly.

After living in the space and using it multiple times a day, I know a walk-in shower is best for my style and my needs. I do like taking baths, but I’ll never fit a proper soaker tub in the 5x8 washroom, so it would be silly to wedge another tub in there that ultimately won’t get used. I’ll just have to treat myself to a spa day when the need for a soak strikes.

By waiting – even though my bathroom is an utter embarrassment – I’ve been able to concentrate and pay attention to what will work, and what won’t. Even when it’s a bummer.

The 10% Rule

The before, a fairly beige room

The almost after… brick installed but before the bulkhead had a wood covering

It’s true what they say about budgeting 10% more time and more money to any renovation.

I suggest 25% is more realistic.

Budget and time are serious considerations when figuring out my plan of attack. For example, my bathroom is the only one I have, and the project is estimated to take about two weeks. Clearly, I can’t be here during the rebuild, so I’ve scheduled it for when I’m at the cottage in August. I’d love to get it done earlier, but it would be too disruptive to my schedule.

We had expected the office would take one day to install the cabinetry. But screws were missing, handles still need to be sourced, the whole issue with the light fixture, and top piece needed to be recut. So, with nothing more he could do, my contractor called it a day at 6pm, saying he would finish the job next Saturday, a full week later (he had another job booked throughout the week, meaning he couldn’t come back for this unanticipated set back until the weekend) leaving me with an unusable office that looks like a Home Depot exploded in it. Shit happens.

It’s just a few more years.

Reno Schedule

November 2022: Repair flood damage to the ceiling. This includes scrapping all the popcorn and smoothing into a flat surface. Install a brick finish on the longest wall in the living area, and wood shelves under the kitchen island.

January 2023: Paint the entire condo Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace” white (from the original 2008 “early aughts beige.”) Change all the doors and hardware. Install a 10-foot floating shelf in the living room. Install a wood finish on the bulkhead to make it look like a beam.

March 2024: Coffee hutch installed (original date of completion was fall 2023… but the custom cabinetry was wildly delayed for many reasons.)

June 2024: Office reno (this was to be done in April, but an Italy trip on my end meant delaying until I could properly deal with it.)

August 2024: Bathroom reno

2025: floors replaced, new bedroom, dining room and living room furniture.

2026: kitchen reno

White Pizza with Asparagus and Pancetta

The office reno has been impressively disruptive for such a compact space.

I spent all of Friday moving everything out of the office, including emptying my old desk and bookcase.

Stuff has landed all over my table, kitchen counters, and the floor.

So, with literally nothing more than my stove top and the one foot piece of counter separating it from my fridge, I made a quick, and impressively delicious flat bread pizza for dinner.

Ingredients:

• Store bought flatbread

• 1/2 cup garlic béchamel*

• 1 cup cubed pancetta

• 6 asparagus spears, trimmed, peeled and cut

• 1 shallot, minced

• kalamata olives, sliced

• 1 oz parmesan, grated

How to Make It:

1. Heat the oven to 400°F

2. In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the pancetta until the fat is rendered, add the shallot and the asparagus and cook about two minutes longer until the vegetables have softened a little. Remove from the heat and reserve.

3. Place the flatbread on a parchment lined baking tray. Spread the béchamel across the flatbread, then scatter the pancetta mixture over the béchamel.

4. Scatter olives and grate the parm over the vegetables.

5. Bake for about 5 minutes, keeping an eye so it doesn’t burn. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then slices and serve.

*Garlic Béchamel Sauce

Don’t be intimidated by the fancy French name, this is stunningly easy to make, and holds surprisingly well.

Makes: 1.5 cups
Chef level: Easy

Ingredients

• 2 oz butter

• 2 Tbsp flour

• 1 cup 10% cream

• 4 cloves garlic, gently crushed but left whole

• Salt and Pepper

How to Make It:

1. Add the cream and garlic cloves to a small sauce pan set over low heat, allow to cook, stirring often so as not to get a skin, until the garlic has softened and infused the cream. About 15 minutes.

2. Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a deep pan, turn the heat down to low and add the flour whisking constantly until it’s incorporated and faintly nutty smelling, about 2 minutes.

3. Add the garlic cream, a little at a time, whisking constantly to get out any lumps, when all the cream has been added to the butter/flour mixture, add a pinch of salt and a few cranks of black pepper. The sauce should be fairly thick; if not cook gently until it’s thick enough to spread on the flatbread. (Make ahead: place parchment on top of the béchamel so a skin doesn’t form, then warm before using. You may need a splash more milk to loosen it back up. )

Asparagus Season is Here!

But not for long.

I am milking this short, gloriously verdant time for all it’s worth. If you missed my asparagus menu from least week, I’ve included it below.

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Thanks so much for your time and attention – I’m delighted you are here.

xo- Erin