Our home remodel is no longer some generally imagined event set for an indefinite future date. After nearly a year of myriad delays involving bureaucratic red tape, geological surveys, asbestos concerns, timing conflicts and other drama, it's become a reality. Once my husband started construction of the temporary kitchen, the plan became all too real. In the past week, the temporary kitchen, set up on the north end of the house, went from this:
To this:
Our master bathroom, which lies on the other side of that temporary kitchen, was once a light-filled space. It's now dark as a cave. The flash of pink you see inside the new space is a reflection of the
Leptospermum I can no longer see reflected in the bathroom mirror.
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| Both shrubs are now in full bloom |
I can still see a small portion of the garden, framed by the kitchen's walls, but that view will also disappear as soon as the door is installed.
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| I never really appreciated this planter backed by lavender until it was the only thing I can see from inside the house |
The temporary kitchen will have a camp stove, a refrigerator and a small sink. During construction the pantry will be in our bedroom. Our dishes may end up in my husband's bureau. My friends tell me that the whole experience will be worth it in the end but I have my doubts. In addition to worrying about the stress on my cat, I'm wondering how much of my garden is going to get trampled. I already know that I'm going to lose at least a few plants to new HVAC equipment.
Preparations are ramping up. In addition to the current kitchen, which will be gutted, the living and dining rooms need to be packed up and cleared. We have to move patio furniture to provide work space for the construction crew adjacent to the kitchen. And there are purchases that still have to be made. The compost tumbler near the garage has to be moved (I've forgotten why) and, as the unit has been steadily disintegrating since we moved in, we've decided to chuck it in the demolition bin, so I cleaned it out this week.
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| I sifted out the remaining contents of the tumbler so it's ready to go |
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| The finished compost went into this raised planter, which I finally cleared of basil, oregano and chives to make room for some of the dahlias that sprouted since I planted the tubers in temporary pots |
I piled the material that wasn't yet suitable for use as compost at the bottom of my back slope until I can set up new composting bins. Who knows, I may spend a lot of time down at the bottom of the slope this summer, seeking peace from the construction process. Maybe I'll finally get some of the ivy and honeysuckle cleared out down there.
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| It looks as though I'll have company. I sighted a bunny hiding out there yesterday morning. |
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All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
