More Demo

 Demo continues as the roof comes off of the Florida room and the storage closet illegally built onto the side of the house is removed.

The Demo Permit Is Approved

 Nobody likes waiting but unfortunately that’s part of the process. The Demo Permit was approved in Mid March. It is so great to see things moving ahead, right now we’re in the “it’s going to get worse before it gets better”phase. When we saw the house with the Florida room (future kitchen) removed we did ask ourselves if we should have just started from scratch - but only for a moment. We’re committed to rebuilding this mid-century modern home.

Perfecting The Plan

Pete and I (mostly Pete) had done just about everything that could be done on the original interior demo permit long ago.

We  found architect Robin Dedon through a sales rep for a window company. It was a lengthy process developing the plan, revising the plan and approving  the final plan for submitting to the Fort Lauderdale building department.We are excited to get going.....

And there is always Yard work ...

 When we need something to do to keep us busy while we are waiting for permits ...there is always some yard work...

Plants grow quickly here.  Once a month we have bulk garbage pickup. Our first pile of yard waste followed the guidelines - the pile can’t be larger than a small car - it was definitely that big.

We also like to go to nurseries to look at different plants for future landscaping.  It turns out to be a pretty safe activity during the pandemic and it’s a delight for the senses.

Floor Demo - December 5/6

 For some reason there was a two inch layer of concrete over the living room, laundry room, and hallway areas. We decided to remove it ourselves. We wondered if we might be able to save the existing terrazzo floors. Unfortunately they aren’t salvageable (Pete didn’t really like the “baby poo gold”color anyway.  We had fun breaking up the concrete and tossing the chunks. It was very satisfying work.

Soil Test

 Soil Test

One of the big things to arrange before the building permit could be submitted was the soil test.  This test involved two borings. One was done in the front yard and one went right through the floor where our new kitchen will go.  On December second the company arrived with their equipment and began drilling. The drill in the kitchen area pulled up a treasure. Surprisingly intact was a small glass bottle. After the mud was cleaned off we could read the words Bayer Company. Yes, it was a small aspirin bottle. I guess the previous builders had their headaches as well.

Building Together

 It has been so long since I posted some thing on y blog that I don't remember how to do it...I hope I can figure it out without too much frustration.

So much has happened since I posted here but I thought it might be a good platform for journaling about our house project.

This is what has happened so far. Pete has visited and explored the east coast of Florida for several years.  I have tagged along with hie the last three years for a week or two at a time. His dream of a winter place in Florida started to get really serious in October of 2019 when we travelled to look at a specific property.  We connected with a great Realator Rita Meagher for the viewing. That property didn't work out but, she spent the day with us and got us in to see a real fixer-upper. 

 I could see Pete was smitten right away.  The 1948 mid-century modern home was quirky but he said "It had good bones". It was located in the wonderful neighborhood of Victoria Park.  One draw for the house was that it is in the X zone for flooding.  One thing lead to another and the deal was closed in December of 2019.

Pete and I did some (mostly Pete) interior demo work at the beginning of 2020.  Since then we have spent a lot of time dreaming, planning, researching and wondering about how best to proceed with the renovation.  We hired an architect and a general contractor and we're on our way.  Right now we are in the permitting process. There are many things we can do on the project.  We're still finishing up the interior demo.  The yard is a jungle.  There's a pool that will also need renovation. It's a big project for a small (1300 sqft plus a new screened porch) house but, we are loving it and feel so blessed to have this place.

Here are a few pictures from the day we discovered our Fort Lauderdale dream house.