Sep
28
2007
 6

Don’t Drink and Drywall


We were very honored to have been written up in the Wall Street Journal today, mentioned as one of the many housebloggers that converge on the Houseblogs.net site.

Many blog about their work in order to share progress with family and friends. Reading others’ blogs, meanwhile, helps renovators share ideas, find inspiration and support — and sometimes just be entertained.

Our story wasn’t in the print version of the WSJ, but was mentioned in a sidebar to this story. I had never thought of having a home renovation party, thought it was a great idea on first review, and then started to read in horror:

One reveler near Chicago hung a sheet of drywall backwards, while a partygoer in Seattle messed up the host’s bathroom floor by installing the tiles crooked. During her recent “Martini Bash” renovation event in Toronto, Debora Beam wandered upstairs to find one of her friends halfway through sledgehammering out the wrong wall. . . . Contractors say these parties have become a marketing opportunity. Orange County, Calif., handyman Paul Maceyka says a couple in their 30s recently paid his company almost $4,000 to undo a mess their inexperienced friends had made with a paint sprayer.

If I had thought of having a masonry party to finish our concrete screening wall, I am now of the mindset that the broken toes aren’t worth it. It sure does make for entertaining blog posts, though ;-)

6 Comments for Don’t Drink and Drywall


JimV
September 28, 2007, 3:46 pm

She talked about our project, too, although we didn’t have any real mishaps. I wouldn’t let the horror stories put you off. We’ve had great results from our friends and family. Just save the booze until *after* the tools are put away. (“Don’t drink and drywall”–love it!)


Andrew
September 28, 2007, 5:54 pm

Two things: first, renovation is so not fun, it’s the least “party” activity I could ever think of. Maybe “home surgery” would be less fun.
Second, I love you guys, but I’d draw the line at re-tiling your bathroom, no matter how much free booze you gave me. :-)


Timothy
September 30, 2007, 2:42 am

Home renovation and alcohol don’t really mix.


Aunt Gayle
October 1, 2007, 6:37 am

Oh, I dunno. In our younger days we had a crew of couples we hung out with and we all had home improvement parties– informal. One in particular was not actually for home improvement, but with an 8 horse trailer and a convoy of pickups, we loaded, moved, unloaded and unpacked one couple’s home furnishings 90 miles– pictures hung and flatware in the drawers– from Saturday morning to Sunday night, and there was always a very generous amount of alcohol flowing. When one of us had a project, we were all there, and we had a blast. No major calamities.


Stormy Ron
October 1, 2007, 5:44 pm

I am utterly amazed at what is happening to the two of you – what a rocket you are on!!! Wow!!! You two may be your generation’s Bill Gates replica. Or the Donald! Congratulations on the great WSJ coverage as well as the other media.


eichler
August 3, 2008, 11:44 pm

Unfortunately you will typically need cocktails to get anyone to show-up at a home remodeling party!