I was talking with my eldest daughter the other day (okay, maybe it was more like complaining) about how much I’ve been spending on all my DIY home improvement projects; projects which include reviving the hardwood floors that I discovered under my grungy living room carpet, ripping up the ugly linoleum from my bathroom floor and laying down vinyl tile, making a bathroom sink back splash out of art glass squares, constructing a stained glass privacy panel for the bathroom window, remodeling the kitchen (still in progress), and redoing my dining room to… well, to make it look like a dining room and not a staging area for all my other projects.
dining room
And those are just the indoor projects.
My daughter asked me if spending all that money brings me happiness. ‘Cuz, you know – that whole thing about how money can’t buy you happiness. I didn’t have to ponder that question long at all before giving a resounding “Yes!”
I never had much occasion to practice any handyperson skills up until the past couple of years, so every home improvement project I take on involves a learning process of new skills and knowledge about the workings of “this old house.” (Does that phrase sound familiar? I could probably start my own DIY TV program).
living room floor
The projects have varying levels of success. Some turn out well, some have to be completely redone. Some results are “interesting” and “unique” to say the least, so I just pass those off to my eclectic artistic license and try to imply that that’s where I meant to go with the project – I just didn’t know it until I got there.
Regardless of how I rate the outcomes, I can honestly say the process itself is almost entirely fun and satisfying. I love the challenge, the chance to research and learn new things, the hands-on real world application of what I learn, and the gratification of a daily tangible result.
kitchen
So despite my complaints about the cost of my myriad DIY projects, it is indeed money well spent. It buys a more comfortable, appealing home atmosphere. It buys an “experience” in addition to paying for material goods. And – you might well say – it buys me happiness.
bathroom sink glass back splash
The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Satisfaction
What Rhymes with Stanza? 
You have every right to feel satisfied, you’ve done a great job.
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Thank you. It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.
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All entertainment has a price. Somethings that you do to occupy your mind and body are more satisfying than others. I love the bathroom sink backsplash, Both the dining room and the kitchen are beautiful. I think I saw the before on the dining room. The stove area is really neat. The floor is also coming along. Not to mention the deck and fence. It has to give you more satisfaction than going to a movie or theme park. And for a much longer time period. That is assuming, the recovery period isn’t too long for any amount of satisfaction! 🙂
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The dining room was in progress when you were here. The cool thing is that I can do however much I feel like doing at any given time. That helps the physical recovery. The financial recovery… not so much.
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Well with all that talent, you can sell something to help with that. The stained glass is beautiful. Tux and Chules could set up a psychoanalyst stand. Teach people to get along. 🙂
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I doubt that Tux and Chules could even settle who gets to sit on the table during therapy sessions. I’d better research the stained glass angle.
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Without seeing the prompt, I figured you gained a tremendous amount of satisfaction. Beautiful “after” photos!
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Thank you! It’s a fun process. I’m just getting the slightest inkling that maybe it’s going to be a never-ending process.
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Your place looks gorgeous! I hope mine turns out as nice. 😀
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Thank you. I looked at your site. You’ve really got your work cut out for you! I’ll definitely check back to see your progress. 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words!
Stanza? organza, bonanza, Tony Danza
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oooh! Organza is a new one! I keep a list on my about page. I’ll add that one to it. 🙂
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Oooo, marvellous, especially bathroom. ❤
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Thank you. I’m in the midst of working on another portion of my kitchen. So far it’s not very photogenic.
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Oh, but it’s getting there, I’m sure. 🙂 Wishing you much joy!
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Thank you, Manja.
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You are doing excellent work. I have redone many a house and it is very rewarding work…but yes, it can get pricey. Thank you for sharing this wonderfully inspiring photo/essay on your renovations.
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You’re welcome. I’m thinking that once I finally get through my projects, it will be time to start over. But I guess that’d be okay, too. Keeps me busy and it’s fun. 🙂
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