HubNuggets D.I.Y. Renovations

Designer extraordinaire, Simone Smith completed the finishing touches to the new plans she had been working on and sat back to look them over. The dirt had finally settled in Jason's garden, his backyard reno's were completed, and now it was time to give the HubNugget team's clubhouse a facelift. With a critical eye for design and functionality, Simone carefully checked her measurements. Satisfied with her work, she sat back with a smile.

Now all she had to do was sell her ideas to the rest of the team.

Simone immediately set up a conference call with the HubNugget team members and told them to meet her at the clubhouse. After everyone was assembled, she showed them the plans she had drawn up (from their suggestions) for the groups approval.

"The materials should be here within the hour, so we can get started with the demo and we'll be ready when they arrive." She explained. "Everyone grab a hammer, and let's get this show on the road!"

Patty Inglish, Ladyjane1 and Maddie decided to start in the kitchen. The cabinets were the first to be removed...well, actually, only the doors. A quick refinishing would add some pizazz and as the cabinets themselves were still in great shape, all that was needed was a sanding and staining to bring them back to their original beauty.

The sink and counter-top were removed - I have to admit that everyone had to pitch in for that job - and then the little group got busy painting.

The truck arrived with all their supplies and the major renovations got underway. Patty and Ladyjane tackled the cabinets while Maddie laid out the pattern for the back-splash.

Beautiful glass and rock tiles would soon grace the space above the counter, and under-counter lights were added for some ambiance. By the time she was done, Patty and Ladyjane1 were finished sanding the cabinets and doors, and all three of them tucked into staining.

Before long, the counter-top and sink were ready to install, the back-splash was put up and grouted, and cabinet doors were rehung. The trio gazed around their beautiful, updated kitchen and smiled. Job well done!

"You know...." Patty said, "I have something else that this kitchen needs." Unfolding a wad of papers she had been carrying in her back pocket, she passed them around to the team.

Jason, Koffeeklatch Gals and RedElf headed for the bathroom - time to update the tile, fixtures and cabinets. Being the strongest, Jason was elected to replace the vanity top and sink. RedElf had already picked out the new ones, and they were unloaded from the truck shortly. After he had removed the top, Gals got busy sanding in preparation of a new coat of stain and RedElf began painting the walls. Once that was finished - it wasn't an overly large bathroom after all, she started applying mud to the wall for the new accent tiles.

Once the staining was finished and the new vanity top installed, RedElf tackled the back-splash. When they were done, the trio sat back admiring their work. Dipping into her tool belt, she pulled out a sheaf of papers and handed them round to the others.

"I thought these would go beautifully with the new tiles," she purred.

That left Simone, Enelle and Ripplemaker to take on the living room. Ripplemaker started with a fireplace refacing. The wire mesh was up in minutes and she started applying the first coat of mud that would be the base of a beautiful new stone finish. Simone chose the task of taking down the wall to the dining room, having first ascertained that it wasn't a load bearing wall of course, and Enelle grabbed her paintbrush and trimmed out the doors and windows in preparation of repainting.

The wall came down in record time, drywall patches went up and were prepped for paint. The little troupe slogged on, painting and mudding until the room was done, then Enelle and Simone pitched in and helped ripplemaker finish the fireplace.

When, finally, a gorgeous, bright, open-concept room stood completed, Enelle shuffled through her blueprints and holding some aloft, proclaimed there was one more addition that needed their attention...