Basement demolition started last week full force. Everyone-including the four kiddos joined the hammering, ripping, bashing, and breaking. All of us have enjoyed the adventure so far. We decided we would do the basement because the last 2 summers we’ve been without air conditioning.
Basement Before Photos
In these photos, you can see the asbestos tiles. We had those removed before we moved into the home. The basement is actually sectioned off by that large orangey wood wall. The man who built it took pride in how he put it together. It was tough taking that wall down! When we first moved into the house we found some treasures hidden in the cupboards of that wall. 
Demolition Photos
In this photo, the boys are standing where the wood wall was. It’s gone now! Most of it. We still have a few studs standing near the fireplace, but you can’t even tell it was there.
In the photo below, the light cement on the ground shows you where the orangey wall was. Taking the wall out opened up the space. We gutted the closet space under the stairs, too. Our plan is to move the washer and dryer into the space under the stairs.
Here is a better look at the closet space underneath the stairs. We still have to decide on whether we want to do a stackable washer and dryer or a side by side. I think I’d prefer a side by side washer and dryer.
In order to get the air installed, we have to relocate our water heater and move some pipes around. I’m excited to see how much space we gain after the air conditioning is installed. The unit we have now is huge and I know that once we replace it with a smaller more compact system, it will open up the space even more. You can see in the photos below where the original owners installed the venting for heat/air into the wall. It covers part of the fireplace. Since we have a fireplace upstairs, we plan on getting rid of this fireplace altogether.
And finally our pile in the garage-proof that we worked hard. 😉 I know a lot of people find this kind of thing crazy. Some people would never dream of living in a space like this while fixing it up. But I love it. It’s an adventure. My house is a wreck, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Both Josh and I, along with kids, have learned so much already. And we’ve made so many great memories together. I keep telling Josh that after this house is finished, we’re going to get another fixer upper. Ha! I think he’s good with it.
