The Starter Husband was NOT handy around the house – what an understatement! His mother could – and would – try to fix anything and she taught me how to use some tools, paint, refinish furniture and do some minor plumbing. Once I was single, I was at the mercy of kind neighbors or whatever help I could afford to hire.
Then I won the Handyman Husband Lottery! Burl has yet to see anything he can’t plumb, wire or repair and I’m totally spoiled.
A few weeks ago I painted a bedroom and have turned it into a sewing/craft room. I still need to make the Roman shades but they are on hold since the fabric store is currently out of the fabric I finally chose. If for some reason they don’t get it in as promised, I’ll be back to square one and it may take me 6 months to make another choice!
However, Burl is ready to move forward with the built-ins he promised for my sewing machine and supplies. I know a few things I definitely want such as a lower counter for the machine along with a kitchen counter height portion for laying out fabric and working on projects.
This afternoon we spent several hours scouring places that sell pre-made cabinets and counter tops. We first went to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore where I found some solid wood pieces on the cheap but I need them in both the short and tall sizes. No go.
Next we found a building supply company that yielded just what I want for the tall piece but they have discontinued the matching short piece and my only option is to go with a more expensive pair. No go again. However, I did find a great piece of laminate for the counter top – it looks like butcher block and when paired with white cabinets will give me the look I want.
A few more stops – no luck – then to Lowe’s where we were again SOL. Our only success with greening up the economy came from the Goodwill store in Ozark where Burl got a couple of shirts thanks to Tammy’s suggestion (see “Confessions of a Shopaholic”) and I picked up a paperback book! Wow!
On the way home we started talking about all the options and Burl has now decided to go back to the Habitat store and see if it’s possible to buy 3 cabinets – use one as it is and take another and cut off a drawer or 2 and add to the third cabinet and end up with one short piece, one tall piece and some leftovers! I’ll paint them white and he’ll top with the butcher block laminate.
I love that whenever I suggest something he says “well sure, I can do that if it’s what you really want”.
Guess it would help if I knew what I really want!
But the sewing room should be done by time we leave on vacation and we can start tackling the bathroom when we return.
Have you guys tried CBS Cabinets in Nixa? We got our kitchen stuff there, and found an already built cabinet and counter top for our bathroom that someone had ordered and didn’t want.