Every night, with 2 cats on my lap… And TV in the background, I would draw, over and over again…till I got it right.
Sure, it takes optimism to start such a project…
The not-knowing, of how hard it will be, shielded me from being intimated.
(…the optimism of youth, wins over the pessimism of experience… )
Else, no one would have a baby, or become a doctor, or even get married otherwise. It is the “not knowing”, that lets you leap.
Draw, at your own pace, let time work on problems… don’t rush, let it ferment, grow, evolve, then stop again… and wait..
Then, wait some more… patience and time is cheap… you are not committed during the dream stage…
you can always “just move”… and not remodel,
or you can always “just not do…” anything.
But eventually you will have the 3D drawings that will give you the honest confidence to move forward… and build your own home…knowing it has been done well.
So, How'd it go?
There are always doubters/negative people along the way...
But my drawings proved it would work….so I could push back against:
- the banks,
- the subs,
- the inspectors
- the architect,
- the underwriters
- the subs…. always the subs
- the appraiser….
- the husband!
But, all it would take, was one (1!) of these, to make this project go sideways…Just one (1!), any one.. ONE! And the job would FAIL. The End. Stop.
So...what DOES fail look like?
For one thing…all your cash is gone…you know, the life savings thing… your credit is maxed out.
FAIL, is:
- if the appraisal comes in too low,
- if the bank will not give you money
- if the interest rate goes up.
- FAIL happens if something in your life changes…
- health
- job,
- income,
- credit rating,…
- economy
- pandemic…..you know stuff that just happens…
- if any of these things change in the 2 to 5 years it takes to build your house… then FAIL happens…
- Fail happens if your husband/wife does not like your ideas…! (too big, too small, too expensive, too crazy)
So keep in mind, so much of this is just a big gamble, there always had to be a plan B.
Meanwhile, I just kept drawing...
I tried new layouts, different roofs, dormers, garages etc.
modify garage
I tried new roofs garages etc.
But as I evolved the design, I wondered WHEN to quit.
IS it DONE? It is NEVER done, but, at least it is not flawed, odd, weird. The windows are maxed out, the flow is smooth, the doors are in the right place, the stairs OK.
Some things can be left for 10 years from now…but this much is OK…no errors, no regrets….maybe it is even STUNNING!
After it is all over....
I can now walk thru rooms…that I previously only saw on my computer screen.
Every line on my screen,
I now see only walls
As I said elsewhere…
The house you design is a massive piece of art...
It can be a very public embarrassment, or a moment of pride…
Everyone…your friends, neighbors and enemies can now see it, for better or worse…it is just out there..
It will be larger and more public than a sculpture…or a painting…only it cannot be hidden…
Also, it will be out there for 50 years, lived in by many families after you…so do a good job!
But, once it is done, if you planned it right, designed it right, you will be able to enjoy the calm, of a gentle house, that fits like an old sweatshirt.
You will be able to get on with your real life again…In a house that supports your time, energy, and quiet moments of joy. And say, well done.
Really, you can get back to your real life.
This project is DONE…
just joking….
…it is never DONE 🙂