| Remodels are tough on everyone. The house is | | | | day, honey?" Conducting heart-to-heart |
| out of order, | | | | conversations |
| the refrigerator is out of pudding, and the family | | | | around the dinner table during a remodeling |
| wiener dog | | | | process is like |
| is out of sorts as he searches for his food dish. | | | | carpeting your bathroom-not a good idea. Even if |
| To help | | | | you delay |
| ease the stress of a remodel, we suggest you | | | | such discussions until later in the evening, you |
| follow the list | | | | may find it |
| of tips below.1. Invest in "his" and "hers" robes. | | | | difficult to concentrate as you gaze at the rec |
| During a remodel, your | | | | room through a |
| house in no longer your own. Everyone from | | | | hole in the floor.6. Get-togethers are great-but |
| Pete the | | | | not at your house. Family and |
| plumber to Earl the electrician walks through your | | | | friends, they mean well. But under no |
| home at | | | | circumstances should |
| all hours with little regard for privacy. If you'd | | | | you invite anyone over before the project is |
| rather they | | | | complete. Wait |
| concentrate on the work in front of them | | | | for the paint to dry before you break out the |
| instead of you | | | | fondue set. Even |
| walking by them, we suggest you invest in some | | | | if she wants to view the work in progress, you |
| | | | know full well |
| robes-preferable terry cloth for their comfort | | | | Aunt Mabel is bound to say something about the |
| and thickness.2. Stuff your speed dial with | | | | entry tile |
| take-out. Even if the kitchen isn't | | | | that will send you into orbit and drop you back |
| part of your remodeling project, it's a good idea | | | | on Earth |
| to create a | | | | feeling sick to your stomach.7. Do not open until |
| robust file of take-out and delivery menus from | | | | X-Mas. You may be tempted to plan a |
| local | | | | party or host a family holiday shortly after the |
| restaurants. Place settings and candles on a | | | | anticipated |
| cardboard | | | | project completion date. Don't. If you thought |
| box where your dining room table used to be | | | | picking out a |
| aren't | | | | faucet for the master bath made you sweat, |
| motivation for anyone to prepare five-course | | | | try cutting up |
| meals. And you | | | | jicama for your party and then noticing a blotch |
| never know when you may find yourself without | | | | of ceiling |
| electricity, | | | | paint on the backsplash. Even under the perfect |
| natural gas or water. Plus, delivery guys need the | | | | conditions, |
| tips.3. Get to know that guy with his name | | | | remodeling always takes longer than anticipated. |
| stitched to his shirt. | | | | There's |
| Prior to starting your project, kindle a relationship | | | | plenty of touch-up work required up to a month |
| with your | | | | after the |
| local gas station attendant. Buying bottled water, | | | | tradesmen call it a wrap. And it's not like the |
| dairy | | | | perfect |
| products and using the facilities will be a much | | | | accessories are just waiting to be snapped up at |
| more | | | | your |
| pleasant experience when you know the person | | | | neighbor's garage sale. Our best advice to you is |
| behind the | | | | that you |
| name. You may even get a smile every now and | | | | plan your first party six months after the |
| then.4. Know when to drop everything and run. | | | | estimated project |
| Just as you would | | | | completion date.We hope these survival tips |
| for a double date with the couple across the | | | | come in handy as you plan for |
| street, devise a | | | | your next remodeling project. If you're tired of |
| plan of escape. Even the best-run projects can | | | | survival tips |
| try your | | | | and are looking for someone who will offer you |
| patience and linger on with no end in sight. Tack | | | | a wonderful |
| the phone | | | | remodeling experience, hire top-notch professional |
| number and picture of a close friend or favorite | | | | interior |
| hotel to your | | | | designers or architects who come highly |
| refrigerator (if you still have one). Knowing that | | | | recommended by |
| there's an | | | | friends, family or associates.Lisa Peck and Kristen |
| alternate site to the natural disaster that was | | | | Mengelkoch are partners and |
| once your | | | | principal interior designers at Pisa Design, Inc. in |
| orderly home may be all the therapy you need | | | | Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are experts in both |
| until the | | | | remodel |
| project is completed.5. Hold off on conversations | | | | and new construction residential projects. |
| that start with "How was your | | | | |