Introduction

A little background: We are undertaking an addition and renovation project at our home in Dunedin FL and we are primarily doing it ourselves. This project is finally getting off the ground after being in the design stage for about six months and in the 'dream' stage for about 3 years. We are married with two kids and are slowly becoming everything we never thought we would be....but we hope this home project will ultimately provide a place of sanctuary and a unique identity in a sea of surburban sameness that defines our part of Florida.

A little about the project: Our home is a 1920's cottage, which is the type of home we desperately wanted to find when we moved back to FL after living in Seattle for 3 1/2 years. It had been renovated and was completely up to date and ready for us to move in 6 years ago when we bought the house. The renovation was nice, but we didn't do it ourselves and it isn't exactly what we wanted, so now we are ready to make some major changes, add some space, and make the house our permanent home. Phase one of the project is an addition which entails demolition of one bedroom to make way for a new two story addition to include a master suite, and two bedrooms and a bath upstairs. Phase two will be a renovation of the remaining interior space which will be reconfigured to take into account the new bedrooms. We hired an architect to help with the design because we really wanted to perserve the integrity of the original design and have an addition that fit with the rest of the house. Additionally, we were not afraid to take on some renovation to make the space 'work' in a sensible way. We are extremely happy with the design and the plans that have been prepared by our architect.

A little about us: 30 something married couple with a 3 year old daughter and 3 month old son. Big A. will perform the majority of the work himself (with a little help when necessary), while working full time, and on a tight budget. We also plan to live in the house while this is going on. We might be crazy. Hopefully we'll still be married by the time it's over. Enjoy the journey - we plan to!