Tear down those walls
@GardenGerty (157555)
United States
January 14, 2020 6:21am CST
Some of my friends may know that our house was actually a duplex. A duplex is two joined full residences.
We use both sides of our home.
Not long after moving in, hubby made a doorway between the two kitchens, to join the house on both sides. He has been sick or too busy off and on since then and has not done any more.
For my Christmas gift he was to open up the front part and join them, but had not done so.
I finally got him motivated. He wants me to go to a car show with him next Saturday. I told him I did not want to because he will not do what I want and open up some more walls.
Yesterday he got started. The two rooms at the front of our house will be joined by a wide doorway. One side will be a dining area mostly. The other is the sitting room, or living room, or some people and countries call it the lounge.
It will make it easier for us as we will not be constantly meeting in the doorway between the kitchens. The heating will be more uniform as well.
It may be a little late, but I am finally getting my Christmas gift.
17 people like this
17 responses
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Jan 20
This makes it a little more like a single residence.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
It really makes it a lot more like a single home. I would like to continue with working inside in the winter and then get the outside things done when the weather is nice.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
14 Jan 20
Merging the duplex would make for a big house. Nice one.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
It has small rooms but yes, it increases the value as the kitchen will be good size and I have both a laundry room and a pantry.
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
15 Jan 20
@GardenGerty we could have bought a house like your description of the duplex but there was a snag in the arrangement with the stingy owner.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
14 Jan 20
your house sounds wonderful. sounds like you can design it over time to be exactly what you want.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
We are taking a lot of design steps, as you say. I have been buying new cupboards to make an entire storage wall.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
18 Jan 20
@bunnybon7 We were able to get it very cheaply.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
15 Jan 20
@GardenGerty oh it all sounds so wonderful
like a dream come true. you are so wise to buy that place
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
I think sometimes it is that he lacks confidence.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
16 Jan 20
@LadyDuck He knows more about cars than houses.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458233)
• Switzerland
15 Jan 20
@GardenGerty It is possible, this is a hard work to do alone.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Yes. It is all the space I need, but does need to be organized.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
15 Jan 20
@GardenGerty I hope you can organize it soon
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
16 Jan 20
@JudyEv I know I could have worse.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
I do not think all the renovations will ever be completely finished. My house is my hobby it seems.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jan 20
@GardenGerty It is a good hobby to have.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
18 Jan 20
It is great that you got your Christmas gift ! Your hubby seems to be one of those men who can turn their hand to anything.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
18 Jan 20
Well, not everything, but he is a good sport about at least attempting to do things. We had to agree first on how much we would remove.
1 person likes this
Funny how easy it is to get them motivated if they think they want something 
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Yes, and when I stand my ground.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
18 Jan 20
@rebelann I had a similar issue with my first husband, and I just had to eventually tell him I would do it myself. He got busy quickly then.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111189)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Jan 20
I suppose standing your ground isn't always as easy to do as it sounds @GardenGerty
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86769)
• United States
14 Jan 20
Glad you are getting that done Heather.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Yes, finally. I am actually glad he is well enough to do this.
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
18 Jan 20
He is not fast but he is thorough.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
15 Jan 20
dang, i wish such worked 'round here, lol. so glad he's finally gettin' this tended, hon. jest makes more sense 'n better use 'f space with 'em joined.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
16 Jan 20
It certainly will be much better flow.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Im glad hes finally doing it for you
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
18 Jan 20
I am sure he will be glad when it is done. I have to let him do it his own way at his own speed.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
It is, and it is okay that we have waited as we "got acquainted" with the house and our patterns to see what we really wanted.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
I am glad I found a way to get him to start.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
18 Jan 20
@Nevena83 We had to come to an agreement about how much to remove. I also have to let him do it his way.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65282)
• Serbia
15 Jan 20
@GardenGerty I believe you. Men are sometimes lazy for some jobs.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45498)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Jan 20
It may be late for Christmas 2019, but real' early for Christmas 2020.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
We may be working on it all year.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Yes, it will and I am looking forward to it.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29128)
• United Kingdom
14 Jan 20
Here (in the UK) we call those houses 'semi-detached' . There are a few around here where people have bought both the houses and then joined them together. My daughter's friend lives in one.
Did you buy both sides at once? Or live in one first and then buy the other when the residents sold up?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
15 Jan 20
Both sides were owned by a landlord. One was vacant, one was rented and we gave him notice. So it was late in the year and I was still going outdoors from one to the other until we cut a doorway between the kitchens. There is a lot to be done but we will get there.
1 person likes this
