NEW SKIN FOR OLD BONES — SURGICAL CONSULT (PHASE TWO: NON-INVASIVE EDITION)

NEW SKIN FOR OLD BONES — SURGICAL CONSULT (PHASE TWO: NON-INVASIVE EDITION)

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OVERVIEW

Phase One gave our 1950s brick-base Charlotte, Michigan home a proper weather shell—new roofs corrected, windows and doors upgraded, fresh siding, calmer storms. Phase Two is a deliberate, “non-invasive surgery” inside the existing footprint: no opening walls, no plumbing changes, no permits, no bathroom or dining room work. Instead, we focus on the finishes and functions we live with every day—re-drywalling the first floor, new lighting in every room, fresh trim, paint throughout, a custom kitchen island (with power), tile backsplash, removal of the old kitchen tile floor, attic insulation, leveling the three-season room floor, reworking the home theater room, and a couple of custom storage builds (pull-out spice rack, front-door coat rack).

Tone: witty, confident, gently self-mocking. We’re celebrating competent craft over spectacle—with a sardonic Russian Blue cat in scrubs keeping us honest.

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THE CLIPBOARD SUMMARY (AT A GLANCE) Diagnosis: Good Bones

Treatment: New Skin + First-Floor Non-Invasive Rework

Sequence: Roof → Windows/Doors → Siding → Interior Finishes (now)

Vitals to Watch: day-to-day function, light quality, storage access, durability, and comfort

Hard Constraints (by design):

• No opening up any walls

• No permits

• No plumbing changes (no new fixtures, no relocations)

• No pocket doors

• No dining room work (dining stays as-is / out of scope)

• No bathroom work

• No added acoustic layers in walls/ceilings

• No new dedicated circuits for microwave or dishwasher

Positive Scope (what we will do):

• Remove existing kitchen tile flooring

• Re-drywall all walls and ceilings on the first floor

• Custom kitchen island (power added to the island)

• New lighting in each room (fixtures and switching within current circuitry)

• New floor, door, and window trim throughout the first floor

• Insulation added in the attic

• Paint all walls and ceilings (whole first floor)

• Level the floor in the three-season room

• Tile the kitchen wall and backsplash

• Rework the home theater room (layout, cable management, lighting—no acoustic layers)

• Custom pull-out spice rack in the kitchen

• Custom coat rack + storage built-in at the front door

Budget Philosophy: HELOC as a drip, not adrenaline. Pace spending to sequence, keep contingency, document changes, and choose durable finishes.

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CAST (THE OR TEAM IN SCRUBS + TOOL BELTS) GC (General Coordinator): Orchestrates schedule, protects surfaces, keeps the punchlist real.

Designer: Aligns finishes, lighting positions, and storage details for daily use.

Electric: Adds safe power at the island and replaces/relocates fixtures within existing circuits.

Drywall + Paint: Brings the “new skin” to life—clean, even surfaces, crisp lines, low-VOC paints.

Finish Carpenter: Trim, island, spice pull-out, front-door built-in, and tidy transitions.

Homeowner (gray vest) Cameo: Dry-witted thumbs-up from the OR window.

Scrub-Nurse Cat (badge “Deep Dive AI”): “Scalpel? No—stud finder. Also, label your paint cans.”

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PRE-OP: WHY NON-INVASIVE WORKS HERE

Because the shell is now solid, the biggest everyday wins come from surfaces, light, and storage. New drywall erases decades of patches. Proper trim frames the views. Fresh paint calibrates daylight. A powered island reshapes how the kitchen flows without moving plumbing or tearing down walls. Attic insulation and three-season room leveling translate into quieter winters and calmer steps. We get 90% of the daily quality with 10% of the disruption.

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SCOPE OF WORK (ROOM-BY-ROOM + SYSTEM NOTES)

ENTRY & FRONT DOOR ZONE

• Custom coat rack + storage: a built-in with sturdy hooks, a bench cubby for shoes, and overhead compartments for hats/gloves.

• Trim refresh: new casing and baseboards that match a clean, mid-century-sympathetic profile.

• Lighting: bright, glare-controlled fixture for quick in/out moments.

• Paint: durable finish that forgives Michigan weather entries.

KITCHEN (NO WALL CHANGES, NO PLUMBING)

• Remove existing tile floor: demo carefully, flatten substrate, prepare for new continuous flooring with proper underlayment.

• Custom island: sized to maintain walking clearances on all sides; seating on one face; deep drawers for pots, pans, and small appliances; trash/recycle pull-out optional.

• Add electric to island: power outlets integrated into end panels or a pop-up—safe, tidy, GFCI-protected; no new dedicated circuits for microwave/dishwasher (they remain on existing circuits).

• Tile wall + backsplash: wipeable surface behind range and sink; timeless pattern; aligned outlets and switch plates for clean sightlines.

• Pull-out spice rack: narrow cabinet near the “heat” zone for fast access; full-extension slides; labels facing out.

• Lighting: replace fixtures or add task lighting within existing wiring runs (e.g., pendants over the island, under-cabinet bars where feasible).

• Paint: light-reflective but warm; satin near splash zones.

LIVING ROOM

• Re-drywall + paint: erase texture mismatches and old scars; color tuned to bounce daylight from the new windows.

• Lighting: layered but simple—overhead ambient plus a couple of switched lamp outlets; all done within current circuits.

• Trim package: new baseboards and window/door casings unify the linework across the first floor.

• Media option: if living room shares media duties, add discreet cable pathways (surface raceways or behind-trim solutions) without opening walls.

HOME THEATER ROOM (NO ACOUSTIC LAYERS)

• Layout: set the screen wall, seating distance, and sightlines; conceal cabling with raceways and furniture placement.

• Light discipline: dimmable overhead, sconce options, and blackout or room-darkening treatments—still within existing circuits.

• Equipment shelf: a ventilated console or built-in niche that manages devices without cutting into walls.

• Paint: deeper, low-sheen tones to reduce reflections.

HALLWAYS & STAIRS (IF ON FIRST FLOOR)

• Re-drywall + paint: smooth, neutral surfaces that make art and family photos pop.

• Lighting: consistent color temperature with the rest of the floor for visual continuity.

• Trim: same profile as elsewhere for a unified look.

MUDROOM/FRONT DROP ZONE

• We’re not re-plumbing or opening walls, but we’ll amplify order: hooks, a labeled mail slot, key hooks, shoe tray.

• Durable paint and scuff-resistant trim.

BATHROOM (OUT OF SCOPE)

• No changes this phase (no plumbing, no pocket door, no finishes).

DINING (OUT OF SCOPE)

• No changes this phase.

THREE-SEASON ROOM

• Floor leveling: self-leveling underlayment as needed to remove toe-stub transitions and prepare for finish flooring.

• Paint and lighting refresh within existing circuits; bright but cozy for shoulder seasons.

ATTIC (INSULATION)

• Add insulation to reach a sensible depth for Michigan winters; air-seal obvious gaps around penetrations before insulating where accessible.

• Result: steadier temperatures, quieter rooms.

WHOLE FIRST FLOOR — “NEW SKIN” PACKAGE

• Re-drywall all ceilings and walls; corner beads, clean reveals.

• Prime + paint all walls and ceilings; low-VOC; crisp cut-lines.

• New floor, door, and window trim in a consistent profile; coped, mitered, and caulked for a seamless look.

• New lighting in each room: fixture swaps, added switched lamp outlets or task lighting where feasible, all on existing circuits except the powered island add.

• Flooring: remove old tile in kitchen; install the selected continuous flooring (or planned transitions) across first-floor spaces for visual calm and easier cleaning.

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SYSTEMS & SAFETY (WITHIN OUR NO-PERMIT, NO-PLUMBING FRAME)

Electrical

• Add power to the kitchen island (GFCI-protected) and update fixtures/switching as needed—staying within panel capacity and existing branch circuits.

• No new dedicated circuits for microwave or dishwasher this phase; they remain on their current circuits.

• Practical note: power off at the breaker before any fixture work; label everything; keep a tidy panel directory.

Plumbing

• No plumbing work this phase.

HVAC & Envelope

• Benefit from added attic insulation and unbroken drywall surfaces; avoid punching the shell.

• Door and window trim upgrades seal tiny air paths at casings and add to perceived warmth.

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SEQUENCED TIMELINE (NON-INVASIVE, HIGH-IMPACT)

Pre-Stage (1 week)

• Finalize fixture list, trim profile, paint schedule, tile pattern, island dimensions, and hardware.

• Order long-lead items (island hardware, specialty lights, tile).

• Protect floors and create dust zones; set up a simple temporary kitchen surface.

Phase A — Demo & Prep (Week 1)

• Remove kitchen tile and prep subfloor.

• Light surface demo where needed for re-drywall (popcorn/patch removal, failing areas).

• Masking, zipper doors, and floor protection.

Phase B — Drywall & Island Rough-In (Weeks 2–3)

• Hang, tape, mud, sand across first floor; consistent texture.

• Run power to the new island location; set outlet placement.

• Spot-prime and correct any surface waves before full prime.

Phase C — Paint, Trim, Lighting (Weeks 3–4)

• Prime + two coats on ceilings/walls; doors/trim enamel as spec’d.

• Install baseboards and casings; caulk and fill for seamless lines.

• Swap/install fixtures; set lamp outlets and dimmers where planned.

Phase D — Tile, Finishes, Theater Tuning (Weeks 4–5)

• Install kitchen tile wall + backsplash with clean terminations; aligned plates.

• Install custom island (top, drawers, panels, outlets).

• Install pull-out spice rack.

• Build the front-door coat rack + storage unit.

• Rework home theater layout, cable raceways, and light scenes.

• Level three-season room floor and ready for finish flooring.

Phase E — Touch-Ups & Commissioning (Week 5)

• Punchlist pass: paint nicks, trim gaps, outlet plate alignment, door reveals.

• Clean, label, photograph “after” for records.

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MATERIALS & FINISH NOTES

• Drywall: fresh sheets beat patchwork; invest in good corner bead and sanding.

• Paint: walls eggshell or matte scrubbable; ceilings flat; trim durable satin/semi.

• Tile: timeless field tile; aligned grout lines; color-matched caulk at planes.

• Trim: one profile throughout for visual calm; slightly taller baseboards modernize without trend-locking.

• Hardware: soft-close slides (spice pull-out), solid handles on the island.

• Lighting: consistent color temperature (e.g., 2700–3000K) across rooms for unity.

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QUALITY CONTROL CHECKLIST (PRINT & CLIP)

Drywall & Paint

□ Consistent plane, no ridges at seams

□ Corners crisp; texture uniform

□ Two full coats after prime; even sheen

Trim

□ Tight miters/copes, filled and caulked

□ Consistent reveals at doors/windows

□ Baseboard lines straight with clean shoe or scribe

Kitchen

□ Island clearances ≥ recommended walkways

□ Island outlets secure, GFCI where required

□ Spice pull-out slides smooth, labels visible

□ Backsplash lines level; outlet plates aligned to tile courses

Electrical

□ All fixtures secure; no flicker; switches labeled

□ Island power operational; breaker directory updated

□ No new dedicated circuits for micro/DW (intentionally unchanged)

Three-Season Room

□ Floor level within tolerance; transition pieces flush

Attic

□ Insulation depth uniform; obvious penetrations sealed before covering

Theater

□ Cable runs concealed; seating sightlines set; dimmers operate quietly

Cleanup

□ All debris gone; surfaces dust-free; filters checked on vacs and vents

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CARE & FEEDING (FIRST 90 DAYS)

• Tighten pulls/hinges after settling.

• Caulk patrol at trim and tile edges.

• Wipe and cure paint gently for the first month.

• Note any seasonal movement for an easy touch-up pass.

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CAT’S PARTING SHOTS (PIN ABOVE THE TOOL BENCH)

• “Measure the room. Measure your patience. Install the one that’s bigger.”

• “Label your paint with room + wall. ‘Misc’ is chaos in a can.”

• “Stud finder first; hot takes later.”

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WHAT SUCCESS FEELS LIKE

You walk into January and the first floor looks and feels new: even, quiet drywall; warm light in every room; trim lines that make the windows read like magazine pages. The kitchen works smarter with a powered island and a spice pull-out that ends the cabinet Jenga. The three-season room floor doesn’t argue with your ankles. The theater room finally acts like a theater—without tearing into a single wall. It’s competence you can live in.

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FOLLOW THE SERIES / SUPPORT THE PROJECT

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ADDITIONAL READING — PHASE ONE (EXTERIOR GLOW-UP)

Start the story at the beginning. Phase One is where we stabilized the “vitals”: roofs corrected, windows and doors upgraded, and full new siding that finally let the brick base shine. That quiet, tight shell is why our non-invasive Phase Two works so well.

Read: New Skin for Old Bones — Exterior Glow-Up (Phase One)

http://deepdiveaipodcast.blogspot.com/2025/09/new-skin-for-old-bones.html