Earlier this week, in preparation for laying new floors at the Fullmer Kitchen project, we got a test kit for asbestos. While the creamy white vinyl floor with checks and florals we uncovered during demo was clearly from the late 80s/early 90s, there was another layer of flooring we discovered under the cabinets. Our plan was to rip that up the 90s vinyl and the subfloor it was on to level out the floors with the living room and lay new ones. However, in one area, we saw another, much older vinyl floor beneath that subfloor under the cabinets. To be safe, we picked up a $14 asbestos test at the hardware store and where the oldest flooring was curling up in one corner, Chris broke a piece off (wearing gloves and a mask!) and deposited it in the kit and sent it off to the lab. We also sent a piece of the cream vinyl flooring on top just to be safe. We expedited the test because we’re on a time crunch and didn’t want to disturb the floors until we heard back.
Yesterday we got the results–
15% Chrysotile in the cellulose backing of the beige pebble tile (that’s the old OLD floor we saw under the cabinets)–that’s asbestos! Needless to say, all of our throats immediately felt itchy. We have resorted to plan B–not tear up the subfloor in the kitchen to even out the floors, but build up the living room floor the level them and float a floor on top, instead of nailing down to be on the safe side.
Asbestos only causes a health risk if it’s disturbed but we are SO happy we did the test (this at-home kit comes with a pre-paid envelope and you get the results in 5 business days) . If you’re concerned you might have a tile floor with asbestos, keep in mind, it’s most likely in the backing. And! It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Other actual fun things this week:
• One real cozy way to fill an odd nook in your house.
• Our dining room chandelier disappeared from everywhere for years. And now it’s suddenly available right here in a very limited quantity–RUN IF YOU’VE BEEN EYEING IT!
• Every couple weeks, my friends and I get together after all of our kids are in bed. This week, we made spring rolls and did face masks and listened to Fiona Apple until 11:30pm–which might as well have been 3 am. These orange slice eye masks were so refreshing and cute! (This is still my favorite masque! I do it twice a week!)
• My current favorite $69 sunglasses are back in stock! (Meghan Markle has them too. ;))
• This week, I had a few especially exhausting days where I felt the weight of more than my world on me. But my girls’ worlds, too. So in case you needed this, like I did:
• My favorite, lightweight, goes-with-everything, short-sleeved (but hit at the elbow), easy breezy button up is an extra 50% off right now with code SALEUPGRADE. I have it in black, but I’m eyeing that blush color.
• I know there are interior architects, interior designers, interior decorators. This week, for the first time!, I saw someone labeled as an “Interior coach.” And I’m like…wait, is that me?! I like the phrase, the idea, it feels fitting. You can do this! and You SHOULD do this. Because while I always have a specific idea of what I would do in a space, I love working with the homeowner to help them feel confident in what they want out of the space even more. I like to push them out of their comfort zone, but not so far that they don’t recognize their safe zone anymore, because a home should be safe. And should be comfortable. But, I mean, there’s always room for improvement in people and in homes. And while I don’t feel like we’re (Chris and Julia) the designer who will do it for you–I feel like I could be the someone to help YOU get there. To figure out how and I feel like the whole purpose of this blog and all of these renovations has been to help and inspire other people that they could make their homes a little better and a little happier and a little more loved. Trying on the Interiors Coach hat for a little bit. What do you think?
Can you do a how to on how to create the floating floor?
Do you still offer virtual design services? I love your style and I need someone to help me take the guesswork out of it all. I’d love to know how much you charge.
We’re not currently offering design services, but hope to have something in the future!
Gosh yes, interior coach is the perfect label for you, HELP ME!! :)
Asbestos is really not a big deal you just have to remove it with certain precautions like wetting, wearing a disposable suit, closing off area and putting in construction bags you label. We researched it to death!
I would genuinely caution you saying that asbestos is “not a big deal”, it is a hazard, that causes cancer and is, in fact, incredibly dangerous if inhaled. Speaking from personal experience with a family member that died due to their exposure to it I would really ask that you consider the seriousness of asbestos.
I think you’d be a great interiors coach! Your kind and thoughtful way you come across would be so wonderful and easy to work with. I have a couple designers in the family and they are sooooooo forceful about their ideas but I think you’d be just the right amount of bringing out something special while also staying true to the homeowner. Go for it!!