Four weeks ago, we transitioned our efforts from the upstairs apartment (what we’re lovingly calling The Nest) to the restaurant dining room below. The first couple days were dedicated to some light demolition, hole patching, and a lot of cleaning. We also found a family to take custody of the piano, and the previous owners came to haul away the giant bakery case for which we had no use. It felt great to whittle down the objects in the room and get things going.
From that point on, it’s been all painting prep, all the time. The walls and ceiling were in need of some TLC. There was endless scraping, lots of backaches, and the need to constantly remind ourselves that there is no chance those old walls will ever look perfect. I cannot tell you how lame it was to go to work everyday knowing we faced yet another day of scraping.
So. Much. Scraping. It was making us INSANE.
Also, I never want to touch another piece of beadboard as long as I live.
But, things are looking up! This past weekend, we finally switched to taping and priming. We used a spray gun for the primer, so it was done in a matter of hours – and holy cow was it messy. While we still have a ways to go until we’re happy with the walls, we’re satisfied by how clean and bright the room is starting to feel. Progress!
We’ll be out of town for most of the week, but will return with unwavering enthusiasm for our next projects: lighting for Brian and a lot of paint touchups and hole-patching for me.

Taken the morning after our closing. The bakery case, piano, dark wood wainscoting, florescent light fixtures, and shelving still intact.

This alcove outside the bathrooms is my least favorite part of the restaurant. I cringe whenever I think about how we’ll improve it without breaking the bank.

Removing the dark wood wainscoting that circled the dining room. We were so lucky to find beadboard in decent shape underneath in all but a few places.

We removed all of the built-in shelving on the far wall and circling the restaurant. Without the shelves, the ceiling feels so much taller!

Wall prep involved lots of scraping, and a light sanding in some places that were very bumpy and uneven.

We suited up from head to toe for the painting: head socks, hoods, goggles, suits, respirators, rubble gloves. Spraying paint sends a fine mist of paint and fumes everywhere! We were warned and had everything that didn’t need a coat of paint covered and taped off.

It looked like Bri had a tight seal, but somehow some paint found his way into his respirator mask and under his goggles.
I’m loving the chance to follow your new adventure. As a New England girl living on a boat, I’m connected to both your sailing adventure and your new adventure in Maine. I’m up to Maine later this summer and see an island trip in my future.
Glades to see the pictures of your new place . You love it in the long time and will be your place..
Used to work on the Islands that Portland Have .Back in the 70 when I Started the City.You all have a good Tuesday Night and keep in touch.Thank you fore all the pictures you have taken over the years.
Will good to look at in the Future.Thank you all again.😊😎.
Coming along great! Keep up the pics and updates, and how the pups are doing.