Changes in 2020
January 21, 2021 by jacobrohrbach
Like many people this past year, home improvement projects took on new focus with the Coronavirus and the shutdown. Initially at the beginning of the year we had closed to complete a few planned projects like the Antietam Room renovation, the painting of the Generals Quarters and the back foyer entrance. These projects were finished just in time for guests to return in February; and then the shutdown occurred. So we decided to take advantage of the ‘time off’ and complete some smaller projects as well.
While Amy went to work full time at the hospital, Chris focused on outside yard work. First was cleaning out flower beds with a little help from Maya and Zoey.
Next came some repair work of the brick sidewalk. Really Chris was just playing in the sand.
Since we were not able to go forward with our patio project, we decided just to turn it into a grass seating area. We cleared out the old flower bed and laid 25 rolls of sod. Chris was having flashbacks to his golf course days and was really hoping to build a putting green, but Amy said ‘NO’.
Fortunately, we were able to wrap up these projects before things started to open up again in late summer and only had one more on the schedule. Since purchasing the Inn in 2015 we had been wanting to pave the parking area and recoat the driveway and 2020 was the year. It looks more inviting when pulling in and is so much easier for guests to park. It is definitely much easier for the snow removal then the old gravel was.
As usual we have a few projects lined up for this year so stay tuned and we’ll see what 2021 brings.
Renovations around the Inn
February 29, 2020 by jacobrohrbach
You may have noticed that we’re a little behind in getting the Rohrbach INNsider out this quarter. It’s not because we were on vacation… although we wish we were, it’s because of the renovations being done at the Inn. Each year now during the month of January we choose a project and do some renovations. This year we closed the whole month! For most people that means it’s time to relax and go on vacation… but not us, it means time to get to work.
This year our number one priority was to redo the bathroom in the Antietam Room. With an old tub-shower combo and a small vanity this one was in despite need of a face lift.
Just after New Years Smith Renovations, LLC come in to demo and begin the work. But as with all projects, we have learned that nothing ever goes according to the plan nor on a projected timeline.
Smith Renovations
DEMO DAY
Framing Shower
Drywall
Final Sanding
Cleaning grout
But no worries, the work progressed and we decided to freshen up the paint in the bedroom as well, so the Antietam is an all around NEW ROOM! Hats off to Brandon, Andrew and their dad, Bryan for doing an OUTSTANDING job.
New toilet and sink
Pocket Door
Tile Shower
While this was going we had to do some minor repair work to the ceiling at the back entrance. The initial plan was to replace the ceiling and repaint that space. Well, after taking down the ceiling, and doing a little investigating, we realized that the doorway from the foyer into the hall was a more recent addition (maybe 1980’s) so we decided to remove it and open the space.
Surprise, surprise surprise..
Back entrance
Hallway
We also took down the wainscoting and wallpaper, repaired the plaster and added a ceiling light too. It looks like a different hallway now. So much room to come in and very welcoming with all the natural light.
So while ALL this was going on, we were also giving the General’s Quarter a fresh new coat of paint. Thanks to our painter and handyman, Lucas Turner for his help on these two projects.
Getting ready to paint
Still getting ready to paint…
WOW! A brand new room, just a little paint and lots of TLC.
We are done for now, but there is one more big project on the horizon this spring.
Maybe next January we will actually get to take that vacation……