mini make over

February 7, 2007. Nine years ago. 

That was the last time I had my apartment painted.

New York law allows me to ask my landlord to repaint my apartment every three years, but two things have stopped me.

1. The monumental mess and hard work of taking everything both off, and away from, all the walls.
2. The thought of painting over my baseboards.

This building was erected in 1959. Being conservative, I assume it's been painted every six years. That's almost ten layers of paint on the baseboards.  And they look it.

Small things like this bother my eyes. It's something my son doesn't understand.

For many years now, I have tried (unsuccessfully) to get  this building to replace my baseboards.

First, I flat out asked:
The baseboards look really horrible, as they have probably been painted over and over since the building was erected in 1959.  I am hoping that they can be replaced.   They cheapen the whole look of the apartment and make it look old and messy.

The response was not unexpected: 
Unfortunately, we will not replace the baseboards.

When that didn't work, I suggested supplying the materials if they'd cover the labor. Still no.

I gave up for a year or two, and tried again a couple of months ago.

This time, finally, I get the okay, as long as I use the building's contractor (whom I like and think is fine).

The workmen come this morning. Despite still being in a no-energy-lounge mode from this cold thing, I am able to sleep through all the banging as the men scrape off the old baseboards and replace them with new ones.  

The end result makes me happy. (I wish I could replace the floors but that'll never happen).

Before &
After

Before &
After