Home DIY renovations are very similar to archaeology, well at least the way we renovate. Peeling off layers of carpet or wallpaper or linoleum is a lot like schnitting layers of ancient living floors. I can often seriate and relatively date (and heck, absolutely date in some cases) redecorating episodes of the house based on found remnants of carpet, wallpaper, paint, and the like.

I know that our living room was originally carpeted in brown shag carpet, ca. 1970s. This was very likely the original carpet put in the home when it was first built ca. 1975-1980. I found just a few stray carpet tufts around the A/C vents. It was of the dark brown tortoise-shell variety.  Our foyer, currently displaying dark brown parquet floors (see below for interesting side notes on parquet), originally had a tan/brown marbled vinyl covering. Just a small strip remains in the transition area from the foyer to the living room.

The walls had wallpaper on the area above the chair rail, and nothing but paint below (same as the foyer, kitchen, and original dining room). That is a very 80's approach.

I think the last major paint/carpet took place ca. 1997. I found the factory tag on the back of the carpet when we pulled it up. It was still in good shape, as in not disintegrating, but it was stained from years of living with dogs and a toddler. The walls were painted that mushroom brown color when we moved in -- back in October 2005. I am pretty sure that was done my someone who rented the house probably in 2000 or so. It is definitely time for a make-over!

Finally downloaded photos from my camera. Looking at the before pics of the living room....wow! What a difference a bit of paint can make! 



BEFORE: Brown walls, cream carpet (looking brown).... Disclaimer: Arrangement of furniture is not typical...We had already started moving things around to begin the renovation process.

Parquet Notes of Interest: Parquet flooring originated (though called something french) in Versailles in the mid-1860s. It was used to replace marble flooring that was a pain to keep clean. Several NBA teams have parquet floors in their home arenas, the most famous of which are the Boston Celtics. A more in-depth overview of parquet can be found here at Apartment Therapy.