there is a gentleman named joe in my basement who is literally tearing apart the bathroom. we are talking pulling out the antediluvian shower, ripping out the asbestos tile (which everyone has sworn, up and down, that as long as he keeps it in pieces and not dust, that no one will inhale carcinogens), pulling down the hideous plastic tile on the walls. it is making a hallacious racket, and occasionally, i fear that the entire house is going to fall down. of course it won't (right?)

this is the first step toward reclaiming the basement as a living space. for years, it has been a dumping ground/trash pit for all the refuse and crap we have amassed. but no more. i have dreams of a guest room downstairs, as well as a space for BC to play in (and, in her teen years, to be a surly girl and hang out there away from annoying adults.) i figure since the stock market is so crappy these days that the house is as good an investment as can be, so why not make it as livable as possible? i have to pick out a paint color, as i am going to be painting the room as soon as they are done. i have been lured to pick up one of those brochures where they show you how e a s y it is to sponge or rag or distress the walls. hmm. on the one hand, it is a very small space and as good a space as any for experimentation. on the other hand, when it comes to painting, no one will ever mistake me for a pro, though i have learned a lot by watching BS paoint and then taking on painting projects of my own (like BC's bedroom.)

can anyone give their thoughts on whether doing things like sponging or ragging paint is something even a novice like me can do? do tell.