I don’t know, however , several years ago I had some major remodeling done, finally after four months I was so sick & tired of the disruption in my house I just ended the project there. Never had the desire to finish the final things. There are a few additional things that would be nice to have done but I dread the hassle, I keep putting it off even though money is not an issue.

You started October 1? That is actually fast work. Most people find renovations/remodels can take a year or more. Of course you are depressed, even discouraged. You're just been through an exhausting project and it isn't finished. No problem. There is always tomorrow. In fact there are years to get it the way you want it. As far as decorating, live in it a year until you get the feel of your new space. Take your time and enjoy the process, not just the finish. What you've done so far is beautiful, good use of space, and can be enjoyed for years to come. Good job so far.

thank you all for your support ..I guess will stop my hyperfocus and enjoy the renovation

Desertrose, it is no surprise to me that you see all the flaws in the remodel work. You know where they all are! From a contractor's standpoint it is a very common issue. But I have found that if you bring other people through the space, people who had no hand in the work, you will be surprised at how few of your 'flaws' are noticed. No job is perfect, no matter how much attention to detail you have. Let other people enjoy your work and you will enjoy it, too.

I agree...you are probably just exhausted, although two months of remodeling is really a very short time frame.
Do the cleanup and put your kitchen stuff away in the cabinets. Then live with it for at least six months before starting to think of the next project.

I guess everybody is surprised remodelling in such a short time I guess I was lucky to find a contractor who would agree to work in short time because I told him I can't afford it neither time nor money ..all my friends told the renovation will take 6 months at least but I was lucky ..another thing that I did all my search before starting I knew exactly what design materials to ask for and buy took me 2 months to seach the net and google every detail I think that also helped

From my perspective, what you’re going through is totally normal. I think Jennifer M. summed it up nicely (or not so nice depending on how you look at it :) ). I am not remodeling but getting close to the end of a custom build. Oh my gosh, how many times I wanted to throw in the towel and quit! But once you start there is no turning back. All the decisions and brain drain....I almost lost it when the countertop guy asked me if I wanted a reveal on my kitchen sink....and how much of a reveal. Are you kidding me?? Every minute detail had to be thought through and weighed, and that can be completely exhausting. And then when each new phase is completed, always feeling that disappointment and let down with the knowledge “I could have done better” or “I should have done such and such instead”. So, not at all unusual to be feeling the way you’re feeling.

I know this is an old post...but I’m feeling so anxious. I just finished a custom house after 7 months and I’m so sad it’s over. I miss the daily checking on progress and decisions. It was painstaking to go through but now that it’s over, I’m in a funk. I will need to find a new ‘hobby!’

Hemina....I totally went through the exact same thing. It was a 3 month reno ....not a complete 7 month custom ....and I still felt sad...I missed the people who worked in my home almost daily. It was like I made best buddies and suddenly everyone is gone...lol...Also, even though is it sooo difficult to go through a major reno etc...it is also very exciting and I think it is a let down for many folks. It is bitter-sweet and a new chapter. Eventually, the feeling went away but I think a new project will make you feel better for sure....anxiety is a terrible feeling..Do you think the anxiety is related to anything specific...ie...decisions made, money spent, any regrets...etc..??

Take Care and Hope yuu feel better soon ,<3

I have a few regrets but love almost everything about the house. I wish we had hired a designer but they are apparently in high demand where I live and just couldn’t get anyone to even call me back other than a few to say they couldn’t take on any new clients. I think I just miss that daily to do list. At the time, it was so stressful to have so many decisions to make and all of them were so interwoven. I remember what a relief it was to be done with the tile layouts! Picking everything from the paint colors, baseboard style, trim, kitchen and bathroom cabinet layout, tile, counters, door knobs, light switches and what operates which light, lumens, window styles and operation and on and on...So many decisions were made since January and all had to be thought through and make sure they all work together. It was such a rush, and I thought it would be such a relief to be done and moved in. But now I miss it!

Why are we seeing the old post and not the Before AND After? Is your kitchen still not finished?

@felizlady-I’m assuming you’re addressing the OP?

I moved to Italy from the UK (single female, plus 5 cats) in December 2020 (mid Covid and in between lockdowns). I'd bought a 13th-century house in an ancient mountain village which is now my permanent home.

After spening a few months doing the interior design/layout, I hired specialist contractors and renovation of the (3-floor, basement, and wine-cellar) house began. For the first three months (of the 20 month project) I had no access to a kitchen (think crackers and cheese), or shower facilities. Many days there was no water or electricity and for nearly a year there was no central heating. My bed was used as a storage unit when work was being carried out in my bedroom/ensuite and I'd often climb into bed at night (under plastic dusk covers) to find bits of brick and concrete between the sheets!

Now, 20 months later, my house is finally done and the finished product looks like you've stepped into the pages of an interiors design magazine. But there is zero excitement. The stress and anxiety of doing this renovation was heightened ten-fold because of language difficulties (I don't speak Italian or know the processes required to cut through the reems of red tape).

Not only has the renovation budget spun out of control and cleared out my bank account but it's drained me of my creative mojo (I'm a photojournalist). And all the nature-inspired reasons I came to Italy have all but evaporated. I've quite literally lost the desire to do all the things I set out to do. I can barely drag myself out of bed in the morning, and when I do, I sit around all day doing nothing. I'm mentally, physically and emotionlly exhausted and I've become a recluse. Ok, so I'm taking baby steps towards learning the lingo, but I'm not fooling myself into thinking I'll never be abe to have a conversation in Italian.

Had I known what was waiting for me, would I do it again. YES - but with one proviso. Don't live on site, or you'll lose your sanity.

So congratulations, Cindy-Lou! I think that postpartum depression is a real issue and I say post parturition because you just gave birth to a huge project. Now you need to take on the project of you - rebuild yourself and your nervous system. Can you arrange a short trip to a spa? Give yourself permission to rest. Walk in nature without an agenda for work. Breathe consciously at least 10 min a day, which can be combined with walking. Eat well, especially delicious soups. Watch the alcohol consumption - not every day. When you feel stronger and can imagine it, invite some friends from the UK to come and be wowed by this incredible project. I find that listing 3 things that I am grateful for every morning upon waking up is a helpful practice for elevating my mood and attitude

And yes, not living on site during the Reno is excellent advice!

I hope that I am not being too preachy/PollyAnna, but I was touched by your post.

@Cindy-Lou Dale - I am DYING to see this project! Please post! You are a bad a$$ for taking on such a huge change - I think it's totally normal to "crash" after something so significant. Please be kind to yourself!

Totally normal to go through a bit of motivation block, but we cannot wait to see the finished product!

We are always our own worst critics. Take some time off from your renovation if you can. Take a short trip. When you come back things might not seem so bad.

A competent psychiatrist or psychologist could make a fortune helping former renovation owners going through this unique mental phase. Having done (nearly) a whole house renovation a long time ago, I remember it being “done” and I was not happy. I second guessed every design decision I made now that I had to LIVE with it.

This psychological let down is very real.

A few folk expressed a desire to see before/after photos... here are a few.

I think I've earned my nervous breakdown ;-)

Wow! You have what we would call “vision”! You really tackled some rough-looking spaces! It looks amazing -and so comfortable. Love, love the basement reconstruction. That’s rather amazing….. 😊

Wow, what an amazing transformation! Great work!

Reading these encouraging posts was absolutely lovely. Renovating a home is no easy feat and I resonate with many of the thoughts/emotions shared.

Also, WOW at your reno photos. You created a masterpiece.