If we don't value ourselves why would anyone else value us? (hope that made sense). If this is important to you, then you have to take control of the situation with or without his approval/validation. It's what you do for a living and what you love to do. That's all that should matter. After 10 years, you have given him reason to assume you no longer need that space. Time for a serious discussion. Make a list of what needs done, why it needs done, and set a time line or deadline. No threats, just honest discussion. Then if it's not completed in that time frame, have another discussion, then hire out the job. I wish you good luck with this; I don't know your family dynamic but my DH doesn't "see" what needs done; I firmly but kindly point them out. Maybe your DH just needs a reminder of what needs to be done to finish this project.