Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Four Months Later

Early last week, Z and I were outside (as we typically are in the evening) ensuring that all of the plants were adequately being watered and spreading some fresh, leftover mulch in a flower bed. Within minutes of one another, two neighbors who were out on a walk and run, respectively, stopped to compliment us on our work thus far! Both mentioned that the place had much more curb appeal than when the last owner lived here. It was nice to know that our hard work is not only be noticed by us, but by our neighbors as well! They were both such sweet compliments.

This week in discussing house projects with two different friends, both brought up a great point - what have we been working on exactly since mid-March? Z and I see the work firsthand, but what about you guys? The compliments on the exterior of our house had me thinking about the interior, too. What have we completed in the last four months? (As of July 19th, it was four months to the date that we took ownership of the house and began to unpack our cars!) It is highly rewarding to look back and see what all we have accomplished to make our home, truly ours, and make repairs to it. I hope you enjoy the photos and taking a peak into what we have been working on! I know, I have been enjoying doing it!*


Here's the quick stats on our home... 
4 bedrooms  |  2 . 5 bathrooms  |  side-split  |  built 1966


Hallway
Before
After

What did we do?
  • Fresh coat of "Seal Gray" paint 
  • Fresh coat of "Ultra White" trim
  • Moved thermostat to left wall (originally in dining room)
  • Installed new light fixture
  • Changed door fixture (front door and coat closet)

Work still in progress?
  • Fresh coat of "Ultra White" on front door
  • Replace hinges on coat closet
  • Replace closet door
 Dining Room
Before
After
What did we do?
  • New curtain for back door (courtesy of E's Mom)
  • Move thermostat from this room

Work still in progress?
  • Replace light fixture
  • Paint dining room (keeping chair rail)

Kitchen
Before 
Before
After
What did we do?
  • Installed cafe curtains (courtesy of E's Mom)
  • Deep clean and shine of cabinets
  • Laid shelf liner in all cabinets
  • Installed window tint in all windows
  • Removed old shelf liner, primed and painted, installed new liner in pantry (not pictured)

Work still in progress?
  • Undecided - Possibly paint cabinets and or walls 
  • Complete kitchen remodel (upcoming years)

Formal Living Room (Upstairs Living Room)
Before
Before
After
What did we do?

    • Tinted one window
    Work still in progress?
    • Tint second window
    • Paint entire room
    • New trim - ?

    Master Bath
    Before
    After

    What did we do?
    • Removed linoleum floor 
    • Removed shower pan and surroundings
    • Removed vanity
    • Removed toilet

    Work still in progress?
    • Lay new subfloor 
    • Install new floor, vanity, shower
    • Tint window
    • Install new window treatment
    • Install beadboard or tile
    • Paint
    Master Bedroom
    Before
    After

     What did we do?
    • Primed and painted both closets (not pictured)
    • Installed new window treatments 
    • Install new medallion for fan
    • Replaced fan
    Work still in progress?
    • Replace hardware on closets and doors
    • Paint walls and trim
    • To be decided: Rebuff hardwood floors or choose new flooring (considering Armstrong)

    Home Office (Bedroom 1)
    Before
    After

     What did we do?
    • Nothing yet!
    Work still in progress?
    • Prime and paint closet
    • Change hardware 
    • Paint trim and walls
    • Rebuff floor
    Guest Bedroom (Bedroom 2)
    Before
    After

      What did we do?
    • Primed and painted closet
    • Patched and sanded walls
    • Painted walls "Weeping Willow" by Olympic
    • Paint trim
    Work still in progress?
    • Rebuff floor
    • Change hardware
    • Install new closet door
    • Install new light fixture

    Guest Bathroom (Hallway Bath)
    Before
    After
    What did we do?
    • Replaced water controls (shower)
    • Installed new curtain rod
    • Installed new shower head
    Work still in progress?
    • To be decided - paint
    • Change drawer pulls, hardware, sink controls and accessories to match throughout 

    Upstairs Bedroom (Bedroom 3) 
    Before
    Before

    After

    What did we do?
    • Nothing - yet!
    Work still in progress?
    • Prime and paint walls
    • Paint walls and trim
    • New light fixture with fan
    • Replace doors and fixtures
    • Replace vents
    • Rebuff floors and seal



    Attic (Walk In)
    Before 
    Before
    This area is used primarily for storage. Hence, no after picture at this time.

    What did we do?
    • Remove old insulation
    • Added more insulation
    • Added wooden plants to cover insulation
    • Insulated door 
    Work still in progress?
    • Add insulation 
    • Long term: Extend Upstairs Bedroom (Bedroom 3) into attic to create second Master Suite

    Downstairs Living Room (aka Second Living Room)
    Before 
    Before 
    After
    What did we do?
    • Paint all walls
    • Paint built-ins & mantel 
    • Remove old trim
    • Install and paint new trim
    • Remove gold fireplace screen
    • Clean fireplace
    • Paint fireplace with high heat paint
    Work still in progress?
    • Discussing other flooring options
    Garage
    Before
    What did we do?
    • Removed wooden cabinet (pictured in before picture)
    • Repaired gap in wall in that area
    • Added shelving options to side of garage
    • Garage floor injected to raise sinking areas & fix step that leads into lower living room
    Work still in progress?
    • Discussing flooring (cosmetic)
    • More storage / shelving

    Basement
    Before
    After


    After
    What did we do?
    • Removed makeshift shelving 
    • Removed door to laundry area
    • Rebuilt work bench area
    • Paint and seal areas of basement
    Work still in progress?
    • Create more dedicated laundry room 
    • To be decided with remainder of area

    Half Bathroom (aka Men Bathroom)
    After
    What did we do?
    • Nothing - yet!
    Work still in progress?
    • Install flooring
    • Replace sink / mirror 
    • Paint
    • Install tile

    Exterior of House - Front
    Before
    After
    After

    What did we do?
    • Replaced storm door
    • Replaced mailbox
    • Replaced exterior light 
    • Removed red house numbers
    • Painted front door ("Barn" by Martha Stewart at Home Depot)
    • Installed new house numbers in different location
    • Landscaping (Install wall, mulch, plants, etc)
    • Power wash 
    Work still in progress?
    • Painting ledge of door
    • Install second wall (closer to house)
    • Fencing (partial privacy fence)
    • Continued landscaping





    We have been working on other things, too, that were not pictured in these photos. Mainly painting closets, trim, and kick-plates for steps. As you can tell, too, some of the rooms are still a little bit messy, or a catch-all room while we continue to unpack and determine what is keep, throw away, or donate!

    While we have only been in our home for 4 months, I am astonished with how much we have accomplished thus far! It may be small things, but, they certainly add up. And, we are both enjoying the process thoroughly! We are constantly running ideas off one another, sharing ideas, and truly putting our touch on our house.


    Thanks for taking time to visit and see what we have been working on the last four months! With school starting back up shortly and my last semester of graduate school approaching, the projects may be slowing down a bit. But, nonetheless, they will continue! Stay tuned for the next projects! (The guest bedroom is coming along nicely!)

    -E

    Saturday, July 13, 2013

    Summer Project Wish List: Mid July Update

    As summer quickly approaches the final weeks, it seems as my summer wish list will not get done as much as I had hoped. Z & I did do a lot, but selfishly, I wanted more to be completed. I was a bit frustrated by it, but truthfully - what is the rush? We will be in our house for years. 

    So, what if it isn't all done until a weekend when I limit myself bringing home papers to grade? So, what if it waits until Fall Break, or Winter Break?! 

    I am learning to be okay with it not all being done. I much rather take my time and get things done slowly. And, exactly how we want them. 

    With this being said, this is what I did with the first full week of not having summer school. (Ah... Yes... That thing took up quite a bit of time, too. Surprisingly to me. I suppose I was an optimistic.) I went to Dallas. Here's just a few pics of my getaway. 











    My trip was centered around shopping, fun, family, and food. I stuffed my suitcases silly with goodies from my trip. 

    Tomorrow, a house project will commence though! The first coat of paint will be going up in the guest bedroom. With the bed being finished, I can't wait for it all to start coming together. 

    Do you all have any projects or anything on a list that hasn't gotten done this summer? How do you prioritize your projects?

    -E

    Friday, July 5, 2013

    Home, Clean, Home!

    Home, sweet, home, is even sweeter when it is cleaner!

    I have been posting photos of the projects that we have been working on throughout the house, or ideas that we are using for inspiration. However, I have not posted many photos of the house (in itself) without the projects going on! This weekend, a friend is coming to visit. I am anxious for her to visit,  see the house, & see the area! I am using her visit as the perfect excuse to take some snap shots of the house in its cleanliness stage of all! Projects have been cleaned up (mostly) for the weekend, & things are tidied up! I love the feeling of just finishing cleaning - whether it is an apartment, a room, or a home, it feels great nonetheless! 

    Enjoy the photos of the house! Stay tuned - in the upcoming weeks we will be back to the projects! Looking forward to sharing the ongoing progress of the guest bedroom with everyone.


    Entrance Hallway

    Steps going downstairs to second living room, garage, "man" bathroom and basement.
    Steps going upstairs to two bathrooms and all bedrooms.*


    Steps lead up to all bedrooms & two bathrooms.*


    Formal living room.

    Dining Room.


    Kitchen (View from Dining Room)

    Kitchen.

    Stairs lead up to fourth bedroom.
    Guest bathroom.

    Hallway to three of the bedrooms.


    Guest Bathroom.

    Guest Bathroom.


    Master Bedroom

    Master Bedroom

    Downstairs living room.
    Door (with cat door) leads to basement.
    Door on wall with TV leads to garage.

    Downstairs living room.


    Downstairs living room.


    Although not all of the rooms are pictures (they are quite messy!), I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into our home and what we have done thus far. Someday I'll post the before and after pictures. Have a great weekend whatever you may be doing!

    -E

    *Since our master bathroom is nonexistent at the moment, I don't know if it counts as a bathroom truly?!? It does have plumbing ready to go!