What Happened ... What Didn't Happen ...

Hello, end of August. 

Sort of nice to see you. As usual, summer went by too quickly, and I am now dreaming of three day weekends over Labor Day and the approach of Fall. Sometime back, I wrote a post midway(?) or early(?) summer outlining some thoughts. For whatever the reason may have been, it was never posted. So here I am drinking a glass of red wine and looking at it on a Saturday evening in our dining room as Z runs wires behind a wall. He has so much more patience for that sort of thing than I would. I went back through the post and put my current thoughts in italics. It was fun to look back at this! It appears as if I go through phases of not posting for a while, but that doesn't mean that things aren't happening around our house. Pardon my blogging absence, and enjoy the thoughts of summer.....

-E-

Garden

• I am so thrilled with the way our backyard is turning out. We had been so spoiled in the earlier months of summer to spend so much time outside with the mild weather!  Our hosta collection has grown (got to love a good plant nursery and sale), and we have added more to it. I have nicknamed our backyard "the retreat@ because it feels that way. Grab your bottle of wine (Sauvingon Blanc from New Zealand, Shiraz from Australia.....) & head out for a relaxing evening.  Many evenings have been spent outside and many more to come, especially with Fall creeping up on us!
• Hot tub..... Didn't happen. :( Long story short, the motor gave out and the company has poor customer service. I loved that thing! If you are looking around for a pool or inflatable hot tub, I strongly advise you avoid INTEX. (I've heard people have better luck with the pools....) Still quite sad about this.... Discovered our local neighborhood pool, though, with Z's sister which was quite fun!
• Raised bed hasn't happened yet, but to our delight the veggies on one of the sides of our house is doing well despite the endless amounts of shade! Still no raised bed, but the veggies have continued to do well! Putting it on the side of the house and expanding it along that way was a great idea.
• Our compost pile is still a work in progress, but there is composting taking place already! I can't wait to get more involved in it. Still a work in progress.... :) Thinking Fall with all of our leaves will bring more time doing this activity. 
• I bought roughly 5-6 pepper plants this year and 2 types of basil plants. Happy with what we have been able to get from it! Next with basil is homemade pesto! Pepper plants are still producing! Made 2 types of homemade pesto and put it in the freezer.... Can't wait to try it!

House

• Organizing!!!! I tend to go through purges when I really examine things to determine if I need to hold onto it or not. The 4th bedroom in our house is top priority this summer. While it won't be done in time for the neighborhood garage sale, I predict trips to Goodwill this summer. Unfortunately, the 4th bedroom did not happen, but just about every other room did! Donations to Goodwill are piling up. 
• Organizing more. That is my biggest goal for the house... Can you tell? Continual purges... 

City + State

• I want to get to know my state and surrounding city more. I dream of frequenting local farmer's markets, local shops, sites in my state, charming towns, and getting to know my area better. Still exploring! Went to a few nearby towns but can't wait to dive more into it. I think that Fall will be a beautiful time to do so with the leaves changing.
• Speaking of getting to know my area better.... We have been here for 4 years as of this coming October. I want to get to know my area even better. I can't believe we are approaching 4 years. I remember the day Z told me we were moving from Chicago! 

Etc.

• With no concrete commitments aside for a few things throughout the summer, I am also looking forward to making trips to visit with family + friends. Mission accomplished. 

Summer Dreamin'

Today, as I typed up notes for a meeting with my colleagues, I realized that today was April 22. Not a significant day, aside from being my Dad's birthday and Earth Day. But today was the day I realized that it was April 22. Our last day with students is May 21. We have crossed that threshold of being less than one calendar month away from summer. (If you haven't assumed yet, yes -- I am a teacher.) This is bittersweet for a number of reasons. However, I wanted to focus on what the summer may hold.

Garden

• I have dreams of our yard resembling a small slice of MOBot - the Missouri Botanical Gardens. I could have an endless rant of how lovely this place is, and why it is easily in my top destinations in St. Louis, but you must experience it. I look forward to doing more planting, creating more flower beds, and carry on with my hosta obsession collection. 
• Getting our hot tub up and running!
• Saving money & planning towards building this amazing raised bed on our own 
• Finishing our compost pile
• Buying more basil & pepper plants

House

• Organizing!!!! I tend to go through purges when I really examine things to determine if I need to hold onto it or not. The 4th bedroom in our house is top priority this summer. While it won't be done in time for the neighborhood garage sale, I predict trips to Goodwill this summer.
• Organizing more. That is my biggest goal for the house... Can you tell?

City + State

• I want to get to know my state and surrounding city more. I dream of frequenting local farmer's markets, local shops, sites in my state, charming towns, and getting to know my area better. 
• Speaking of getting to know my area better.... We have been here for 4 years as of this coming October. I want to get to know my area even better. 

Etc.

• With no concrete commitments aside for a few things throughout the summer, I am also looking forward to making trips to visit with family + friends.
• Relaxing. Recharging. 

What do you wish to accomplish this summer? Do you get summers off or vacation weeks? When everything is said and done, I am looking at roughly two months (give or take a week or two) for being my time frame to get things done. 

Photo: http://www.phase-eight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/summer.jpg

Privacy Fence

YOU GUYS. I thought my happiness couldn't get any greater after Z jack hammered the concrete obstrocity. Apparently it was possible to get greater! 

Z designed and built a horizontal fence and gate that faced out to the main street where our house faces. Since we are the second house from the street and our neighbors do not have a fence up, we were lacking privacy in our backyard. Each time we were outside, it was not uncommon for someone on the street which our yard faced, to be looking at what we were up to next, or bluntly asking what we were up to. At the same time, they also gave compliments which was very sweet. But, we were craving a bit more privacy in our backyard without feeling like we were on the "Truman Show." 

I was out of town this past weekend, but Z and his mom assembled this part of the fence! It looks SO good. I was so impressed with the work that was put into it! The only thing that I helped out with was gathering lumber at Home Depot and helping to space some wood pieces. Not nearly as much as they did. 

I already am pinning ideas of what I may want to plant next year, picking out some hostas, and looking at ideas now that the fence is up! 

CORNER OF THE FENCE

FENCE BUILT

 

HANGING BRACKETS FOR BASKETS

Although this is the last night of my summer break, I still have a few projects that I hope to accomplish in the upcoming weeks... finishing painting our bed platform, organizing closets, touching up our bedroom and bathroom paint.I was hoping to have finished them over break, but sometimes, you just need some rest and relaxation! 

Jack Hammer!

Sadly, summer is rapidly coming to an end. I thought surely I would have updated more frequently, but, as noticed, that didn't happen. Instead, vacations, spending time with loved ones (pets included), gardening, and some small house projects took place. Our minds are running wild with what we will do in the upcoming months! 

Although I hadn't updated lately and there are so many pictures of our garden that I intend to share, I had to share this picture because it makes me OH SO HAPPY!

Long stories short. The previous owner said they would take care of things that they left prior to closing. They took everything except these lovely once-were basketball posts. (Cue sarcasm. I would have much prefered the basketball hoop but it seemed like it was gone years ago.) The reminets have been siting on the side of our house until today! TODAY! Z's work had rented a jack hammer for a project there. Coincidently, we were pricing rentals of those earlier this week. After using it at his work, he and two work friends decided to continue the fun and took a try at these hideous concrete spheres. A half hour later, it was broken up into much more manageable and movable pebbles. 

After living with this since we moved in, I am beyond excited to see this gone! And beyond thankful. I can't wait to get it moved out and start imagining what to plant there next year! 

With the week left of summer, I am going to be fully enjoying it. Hope you all enjoy your weeks, too, if summer is ending, ongoing, or maybe never truly started. 

-E

"Must Do!"

The "must do" on my summer list was to work on our master bedroom. When we purchased our house, all of the rooms with the exception of the kitchen and master bedroom, were painted a beige color. The kitchen was sponge painted with a yellow blend and the master bedroom was purple. As in, K-State purple. If you need a reminder, check out this post! I love purple. My bedroom at my parents' house was a shade of purple! However, this was a bit too much, and too dark. 

We had gone back and forth with what we wanted to do in this room. At first, my initial idea was a light gray because I have loved how it made our kitchen and lower living room look. Very calming. Although, as we worked on the master bathroom, we thought that making the rooms feel similar would be best. 

We tried two paint samples and decided on option #2. It was a grayish-green color that felt spa-like! Calming, sophisticated, and complimentary to our end look. 

We took off the doors in the bedroom that we knew we would be keeping. Two sets of doors (both to closets) were not installed correctly and the door jam was not installed correctly, either. Since we will eventually replace those, we did not bother painting them again. We used Valspar Ultra White on the primed doors. 

Z worked on patching the walls where previous cracks had been. 

There were many cracks near the windows.

A preview of the bathroom painted with the color we chose for the master bathroom & master bedroom!

In the last two weeks, we have:

• painted the master bathroom
• painted the master bedroom
• painted ceilings in master bathroom & bedroom
• installed crown molding in the master bedroom
• replaced 1/4 of the baseboards in the master bedroom
• started to paint our bed 

It's funny how my "must do" summer project is progressing so quickly! I am very happy about it, though! In a few weeks, my Mom has graciously offered to help with projects around the house. Hopefully final touches of painting will be done in our bedroom at that time! (Baseboards will be a piece here, piece there kind of project.)

 Next up? Man bathroom. Pictures to ensure of these projects soon.

Hope your June has been enjoyable thus far, whether you have the summer off, have the opportunity to travel, or are trying to beat the heat!

-E

Anxious About Spring

I don't know about you all, but I am anxious for Spring. I love all of the distinctive seasons in the Midwest, but I am craving Spring. I find myself thinking this at about this time every year. I'm anxious to start planting in our yard, growing vegetables, and hanging out in our yard. 

To help combat my anxiousness of Spring, I looked at outside patio furniture and accessories. Here is what I was eyeballing and checking out. Hopefully my online shopping and wishing will bring spring here a little bit sooner! What are you most looking forward to this Spring?

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