My Journey
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with my house for the past 10 years, but I’ve finally decided to choose love. Little-by-little, project-by-project, I am reinventing my house to make it function better for my family. I hope that by sharing my journey, I’ll inspire you to begin yours.
Current Project(s):
1. FALL PURGE
The kids are growing like weeds, as evidenced by my middle son’s leap of 2.5 shoe sizes in under two months. It’s time to go through all of their clothes and recycle, donate or store the stuff that doesn’t fit anymore. While we’re at it, we really need to bring some order to the chaos of their bedrooms.
2. MUDROOM SHOE SOLUTION
This whole remastering project started several years ago when I had an unsolvable problem in my mudroom. It took a little creativity to fix the issue, but the process opened my eyes to the potential of using my house more functionally. My solution has held up well over the years. I’m working on documenting the whole project now and will have complete build instructions soon!
My Completed Projects:
| Room | Project | See it | Priority | Level | Cost | Who Did it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mudroom | Find shoe solution | Coming Soon | Top | Easy | Free | Me |
| Mudroom | Sports equipment solution (part 1) | Coming Soon | Top | Easy | Free | Me |
| Mudroom | Sports equipment solution (part 2) | Coming Soon | Top | Easy | $ | Kids |
| Mudroom | Backpack space | Coming Soon | Top | Easy | Free | Me |
| Mudroom | Mail recycle center | Coming Soon | Top | Easy | $ | Me |
| Rec Room | Create office space | Coming Soon | Top | Hard | $$$ | Me |
| Rec Room | Install new ceiling | Coming Soon | High | Intermediate | $$$ | Me |
| Rec Room | Install new flooring | Coming Soon | High | Easy | $$$ | Me/Contractor |
| Rec room | Finishing touches | Coming Soon | High | Easy | $ | Me |
| Living Room | Fireplace mantle | Coming Soon | High | Intermediate | $$ | Me |
| Living Room | Figure out layout/piano | Coming Soon | High | Easy | Free | Me/My Mom |
| Living Room | Paint room | Coming Soon | Medium | Easy | $$ | Me |
| Dining Room | Find light solution | Coming Soon | Easy | Intermediate | $ | Me/My Mom |
| T's Room | Plan redesign of room | Coming Soon | High | Easy | Free | Me/Son-T |
| T's Room | Build new bed | Coming Soon | High | Hard | $$$ | Me/Son-T |
| T's Room | Built-in desk | Coming Soon | High | Easy | $ | Me |
| T's Room | Floating shelves | Coming Soon | Medium | Intermediate | $ | Me |
| T's Room | Figure out tiny closet | Coming Soon | High | Easy | Free | Me/Son-T |
| Exterior | Build raised garden beds | Coming Soon | Low | Easy/Intermediate | $$ | Family |
| Exterior | Reseed front lawn | Coming Soon | High | Intermediate | $$ | Me |
There’s still so much left to do!
| Room | Project | Priority | Level | Cost | Ready Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mudroom | Create mail sorting center | Low | Easy | $ | Need: Plan, time |
| Mudroom | Repaint | Bottom | Easy | $ | Not even on radar |
| Living room | Finishing touches: chairs, curtains, art | Bottom | Easy | $$$ | Ready to go |
| Dining Room | Build new table | Low | Difficult | $$$ | Need: Plan, time |
| Laundry Room | Purge! | Top | Easy | Free | Ready to go |
| Laundry Room | Replace oil tank | Top | Easy | $$$$ | Need: Contractor |
| Laundry Room | Plan new room | Top | Easy | Free | Ready to go |
| Laundry Room | Revamp entire room! | High | Intermediate | $$$ | Need: Plan |
| Utility Closet | Reorganize/Optimize | Top | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| Stair Cubbies | Optimize for storage | High | Intermediate | $ | Need: Complete prior step |
| J's Room | Add shelves above desk | Low | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| J's Room | Complete dresser project | Medium | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| J's Room | Design/Build closet built-ins | Medium | Difficult | $$$ | Need: Plan, Help |
| P's Room | Purge! | High | Easy | Free | Need: Help from P |
| P's Room | Create revamp plan | Medium | Easy | Free | Need: Help from P |
| P's Room | Revamp entire room | Medium | Intermediate | $$ | Need: Complete prior step |
| Utility Room | Purge | Top | Easy | Free | Ready to go |
| Utility Room | Reconfigure/Reorganize | High | Easy | Free | Ready to go |
| Master Bedroom | Purge | High | Easy | Free | Ready to go |
| Master Bedroom | Design/Build closet system | Low | Difficult | $$ | Need: Plan |
| Master Bedroom | Build window wall storage unit | Low | Difficult | $$ | Need: Plan |
| Master Bedroom | Revamp entire room | Low | Easy | $$$ | Need: to make myself a priority! |
| Master Bathroom | Optimize storage in closet | High | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| Kitchen | Build storage by fridge | High | Easy | $ | Need: Plan |
| Kitchen | Create magnet wall | Medium | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| Kitchen | Create toe kick storage | Low | Intermediate | $ | Need: Plan |
| Kitchen | Install backsplash | Bottom | Intermediate | $$ | Need: Plan |
| Kitchen | Repaint | Bottom | Easy | $ | Need: Time |
| Family Room | Repaint/Finishing Touches | Bottom | Easy | $ | Need: Time |
| Powder Room | Optimize linen closet | High | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| Powder Room | Repaint/Finishing Touches | Bottom | Easy | $ | Need: Time |
| General | Improve 2nd floor insulation | High | Easy | $$$ | Need: Contractor |
| General | Install attic ventilation | High | Easy | $$$ | Need: Contractor |
| General | Install attic fan? | Medium | Easy | $$ | Need: Contractor |
| Exterior | Optimize storage sheds | Medium | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| Exterior | Build wood log storage | Low | Easy | $ | Ready to go |
| Exterior | Build deck | High | Difficult | $$$$ | Need: Plan, Help, Money |
| Exterior | Replant side yard | High | Easy | $ | Need: Spring! |
| Exterior | Build new shed | Low | Difficult | $$$ | Need: Plan, Time |
| Exterior | Install garden & flower bed irrigation | Top | Easy | $ | Need: Spring! |
| Exterior | Plant new flower bed behind house | High | Easy | $ | Need: Spring! |