My Projects

Let’s be honest, this house will always have a new project. But as much as I like design blogs I’m not the gal who is going to paint a kitchen island 9 times just to “freshen things up.”

I know what I like and aim to improve the house one little step at a time so when it’s time to sell or rent out there’s much less work to be done. Here’s a list of projects by room along with the date of completion for the ones I’ve managed to finish!

Front Yard:

• replace front door screen done July 2011
• cut back grass around sprinkler heads done Aug 2011
• create a rock layer in walkway flowerbed for gardening hose done Aug 2011

• replace the garden hose holder in the front yard done Aug 2011
• replace gate latch pull string done Aug 2011
• re-replace gate latch pull string because it broke. again.
• dig up rose bush that hasn’t produced since 2008 done Oct 2011
• limb up sugar maple done December 2011
• repair gutters and downspouts
• buy or make rain barrels
• grind down the tree stump
• paint trim around kitchen windows
• paint trim on front door
• re-secure and repair lattice porch cover
• run a string of lights from the lattice to the fence
• re-seal or replace windows (garage, 3 in the kitchen, living room)
• replace the porch light with something nicer

Side Yard:

• install compost bin done July 2011
• remove the layer of small rocks (started Aug 2011)

• replace gutters and downspouts
• buy or make rain barrel (purchased May 2013)
• lay down sod or moss or plant trees – CHANGED THE PLAN
• build planter boxes and fill with soil
• fill in pots of flowers and somehow rig the drip hose to water
• build a second patio like the one below

Backyard:

• wire the sprinklers to the automated system done Aug 2011
• plant something pretty under the guest room window done Aug 2011 here

• 
• plant more pretty things under the guest room window and protect them from dogs
• replace the backyard light
• cut down tree and grind down stump
• consider planting another tree
• replace the brick border around the flower beds - done May 2013

• replace the too short sprinkler head
• fill in bald spots with sod or grass seed
• reinforce the fence, secure boards

Main Bathroom:

•  finish painting the door – done Aug 2011 here

• replace door hardware done Aug 2011

• remove broken door hook done Aug 2011
• replace towel bars done August 2011 here
• buy and install new low flow toilet  done May 2012 here
• replace vents – done January 2013
• paint the ceiling to match the walls – done January 2013
• paint inside bathroom cabinets- done January 2013
• replace the broken shelf in bottom cabinet
• cover the shelf floors with vinyl
• touch up caulk around bathtub, baseboards and cabinets
• replace the floor with vinyl tiles
• remove funky frog decal on the wall
• replace light fixture with something light and delicate
• replace the sink faucet
• install new shower head with detachable piece

Master Bathroom:

• paint door and trim white done Aug 2011 here
• install new towel bar and hand towel hook done August 2011 here
• upgrade the door hardware done Sept 2011
• install new low flow toilet – done May 2012 here
• replace the sink and faucet – purchased new sink Dec 2011
• replace light fixture with something pretty – purchased Dec 2011
• paint the ceiling rice grain – done February 2013
• replace vents
• replace baseboards (possible quarter round with bead board)
• replace vinyl tiles on the floor

• 

  the dog is cute, the floor tiles are not

• install bead board on walls
• sand and paint in-wall cabinet exterior

Hallway:

• paint doors done Aug 2011 here
• touch up wall paint done Oct 2011
• scrape ceiling done Feb 2012
• texture and paint ceiling done November 2012 here
• finish adding baseboards done December 2o12
• touch up baseboard with caulk done January 2013
• touch up door frame paint

Kitchen:

• replace the door and drawer knobs – done May 2012
• buy a new fridge/freezer  done (got a used fridge in Aug 2011)
  • continue to test the new fridge/freezer to ensure it’s safe to use – done Sept 2011!
  • purchase or repurpose containers to organize the freezer space – done Oct 2011
  • swap units (old fridge/freezer to garage) done Sept 2011
  • use chalkboard paint on the old fridge/freezer to track food outside done Oct 2011

My inspiration from this source for the painting.

• replace the window blinds with roman shades – done April 2013
• re-seal the corian seams (which are showing and sagging in places)
• spray paint or replace the return air grate – done January 2013

Living Room:

• paint front door white done August 2011

• replace front door frame
• touch up paint and baseboards
• repair or replace broken tiles around the fireplace
• test the fireplace for utility
• replace grate on A/C
• install hanging light in living area
• scrape the ceiling
• re-texture ceiling and paint

Office:

• purchase one more CD size bookshelf for library done Aug 2011

• hang new photos frames – done Oct 2011
• paint and rehang the door – done May 2012 here
• finish scraping the ceiling – done November 2012 here
• paint the ceiling – done November 2012 here
• finish baseboards around the closet done December 2012
• paint and reinstall air vent done December 2012
• remove warped drywall piece (on ceiling) and replace
• secure bookshelves (earthquake proof)
• replace the carpet
• repair phone jack

Guest Room:

• remove closet doors – done December 2012
• Paint closet doors
• Paint top of closet & shelves
• install baseboards in the closet
• paint ceiling – done January 2013
• touch up wall paint
• replace ceiling fan

Master Bedroom:

• paint the doors white – done Aug 2011 here and here
• update door hardware – done Aug/Sept 2011 here
• scrape the ceiling – done Feb 2012 here and here
• replace last two outlets and cable plate – done May 2012 here
• Remove the old baseboards – done May 2012 here
• paint ceiling – done July 2012 here

• prime and paint paint the walls – done July 2012 here
• paint the bookshelf – done July 2012 here
• update the headboard – done July 2012 here
• paint nightstands for additional storage – done July 2012 here
• replace ceiling fan bulb cover – done August 2012
• finish black frame photo wall – done August 2012
• install new baseboards – done December 2012

• seal baseboards with caulk – done April 2013
• paint baseboards white
• paint closet header white
• paint interior of closet
• install lights in closet – purchased April 2013
• replace carpet

Garage:

• reorganize holiday containers done Aug 2011
• reorganize dog stuff done Aug 2011
• move out boxes of rocks done Aug 2011
• replace the door handle on the screen door (done Sept 2011)
• finish painting the walls with primer
• hang ladder on the wall
• cut and cap off copper pipes for water softener
• replace dryer with more efficient model
• paint the door to house
• repair drywall hole by garage door
• replace the door frame going into the house
• look at flooring options around the washer/dryer
• consider adding more outlets to the garage

Whole House “When I Win the Lottery” Projects

• repair or replace the heater/AC working well as of Aug 2011, will do a thorough check up in 2012
• power wash siding
• paint the house exterior
• replace window framing (2x4s which are rotten)
• replace windows and frames
• check roof for repairs, possibly replace
• replace the gutters and downspouts