Can you believe we are already over halfway into 2019? The years just keep flying by and once again time is running out on all the projects I have planned for the year! I shared my favorite DIY projects and a few regrets I have had since living in our home, but it seems like there is still A LOT I have planned. Every new year, I share my projects and goals, so it’s nice to check in and see what I’ve completed on the list so far and what is left to do.
WHOLE HOUSE
- purge & organize
new flooringpaintupdate trim- update window trim
- repaint baseboards
I think I have the purging and organizing thing down, and just recently I donated another large pile to the Salvation Army when cleaning out the guest bedroom and some of the decor that I no longer wanted. I have one more room that needs updated window trim, but I think I should also add baseboards to the list too. They all need to be deep cleaned, recaulked, and repainted.
LIVING ROOM
new flooringnew furniturea new rugupdate entertainment center- DIY fireplace or
custom built-ins - patio door update
- new curtains for patio slider and
front door - DIY
leather ottomans - new rug
I finished the built-ins earlier this year, but I still, need to finish my fireplace plans. It will take a couple of weekends to complete and I’m still trying to figure out all the details. I know how I want it to look, but need to have a plan to make that happen. It will involve moving the TV, building a frame, a DIY mantel (which I have BIG plans for), paint, baseboards, etc.
I think big DIY projects take so long for me to complete because I really like to plan everything out before I get started. If I go into it without an exact plan with measurements, materials, etc. I end up wasting a lot of time and a lot of money. I planned our paneled wall for over a year before I finally pulled the trigger on that project!
Recently I’ve decided our patio door is just fine and will stay as-is. I dreamed of french doors here one day, but since we no longer plan on staying in this house for much longer, it is not worth the money. New curtains and a curtain rod for our patio slider have been purchased but I haven’t had time to install them. But, I did update the curtains on the front door with a motorized shade earlier this year. Best decision ever!
I attempted to DIY some leather ottomans, but my sewing skills are horrible. So, my friend Cassie from Modern Clementine made the leather ottomans for me and they are perfect! I have added a new rug to the list again. I love our rug, but after two years, it is dirty and has a few stains. Currently, looking for something more durable and easy to clean!
KITCHEN
- paint cabinets
- new appliances
- shiplap range hood
- quartz countertops
- subway tile backsplash
- organize and add shelves to pantry
- open shelving
- faux uppers
I am really anxious to get started on our kitchen but it is going to be such a big project that I think I will break it up into phases. Starting with organizing and adding shelves to our pantry, moving the microwave, installing a new vent hood, removing upper cabinets, and DIYing open shelving. Then, adding faux uppers to the existing cabinets to take them up to the ceiling, tiling a backsplash, repainting all the cabinets, updating the hardware, and maybe getting new appliances and quartz countertops. It’s a HUGE project that I’m just not sure I have the energy to tackle yet.
OFFICE
- new desk and built-in cabinetry
- lighting
My hallway office which I’ll now be referring to as my #hallffice is actually almost complete! When I ordered the bookcases for the built-ins from Ikea, I also ordered cabinets for my new built-in desk. The hallway has an awkward angled wall that is a waste of space, so built-ins seem like the logical solution.
GUEST BEDROOM
new flooringorganizepaint
The guest bedroom was all finished during the One Room Challenge a few weeks ago and is one of my favorite rooms in the house now. I have no plans to change anything in there! It went from my most hated room in the house to the best room in the house with a little purging, new flooring, furniture, and paint.
MASTER BATHROOM
flooring- tile
shower updatemirrorslighting- paint vanity
I could write an entire post on how much I regret (and hate) this bathroom. It’s a project I started over two years ago and never finished. Sometimes I think about ripping it all out and starting over. But, finishing (more like fixing) the floor tile and painting the vanity will make it complete. Once it is completed, then I can share all the agonizing details and what not to do for a bathroom makeover.
MASTER CLOSET
- organization
- custom shelving
- lighting
This is an easy project that just involves adding an upper shelf for more storage, some purging, and organizing. Our closet is working just fine for us for now, so it is not on the priority list.
HALL BATH
- tile flooring
- update vanity
- new lighting
- new mirror
- paint
- new shower curtain
Another project I’m anxious to start is our hall bathroom. A can of white paint could do a lot for this small bath and that is probably where I will start. I would also like to add a taller shower curtain to hide the builder-grade tub/shower insert. But for now, there are bigger projects on the list and that’s where I would like to spend our money.
Speaking of money, one of my bigger personal goals for this year is to save, save, save. This is another reason, it takes so long to get any DIY projects done. They cost money. A wish list and a priority list are very different. Our home is just fine the way it is. All of these things are just wishes and improvements I want for our home. Our home doesn’t need them. I think it’s important to always love our home for what it is, while also working towards making it better for our lifestyle. So for this mid-year check-in, I’m reminding myself “don’t forget to love your home”!
