Renovation: Mud Room Part 2 (Demo Day)

Demo Day!!! As Chip Gaines loves to say. This is always one of my favorite parts too. It's exciting to tear down the old and be able to see the potential for the new. And man did this space need some potential. Here are pictures after Demo Day:

The southeast corner of the room. The left window looks out into the back yard. The right window (which will get demo'd) looks out into the driveway.

This is the east wall looking out into the back yard.

This is water damage from before we moved into the house. We replaced the roof on this section of the house, which is only one-story, so all of this wood is completely dry with zero mold. But it does look pretty nasty no matter what. Thankfully there's about 3 layers of siding on this wall so it's still pretty sturdy. I guess the last couple of owners kept adding things right on top of the other. Not how I would have done it, but in this situation it has helped us to save some money by not having to completely rebuild this wall.

South wall looking towards the driveway. The washer and dryer are covered by the cloth on the right of the picture.

Southeast corner, No water damage over here. Yay!

The north side of the room didn't get demo'd because it had already gotten updated to the drywall part of things when we renovated our kitchen. So nothing exciting going on over there...yet. Coming up next, studs!!! As in the 2x4 kind, not the stud muffin kind ;-)

Renovation: Mud Room Part 1 (Before)

I have been waiting to start this project for about 7 years now. And the construction process is finally finished!!! I seriously cannot believe it! I am s l o w l y going to reveal it to you. Slowly because I still need to "accessorize" the space and finish up some odds and ends stuff before I give to final REVEAL! So, full disclosure, I'm buying myself some time. I know how I want everything to finally look just not exactly sure how to get there :-) 

So, without further ado, here are some before photos! Hold the cringes please:

This door leads to the dining room. And the window on the left looks out into the driveway.

The window to the right is the driveway window. And the window to the left looks out onto the back yard.

This is the opposite side of the room. The door to the right leads to the back yard. And the door to the left goes into the kitchen.

If you look closely on the floor you can see blue tape lines. That is the future bathroom :-)

So, here we go! So excited to share more pictures, updates and everything! 

Kristin

Trey's Office Clean-up

These are old pictures. But I thought I'd share them anyways. 


Trey's office (he works from home) used to be in the smallest bedroom in our house. We are now currently renovating that bedroom into a nursery. But before we started that project, we cleaned Trey's office up a bit and hung some art work. Now the room was far from being finished (no paint, cracking plaster) but it was a huge update from before. Which was nothing. Plus a messy desk. So here are some in between pictures (sorry for the bad quality):

Trey's buck that he got with the picture of his kill below.

The bookcase finally organized and cleaned.

His desk top clean (didn't stay that way for long) and some pictures finally hung on the walls!

Pretty much the whole room (there's a small corner cubby behind me).

So there you go! I will have to upload some pictures of what the room looks like now! Haha, completely different! 


Kristin

Here Comes 2012...

**Warning: I think this is the most text I have ever typed for a blog post...just beware!**


So 2012 is finally here...well, it's been here for a little while now...but oh well. It's still fairly new. I know lots of people do the "let's look back at what we did in 2011"...I don't know if I'm that organized...but I'll think about it :-) It would be fun to see if I really did accomplished things in 2011. As for 2012, here are my "plans" (haha, MY plans...God is probably laughing at that right now...but it never hurts to have a plan with the expectations that they'll always change...hopefully for the better). 


p.s. I understand this is very text heavy...I just might add some pictures later for some eye candy. But only if I find good pictures :-)


12 House Resolutions for 2012:


1. Hang new bathroom hardware!!! I'm hoping to get this done asap...but I want to make sure I'm putting it in the correct spot...who knew I could get this excited about a toilet paper holder?!? I guess when you've gone without one for 2 years it gets ya :-)


2. Get our back room heated. Some of our plumbing to the upstairs goes through a wall in that room...last year, one of the pipes froze (and again this year). Yeah, not fun. Thankfully nothing burst...but there's always the chance. So this room definitely needs to get heated. Plus, it'll be nicer to do laundry with heat then without :-) This should definitely get done by January (even though we were hoping to have it done by November 2011...obviously that didn't happen). 


3. Finish painting the stairway!!! Seriously, that has sat half painted for way too long. It's embarrassing. I need to put a second coat of our wood paint (Dover White by Sherwin Williams) on the stair risers, finish priming the walls and the trim, painting the trim with wood paint and then finish painting the walls. Woah! I'm hoping to get this all done by mid-February...but let's be realistic...it'll probably be the end of March. 


4. Finish painting the trim in the kitchen. I need to caulk a bunch of the spaces (not a fan of caulking...but it works well, so can't complain). And then prime and paint. Definitely want to get this done by January. I could get all of this done in a weekend if I really tried. 


5. Make hard backers for the chalkboard squares that are in the kitchen. This should be simple. Famous last words. 


6. Put up the backsplash in our kitchen. We have had this for over a year and a half, but have never actually installed it! We still need to get the top "nose" thing...I can't remember the exact termage...but it'll look pretty :-) I'm hoping to get all of the backsplash fully installed by the summer.


 7. Start working on the back room (which will become a mud room/half bath). We definitely won't be able to start this until student loans are paid off (which will hopefully be in April - yay!). And this project will be quite a process. First we have to tear out all of the gross dry-wall that looks like wood paneling. Then we need to demo a window and replace some rotting studs. We will probably have to hire a contractor for that part. Replace the exterior siding where the window used to be. Build walls for a half bath. Add plumbing for bathroom fixtures. Dry-wall everything. Install new tile flooring to match the kitchen. Build new trim. Replace the door to bathroom so people can't peak in (wouldn't that be scandalous). I'm definitely not expecting this to get done by the end of the summer (although, that would be nice). But hopefully we can get it done by the end of 2012. If we can't, it's not the end of the world :-)


8. Finish making my curtains. I made 2 sets last year - one for the living room and one for the dining room...then got busy (or lazy...whichever you would like to pick). So, it's time for our downstairs windows to not be lopsided anymore. I have 3 more windows to cover in the living room and 1 window in the hallway.  


9. Actually reupholster my wing-back chair that I've had for 2 years. I am deathly afraid of starting...but when is a better time to start then now, right? Ok, we'll see...


10. Re-organize my office. Yeah, RE-organize. Obviously the first time didn't work. I bet I could throw away half of the stuff that has accumulated there. And it's one of the first things people see when they enter our house. So this is definitely a top priority project. I'm hoping by February it will be in tip-top shape. 


11. Organize and decorate Trey's office. That space is a pit. It's gross (not because of Trey...although.........just kidding :-) It's because of all the pet hair and papers and random junk sitting around). We bought furniture for it when he first started his job in August of 2010 and never really have organized it since then. So I think it's about time. Plus our dog sleeps in there at night (that's where her kennel stays), so all of her stuff needs to find a good place too. As for the decorating, yeah, I'm mostly leaving that up to Trey...and by mostly I mean I approve everything first...haha. But it's his man cave. And I want him to love it :-) As long as it's not too hideous. 


12. Re-decorate our guest bedroom. I have the paint, a new bedspread, some accessories...now I just need to put it all together. Plus clean the place out. Right now it is our "spare" room...meaning when people come over and we need a place to throw stuff, that's where we put it. Now you know. So don't you dare open that door if you come over ;-) Oh, and that's where our cats liter box is right now...because the back room isn't heated. Oh, it's a vicious cycle. 


12 Personal Resolutions for 2012: (and these are not in any certain order)


1. Finish paying off my student loans! I seriously cannot wait for this to be done. We should be finished in April...that'll be such a HUGE weight off of our shoulders. Ahhhh!!!


2. Be better at tracking our monthly expenses. We do a decent job, but we would like to know where every penny is going...that way, in the words of Dave Ramsey, "Live like no one else so you can live like no one else". I think that's right...


3. Be more active. I play volleyball once a week, but I really should do more. I could join a zumba class, or get a membership to our community gym (which is super cheap)...something. I will do something.


4. To be more purposeful in our ministries through Church. We lead a young married couples life group. And let me tell you: it-is-a-blast! We love it. The couples in our group are amazing. But I still want to be more purposeful in how we approach this group. I mean, it is about "life", which is a pretty deep subject. 


5. An item for an item: meaning when I buy new clothes, however many items I have bought is how many items I must throw out of my closet. We don't have a lot of closet space in our house and whatever closet space we do have is stuffed. So I'm hoping this will help me keep it under control. And to help me not get greedy about clothes. 


6. Be better at reading the Bible everyday. I always have good intentions...and I read a devotion almost everyday...but I need to just read the Bible. I know it will do wonders for my soul. 


7. Eat healthier. We signed up to participate in a farm share with some friends, which means sometime starting in the May or June we will get a weekly share of vegetables and some fruits (I think...). They're all home grown and organic. Plus it'll force us to eat more vegetables! Which I definitely need help with. I'm a fruit girl. Trey is a veggie guy. So we even each other out :-) Isn't that how it works?


8. Get to work on time. I'm terrible at that. Thankfully I have a boss who is somewhat flexible. So as long as I get my 8 hours in I'm good. But I really should get there by 8am. Especially since my office is really close to my house. 


9. Make my bed every morning. I am terrible at this. Trey is normally the last one out of bed (Since he works at home he doesn't have to get up and get ready for the day. He just wakes up, turns his computer on and he's ready. So not fair). But when Trey makes the bed...let's just say it's not right. Am I O.C.D.? Probably. Do I care? No. It is just so nice to walk into the room later in the day and see a clean bed instead of jumbled sheets. 


10. Take more photos of everyday life. I have lots of pictures of birthdays, Christmases, etc. But not a lot of just us. I'm anticipating that Trey will say I'm silly...but when he's old, he'll thank me...I hope! 


11. Be more positive about my day job. I admit it, I sometimes get frustrated with my work environment and complain about it. I know I'm not going to work there forever, but I need to remember to be very thankful that I actually have a job...and it's in the field that I went to college for. I get to design buildings, make decisions, argue about what is more sophisticated, etc. But it does get frustrating...I just need to remember how blessed I am. Very blessed.


12. Give all of my worries to God. There are certain things in my life that have not gone like I expected. Of course, that's life...I just have to not worry about them and remind myself that God has a much better plan for me then I do for myself. And everything will work out fine. 


There you have it! My goals...we'll see how well I do. What are your goals and/or aspirations? Please do share :-) Now onto projects and self-motivation! Have a great week!


Kristin

Christmas Nesting

Lately I have been sprucing up my house for the Christmas season.  We have all of our shopping done, I'm almost finished wrapping everything and we only have about 4 more Christmas parties to go to :-)  Now I can sit on the couch with a nice hot cup of cocoa and watch "White Christmas" with my favorite, Bing Crosby. 

Finally got the tree skirt under the tree. And yes, we have a fake tree.
Makes me feel better when our cat tries to climb the tree.

Isn't it pretty? My sister made the tree skirt last year :-)

Walter trying to help.

He knows he's going to be in trouble soon...he's not suppose to be under the tree.

Our console table by the front entry. There's Mr. Clause! I added glitter to
make him sparkle. I'll show a better picture sometime soon.

Our living room (I'm standing right next to the console table). I need to wash our rug and get that back under the couch. And I need to fix the bench cushion...

Walter over-seeing my picture taking skills.

One of my favorite ornaments. It's so sparkly!

Since we don't have a fireplace I have a hard time trying to figure out where to hang our stockings...

Enter 3M hooks...they seem to do a decent job. Trey's ornament, a reindeer.
Very fitting.

My ornament, a silver leaf. I'm not sure what kind of tree it's from though...
...sorry Ashley!

Our presents finally under the tree.

I hope you're able to enjoy the Christmas season this year! Make sure to take time to sit down and relax with a hot cup of cocoa and a good Christmas movie :-)


Kristin

The weekend

Sorry I haven't been posting lately...I need to finish some projects so I can actually post about them! and that is my goal for this weekend...some painting, hanging pictures, some more painting, putting away summer clothes, more painting, spending time with family...and probably more painting. My goal is to get most of the hallway/stairs finished...at least the parts that I can reach...and then to prime, caulk and paint the door and window trim in the kitchen that my husband and dad built. I'm hoping to be a maniac and get it all done on Saturday...so we'll see! I think that's a little optimistic, but I always try to hope for the best :-) or most efficient.  But I'll try to take pictures and post them next week of the (hopefully) finished products. Thanks for being patient!

Kristin

Guest Room Dilemma

I am hoping to redecorate my guest room (right now it's all a bunch of hand-me-downs and some of my old high-school bedroom set).  It doesn't look awful, just not my style anymore...and it's a little mismatched. So, my thoughts were to find some inspiration and then buy/d.i.y things for (hopefully) a lot cheaper.  


Here is my inspiration collage:

Sorry if it's kind of haphazard and jumbled...but it makes sense to me. 


One of the first things I want to do is buy a new comforter.  I think that changing the paint and/or comforter in a bedroom can completely change the look.  I have the paint already (it's the same paint that we have for the hallway) so now it's time for a new comforter. 


The one thing I'm really debating now is...do I really want the grey striped duvet...(with the  andalusia rug from west elm...I'll get that eventually...)

or do I want the organic carved circles duvet also from west elm...

I like the simpleness of the stripes, but I really like the pattern of the carved circles.  They are both similar in price and they are both duvets. Since I have 2 pets, the white stripes might  not be a good idea...but I do feel like the stripes are a safer bet pattern-wise. 

So my question is...what would you choose? What do you think the pros and cons are for each? Please, do share :-)

Kristin


p.s. I did come up with a "mood board" for the organic carved circles theme...thing...so here it is...a little less jumbled.

My on-going To Do List

So, in order to stay motivated, I am going to physically write down my to do list for projects in my house...and I am going to put a couple on that I have already completed just to make myself feel like I've actually accomplished something :-) 

The nice thing about having a 101 year old house is that there's always something that needs to be improved...the bad thing is that there's always something that needs to be improved.  But we do love this house. It has so much character and has been a huge learning experience for both of us (and by "us" I'm referring to myself and Trey). 

Behold, the "list" (and I apologize...my pictures aren't the greatest).

To Do:

1. Hang new pictures in living room (and figure out how to attach hooks in the back of the pictures)

2. Repaint and reupholster bench

3. Have Trey and Dad finish making trim around doors and windows in kitchen

4. Caulk and paint trim around doors and windows in kitchen (one down, five to go)

5. Figure out how to install backsplash in kitchen...and then do it 

6. Finish floor trim in kitchen

7. Paint doors to basement and mud room

8. Finish making curtains for main floor (two down, three to go)

9. Refinish front door...or paint it...I haven't decided yet

10. Refinish front railing

11. Reupholster wing back chair! (yeah, totally scared to do this one...never reupholstered something this difficult before)

12. Finish painting stairway and hallway (I have half of it done...but I'm not tall enough for the second half...)

13. Hang photo gallery in hallway upstairs 

14. Switch up artwork in bathroom

15. Build shelves for linen closet in back corner of bathroom

16. Paint guest bedroom (same color as hallway)

17. Put new light switch in guest bedroom

18. Install ceiling fan in master bedroom

19. Get new bedding and decor for guest bedroom

20. Clean out Trey's office (seriously...it is a pit!)

21. Heat the mud room so the pipes don't freeze again this winter!

...and someday, awhile down the road, we will actually finish our mud room...but that has a list longer then this one all to itself.  My crazy goal is to get all of these things done before next summer, so we'll see how I do. The wing back chair I've had for over a year. I'm hoping it won't take me another year to actually get it started. And can you tell we still have a bit to do in our kitchen...although it has come quite a long way compared to how we bought it.  Once I get good "progress/after" pictures, I will show you.

Well, there you have it.  Hopefully this will help keep me motivated to actually finish everything! Because the sooner I finish this stuff, the sooner I can actually get started on the mud room!

Have a blessed Tuesday!

Kristin