Where Do We Stand?

Now that it's September (finally), and we're officially 2/3 of the way through the year (if my calculations are correct), I've decided it is time to do a check-it-off-the-list post to see for myself what we've accomplished at the homestead so far this year and what still needs to be done. After all, we only have 4 months(!) remaining before 2011 is ovah. Wowsers.

To refresh your memory, on January 4th I wrote out a list of about 10-ish ambitious items we hoped to accomplish in 2011. It broke down like this...

1. Living Room Fireplace Makeover (including the brick, tile floor, and brass screen)
2. New Flooring in downstairs bath, entryway, stairs and hallway
3. Create a new finished laundry room in the basement
4. Painting the un-painted walls and trim in the house
5. Painting some old furniture pieces I own
6. Turn the downstairs bedroom into a home office
7. Hang new light fixtures throughout the house
8. Bathroom Renovations (downstairs 1/2 bath and upstairs full bath)
9. Landscaping of some kind around the house
10. Decorating (window treatments, wall decor etc)

And of those 10-ish items, what do we actually get to cross off the list as of today? I'll indulge you on this one with a few pictures as examples...

1. Living Room Fireplace Makeover (including the brick, tile floor, and brass screen)


2. New Flooring in downstairs bath, entryway, stairs and hallway



4. Painting the un-painted walls and trim in the house


7. Hang new light fixtures throughout the house ... well, we got one closet, the 1/2 bath, and the upstairs hallway lights switched out...still a few more to go.



8. Bathroom Renovations (downstairs 1/2 bath and upstairs full bath)


9. Landscaping of some kind around the house


10. Decorating (window treatments, wall decor etc)





So, we've gotten about 1/2 of that original list crossed off. However, there are quite a few extra items we have tackled that were not on the list (it's the spontaneous side of us):

1. Master Bedroom Closet Makeover (picture of that on #7 above)

2. Kitchen Backsplash tiled and grouted



3. New Kitchen Microwave and built-in shelf



4. New Furnace - no pictures on this one. It was a boring-but-must-have purchase. Our original furnace was 25+ years old and on the brink of death. We will be happy to have heat this winter.

5. New sofa and area rug in living room



So, which items are NOT likely to get done this year? That would be #3 (finished laundry room in basement), #5 (painting old furniture pieces - unless I get super inspired on a random weekend), and the other half of #8 (remodeling the upstairs bathroom). Hopefully 2012 will make room for these.

In the meantime, we still have 4 months remaining in 2011 to complete several other projects - some of which are in the works:

1. Brand spankin' new patio (deets on that soon)
2. More Landscaping (it never ends) - Some of this is completed. I just need to post it for ya.
3. Cleaned out, painted, and somewhat functional Bedroom #3/Home Office on the first floor (just started this project)
4. New flooring/carpeting in Hallways and Stairs (maybe by Nov 1?)
5. Painting here and there and everywhere
6. More Window treatments, new light fixtures and general decor (Fall and then Christmas coming soon!)

I'm sure I missed something plenty of items, but you get the general picture.

Thanks for continuing to follow along with us as we hash out our home remodeling details on this thing called the world wide web. Where would we be without your commitment, comments, and virtual love (oh, and help from those who have the painful reality of living nearby)?!

Now excuse me because I need a nap...

Screened In

It's done. Complete. The end.

What's done, you ask? Well, I'm talking about our fireplace. I left you hanging with the paint job we gave it a couple weeks ago (read about that here).



The only thing left to complete this makeover was painting the brass fireplace screen that covered the opening. Here's a picture of the screen before any painting took place...



The brass finish was too out-of-date looking and just not my style. So, I knew painting it would be a great DIY opportunity and save us the cash we'd spend buying something brand new.

Joey took on the painting of the screen and it was a pretty simple process. Since the screen is going to cover a fireplace that will be used to burn wood, it will likely get hot - at least on the inside. So, for the primer, we decided to go with a special high-heat spray paint. We got it at Lowe's.



Joey taped off the glass and put some paper behind the screen in case of over-spray, and went to town. He gave it 2 even coats of primer with only a little drying time needed between coats.



I actually wanted the final finish on the screen to be an oil-rubbed bronze, but the high-heat spray paint didn't come in that finish. So, I settled with black for the primer color.



However, for the final 2 coats of paint (that would make 4 coats total), we did use regular oil-rubbed bronze spray paint (also from Lowe's). Here's hoping the top coat won't melt off/bubble/peel when we make our first fire. Since most of the painted screen faces out away from the fire, I'm crossing my fingers it'll be fine. I'll let you know if it turns out badly.

Sorry, no pictures of Joey painting the final 2 coats because he got it all done and the screen back in place before I got home from work one day. So, I was surprised to see it finished.



Can I say (without too much bragging) that I love it? It looks like a new screen. No hint brass anywhere. The screen blends beautifully with our fireplace tool kit and coordinates with the other metal finishes in the room too.



Here's a larger before picture of the fireplace not painted but the screen removed.



I had considered leaving the screen off and just making the opening prettier (somehow), but now I'm glad we put the screen back on. It looks more polished and somehow makes the TV hanging above it blend better. Plus it covers the ugly/dirty inside and will be keep things safe when little kids are around or we go to bed before the fire dies.



A lot of people struggle with the idea of hanging a TV above a fireplace, but I gotta tell ya that I love it more than ever now. I actually find myself staring at the fireplace instead of the TV because I'm so pleased with the transformation. But when I really want to watch the TV, I'm glad we can face both at the same time. It's a win-win for us.



This is one of my absolute most favorite projects we have completed in the house so far. The risk of painting the brick was definitely worth the reward of a fresh, bright, clean, newer looking fireplace in the end. Total cost for the brick primer and paint and spray paint for the screen was about $90 (and it probably could have been done for less). So worth it! So worth it!

Now, it's time to move on to the next project (because home improvement never ends). What will it be? Hmmm...

Texture, Organization, and a Reminder

Thought I'd share with you a few new additions to my Pinterest Boards. I keep coming back and looking at them because I love them so much.

1. I'm assuming this first photo is a shot of an entryway or mudroom in the house. But what captures my eye is the chevron-patterned boards on the wall. In fact, it hypnotizes me. It's rustic and gorgeous. Give me chevrons. Give me boards. I heart.



2. This hallway is all about simplicity meets texture. From the wainscoting on the lower 2/3 of the walls to the grass-cloth wallpaper on the upper walls to the hardwood floors with the carpet runner in the center, you can't get much more texture than that! Yet the color scheme is neutral and not much decor is even needed to make it beautiful. The wall sconces and pendant light add warm charm. I also love the archways. It's all so interesting.



3. This next image was an instant re-pin item for many people. If I someday have a large laundry room, it will include an island for folding laundry and 1 laundry basket per family member! The picture below shows a clever way to store them all.



4. I LOVE this outfit. I love ruffles. I love orange and brown. I love trouser jeans. I want that purse. Pinterest has definitely helped me think about clothing in terms of whole outfits rather than just individual pieces. And yet every item below could be versatile and used with something else.



5. This quote below is an oldie (when it comes to my boards), but a goodie. I seriously need to print this quote, frame it, and hang it on the wall where I can read it every day.




Happy Pinning!