Our Sexy New Front Door

One of the first things we wanted to change in our house was our front door.

We hated how cheap it looked. (Think the Lindsey Lohan of doors - trashy looking, dirty, scuffed up, etc) So, we toyed around with buying a brand new front door... but they are a little out of the price range we wanted to spend on a quick update. I think later down the road we will probably end up getting a new one (Justin likes front doors with a little window in them to bring in more light) but for now, we decided we could add a little va va voom to our house just by painting it.

Since the house is yellow, we had a couple different ideas about color: First we thought that a bright blue or navy blue would look fun. We also debated about going bright red, but in the end, we went classic and sexy... black!

It's amazing how much of a difference it makes! Much more Megan Fox now, right? Our house looks like it has so much more depth and it seriously makes me swoon a little. We still have lots of curb-appeal updates we want to do (ahem...porch light...[cough]... welcome mat) but for now, its definitely a much nicer sight when we get home! Oh, and I made a sweet little lemon wreath for the door to bring a little summery cheer to the house and to tie in with the yellow siding. I used this tutorial if you are interested.

Here are a few more before and afters! Let me know what you think of the color! Good call on the black? Wish we had gone red? blue? others?

Before:

After:

Oh! We painted both sides of the door btw. So here's what it looks like inside!

Before:

After:

We're in love.

The Master List

"So do you guys have any plans for your new house?" Mmm...a fewwww.

What we really liked about this house when we put the offer in was that it really is a blank slate in many ways. Although it was built in 1947, it seems to me that the previous owners did what they could not to update it per say but to make it as neutral as possible before selling. Yes, I am referring to the inordinate amount of beige. But also, it is very simple in all of the lines of the house, fixtures in the bathrooms, etc. Although I wouldn't have said "no" to a bit more character in the house, it is nice to feel unhindered by previous owners' design decisions. We can really do pretty much anything we want to make it our own. And thus the list was born.

 We created a list of everything we could think of for each space in (and out) of our house. Some of the things on the list are smaller goals that could be attained probably within a year, some we will have to definitely pinch our pennies and save for. And I am certain that many of our ideas will change as we live in the house, decide where our priorities lay, and see what appeals to us.

Let us know what you think of our ideas! Also, you may want to get comfortable, or warm up your coffee because, yeah, its long.

Front Yard

-       cut back/dig up bushes blocking kitchen window

-       build garden beds on either side of the door

-       plant flowering perennials in garden beds

-       paint the door (black?) *spoiler!*

-       install shutters (black?)

-       replace tiny porch light with something more lantern-y and prominent

-       fertilize, weed, or dig up lawn and reseed

-       tear out 3 ugly shrubs (replant along the fence in the backyard for privacy?)

-       build a structure for the raspberry bushes

-       put in a fence (white picket?)
    -  all the way around or just in front?
    - Leave space in front of the fence for parking – gravel?

-       Possibly create a second path that goes to the street from the front yard
    - Possibly re-do the current path with brick

-       Gravel or concrete the area to the left of the driveway for a second car to park

-       Build a pergola above the garage

-       Replace the gate going to the backyard with a wooden fence and gate.

-       Edge driveway and walkway

-       Paint (?) the stairs leading to the house

Living Room

-       paint the walls a cool neutral (grey, blue-grey, ??)

-       install crown molding

-       repaint or replace coat hooks

-       replace sofas

    - right now thinking: charcoal grey sofa/sectional

-       replace rug with bright rug

    - thinking: yellow and white geometric design

-       possibly paint side tables white?

-       Possibly replace coffee table with tufted ottoman

-       Cover the ugly thermostat with a canvas installed on a hinge (for access)
   -  Or, replace sideboard with a tall open square shelving unit for access to thermostat + decorative accents (possibly painted yellow?)

-       Replace doorbell

-       Add molding over the archways into the kitchen and hallway to match the molding over the windows in the room?

-       New lamps/pillows/accents etc

-       Replace all outlets with white outlets and covers

-       Repaint all the trim bright white in semi-gloss

-       Figure out a solution for hanging up some curtains
    - Replace ugly green blinds?
    - Roman shades?
- keep the cute dog.

Kitchen/Dining Room

-       paint cabinets white

-       add molding around the cabinet doors and drawer fronts?

-       Add ORBed hardware onto the cabinets

-       Replace the countertop with butcher block

-       Replace faucet

-       Replace sink

-       Extend hardwood floors into kitchen?
    - If not, maybe some kind of tile?

-       Create dining nook with: a wooden rectangular table,  4 wooden chairs, 2 brightly colored “head” chairs (maybe yellow? Red?), pendant light fixture over the table (cream colored drum pendant?),  
-    hang floating shelves for artwork behind the table

-       install some sort of backsplash
    - maybe a white paneled wall for a cottage vibe

-       replace light fixture above sink

-       replace refrigerator

-       replace range?

-       Purchase and install a microwave over the range

-       Install molding at the top of the cabinets

-       Install soft-close hinges/apparatus

-        Install pull out shelves in the pantry cabinet

-       install pull out shelves for the pots and pans

Hallway

-       paint the same color as the living room

-       hang up a cheery frame gallery (not pictured)

-       replace all doors with solid wood

-       replace doorknobs with ORB

-       replace light switches with white

-       repaint/touch up the baseboards with semi-gloss white paint

-       create a nice “command station” for keys, mail, etc

-       remove carpet from stairs and landing and continue hardwoods?

-       Family frame gallery going down the stairs

-       Replace/repair handrail going down the stairs

-       Replace ugly closet door (with what?? Not sure)

-       Crown molding

Guest Room/Office

-       purchase a queen size bed frame/headboard

-       purchase a queen mattress/box spring

-       purchase pillows, mattress pad, duvet

-       purchase a desk

-       purchase a chair

-       hang curtains

-       hang shelves above desk

-       purchase a tall bookcase

-       make or buy a nightstand
    - thinking possibly a luggage rack + tray = nightstand
    - File cabinet spray painted a bright color?

-       Paint the walls (maybe big horizontal stripes?)

-       BOXES and BASKETS. Lots of them. Need organization.

   o   Bills/paper junk

   o   Sentimental stuff (cards, etc)

   o   Crafting supplies

   o   Actual office supplies

   o   Technology stuff (boxes, manuals, cords, etc)

Bedroom #2

-       until it becomes a nursery (YEARS AWAY) I have NO idea

Master Bedroom

-       rip up carpeting and install hardwood floors

-       put down a soft, plush, rug around the bed

-       paint the walls

-       get more stylish lamps

-       buy a dresser for Justin

-       find a fun mirror or artwork for over my dresser

-       hang a full length mirror

-       remove ugly blue curtains

-       find new curtains (faux roman shades?)
    - something that can hide the green blinds but adds personality

-       accessorize with some fun pillows on the bed

Main Bathroom

-       replace the flooring with tile (maybe the faux wood tile?)

-       remove nasty vinyl shower “backsplash?”

-       replace with white subway tile
  -  maybe a color stripe with some glass mosaic tiles?

-       replace the medicine cabinet with a mirror

-       replace light fixture with something more updated

-       replace fixtures in the tub

-       remove towel bars

-       hang towel racks

-       put up floating shelves above the toilet with decorative accents

-       hang fun art

-       paint the walls

-       replace the knobs on the vanity with fun glass ones for a pop of color

Half Bathroom

-       paint the walls (possibly stencil a wall?)

-       replace flooring with tile (maybe the faux wood tile?)

-       replace the medicine cabinet with a mirror

-       remove the towel bar and install a small hand towel hanger

-       replace the light fixture with something more fun (maybe a mini chandelier?)

-       stock the vanity with travel size toiletries for guests (toothbrushes/toothpaste/facewash, etc)

-       hang some fun art

Laundry Room

-       continue hardwood flooring from living room/kitchen
    - if not, put down tile floor

-       invest in a nice screen to block the water heater from view so we can remove the door to the kitchen.

-       Organize the open shelves into a “nice to look at” linen area

-       Build a cabinet + hanging rod above the washer and dryer

-       Paint the walls a fun color (Tiffany blue?)

-       Hang a chandelier

-       Hang some kind of fun artwork on the wall (maybe a large chalkboard?)

-       Replace the door to the deck with a door with a window

-       Install a doggy door leading to the deck

-       Put down a (washable?) runner in front of the machines

Garage (hmm... can't seem to find a picture! Better get on that)

-       Install an electric door opener (hello 21^st century!)

-       Potentially move “dog washing sink” closer to the door.

-       Tear out “workshop” cabinets

-       Install a drop down ladder into the attic storage space

-       Install some sort of shelving/organization system for tools, sports equipment, etc

Backyard

-       lay a stone patio below the “porch.”
   - Possibly extend to the side gate with a spot to conceal the garbage/recycling cans.
   -  a patio table
   - Build benches for patio table

-       Replace the chain link fence with 6 foot cedar fence ($$$ - yikes)
   - Start with the side gate for privacy from the street/so the dog doesn’t bark at passersby.

-       Prune and diagnose any problems with the fruit trees

-       Build/install a rain barrel

-       Build a compost bin

-       Create a vegetable garden
   -  Build raised beds
   - Use gravel/brick/wood chips between the beds for easier transportation of materials (and not having to mow in between!)

-       Clear out the overgrown weeds along the fence (ALL of the fence)
    -  Esp. the ivy and blackberries

-       “naturalize” the back end of the yard with shade-loving shrubs/trees/plants that will be low maintenance.

-       Aerate, fertilize, reseed the lawn

-       Clean, stain, paint and reseal the deck

I'll keep you all posted on our progress on the 1001 things on our list! 

Day 1 Photos

Its funny to look back at these photos, because even though we have only been here a month, there are a few things that already look different! And some things look almost exactly the same (yikes!) But, since I know everyone likes to see other people's mess and chaos, here are the photos from the day we moved in.  Enjoy!

Don't worry, we got the SNES and N64 hooked up right away. Priorities you know.

 There is a stuffed llama on the table. Where does one put one of those?

 Dumping zone.

 Found a little souvenir from Disneyland. Also, priorities. 

 Keeping it real...this room looked like this until yesterday. It's still not clear, but better. 

Justin has his own changing room!  

The Backyard: 

Horrible overgrown patch of weeds! 

 Ollie kind of liked it though...

 Apple tree...needs a pruning. 

 Another horrible patch of overgrown weeds!

Now that you've seen how enormous our yard is, hopefully you can appreciate how humorous we found it to be left this yard waste container...who lived here before us? American Girl dolls?

Stay tuned for: our master list of everything we want to do to the house, a front door update, some new pics of the house a month in (There is ART on the walls! At least...some of them) and our DIY outdoor table project (which is currently in process).

Move-In Day!

If you are reading this, you are most likely friends or family and already know that a month ago, Justin and I BOUGHT A HOUSE!

We are super excited and I thought it would be fun to start a little blog to share with those close to us the transformation our little slice of property undertakes as we slowly take on projects to make this place our own. First: the stats on our little place:

3 bedrooms
1.5 bathrooms
1300 sq. ft.
1 car garage
9000 sq. ft. lot
3 fruit trees
1 paint color throughout the entire house (look out, its beige)

But without further ado, here are the photos from the day we closed! Let's call them "Day 0" pictures, shall we? (Pardon the horrible lighting, we took pictures at night, with only the light of the lovely light fixtures the sellers left us!)

The Living Room

The larger window overlooks the front yard. The door to the right is the front door. 

The larger doorway leads to the hallway, the smaller door that is ajar is the guest room/office. 

The front door is on the left. View of the doorway to the kitchen. 

The Kitchen

I can't wait to paint over that blue... And the cabinets for that matter. 

Lots of good counter space and light. Just needs some personality. 

The door to the right leads to the laundry room. 

The "dining nook" as we don't have a formal dining room. 

The Guest Room/Office

Yup. The seller got brand new GREEN carpet. Thanks a mil.

The Hallway

There are a few steps down to the master bedroom and the second bedroom, both of which are ground level with the backyard, not actually "downstairs." Also, half bath is on the left, coat closet on the right. 

This hallway leads to the full bathroom (right) and into the laundry room. 

The Full Bathroom

Many updates to come.

We could probably fit a 4th bedroom in that closet. 

The Laundry Room

The door to the left leads to the garage and the door on the right leads to the backyard. 

The second bedroom

Again...brand new carpet. This time blue! 

The Master Bedroom

At least the new carpet in here is a neutral color...

The half bathroom

More views:

This view is leading up to the front door from the bedrooms.  

"Foyer?"

The Backyard!

That is a lot of grass to mow. 

49 sq. ft. of porch all to ourselves.

Phew. That was a lot of photos. Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour. Stay tuned for Day 1 photos (read: disaster zone) as well as a 1 month in update and our first DIY updates to the house!