Let the Games Begin!

Andy has finally lifted the year long "no house project" ban.  As you may recall when we were house shopping early last year we wanted to find a house that we didn't need to update and could move right in.  After the four year process of building a house/selling a house we were both tired.  And not to mention the thought of trying to update and renovate a house with two 2 year olds (at the time), living in a temporary home, and oh the fact that you need cash to do anything.  We found the perfect one and moved right in.  Shortly after I found myself wishing the trim was white not light wood color, and that I had painted a bit, and that the kitchen appliances weren't white, and that there wasn't granite tile in the kitchen, and, and, and.  Can you see where I'm going.  I tried to run a few ideas by Andy and was quickly shut down.  The issue here is that if and when we move a massive renovation won't raise the house value.  We may sell faster (which is good) but I don't want to do anything that I couldn't see as value down the road.  So I was quite for almost the full year.  Much of that was also because Andy now renovates houses full time so the chances of him wanting to do that in his spare time were slim to none.  About a month ago I started floating the ideas by Andy again.  This time he was receptive.  YES!!  So here's my list of to-do's.  Not sure when they will get done because it's impossible with two 3 year olds.  ;)

• Update the powder room. DONE.  We switched out the toilet, the flooring, and I just used this awesome product called Mirror Mate.  They custom cut a frame to go around those boring plain mirrors.  We have a ton in this house.  But two of the three are 6-8ft long so I won't be using Mirror Mate on those.  But the powder room looks AWESOME!
• Switch out the master bathroom toilet.  DONE
• Paint and install cabinets to the laundry room. DONE
• Switch out all good door hardware. 20% done. 4 door knobs and 12 hinges down, only 14 more knobs and 42 hinges to go.  ugg!
• Do something interesting on the wall in the family room.  Done.  I added 8 ft images of trees.  Loved the look for a year.  Now I am ready for something more permanent......which is.......
• Add a 6ft long narrow window the family room wall.  YES!  Andy approved, window ordered, and hopefully will be installed in the next few weeks.  It's a big job.  Need to tear out drywall, cut headers and studs, reinforce, cut through exterior siding.  Thank goodness Andy is a General Contractor.  ;)
• Install a screen at the back door.  This is normally an easy task but our deck is funky and comes up too high so we'll need to figure out how to solve that problem otherwise the screen will never open.
• Paint the two tone blue room.  It is bright and disgusting.  I need to take down the chair rail, patch holes, prime and paint a nice neutral color.   I also plan on getting rid of the bed set and replacing it with my own custom upholstered headboard.  I just picked up Avocado green burlap and I'm so excited to experiment and see what I come up with.
• Exchange all curtains in the house.  All on order.  Kitchen window treatments are getting a cheery red face lift.  I found this awesome fabric and will attempt to make curtains.  I have done them before, but I always hand stitch everything and I don't have the time anymore.  I plan on breaking out the brand new, 3 years ago, never opened, sewing machine and seeing what I come up with.
• Hopefully say goodbye to the 11 year old white appliances in the kitchen.  I would love if they would just stop working...but sadly I don't think that will be the case. 
• Paint all trim in the house white.  Big no HUGE job.  I may have to start in a room and work my way around the house over a period of time.

This is only the beginning.  My "real" list is one that I'm keeping for myself, but I don't want Andy to see it all until we get some of these things accomplished. ;)  Sorry to break the news to you here doll. XOXO