The Learner Observer

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Making Plans for Our Home - It's Listy List Time!

making plans, writing lists, keeping goals - The Learner ObserverI started looking back to some of my handwritten notes for all of the ideas I had for our home since we moved in.  There are a lot.No seriously.... A  LOT!!!!I want to do like everything right now!Making lists helps me not only keep track, but also to see how my mind changes, how my priorities change, and how much mula will be needed for my overachieving projects.  Who's with me on this whole making lists thing?  Raise your hands, please.  One at a time... Oh wait... what was me having a teacher moment.  Sorry!Back to making lists...Are you ready for my biggest listy list ever of all time?No, me either... But it needs to be made, and I need to reference it a lot because I have a lot of goals for this tiny little house of ours!Anyone else call their lists "listy lists"?No, me either....... awkward....Let's start by giving you an idea of what I'm working with.  I mean living in.

House floor plans

Not the biggest house on the blog, I get it... but it's all ours and I love that about it!  Now here are the plans I (I should say 'we', but who am I kidding?  Alex and I both know that the list maker is me and that I am the one constantly daydreaming about what's next in the dollhouse.  By the way, dollhouse is my affectionate term for our small home.  It works, right?) have made for the dollhouse.  These are in no particular order, in case you start to think I'm nuts for wanting to paint trim before installing the flooring... 

Main Floor

first-design(1)FRONT ENTRANCE (5% complete)

  • make a coat rack
  • replace tile flooring
  • paint a chalkboard wall - wanna see?
  • paint all trim
  • paint front door
  • do something about the mirror
  • paint walls and potentially do something fun like this on them

 

LIVING ROOM (10% complete)

  • paint walls white
  • furnish the place
  • paint the big green monster
  • replace all trim
  • paint all trim
  • replace flooring
  • gallery wall - as it remains, but it needs to be changed already!
  • change gallery wall around the TV
  • add artwork to cover up temperature control box (what the heck are those things called?!)
  • fix the currently too short, awkward curtains
  • replace ceiling fan

 KITCHEN (70% complete)

  • paint all cupboards white
  • change hardware
  • change counter tops
  • paint ceiling white
  • paint walls
  • board and batten
  • refinish hutch here it is!
  • reupholster kitchen chairs all done!
  • refinish table and chairs
  • new flooring (not happening for a LOOOONG time)
  • new trim
  • pot rack & shelving

 

STAIRS (5% complete)

  • remove all carpeting (some of this is done)
  • fix and paint risers
  • stain treads
  • replace railing and post
  • add a runner
  • paint walls and trim up to hallway upstairs
  • add artwork
  • change light fixture

 

Second Floor

first-designcopyMASTER BEDROOM (0% complete)

  • paint walls and trim
  • fix up and paint closet doors
  • make a jewellery hanging system
  • figure out artwork for walls
  • refinish and hang mirror
  • curtains
  • new lighting
  • change flooring

 

MAIN BATHROOM (1% complete)

  • paint everything
  • replace tiles in tub/shower area
  • replace floor tiles
  • new vanity and sink
  • new mirror
  • towel hooks
  • change flooring
  • new lighting
  • change shower head

 

OFFICE (0% complete)

  • paint walls and trim
  • finish desk
  • paint chair
  • bookcases
  • lighting
  • new flooring
  • paint filing cabinet
  • fix closet doors

 

SPARE BEDROOM (0 % complete)

  • new flooring
  • paint walls and trim
  • window coverings
  • fix closet doors
  • figure out what furniture to put in here!

 

first-design(2)BASEMENT STUDIO (50% complete)

  • build it
  • new outlets and electrical work for the room
  • replace fuse box with breaker box
  • drywall
  • sand EVERYTHING
  • install flooring
  • trim-work
  • paint walls and trim
  • "brick" wall
  • pallet wall
  • paint doors
  • move some furniture in

 

GUEST BATHROOM (95% complete)

  • paint tile
  • replace flooring
  • new shelving and mirror
  • new shower curtain
  • new light fixture
  • paint door and trim
  • replace fan cover

 

LAUNDRY ROOM (0 % complete)

  • paint or replace flooring
  • re-do shelving
  • plank walls behind washer and dryer

 

Outdoors

BACKYARD (5% complete)

  • strip deck of all grime
  • paint deck
  • power wash all siding and brick
  • landscape - move some existing gardens
  • create a raised vegetable garden
  • create brick walkway from front gate and a patio 
  • paint front gate

 

FRONTYARD (0% complete)

  • paint existing concrete front steps
  • brick walkway and driveway extension
  • paint garage door
  • paint front door
  • add shutters
  • landscape

 Big list for big goals!  And that's what we're working with, folks... a lot to be done here, and not a whole lot crossed off just yet!  The house is just about 20% completed according to this list.  TWENTY PERCENT!  Is it me or does that sound like it might as well be nothing?  I suppose if we stay at this pace the house would be finished in... 4 years!  Being that we originally had a plan to live here for 5 years, we'd be just about done and ready to sell.  I'm hoping it can be done in a little less time, but we'll see.Anyone else in this same boat, or am I sailing off to the big bad sea of home DIY-ing all alone?I hope you'll stick around for all these plans to come to life!  I'll be referring back to this list often to keep you updated me accountable.  Making plans is an important part of scrap-booking our journey as first-time homeowners and this post was long overdue!Oh, and hey, if you have suggestions for any of these crazy plans, comment away!

xo

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