Always remember. Always hope.

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Open House by Nicholas_T on flickr...Hope this doesn't remind you of your house. (It is not mine, by the way...Really.)

We spent a little money recently. Actually, for us, it was quite a bit.

We added to our driveway and re-sided the house. These projects also led to some new landscaping (to finish off the driveway extension) and a new front door (still to come…You can’t have a new spruced-up house, all crisp and fresh, and still have the old, sad, gray door. I’m just saying.)

These projects came about after my husband and I saw the problem my parents are having selling their southern Indiana home.

I have learned many wonderful things from them–too numerous to list. But unfortunately, I am seeing first hand, that if you let home projects build up, they become too big, too overwhelming, too expensive to fix. For property to hold its value or, better yet, increase its value, improvements must be made.

So, we started making a list of big projects that needed to be done. The siding and the driveway got top priority. Partly because I was afraid our neighbors would either take up a collection for us or get a petition up to oust us (due to peeling trim) and partly because we suddenly have a fleet of vehicles and don’t want to park on the street. (I know. That’s a little whiny.) Next, is the front door. And somewhere down the list is new windows (ours are pretty bad) and a screened-in porch. And that’s just the exterior list!

Confession:  Our trim work has been peeling for two years. It is easy to put off this kind of project because of cost or because life gets busy. Food and clean laundry take precedence. Now, obviously, peeling trim did not mean total replacement, but it was something we had kicked around for a few years–changing the color and getting rid of all of the dents. The peeling was simply the impetus we needed to bite the bullet.

And though the job wasn’t cheap, we hired a fair and wonderful company in the Cincinnati area (C.K. Siding and Construction). We are very happy we made the decision. The house looks like we care about it! A major face lift. It kind of makes me want to do the windows…But not yet. I’m not totally crazy.

Even if you don’t have the cash right now, make a list. I have several going, but only one for the big, exterior stuff. Prioritize your list, biggest need/desire on top–thinking through each decision. For example, if you need a new roof (a high-priority item), try to think about whether you intend to paint your house, maybe next year. If so, then pick a shingle that will look good with the new, future color. (And pray that it doesn’t look horrible with the current color!)

With a long-term plan in place, decisions become slightly easier. Then, save, save, save. Paying for things as you do them is so much more fun than doing repairs or improvements on credit…Yes, I speak from experience.

Above all, get started on something. Letting maintenance or improvements build until they become emergencies is a bad, bad idea. Life is a bit unpredictable. Suppose a sudden job change requires a move. Houses that have been maintained are much more attractive to buyers than those with the dreaded deferred maintenance. Plus, a cared-for home is a lot more comfortable and enjoyable to you, the current (hopefully, long-term) owner.

Tip: Simple window cleaning will give a cheap, quick lift to your home (while you are saving for that bigger project), so grab the vinegar, warm water, and newspaper and start cleaning. (Or enlist the able-bodied, summer-drained youth in your house to get busy!)

Here are some pictures of our projects in progress. I still need to take some “after shots”–because we really did finish this phase!

New path leading to the new driveway (addition)

New plants for the new area around the new driveway (addition). I got an amazing deal at Lowe's on a very hot 4th of July weekend!

Figuring out where to plant the new stuff...Did I mention what a great deal I got on the plants? Thank you, Lowe's!

Have I mentioned how much I love having two strong teenagers with young backs? This one got everything in the ground, after helping with the fill and the path. Thanks, Max!

My sweet yardman. Never complains about my lists...Well, hardly ever.

Now, the siding. Which, as you know, means we need/want a new front door. Also, the garage door (new last year) needs to be painted a nice Tuscan Clay.

New siding is complete! Antique Wicker with Tuscan Clay trim. We love it!

View from the back yard

The windows are still the old, pretty bad windows, but the new trim made the most of them! Thanks, again, to C.K. Siding and Construction. Chris Koenig did a great job.

Thanks for letting me show and tell! Now, what’s on your list?

I said “Usually.”

Today it is July 1, and it is a glorious 75 degrees. Birds are singing, children playing, and the foliage is still lush and green. The dry spell will come, but not today!

I’ve been in my own dry spell of sorts. Little writing, even less home tending. But now, I’m setting some goals and getting the watering can ready. Recently, my husband and I decided to do a little home improvement (or at least, hire it out.) This decision came to us as we learned a lesson from watching my sweet parents. (More on that at another time.) The lesson is the importance of maintaining and making reasonable improvements to your home.

I am ending my dry spell and doing some watering. Eventually, things will grow. These photos show a bit of what we have bitten off…More to follow!

Bigger, better driveway

Lily performing driveway inspection (See another project looming in the background. Landscaping.)

Out with the old siding, in with the new...Can't wait to show you the finished project! Of course, we now MUST have a new front door...

And now, just because she’s cute and has been a big girl through all of the commotion…

Lillums

What projects are you doing this summer? Everything counts!

White Laminate...with Coffee Stain

Crumbs by Toaster...on White Laminate

All I Can Say Is Thank You, Clorox Clean-up!

Do these pictures help you decide?

Just say NO to the white laminate.

You’ll be glad you did.

In the beginning there was nothing.  God said, “Let there be light!”  And there was light.  There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better.  ~Ellen DeGeneres

While lighting might not be the least expensive way to cozy up a room, it is one of the most impactful. Light invites us in and holds us there. Light brightens the space and can have a profound effect on attitude. I love driving in my neighborhood in the evening when people have turned on lights, both inside and out. Not in a weird, creepy way…It just lets me know there is life in there.

There are two different approaches to lighting which vary widely in cost and effort. The easiest (and therefore, my favorite) is to purchase lamps to plug into pre-existing sockets. They come in a wide variety of styles and prices. High-style, low-price used to be the equivalent of cheaply made. Manufacturers and retailers have come a long way, though, and now you can find inexpensive lamps that look good, feel solid, and as an added bonus, will not catch on fire!

My favorite lamp stores are Hobby Lobby, Lowe’s, Home Depot, HomeGoods, Target, Garden Ridge, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. When you shop, think about the use of the lamp (will it be used for reading or ambiance) and the room where it will be used. Think about style and color, height and practicality. If you choose a classic style over a trendy one, then you might be able to use it for years and in many different rooms. Go for trendy, and it will look dated almost immediately. Look through magazines to find lamps that you love and take clippings with you. Target might have a lamp that is oh-so-close in style to that picture from Southern Living but for a fraction of the cost. I really love small lamps, generally under $10, that can be used in a powder room, a dark kitchen corner, or on a small desk. 

The second, more expensive, approach to lighting is to either change existing fixtures or install fixtures in empty spaces. For most of us, this involves hiring an electrician, but in some rooms, it would be well worth the cost. For instance, in my kitchen, the builder had installed a ceiling fan over the table and a lovely, fluorescent garage fixture over the island. I hated the fluorescent box from day one and while the ceiling fan was OK, it was not my taste. We bought some canned, recessed lights for the cooking area, and a cute chandelier for the eating area. (see Fabric Lamp Shade post) The fixtures were inexpensive (Lowe’s) and while the electrician’s expertise was not cheap, it was worth it. I love the difference the changes made in the room.

We recently replaced the foyer chandelier (hired out due to fear of falling) and four hallway ceiling fixtures. (see before and after pictures) My husband and son changed the existing fixtures, and it probably saved us $125. It is not difficult to do, but you must turn off the electricity at the breaker box and have the

ability to hold something over your head for a time. It took them about 3 hours total (longer than expected) because the fixtures were difficult to mount. Some screw problem; not user error, I am told. The wire connections were very easy. The cost of the fixtures was only $33 each (not the foyer chandelier…It was $175ish). They provide a lot of light. Which now shows me that we need to paint…and patch trim…and replace the dining room light…and a dimmer would be nice…

As that wise philosopher, Roseanne Rosanna Danna said, “It’s always somethin’.”

(The chandelier looks a little slanted…I think it’s the photographer…The electrician was completely sober.)

The big stuff is complete! Bowling Carpet in Maineville, Ohio, installed a beautiful 3/4 inch prefinished hardwood floor in one day. The service was excellent and the price competitive. There is no website for this company, but if you are in the northern Cincinnati-Dayton area, I would recommend them. (Friends had recommended them to us.) The floor is nailed in and looked like a job for younger knees than we have. I am very happy that we did not attempt this ourselves. (My husband is too!)

We would love this floor everywhere in our house, but for now, it is only in our bedroom. For now…

We purchased a rug from Home Depot online and are pleased with the delivery, quality, and colors. I also found two wonderful, pull-chain lamps from Lowe’s. They are heavy and perfect for the room. Next, we’ll add some softness through fabric–window treatments, chairs re-upholstered, and some easy bedding. This is the REAL fun stuff!

Two years ago, I painted our master bedroom a beautiful burnt pumpkin color. It really was a gorgeous color, but I never got past the painting. The room was different but unmistakeably unfinished. What was my problem? I should be anxious to add fabrics on windows, bedding, pillows, maybe even a new piece of furniture.

One day, it occurred to me that the problem was that I didn’t love the color…at least, in our bedroom. So, I began to plan a re-do of the abandoned re-do. I went first to my idea file, then on to my decorating books and magazines. The same vague thoughts kept coming to mind. We needed to add some architectural interest and coziness to a rather large, bland room. While looking in Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion, August/September 2008, I saw exactly what I wanted. Simple wainscotting, arts and crafts style, that was definitely possible for my do-it-yourself husband and his tool-fetching, encouraging, mildly annoying wife. This was the kind of project he could get into and complete, using tools he already owned! (Sorry, John…No new tools were purchased for this project.) The spicy color was primed over and ready for the wainscotting. A new, more soothing color (Valspar’s Pine Needle from the Eddie Bauer Collection) made the room instantly more comfortable.

My talented hubby completed the 17 x 17 room in about two days. Not much of a vacation, but he truly loved doing it, and I love the finished look! All it took was some careful planning, primed 1  x 3 MDF boards (purchased at Home Depot), a miter saw, a table saw that was used sparingly, nail gun, and air compressor. Oh, yeah…and some patience.  (Did I mention the painting took a loooong time? And that I am obviously a wimp because I was actually sore after doing it? Sad, huh?)

Here are the before and after pictures from a few different angles. I think we achieved our goals of adding some architectural interest and making the room cozier. I give my husband full credit for the planning and construction…He’s a good guy.

The fun begins…

Lily is dazed and confused…not necessarily foreign states for her. Seriously, the air compressor and nail gun had her quite jittery. This was a calm moment.

The finished project (walls only…the rest is yet to come)…

Check back for the big flooring change! We opted to hire it out, and the guy is doing it now. I can’t wait to see it–and to get the furniture out of my bathroom and hallway.