A New Year Means a New List...

Ok so here goes nothing... I am attempting to make a list (or series of lists) for the entire house. Yup, one big "To Do" list. I saw this on Young House Love and I think it's a great way to see the big picture. Then, even if you are all over the place with projects (yea, that's me) or just doing a few Phase One updates that should translate down the road to a final product, at least you can see where all your free time (and money) is going. Hopefully this will give us a better idea of what needs to get done first, and where, so we can focus our energy on the tasks that are most important.

Disclaimer: I am going to list things as if we haven't done anything in the house. As of now we have done a good amount of work but I want to see where we started, and besides it will make me feel better that some things will get crossed off the list immediately : )

Outside Back: 15% complete

- Get the back and side yards regraded

- Put in a fence or something to contain Pepper

- Plant some trees for privacy along the property line

- Deck or patio?

- Covered porch?
- Fire pit or fireplace?

- Install some brighter lights for the back yard

- Build a shed

- Build a container to store the garbage/recycle cans

Outside Front/Porch: 2% complete

- Get some landscaping in those planter beds

- Add stone or pavers to edge the beds nicely

- Install spot lights for the house facade

- Change out the porch light fixtures

- Add seating and maybe a small table on the porch

- Maybe add some planters or planter boxes?

Foyer: 0% complete

- Paint!!

- Get an entry/console table and bench

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Maybe get some more indoor plants to make the space more inviting?

- Add trim/molding to the archways between the foyer and each room

- Change out the light fixture

- Purchase a rug and/or runner

Powder Room: 0% complete

- Paint

- Stencil the back wall?

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Change out the light fixture and maybe the mirror?

- Add some shelves

- Change out the toilet paper holder (long story)

Dining Room: 60% complete

- Paint

- Add molding/wainscoting to the bottom half of walls

- Get a table and chairs

- Add a large mirror to the far wall

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Add a console table

- Get a large rug?

- Purchase/install a new light fixture

- Find some nice head chairs 
 {see it here}

Butler's Pantry: 95% complete
- Paint 

- Install cabinets we already have 

- Buy and install granite to match the kitchen

- Buy and install upper cabinets? <- naa, just shelves

- Purchase a wine frig

- Add artwork/wall decor  <- could use extra little details

- Add hardware to the cabinets

- Add track lighting
 {see it here and here}

Breakfast Nook: 15% complete

- Paint

- Buy a table and chairs

- Get a large rug

- Add window treatments of some sort (maybe shutters)

- Change out the light fixture

- Add a command center

- Maybe buy a bench?

- Create a little eating area for Pepper
 {see it here}

Kitchen: 75% complete

- Paint

- Purchase and install a refrigerator

- Add hardware to the cabinets

- Get some organization for the cabinets and drawers (including the pantry)

- Pick out tile and install a backsplash

Family Room: 20% complete

- Paint

- Purchase a sectional

- Get a TV console table

- Mount TV to wall above fireplace

- Add surround sound and buy a receiver

- Run wire behind walls (or) hide them in some other way <- with crown!

- Finish furnishing the room - accent chairs, side tables, ottoman, etc.

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Hardwood (someday)
 {see it here}

Office/Den/Study/Front Room/Whatever we decide to call it that day: 2% complete

- Paint

- Add built-ins to the far wall

- Get a nice large desk

- Add some comfy reading chairs

- Add an overhead light

- Hardwood (someday)

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Run cable wire to the room

Upstairs Hallway: 0% complete

- Paint

- Change out light fixtures

- Add photo wall with lots of frames

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Maybe get a small side table and mirror for the one corner?

Guest Bedroom: 40% complete

- Paint

- Install headboard on far wall
- Get a bed, dresser, and night stand

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Run cable wire to the room

Guest Bathroom: 0% complete

- Paint

- Purchase all the fun things like a shower curtain, towels, etc.

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Paint/refinish the vanity

- Frame out the mirror

- Change out the light fixture?

Master Bedroom: 75% complete

- Paint

- Purchase a bedroom set

- Get nice bedding and pillows

- Get love seat refinished

- Buy accent furniture like a chair/small bench

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

- Get a nice jewelry armoire

- Create a dream closet with shelves and built-in drawers

- Add a ceiling fan

{see it here}

Master Bath: 5% complete

- Paint

- Frame out the mirrors

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install blinds

- Redo all the tile work to something more modern and spa-like (someday)

- Add heated floors (when we redo the tile)

- Paint and stencil the wash closet

- Add shelves to the wash closet

- Change out the light fixtures

Other Bedrooms: 3% complete

- Maybe paint?
- Get a bed and frame for extra guests to sleep

- Possibly create a man cave until the basement is finished?

- Add artwork/wall decor

- Purchase and install window treatments and hardware

- Purchase and install blinds

Laundry Room: 10% complete

- Paint

- Purchase and install a washer and dryer

- Purchase and install cabinets/organization

- Purchase and install a countertop?

- Add artwork/wall decor

Basement (a far off future project): 0% complete

- Finish the space entirely including floors, drywall, paint, electrical, the whole deal

- Possibly stain the concrete floors?

- Install a viewing/theater area

- Maybe add a gym room?

- Create a wet bar

- Add a bathroom?

- Get a pool table

Well, there you have it, the very long list of things that need to get done we would like to get done in this house over the next 30+ years. Hopefully it won't take us that long, but we are definitely going to take our time and do it right the first time (or so we hope). Buying a brand new home has its perks when it comes to warrantees and energy efficiency, but there are a few down sides. For example, no outdoor space, no blinds, no refrigerator or washer and dryer, no paint on the walls, and really, just no character. It takes a lot to make a new white-walled house your home, but we are certainly up for the challenge! This is just an overall list of the major things that I can think of, though I am sure it will grow over time. It will be fun to see how much gets done each year and how long it will take us to truly make this house our own.

Check back for more updates!

JP