2022 was not the year for projects. Basically, nothing got done last year. I didn't reach any of the design goals I had wanted to so this year I was determined to finish up and honestly, even though we are only halfway through the year, we have accomplished so much already that I felt it deserved an update! First, I wanted to go over what goals I had set to accomplish for the year ....
1. Re-do the pantry.
One morning I woke up decided I couldn't look at that nasty carpet anymore and I ripped it out. My husband woke up to me with a pry bar in hand pulling staples out of the sub floor and he's like, "I guess we are re-doing the pantry now?" Yes. Yes we are.
This is where we started. Gross right?
I ripped out the flooring and replaced it with leftover LVP we had. We took out the shelves and built in floating wood shelves and organized everything into bins. I want to build a nice wood shelving unit with a pull out drawer to replace the plastic drawers I have in there currently but so far, I'm much happier with it now. We still need to add baseboards but this project is 80% done!
2. Re-build the pergola and get new pieces for the back porch.
Remember when we had to remove our pergola so our concrete could be re-poured...TWO YEARS AGO?! This was one project that I said absolutely positively could not be put off again. I ended up purchasing some new decor pieces and putting in a small veggie and herb planter and then, finally, we re-built the pergola. Here's where we started
And this is what it looks like today...
3. Build the coffee bar.
Coming from a 2300 square foot house in Pueblo to this 1600 square foot house we sacrificed a lot of storage and that's been a constant struggle for us, especially in the kitchen. We have a lot of small appliances and we love making Italian sodas so we keep a ton of syrups on hand and no where to store everything. Currently, we used some cabinets we had originally used as a tv stand when we moved in but they were always intended to be temporary. My goal is to build in a large coffee bar/storage area that will look like an extension of the kitchen without sacrificing too much walkway space in the already small dining area. This will probably be the most expensive project due to the cabinets and wanting matching quartz, so here's to hoping we can find an affordable remnant.
This is where we are at currently...
and these are the mock ups I've created.
4. The front yard. I am happy to say this project is COMPLETE. Last year I was able to finally add the corbels to the peaks, accent lighting and we replaced our dead bushes. Now the curb appeal is everything I had envisioned. I keep going back and forth on adding a window box under my office window but I'm not 100% yet but I did create a mock up to see and I'm kind of digging it.
5. Our master bedroom.
There was nothing wrong with the master, but like anyone else, my style has evolved and I wanted a little more moodiness in our room so I did refresh the space with a new rug, pillows and décor. I also painted the trim and FINALLY replaced the ugly boob light fan. I do still plan to add a center ridge beam and potentially some picture frame molding but that I'm not 100% on yet. But here's a little before and after so far.
6. The living room.
Just like with the master I'm wanting to add some moodiness to the space. My plan is to replace the blinds with dark brown blackout shades (like the ones I have in the master), change the pillows, get a new rug, add a cushion to the dining bench and get new dining chairs. I have already added a new rug, changed out the accent tables and changed the ceiling fan. Down the road, I want to re-build the fireplace to the ceiling but again, I'm not 100% decided on the style I want so I don't want to start that until I am certain.
Here's where we started
and this is what the space looks like now.
--Jacqui
