Blittle and I were sitting on the dock the other evening baffled by how we did so much in a year. No wonder I am so tired! Once I am done with the dock furniture, we are taking a break from DIY for a while. People have repeatedly said, it doesn't have to all get done right now. I know this. But I want it done right now. When I am home there are constant reminders of what needs to be done and I have a hard time ignoring them. I get anxious. If I am not crossing things off the to do list, I feel like I am wasting time. The past month has shown me it is time for a break. My body is
The next few months are for working on client furniture and saving money. There are some HUGE projects on the list for 2015!
What we have left to do:
- Master Bath
- Guest Bath
- Furnish and set up second guest room
- New entertainment center for living room
- Curtains for living room
- Add crown moulding to all room without
- New door for laundry closet
- Paint all doors
- New door hardware and knobs
- Update the deck & stair railing
- Rebuild the stairs
- Close in under the stairs for outdoor storage
- The entire exterior of the house. We were planning on painting but I don't think that's enough. The interior is going to be updated and new so I can't leave the outside like it is now. Even painted a new color. I want to have Hardi-plank or siding installed. The exterior needs to look as good as the interior.
- Widen/Extend the driveway
- Widen the patio area next to the house
- Outdoor kitchen
- Add a downstairs bathroom
- And hopefully one day, replace all the windows to more energy efficient ones.
There are tons of little details left but the above list represent the biggies. Things I want done in the next few years. The bathrooms are my goal for next year as well as the deck & stairs railings, rebuilding the stairs and closing in under the stairs. Those are my projects for 2015. The bathrooms are huge projects. I am excited and scared about them at the same time. Bathrooms are expensive and unexpected obstacles can destroy a budget but I have faith that we will be as successful with the bathrooms as we were with the kitchen.
What we are working on now:
- I am building furniture for the dock. (Adirondack chairs, more planters and umbrella holder)
- Electrician is running electricity to the dock for the boat lift, outlets and lights.
- Electrician is adding exterior lighting. (lights over garage doors, lights on the back of the house and side patio)
- When the electrical work is done, I'll install our new light fixtures.
What we did over the past year:
- Entire house except bathrooms has new flooring (This is the only thing we did not DIY)
- Fence
- Built privacy and cattle panel fence
- Stained fence
This picture is before stain.
- New sod in backyard
- Master Bedroom
- Ceiling, trim and walls painted
- New ceiling fan
- Used inherited end table and already built headboard
- Refinished a dresser for it
- Living Room
- Ceiling, trim and walls painted
- New ceiling fan
- Used a current couch and chairs for furnishings
- Bought a $75 Ikea couch on craigslist
- Refinished armoire for dog food storage (LOVE this project)
- Refinished a bookcase
- Built a coffee table
- Used a previously refinished entertainment center
- Dining Room
- Added crown moulding
- Ceiling, trim and walls painted
- DIY Lantern
- Built a dining room table
- Used previously refinished dresser as buffet/coffee bar
- Sewed curtains
- Bought dining chairs and other accessories
- Kitchen
- Covered fur down
- Added moulding
- Built refrigerator enclosure
- Painted cabinets, ceiling, and trim
- New lighting
- New knobs and chrome plated hardware
- New appliances
- Installed and sealed countertops
- Installed glass backsplash
- Replaced wood under sink and waterproofed the new bottom
- New sink and faucet
- Added trim around window
- Sewed curtain
- Elevator
- Refinished the wood flooring
- Painted the walls and ceiling
- Guest Room #1
- Ceiling, trim and walls painted
- New ceiling fan
- Furnished and decorated with previously owned pieces
- Guest Room #2
- Ceiling, trim and walls painted
- New ceiling fan
- Currently used for storage but will be furnished soon
- Hallway
- Ceiling, trim, and walls painted
- New lights
- Laundry Closet
- Ceiling, trim and walls painted
- Installed washer and dryer
- Dock
- Broke up and hauled off old concrete walkway to dock
- Tore out old dock
- Added french drain
- Installed conduit for electricity
- Installed water faucet
- Built new dock
- Installed boat lift
- Stained dock
- Concrete Extension
- Poured concrete extension to connect back and side porches
In the past year, we have had numerous projects that were not for the house. I did countless furniture makeovers. Some for us but most were actual Fisherman's Wife Furniture work.
Click here to see a few of my furniture makeovers.
Click here to see a few of my furniture makeovers.
Also, BLittle and I built another boat. Yes, you read that correctly. It isn't something I think I ever mentioned on the blog but it happened. We built a custom nano skiff over the winter and it went to its new home last month. We also have several other exciting and special boat projects going on. Over the past several months, I have had 4 boats at my house; the nano, the special project, a boat we are updating and fixing, and our personal boat (we built it a few years ago, our second boat to build together).
The blog had a big year too along with my other social medias. Honestly, I struggle at blogging which most of you know by now. Writing is not my favorite and it doesn't come easy for me. I always have 1.374 things going on at once and the blog is usually one of the things put on the back burner. The blog is a way for me to share and update. Its not a priority or job so when I have time to sit down and edit photos and type up a post, I do. If I can't find time or inspiration, things can be quiet for a while. That's why all of you need to be following me on Facebook or Instagram. It is so quick and easy for me to post an update and a few pictures. They are updated almost daily compared to the blog, which only gets updated a few times a week. I promise that I am trying to be more consistent but some weeks I am working on boats or I don't finish a project and I don't have much to share.
I want to end this post with a special thank you to my husband. He works so hard everyday for us. He had faith in me to take my vision for this sad little house and turn it into a reality. He trusted me to make it a home we could be proud of. I could not have done most of these projects without his help and free labor. He loves me even on the days I know its not easy and he has supported me and encouraged me to stay with this little business...apparently I am nicer when I am not teaching. I appreciate everything he does and for making our dream of life on the water come true years sooner than planned. Thanks, Love!
Sharing at:
Thursday: What To Do Weekends (Crafts ala Mode ), Friday Favorites Link Party (I’m Not a Trophy Wife), Thursday S.T.Y.L.E. Linky Party (A Prudent Life, Life in Velvet, Well-Groomed Home, Addicted 2 DIY), The Best DIY Party at the Handmade Hangout (A Glimpse Inside, Christina’s Adventures, From Gardners to Bergers, Redoux Interiors, Too Much Time on My Hands), Inspire Me Please, (Liz Marie Blog) Catch as Catch Can (My Repurposed Life)Friday: Best DIY Projects and Recipes Party (The Idea Room, 30 Handmade Days, Whipperberry, The 36th Avenue), Furniture Feature Friday (Miss Mustard Seed), Anything Goes (Bacon Time), Be. You. Tiful Link Party (Chic California), Creativity Unleashed (Practically Functional, Shaken Together, One Project Closer, The Bold Abode)
