Exciting times — Operation Ditch The Blue Trim is underway. While we sweat through un-blue-ing the second floor (four bedrooms, a long hallway, and at least 10 doors), we wanted to share our master to-do list for the new house. If you’re here for trim-painting photos and tips, we’re working on it and hope to have a full report by Wednesday.
People kept asking how we organize our ever-growing project list. We use one long running document that we update as projects change. Sharing it publicly helps keep our momentum and gives us the satisfaction of crossing things off. Below is our current brain dump for the house. Plans will evolve, but right now this is what’s bouncing around our DIY-loving brains. Warning: it’s long.
– The Front Yard (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Remove aggressively spreading ground cover.
- Remove dead or diseased trees (inspector confirmed which must go).
- Aerate, level, and seed the lawn.
- Create planting beds, add mulch, and install new plantings.
- Repaint exterior siding and trim; address peeling paint and minor rot.
- Replace the cracked concrete walkway from driveway to front door; add curves and planting beds.
- Add hardscaping, possibly raised stone beds for more structure.
- Plant a few dwarf maples for long-term interest.
- Install exterior up-lighting for nighttime charm.
- Add low curved brick borders along the driveway wired with lights.
- Get the driveway paved.
– The Portico (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Repaint the portico to address widespread peeling.
- Consider arching the portico ceiling to add height and character.
- Add planters, a new doormat, and updated porch lighting.
- Paint the front door — leaning toward a rich emerald or possibly a glossy red.
– The Garage (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Repaint garage doors and add hardware for a stronger curb appeal.
- Add a pergola over the double doors with vines for softness.
- Finish the garage interior with drywall, create a workshop and perimeter storage with pegboards and shelving.
- Reuse salvageable kitchen cabinets for garage storage if possible.
- Repair or rebuild the four steps from garage to kitchen.
- Build a rolling box for scrap wood storage to keep the space tidy.
- Consider repurposed lockers as colorful storage features.
- Potentially add plumbing for a utility sink in the workshop area.
– The Foyer (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Strip the old carpet from the wood stairs.
- Paint all blue trim in the foyer, including stair balusters.
- Remove wallpaper and repaint walls.
- Remove interior doors that block flow to the kitchen to open sightlines to the back windows.
- Decide on stair gates or a runner after living in the house a bit.
- Replace or refresh the foyer light fixture.
- Repair or replace damaged tile where necessary.
- Convert one foyer closet into craft and toy storage with built-in shelving.
– The Half Bathroom (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Remove wallpaper and repaint.
- Repaint blue trim and the door.
- Upgrade door hardware and hinges.
- Replace the vanity and add a larger mirror.
- Upgrade lighting and consider replacing floor tile if necessary.
- We might add new wallpaper here since it’s a powder room — a fun opportunity without a tub/shower.
– The Dining Room (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Clean and re-poly the wood floors.
- Update built-ins: consider removing decorative tops, extending to the ceiling, and painting.
- Paint blue trim and remove wallpaper.
- Upgrade lighting and window treatments; add furniture, a rug, and artwork.
– The Living Room (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Clean and re-poly the wood floors.
- Prime and paint bright pink walls to a softer palette.
- Remove curtains and repaint the wraparound woodwork in white.
- Lighten the brick fireplace wall; later consider retiling or adding a stone lip and gas logs as budget allows.
- Add recessed lighting for even illumination.
- Turn overhead beams into a coffered ceiling.
- Plan for a built-in TV cabinet or media wall depending on layout decisions.
– The Office (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Remove curtains and refresh window treatments.
- Clean and re-poly floors and repaint walls, trim, and ceiling.
- Create a double desk area and add storage like bookcases or built-ins around the bay window.
- Add art, a brainstorming wall (pinboard or chalkboard), and large potted plants for life and texture.
– The Kitchen (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Remove wallpaper and curtains; repaint walls.
- Convert the large triple window into French doors to access the deck.
- Open the wall between kitchen and living room and add built-ins on either side.
- Prime and paint the lower woodwork.
- Complete a full kitchen renovation: replace linoleum, damaged cabinets, laminate counters, lighting, and appliances.
- Explore heated floors under new tile in kitchen and possibly foyer/hall bath.
- Organize the pantry with pull-out drawers and containers; consider a fun painted or frosted-glass pantry door.
- Upgrade the command center area, paint new doors, and add a water filter under the sink.
- Add pendant lighting over the sink and a larger fixture for the eat-in area.
- Plan for a practical drop zone for coats and shoes—possibly in the garage if not in the kitchen.
– The Sunroom (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Remove old carpet and padding and eliminate lingering odors from the concrete.
- Stain or paint the concrete floor as a Phase 1 fix; plan for outdoor-safe stone tile later.
- Remove the broken baseboard heater.
- Convert the sunroom into an open covered porch with new columns and replace failing sliders.
- Consider adding a brick outdoor fireplace and beadboard ceiling painted a soft blue.
– Our Bedroom (1% Complete) –
To do:
- Install hardwood floors (carpet removed).
- Repaint cream trim, doors, ceilings, and walls.
- Add built-ins along the window wall including window seats and hidden storage.
- Install a ceiling light fixture and consider subtle textured wallpaper on the ceiling.
- Add curtains, artwork, and wood blinds for afternoon sun control.
– Our Bathroom (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Completely redesign the bathroom: address worn blue hex floor tile, expand into the sink nook, and decide between a soaker tub, tiled shower, or double sink layout.
- Add privacy to the window with frosting or an appropriate treatment.
– Our Closet (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Repaint trim and replace the light fixture.
- Build a full-organized closet system with drawers, adjustable shelving, and multiple hanging heights.
– Upstairs Hallway (1% Complete) –
To do:
- Install hardwood floors (carpet removed).
- Replace or refresh hallway light fixtures and repaint all blue trim and doors glossy white.
- Replace rusty hardware and consider converting the linen closet to built-in open shelving or cabinets.
- Add crown molding and wainscoting to break up the long hallway.
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat.
– Clara’s Room (1% Complete) –
To do:
- Install hardwood floors (carpet removed) and repaint trim and doors.
- Consider an entire wall of built-ins or bookshelves around the windows.
- Build a bench seat in the closet nook with beadboard and wallpaper on the back wall.
- Refinish her dresser and add leather pulls; install crown molding and a ceiling light fixture.
- Add window treatments, artwork, and finishing touches.
– Spare Room / Possible Future Nursery (1% Complete) –
To do:
- Install hardwood floors and repaint mauve trim, doors, and ceilings.
- Hold off on major decorating until the room has a clear purpose (possible nursery if baby #2 arrives).
- Add crown molding, a ceiling fixture, and window coverings when ready.
– Guest Bedroom / Craft Room (1% Complete) –
To do:
- Install hardwood floors and repaint cream trim and doors.
- Bring in a bed plus a dresser or desk that accommodates sewing and crafting.
- Organize the closet with shelving and bins for craft and gift-wrap storage.
- Add crown molding and a ceiling fixture.
– The Hall Bathroom (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Completely redo the bathroom: remove stained and cracked tile, update the tub and fixtures, and choose new tile — herringbone slate, marble, or elongated rectangles are possibilities.
– Laundry Nook (1% Complete) –
To do:
- Install hardwoods (carpet removed) and place the washer in a water-safe tray for leak protection.
- Redo the nook with noise-control doors, energy-efficient appliances, a new counter, and updated cabinets.
- Add a tile backsplash and art/lighting to make it a pleasant tucked-away space.
– Unfinished Storage Room (0% Complete) –
To do (long-term):
- Use as large storage for now; later consider finishing as a movie room or bunk room with drywall, flooring, lighting, built-out closets, and built-ins for lounging and sleeping.
– Whole House Ideas (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Switch to LED lighting throughout the house to save energy.
- Replace gold or old switchplates and outlets for a cleaner look.
- Upgrade frames, drapes, sheets, and curtain rods over time to elevate the finished rooms.
– The Back Deck (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Power wash, stain/seal the deck, and replace rotten or warped boards.
- Remove a giant oak tree that threatens the foundation.
- Build a pergola off the back of the house near the future kitchen French doors.
- Create outdoor furniture like a dining table or lounge chairs for the deck.
– The Backyard (0% Complete) –
To do:
- Remove leftover slate paths, aerate, and seed the lawn.
- Transplant misplaced shrubs and add privacy plantings like holly bushes.
- Build a wooden playhouse for Clara and a swing set.
- Plant an edible garden and build raised planters and hardscaping.
- Repair the cracked concrete walkway between the garage and deck and add a patio area.
- Create a wooden lean-to hideaway and build an AC unit cover with wood boards.
In summary, we’ve got big plans and a lot of projects ahead. We’ve learned we love upgrading houses and we enjoy the process more than the finished product. To keep from getting overwhelmed we take things one project at a time and let daily life inform larger renovations.
Before we move in a few weeks we hope to tackle these priorities:
- Repaint all trim and doors on the second floor (details coming soon).
- Install new hardwood floors in the four bedrooms and hallway.
- Remove floral curtains in several main rooms.
- Remove doors that interfere with flow on the first floor.
That’s what’s on deck. How do you organize your house projects — phone lists, sticky notes, or big running documents? How do you decide what to tackle next?