I won’t lie: lately all I want to do is hang out on the porch with a good book (and add Burger, Clara, and John to the scene and I’d be even more smitten). For everyone who asked for an updated “Listy” post, here it is. Our last list was published in November, so this check-in was overdue. It’s rewarding to look back and see what’s been completed—picture me making dramatic Zoro-style slicing noises as we cross things off the list. These update posts started because people asked how we keep track of everything; we basically maintain one long document and update it as we go. We share it a few times a year to celebrate progress, plan the next projects, and snap some fresh photos—like these springy outdoor shots.
The Front Yard (20% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed trees that were dead, decaying, or diseased (confirmed by an arborist and a home inspector)
- Repainted exterior siding and trim where there was peeling and rot
- Removed the fast-spreading groundcover from the areas we graded and seeded
- Aerated, leveled, and seeded portions of the yard
To do:
- Create and mulch planting beds up front, then plant them
- Transplant crowded boxwoods (either to the back or into new front beds)
- Redo the cracked concrete walkway from the driveway to the front door—add curves and planting beds
- Add raised stone beds and other hardscaping for more structure and curb appeal
- Plant a few small green dwarf maples
- Add low curved brick borders along the driveway with wired lighting
- Get the driveway paved
The Portico (30% Complete)
Completed:
- Repainted the portico and sidelights
- Painted the front door
To do:
- Arch the portico ceiling to add height and drama
- Paint and panel the front triangle area once it’s arched
- Add planters, upgrade the doormat, and install new porch lighting
The Garage (3% Complete)
Completed:
- Attempted to replace the rusty light over the garage doors (partial attempt; still evaluating)
To do:
- Repaint garage doors and add hardware to beef up their look
- Add a pergola over the double garage doors with vines
- Finish the garage interior with drywall and create a workshop area and perimeter storage
- Reuse dinged kitchen cabinets for garage storage
- Repair or rebuild the four steps leading from the garage to the kitchen
- Build a rolling box for scrap wood storage
- Consider repurposed lockers for colorful, playful storage
- Possibly add plumbing for a utility sink in the workshop
The Foyer (80% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed doors that blocked flow into the kitchen
- Painted trim, doors, and sidelights blue
- Removed wallpaper and repainted the walls
- Replaced the foyer light
- Converted the extra toy closet into a craft/toy closet for Clara
- Repainted the foyer ceiling
- Repaired grout in the tiled area
To do:
- Decide whether to replace tile if unsalvageable
- Convert the remaining foyer closet into functional built-ins for shoes and coats
The Stairs (90% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed old carpet and refinished the wood stairs
- Painted the blue railing spindles and trim
- Stained the top rails dark to match the runner
- Painted walls, ceilings, and stair risers
- Installed a new striped runner with a rug pad
To do:
- Hang art on the stairwell
- Consider installing a chandelier to fill the lofty overhead space
The Half Bathroom (35% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed wallpaper, repainted blue trim and door
- Upgraded door hardware and hinges
- Painted walls, replaced light, changed faucet, and painted the vanity
To do:
- Install a larger mirror
- Phase 2: Replace the vanity and seashell sink, and re-floor if necessary
- Consider adding a feature wallpaper or tiled accent wall since there’s no tub/shower
The Dining Room (10% Complete)
Completed:
- Cleaned and resealed the wood floors
- Removed wallpaper
To do:
- Upgrade the built-ins (consider removing scroll tops, building to the ceiling, painting white)
- Paint blue trim, repaint walls, and update lighting and curtains
- Add furniture, a rug, and art
The Living Room (10% Complete)
Completed:
- Cleaned and resealed wood floors
- Primed and painted the bright pink walls
- Took down old curtains and whitewashed the brick fireplace wall
To do:
- Prime and paint thick woodwork in white
- Decide on window treatments (bamboo blinds, printed roman shades, etc.)
- Add recessed lighting for even illumination
- Consider turning overhead beams into a coffered ceiling
- Build a built-in-looking TV cabinet and, in Phase 2, install gas logs or stone/molding around the fireplace
The Office (20% Complete)
Completed:
- Took down old curtains and cleaned/re-sealed the floors
- Painted the blue trim, baseboards, crown, and window mullions
- Painted walls and ceiling
- Added a shared double desk (partially finished)
- Added two large potted plants
To do:
- Bring in more storage (bookcase, file cabinet, craft zone)
- Get ergonomic desk chairs and a big cozy rug
- Add window treatments and hang art or a brainstorm zone (bulletin/chalkboard)
- Create a kid zone for Clara and Teddy
The Kitchen (35% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed curtains and wallpaper; removed shelving flanking the sink and reconfigured shelves
- Moved cabinet over the fridge forward; painted walls and updated lights
- Painted pantry and garage doors, primed and painted woodwork, and painted/stained the cabinets
- Replaced almond microwave with a vent and updated appliances cosmetically
- Organized, primed, and painted the pantry and updated counters with concrete
To do:
- Phase 1: Update floors with peel-and-stick tile
- Phase 2: Full kitchen renovation—heated tile floors, new cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and appliances
- Convert the triple window behind the table into French doors to the deck
- Open the wall to the living room and add built-ins on either side
- Upgrade the pantry with pull-out drawers and refine the command center area
- Decide on paint color for new kitchen French doors and sunroom door
Sunroom-Turned-Veranda (80% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed old carpet and broken base heater
- Converted the sunroom into an open covered porch with new columns, removed bad sliders, and reinforced posts
- Lofted the ceiling, added beadboard painted soft blue, upgraded electrical for fans, and repainted all trim
- Retiled the floor with outdoor-safe stone
To do:
- Add sconces to the posts, hide visible wires, and furnish with deck-friendly furniture
- Consider building a brick outdoor fireplace after the area is opened up
Our Bedroom (15% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed old carpeting and installed hardwoods
- Repainted trim and doors white and added faux wood blinds
- Repainted the walls
To do:
- Repaint or add texture to the ceiling (planks or wallpaper)
- Consider built-ins or window seats along the bed wall for more storage
- Add a ceiling light, art, curtains, and—someday—a fireplace
Bedroom Sink Nook (50% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed carpet in the sink area and replaced the mirror
- Painted walls, trim, and ceiling
- Stenciled and sealed the subfloor and added shelves and new hardware to the vanity
To do:
- Phase 2: Full renovation to combine this nook with the adjoining bathroom
Our Bathroom (30% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed glass shower door, added window privacy, removed wallpaper, and repainted
To do:
- Replace the mirror and upgrade the lighting
- Phase 2: Reconfigure into a larger, cohesive space with a soaker tub or tiled shower and double sinks
Our Closet (40% Complete)
Completed:
- Repainted trim, walls, and ceiling; removed carpet and stenciled the subfloor
To do:
- Decide Phase 2 flooring (extend bathroom tile or bedroom hardwoods)
- Install a new light and build out customized cabinetry with drawers, shelves, and varied hanging heights
Upstairs Hallway (75% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed old carpeting, installed hardwoods, repainted blue trim and doors glossy white
- Replaced hinges and knobs, painted the bannister and posts, painted walls and ceiling, and replaced hallway lights
To do:
- Convert the linen closet into built-ins or cabinets, add crown molding, consider wood wainscoting, and hang art
Clara’s Room (90% Complete)
Completed:
- Installed hardwoods, repainted trim and doors, added blinds and curtains, painted walls and ceiling
- Built a canopy wall for Clara’s bed, painted the closet door bright pink, added crown molding, and hung art
To do:
- Turn the deep closet with a sloped ceiling into a playhouse and add a ceiling light fixture
Nursery (90% Complete)
Completed:
- Installed hardwoods, repainted trim and doors, added blinds and curtains, furnished the room, built-in flanking storage, added crown molding, and repainted walls
To do:
- Add a ceiling light fixture and finishing touches such as blackout-lined curtains and crib accessories
Guest Bedroom (12% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed old carpeting, repainted trim and doors, and cleared out junk and overflow storage
To do:
- Paint walls and ceiling, add crown molding and a ceiling light, and bring in a bed and a multifunctional dresser/desk for sewing
Hall Bathroom (8% Complete)
To do:
- Paint trim, walls, and ceiling; replace faucets, mirrors, and lights for a mini-update
- Phase 2: Complete redo to address stained/cracked tile and leaking fixtures (consider herringbone slate, marble, or long rectangular tiles)
Laundry Nook (20% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed carpeting and installed hardwoods, replaced the washer and dryer sooner than expected, and added stained/sealed planks under the machines
To do:
- Redo the nook with new doors for sound control, new or repurposed cabinetry, a tile backsplash, and special lighting to make it a small jewel box at the end of the hall
Unfinished Storage Room (0% Complete)
To do (long-term dreams):
- Drywall, flooring, lighting, possibly enlarge windows, build out closets under the eaves, and eventually furnish as a movie or bunk room with built-ins
General Whole House Ideas (7% Complete)
To do:
- Gradually upgrade all lighting to LEDs
- Replace gold, off-white, and wallpapered switchplates and outlets throughout the house
- Invest in higher-quality frames, drapes, sheets, and curtain rods over time
The Back Deck (50% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed a large oak that threatened the house, patched the deck hole, stripped and stained/sealed the deck, and replaced rotten boards
To do:
- Add double-wide stairs aligned with future kitchen French doors, possibly build a pergola, and make outdoor furniture
The Backyard (15% Complete)
Completed:
- Removed random slate pieces, aerated and seeded portions of the yard, and planted large hollies for privacy
To do:
- Transplant shrubs for better layouts, reseed, build a swing set, plant an edible garden, redo the concrete walkway, add tiered privacy plantings, install raised planters and hardscaping, and create a small wooden lean-to hideaway for Clara
- Build an AC cover with wood boards
People often ask how we pick what to tackle next. Mostly we do what sounds fun and what fits the budget unless something urgent or unsafe must be prioritized. Jumping between projects keeps momentum—rather than living with one small kitchen update for weeks, we painted and stained cabinets over the holidays and then moved on to updating the counters. Right now we’re planning to:
- Continue adding storage and function to the freshly painted office
- Finish the nursery
- Organize and paint the guest room
- Remove the blue trim in the dining room
- Get back outside and plant privacy shrubs as soon as the weather warms up
How does your to-do list look these days? Is it a long, detailed document like ours, all in your head, or a short list of next steps? For me, writing everything down clears my head and helps John and I pick a few projects to focus on while letting the rest wait until the time and budget are right.