This time last year we woke up to an unexpected snowstorm…
…which led to our U-Haul sliding into the gutter of our old driveway (more about that move here).
It feels like it all happened just yesterday. John and I still replay that truck-snafu conversation in our heads:
JOHN: Hey Sherry. Walk-through went fine. They’re off to close and I’m on my way to the new house.
SHERRY: Okay, be careful. It’s snowy—drive as slowly as you need, even if people honk. Take your time.
JOHN: I will. Don’t worry.
SHERRY: Good. I just don’t want you ending up in a ditch or anything.
[HANGS UP. PHONE RINGS AGAIN]
JOHN: Crap, the truck’s in a ditch and I think I knocked over the mailbox.
SHERRY: You’re kidding, right?
On the other hand, it also feels like we’ve lived in this house forever. Sometimes we can’t remember small details about our old place—where a light switch was, or which way a door swung—and that makes it seem like a very long time since we lived there. Yet there are still unexplained switches and little surprises here, which reminds us this house is also a work in progress. As our family expands and we start using rooms like the sunroom and playroom more, we’ll keep discovering new things.
It’s fun—and strange—to look back at what our first house looked like when it was empty:
Some photos captured angles that would have been impossible once the furniture was in place—like this shot from where the media cabinet used to sit:
We also documented our current house on move-in day—literally snapping pictures while a rented U-Haul waited in the driveway. Looking back at those empty-room shots highlights how much can change in a single year:
Some rooms have come a long way in 365 days, while others remain mostly untouched—bathrooms, for example, haven’t changed much yet. A few spaces, like the sunroom and playroom, have mainly been used to hold furniture and items we’re planning to sell or give away.
We’ve chronicled the before-and-progress photos in our galleries, but looking forward, we’ve mapped out a list of projects we plan to tackle in year two and beyond. After we finish the kitchen updates in the coming months, these are the improvements we’re considering—broad strokes for now, with more detailed planning to come:
- Build a wooden dining deck directly off the sliding doors next to the kitchen.
- Convert the carport into a fully enclosed garage — a larger project we’ll do with a contractor.
- Add a trellis arch or pergola around the new garage door to soften the facade with greenery.
- Construct a large media cabinet to balance a console on the opposite wall; build a bench for the bedroom foot and a cabinet for the master’s inset wall.
- Refinish the bedroom floors and other wood floors throughout the house in phases so we have space to relocate furniture during work.
- Add wainscoting to the hallway that leads to the nursery, playroom, and guest room for architectural interest.
- Paint, furnish, and finally use the sunroom as a functional space.
- Transform the playroom into a purposeful, kid-friendly room rather than a storage area.
- Update and refresh all three bathrooms, ranging from cosmetic fixes to more extensive renovations as needed.
- Continue refining rooms such as the living room, dining room, nursery, bedroom, and guest room by adding essential furniture and art where walls feel bare.
- Create a defined entryway with a large buffet, artwork, and a rug to make the foyer welcoming and practical.
- Add crown molding in rooms such as the playroom, nursery, and guest room to increase character.
- Double-side the kitchen fireplace so it can be enjoyed from the living room as well.
- Install a backyard swingset and an upgraded sandbox for our little one, plus playset features like a play kitchen and dollhouse.
- Refinish and repaint house siding, trim, and shutters; frame the porch columns to make them chunkier and add exterior lighting and a stained concrete finish.
- Undertake extensive landscaping across the front, side, and back yards to create cohesive outdoor living areas.
- Build a built-in vanity in the master bathroom for balanced storage and a cleaner look.
- Create raised garden beds for an edible garden beside the house.
- Retrofit the playroom daybed with a trundle for sleepovers and extra guest sleeping space.
- Install French doors between the dining room and office for both privacy and architectural detail.
- Alter the front roofline with additional peaks for visual interest and better harmony with the house’s overall shape.
- And someday, perhaps design a backyard pool—John thinks it’s a wild idea, but it’s on the list.
We don’t have a strict order for these projects. We like to move between rooms to stay inspired and avoid monotony. After major work, we often take a breather and focus on smaller tasks, then return to bigger projects when the momentum is right. The kitchen will keep us busy for a while, but if year two is even half as rewarding and memorable as year one, we’ll be thrilled.
We’re grateful for the encouragement from readers and friends—your enthusiasm helps keep our morale and momentum high. So thanks for joining us on this renovation journey. Imagine enjoying ten holiday cookies as a tiny thank-you (extra icing and sprinkles included).
P.S. Clara is obsessed with big dogs and has no sense of personal space. More on that later.