The tour - downstairs

So want the tour?  I wanted to be sure that I got pictures with nothing in so that I can do a good job documenting the process of making this house our own.  I have so many ideas bookmarked, I’m should have bought stock in Lowes and Hobby Lobby. :)  I’ll share my growing to-do lists for many of the rooms.  This is like my 5-10 year plan, so I have to remember it’s not going to be perfect overnight.  It's going to take lots of budgeting, tight living, and DIY projects!  Here's the floor plans which are pretty accurate.

 

Ok first, the outside.  Admittedly, not my favorite part of the house.  But don’t judge a book by it’s cover right?  What I do love is the yard is HUGE for this area since we're on a corner lot.  I love the wrap around porch and can't wait to sit out there and wave to the neighbors as they walk by.

  

Outside to do list:

• Paint shutters and door anything except sage green (no offense if you like this color)
• Remove flag holder - sorry, I don't ever plan to hang a flag on my porch
• Do TONS of revamping of the landscaping (trimming bushes, getting rid a few plants I don't care for, plant more trees, start perennial and vegetable garden)
• Add fence, deck/patio, play structure to the backyard

When you walk in the front door, this what you see.. It’s really tall, open, and bright.  The thing you’ll notice immediately as you walk in is the cream.  Cream trim, cream doors, cream plates on the light switches.  Who uses cream instead of white?  It’s the one thing I had to compromise on, especially knowing there’s no way we’d ever paint all of that.  But I figure I’ll learn to love it.  Well, maybe love is a little strong, but it will work. 

 

 

 

 

Entryway to do list:

• Figure out what the heck to put on the random ledge.  Any ideas besides fake plants, anything country, or Christmas trees (again, no offense if you have any of these things as decorations somewhere in your house?
• Maybe eventually paint, but wow those ceilings are tall.  Everything else is great.

Next to the staircase is a door that leads down to the unfurnished basement.  I love that this is a window that lets in great light to downstairs.  This area will have to wait for awhile but someday it will house a family room and a small office/craft room.  It's not plumbed for a bathroom so it will depend on how much we can save up before we decide if we can put one in down there.  I won't bore with tons of pictures of concrete.

Basement to do list:

• finish it!

Ok, back upstairs.  Immediately to the left when you walk in is the "dining" room. Since our eating space is huge, we won't be needing a dining room, this room is going to be something better.  A PIANO room!  Yep, my mom is letting me have her piano. I'm so excited to play again!  So this room will have that, maybe a reading chair, or some extra toys. So definitely more of a flex room for the time being.

 

Dining room to-do list:

• Figure out how to move piano here from Peoria
• Paint over the poop brown/orange color
• Hang pictures
• Get a cute "hutch" to store piano books

As you walk in from the front door or through the dining room, you enter the living room/eating area/kitchen.  This is what sold me on the house.  I love the openness between all these rooms.  It was my number 1 requirement in a home.  The tile and cabinets are close to what I would have chosen had we built and I LOVE the fireplace.  We got an awesome deal on new appliances, so the black ones are gone with pretty stainless in their place.  Did I mention that every window has awesome "wooden" blinds on them.  Love it.  And love that I can take my time adding window coverings, because darn those things are pricey.

Kitchen/dining/living room to-do list:

• Buy new, dark wood, dining room table that can expand 
• Change current curtains
• Put up pictures
• Figure out how the heck to organize the kitchen and pantries
• TONS of DIY projects in store for these rooms including throw pillows, chalkboard menu board, pantry organization, and more
• The paint is flat, so it shows every mark, especially around the cooking area and sinks.  So, eventually, I’ll paint, but just not sure what color I’d go with yet. 

You can also get into the kitchen from the garage. Directly to the left when you come in is a half bath.

Half bath to-do list:

• paint
• change mirror to a chunky rectangular mirror
• add decor and a way to store towels and toilet paper

The last stop on our tour of the first floor is the teeny-tiny laundry room.  It's tucked off the back corner of the kitchen and has a pocket door to hide my mess.  All that fits is the washer and dryer so we're going to have to get create with storage in here.

Laundry room to-do list:

• Paint?
• Add a vinyl wall saying
• Make a pad for the wall where the washer door hits.  I’ve learned that it’s really important to keep the door open when not in use to prevent mold.  And it currently bangs the wall.  Hmm, must think of something for this.
• Maybe make a folding out drying rack 

And that's the first floor.  The tour will continue upstairs tomorrow.