Our New House

We will be moving at the end of the month about forty minutes from where we live now. Here are some before pictures to start the brainstorming on what to do in the new place!

 We will have a much bigger front yard than we do now. I would really like to have lots of flowers for cutting and to spruce up the front. I need to find a place to put my grandma's rose as well. We are thinking also that it would be really cool to extend the driveway to the left and to the street to make a turn around. 

The front water feature is really cool, but we aren't fond of the lava rock and scalloped concrete edge. Casey plans to reuse the lava rock in a fire pit and the scalloped concrete we will get rid of.

 

I really love the two brick flower boxes and I can't wait to fill those with beautiful flowers!

 The dining room is pretty small, but perhaps a built in bench will help with that. Not pictured, the kitchen is a U shape with a separate range and oven. There isn't a dishwasher (boo!), but I would like to get one in as soon as we can.

 The living room is about the same size as we have now, which is great and there is a fireplace. The pellet insert will be removed prior to moving due to Oregon law. The piano will go along this wall in the photo below. And we will be downsizing to a smaller entertainment center until we can afford a flat screen :).

 I love the stone shape on the fireplace, but I would like to change the appearance with paint. Maybe slate colors? I know I don't want to paint it white, but something?

 One thing I love about this house is all of the closets and built ins. There are four closets and cabinets/drawers in this hallway. Wowsa!

 In the first bedroom there is a sliding door closet and an unfinished closet that needs some drywall. We haven't decided which kid will live in this room yet. It is already painted a beige/taupe which is a great color, but not what we would pick for either kid.

 

The bathroom has a long vanity with lots of storage and a tub/shower. We're not entirely sure of what we want to do in here yet. We will definitely be removing the wall heaters in the entire house and doing something like a gas furnace or heat pump instead. 

 

 This is the second bedroom. It has a big closet and a sliding door that leads to the carport. That access makes me a little nervous so we will need to secure it somehow so that small ones cannot get out.

 This is a fully converted garage and will be our room for the time being. It has paneling on two of the walls that I would like to paint a light color. There is also a wood stove in here that will need to be removed before moving due to the law.

 The Laundry/Utility room runs the length of the room with a wall partition. It has some pretty sweet seventies carpet reminiscent of Skate World in Springfield. I am excited about the folding counter and all of the cabinets. Someday I'm sure I'll paint them and make a Pinterest-worthy Laundry room. I think the standing freezer will go out here in one of the corners. This is my awesome friend, Mindy. She came to check the house out and give her stamp of approval, which she did!

 

 This shed is where Casey will keep most of his garage stuff since we won't have a garage. Our plan is to someday build a shop to the left of the house for his projects and such. 

 The carport is pretty spacious and will function as a temporary work space for home projects and car work. That little shed has already been moved to the back of the property and will be lawn storage for the time being.

 

 The back yard has this great line of trees that will be so fun for the kids to play in. Casey plans to build them an Ewok type tree house in all of those cedars.

 

 

 This open shed makes me nervous. It looks like a place with black widows and wasps. Blech! I don't plan on going in there and Casey will probably remove it so that the kids won't be tempted to go in there either. It's pretty decrepit anyways so it won't be a loss. 

There is currently a fire pit in the trees and among the dry twigs (wha?). So we will be moving that so we don't burn down the neighborhood.

 

There are five rhododendron bushes in the front which is great for continuous plants and when they bloom the colors are beautiful! And I like this fern, too.  

 I am so excited that there are already drying line poles here! I would have put them in anyway.

This house is going to pose challenges, for sure, but we are excited to take them on and build a home here. The lot is pretty good sized and the house has potential! Come along with us as we 

face this challenge :). Any suggestions? Comment below:

Listy List for our First Home - Updated

Whole House 0%

·        Blueprints of the house for reference

·        Whole house vacuum system or roombas?

Front Yard/ Curb Appeal 7%

·       

           -        Stone Pillars instead of brick

·       Raised yard with rock wall and lower area for pea gravel. daffodils and irises or miniature boxwoods

·        Small roof line over porch

·        Extend porch out 18”or more?

·        Seating area on front porch with nice chairs and real cushions and a mosaic side table

·        Curved stone steps and path to driveway

·        Paint door black with baby blue decal no 203

·        Nice flower box in front with rose and rotating bulbs 

·        Teal planters with miniature boxwood shrubberies x3 

·        Replant front lawn

·        Bark for appearance

·        Side gate with treated wood and arched top

·        Remove maple and replace with tulip tree 

·       Move daffodils to front  

·        Small shed positioned between windows

·        De-plant side and add gravel and stepping stones or concrete for a walkway to back

·        Remove paver stones from side yard

·        Remove all shells, wiring, old watering system from side yard, etc

·        New pretreated fencing for whole yard 

·        Magenta Peony  

·        Caged Bulb industrial light for porch and garage x2 

·        Garden Gnome in front box

·        Repaint house

·        Wooden garage door with arched window

·        Arbor across garage door with blue wisteria growing

·         Rose

·        Dahlias, Glads, Irises, Tulips, Daffodils

·        Remove erroneous cords

Entry 50%

 

·        Paint to compliment living room and kitchen or accent from door to corner

·        Bench and coat hooks

·        Linoleum instead of tile, or different tile, slate?

·        Board and batten up to eye level

·        “Be Kind” over door on the way out and kids photos over board and batten

·        Different Lighting

·        Remove doorbell or find a way to make it more pleasant 

·        Frame around peep hole (Friends love!)

·        Wooden crates under bench for shoe storage

·        Remove ugly and ineffective “Coat hanger”

Bathroom 40%

·        Paint Blue

·        Add large waves artwork to main wall

·        Remove mirror and replace with entry mirror 

·        Paint vanity hardware with ORB

·        Wire basket with toilet paper

·        Wall inset storage cabinet for plunger and brush

·        Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

·        Hanging mason jar vase next to mirror

Living Room 40%

·        Paint a cool taupe

·        Beams on ceiling

·        Recessed lighting

·        Built in media, storage, and seating under windows

·        3+ person couch

·        Vignette with chairs to be used at Dining table with fun pillows made out of world market napkins. Recover chairs with versatile fabric for dining room and living room

·        Boat Cleats for blind cord tie backs x3 

·    Hang Map Canvas framed in Teak from Hawaii

·        Stand up Piano on closet wall

·        Another versatile chair in corner

·        Different rug

·        Get flat screen TV and hang on wall

·        Bamboo/ burlap shade on small windows

·        Curtains and bamboo/burlap shade on large window

·        Tropical plant

·        Blanket basket

·        Repaint baseboards same as other trim

·        Re-hang Clock higher

·        Children’s’ artwork display painted ORB under clock and above buffet

·        Best placement for photos/ Artwork? Do we want to keep the elephant   artwork here or at all?

·        Move laundry room cabinet down to media built in

·        Steam punk side tables

·        Buffet: home decor store, candles, picture albums, vases, fake flowers, misc decor

·        Transform little closet into downstairs necessary storage, like vacuum, chairs, other cleaning needs, toys (the 'repartment')

·        Faux Old Book Spine Box on shelf

·        Wood Crates for under bench seat

·        Remove quote on wall

·        Two new screens in small windows

Dining Room 50%

 

·        Paint to match or compliment living room

·       A really big old farmhouse style table that can handle use, i.e. leaving condensation cups on it, hot plates, artwork, etc

·        Comfortable wooden chairs, some with arm rests, criss cross

·        Extend wood flooring up to island

·        Make built in computer station that recesses into the wall with cabinets, filing and roll out keyboard tray, mount computer on the wall , use upper cabinets for office supplies stationary

·        Stools at island

·        Curtains on Slider instead of ugly vertical blinds, Curtain hold backs, rod rings and clips, table cloth curtains something bold

·        Hide Internet cord

·        Quote banner above slider “I’m Third” or “We’re blessed”?

·        Instead of slider, doors that open out to patio

·        Different lighting

·        Map Calendar above computer area

Kitchen 20%

 

·        Paint to match or compliment living room maybe warmer color?

·        Linoleum to be kinder to our dropped dishes?

·        Continuous Creamy Counter tops, one color to counter the dark tones

·        Stone piece in window sill instead of wood

·        Bamboo/ burlap window shade instead of blinds

·        Stainless steel appliances with black glass top stove

·        Mercury glass pendants over island, industrial light pendant over sink

·        Paint hardware with ORB

·        Built in next to pantry with counter top, shelves with baskets for napkins,   fruits and vegetables and upper cabinets with storage for cook books, large serve ware etc    

·    Open shelving somewhere?

 ·   Remove lazy susan from corner cupboard and replace with half shelf

·        Pull out drawers in large lower cupboards

·        Pull out shelves under sink

·        Attractive compost storage

·        Easy to use recycling system

·        Recessed can lights all over kitchen

·        Frames for the refrigerator to clean up the look

·        Blue accents to counter dark tones

·        Hood Vent? Copper? Move microwave to built in cabinets next to pantry?

·        Tiled Back splash

·        Old metal or wooden stools with backs for island

·        Fix Fan and Light over stove

Garage 20%

·        Cleaned out and organized

·        One side emptied for car storage

·        Wall of easy to access stuff for me with vacuum, car cleaners, etc

·        Gardening area with gloves, etc

·        Better lighting

·        Shelving for wood

·        Work bench and pegboard

·        Freezer moved to left for easy access

·        More Shelving

·        Larger drawers and shelves under work bench

·        Fill holes in the Sheetrock and bright coat of white paint

·        Bin Storage shelf

Side Yard 60%

·        Clean and organized

·        User friendly garbage/recycling area

·        Fire Pit

·        Prettied up fire pit area

·        Removed weird small fence

·        Clean and sanitize smoker

·        Hot tub with privacy surrounding and lights

·        Path from back to cement

·        Blacksmithing area with stable building and roof

·        Rain Barrel or two and hose connected for garden watering

·        Remove wood outlines, flagstone, paver stones

Back Yard 25%

·        Different patio and cover

·        Built in brick oven/ fireplace

·        Built in BBQ grill

·        Seating area with comfy chairs and dining table

·        Pergola

·        Garden

·        Trim cedar trees

·        Help honey suckle, trees to grown

·        Reshape garden beds and make the most of the space

·        Play structure for the kids

·        Irises along back fence

·        New, taller fence in back

·        Path along back of house on both sides

·        New grass in places

·        No weeds in grass

·        Paint patio table with ORB

·        Stone rounded stairs

·        Stone patio?

·        Water feature, pond-less water fall

·        Criss-Cross bulb lights over patio

·        Lemongrass

·        Remove scalloped edgers

Stairwell 40%

·        Paint a bright color that compliments entry

·        Privacy covering for window stained glass, frosted with iron scrolled grate or stained glass insert

·        Different lighting Orb light?

·        What to do with weird ledge?

·        Boat cleat for blind cord

Hallway 25%

·        Paint a neutral color, something light and bright

·        Hang artwork in hall, map by laundry

·        Different lighting

·        Mezzanine to attic

Laundry Room 20%

·        Paint a bright yellow

·        White “Wood” Blinds or patterned Roman shade

·        “Wash” burlap word over window

·        Remove cabinets and put in open shelving, rod for hanging on opposite wall

·        Make ironing board pull out from wall

·        Make pull out drying racks on wall

·        Pocket door for added space

·        Large sink for dirty cleanup

·        Raise washer dryer to put shelf below for laundry basket pull out?

·        Artwork above shelves

·        Hexagon Light fixture or different lighting

·        Shelf on washer and dryer to hold stuff and prevent things falling behind

Master Bedroom 60%

 

·        Paint a cool taupe

·        Crown molding

·        Carved wood head board to match platform bed wood

·        Neutral bedding, fun shams, nautical pillows, quilted blue blanket

·        Nautical foot bench

·        Faux Pottery Bard wood Platform Bed

·        Craft area on right side, use old kitchen table or build criss-cross desk, built in floor to ceiling white shelves, cute chair

·        Vanity area with red coral mirror, white table, nautical themed accessories, apothecary jars, appliance caddy, fun chair

·        Cool old fashioned lamps, painted with ORB and old, frosted glass lamp shades

·        Tropical Plant

·        Matching Steam punk nightstands for both of us  

·   Remove star and get rid of it

·        Long short, wooden, dresser, classy looking

·        Nautical accessories on dresser, perfume station

·        Mirror above dresser, hair accessories and earring hanging on wall

·        “Love” moved to board for artwork to hang in room somewhere.

·        Shelving with pictures and accessories somewhere in room

·        Different lighting

·        Bamboo. Burlap Shade, drapes, rod ring clips

·        Window ladder for emergencies

       

Master Bathroom 2%

·        Paint Blue

·        Soaking or claw foot tub, BIG!

·        Tile shower with glass doors, no bench, foothold and soap dispensers, two shower heads, warming tiles

·        Shorter vanity

·        Wire baskets for towels

·        Towel warmer outside the shower

·        Frame around mirror

·        Different lighting 

·    Wire basket for toilet paper

·        Two shower curtains around soaking tub

·        Wall shelving?

·        Frame Tropical Photo and hang

·        New bath mat

·        Paint hardware with ORB

·        Bright green mini fern

Master Closet 10%

·        Paint stark white

·        Artwork or mirror in nook above drawers

·        Upper and lower storage built in shelves plus rods more drawers

·        Fun hardware

·        Pocket door

·        More hardware for drawers

Extra Bedroom 50%

·        Paint lime yellow

·        Move out all craft supplies

·        Set up double bed with bright bedding quilt

·        Remove wall shelves

·        Wooden armoire with tv and drawers for guest storage

·        Add stairs to attic?

·        hangers in closet for guest storage

Hall/ Linen Closet 30%

·        Move games elsewhere

·        Paint inside stark white

·        Add decorative shelf dividers and storage baskets

Kids’ bathroom 0%

·        Paint teal

·        Mount shower curtain up high (new one while we’re at it)

·        Frame out mirror

·        Make wall storage shelves over toilet

·       Different lighting

Peetie’s Room 12%

·        Paint a light Lavender

·        Crown molding

·        Different lighting

·        Mosquito netting

·        Maximize closet, add shelving multiple rods, seating area

·        Window bar for safety and sheer curtains

·        Frame Cinderella photo and hang

·        painted wall treatment on one wall (see pottery barn grey tear out)

·        Sheer Curtain Bed Canopy with lights

Jacob’s Room 30%

·        Paint Grey

·        Maximize closet: shelves, multiple rods

·        My old nightstand and a lamp for reading

·        Different and brighter lighting

·        White Roman window shade

·        Train Table and tracks for play

·        Built in shelving, hat hooks

·        Window bar for safety

·        Star Wars murals on two walls and Clone Wars framed posters flanking window

·        Star Wars Sheets and Comforter

Attic 0%

·        Add 2 gables on front and 2 on back for ventilation and more head room

·        Sheet rock ceiling

·        Flooring and carpet for noise absorption

·        Storage cabinets around the perimeter of the room for plastic bins

·        Stairwell from extra bedroom or current stairwell to save space

·        Mezzanine down to hallway to open up hall space (reroute ventilation system?)

·        Paint a light and bright color to cut down on darkness

·        Add comfy couches and old chairs and a TV system with DVD and VCR, and stereo for entertainment purposes