of a new to us HOME...
2 Car Garage- 1st bay used for outdoor equipment/ woodworking/ paint space, 2nd for dad's car, (future add man door)

Mudroom- paint/paper, has wet bar area (maybe convert to a kitchenette), add closet next to kitchenette?, add cubbies/benches, hooks, shelves/baskets, organized drop zone just inside door on garage wall, new flooring (same as kid kave), redo rad cover & build into a bench w mirror above, add shelving to under stairs storage area


Guest Room- for DH's mum down the road, carpet (flor) over current flooring, paint/paper to her liking, remove doors from closets & add curtains to coordinate with her bedding


Powder Room- painted/stenciled (maybe add a corner shower later)


Cold Cellar- paint, stow: deep freezer, potatoes/onions, beverages & cold foods for gatherings

Kid Kave- carpet removed/ new vinyl laminate hybrid flooring, paneling painted/ vertical stripes (wht/ pale greige), FP painted/stained (mid greige/wht) w woodburning insert, copper silk curtain panels (have), turquoise pattern sheers, game table, large china cabinet painted, mom's triple dresser painted deep peacock/wht/blk?  for media cabinet, sectional (mid grey slipcovered, washable), toss pillows in accent colors (coppers, aquas/teals, wht), 4 storage ottomans (2 dk brwn, 2 wht/lt grey), slim console table behind sectional large hamper basket for toss pillows, OS chalkboard for game scores w bright frame, OS neutral scrapbook paper enhanced canvas w clips for rotating kids artwork/pics, mixed frame grouping of kids & activities above sectional.






Laundry Closet- fresh coat of paint, rods, dressers, clear bins on shelves, add lighting, shoe cubbies, drying racks

Basement Hall- graphic wallpaper (damask print?) same colorway as main hall to coordinate, carpet removed, steps painted & faux natural fiber runner installed for traction, same flooring at landing as kid kave/mudroom, lower half of dutch door added at top of stairs opens towards bath

Main Hall- remove carpet/ restore wood floor, horizontal striped walls, frame in grand central (communication center long shelf as desk top, shelves above, storage below: recycle bin, trash, file cabinet?) along closet wall
adding curtains that coordinate with gathering room


Main Full Bath- remove wallpaper, paint/stencil?, relocate sink, new vanity (have), replace worn flooring (same as Kid Kave?), mirror, light, shower curtain, bath rug, add linen closet (taken from hall closet)

Foyer- install bar/buffet in closet, hanging hall tree with mirror over radiator, new rad cover, small shoe rack in front of radiator, velvet upholstered bench across with large interpretation of modern art in our colorway

Sun Room/Play Room- armoire/ china hutch painted (cream/aqua/lt olive) against brick wall, low cubby benches lining window walls for baskets of J's toys (double as extra seating/side tables in a pinch), pull out small folding tables & chairs for gatherings (kids drink station, snack foods) (keep stored in laundry/closet), drop cloth/dk choc velvet panels

Gathering Room (living/dining)- carpet removed/ wood floors renewed, paint paneling/mantel, paint TV/gallery wall, faux grasscloth paper front/bk walls, curtains dbl full length at bay over off white sheers, curtains full length at french doors- demi curtains at dining window (linen/dropcloth & velvet PB Stone Blue) over off white sheer roman shade, long couch/ shallow U sectional w storage from Home Reserve, graphic area rug, long wooden console table behind couch/sectional, loveseat/chair & a half,  round table as coffee table (with shelf underneath) w couple of child size chairs, ceramic garden stools as side tables for side chairs, leather chair/non recliner recliner for DH, glass console table as dining table, U cushioned banquette w storage under & new rad cover built in, dining chairs on outside


Kitchen- paint, reconfigure DW/sink, remove angled cabinets & pantry, open doorway into living area, open area above range, add-on peninsula/island behind range, open up wall where pantry was leaving buffet/bar with wall cabinets under, add door to new pantry, line pantry with shelving (both fixed & rolling, baking cart w stand mixer)

Studio-carpet removed/ wood floors restored, paint, rolling shelving rack for scraprack, workstations with storage under & over (on master wall) that wraps in an L master wall to window wall, center island for fabric cutting, wall nxt to closets for kid arts/crafts, cushioned storage bench added to closet for reading nook, take door off closet (maybe hang curtains to cover up shelving storage?)


Cuddle Room- remove carpet/ restore wood floor, paint, area rug, smaller couch, larger loveseat w upholstered ottoman w tray for coffee table, office in closet for hubs, gift wrap station behind the entry door media table/chest w flatscreen TV mounted above between windows, couple pics & tokens from wedding in built in shelving lined w wallpaper, new door to master


Master Bedroom- remove carpet/ restore wood floor, paint, runner rugs on either side of bed, curtains (fabric roman to match) over blinds on wide/side window, shared dresser under wide/side window, tall chest/armoire for bedding in front of alt master door, bench(es)/loveseat at foot of bed, utilize his/her WIC, small nightstands, hanging chandie for moi, vertical swinging wall lamp for hubs


Master Half Bath- remove carpet/ restore wood floor, paint/paper, new vanity (already have), low flow toilet, faucet, mirror & light

Kid Hall- same paper as Basement Hall, same stair treatment Basement Hall

C's Room- remove carpet/ restore wood floor, paint/paper, insulate WIC, floor level furniture for WIC, upholstered headboard, platform for bed, day bed/bookcases


N's Room- paint, light, new bedding, metal accents, sports/gaming accessories, window treatments


H's Room- paint, light, bedding, soccer/classic menswear accessories, window treatments


J's Room- remove carpet/restore wood floor, paint/paper, balloon valances topped w blackout lined curtain panels, painted furniture


Kids' Full Bath- remove carpet/restore wood floor (new floor or paint), paint, open bottom double vanity w dbl sinks, shower curtain, bath rug regrout & caulk tub/shower walls


Shed- Haven't found right inspiration yet...

Time to create a vision board with pics/info & inspiration for our new to us, home-to-be. I've started one on Pinterest. I so Lurv that virtual place!!! My own anywhere binder of inspiration boards for everything I care about or long to get around to one of these days. Need to do some fine tuning/editing since I started it originally for our current home.

ala The Nester. I'm linking up as I've been a risk taker of late.

The first risk was to move DH and myself to the smallest bedroom in the house while putting our eldest (14 yrs) and youngest (1 yr) DD's in a room together. So far this is working out really well and for more reasons than I can even start to explain in this small post.
Second risk came in using what I had for paint... I mixed 5 quarts (some partials) and wound up with my "muddled thinkin" color. It's moody, cozy, dramatic, neutral... all the descriptives I was really desiring from the color on our walls.

Third and final risk (which truly isn't in it's fully finished "pretty" state yet) is the "reverse wainscot" effect I wanted to try on our bedroom walls. OK, yes I made up the term "reverse wainscot" (or at least I think I did). I haven't seen it anywhere yet. My sweet DH told me he thinks of it as an extra wide wallpaper border (really not the effect I'm going for, LOL). However I think once the trim is up and painted out, he'll see where I was going all along. The ceilings in our bedrooms (converted attic space prior to our home purchase) are a whole 7'4" high. Again I used what I had... some faux ceiling tin tile wallpaper. In time we'll trim it out with some crown moulding at the top and a smaller trim (think chair rail) detail the bottom edge to delineate the painted walls from the "reverse wainscot". While I wanted the walls to be moody, dramatic and cozy all at once, I also wanted to have some bright relief and airiness. I also was craving some texture. This is where the "reverse wainscot" came to the rescue. It's so exactly what I was desiring and draws the eyes up helping to lift the ceiling a bit.

Here's C's (eldest DD's) old room nearly emptied (we're converting it into our new master). Bright aqua walls were her signature happy color. Course, now that she's a teen that has changed as well. Sorry about the next set of blurry pics from my phone. It's what I had handy when I remembered to finally take a few shots.


During (not quite an after yet... but a peek at what's coming):
Up and coming master bedroom projects:
-bedside lighting (going for different but complimentary fixtures)
-ceiling fan (we'll add a remote feature since our hold house has quirky wiring issues- not light switch in this room)
-install trim around door
-paint door & trim
-swap door handle
-revamp drop cloth curtains
-wall decor
-lamp revamp
-paint console (will eventually become DD's vanity/desk)
-refinish nightstands
-refinish bed frame
-seasonal switch out (linens/window coverings... maybe some decor/accessories)
-crown moulding
-wainscot trim
-new baseboards
-paint trimwork & reverse wainscot
-mount flatscreen TV
-diy new console table to better fit wall under TV
-pad/slip headboard
-diy nightstand for DH
-rugs (for comfy feet in the a.m. or middle of the night)
-hidden media PC set-up

I recently read that a couple should keep their room all about them. When it comes to the decor of the space that is. This is the vein my thoughts have been frequenting for some time now. As much as any and every parent loves their kids and as frequently as their kids intrude into their couples' space on a daily basis, the room really should reflect and be about the couple and their relationship with one another. It is the sanctuary in which they retreat each night together to and the cocoon from which they rise and begin each new day from.

With those thoughts here is some eye candy. Things that are inspiring me on the journey to our new shared space: