2014 Home Improvement Ideas, and a Peek Back at 2013

 

For two weeks now I have wanted to do a recap of everything we accomplished last year. But to be honest, we really didn't get that many projects done in 2013. Apparently I rearranged the kitchen shelves a lot, and we spent a good deal of time out in our garden. But the biggest project of all, moving our daughter to Austin, went by without me taking a single photo. Hmmmm wonder what that's about? I'll stick with that we were just scrambling to get it all done. And nothing about being in denial here, no way (cough cough!).

 

Anyway, it looks to be a promising year for the Haywoods in 2014! We have some great projects planned and some awesome business opportunities on the horizon. How about I share some photos from 2013 while I blather about the coming year? There's no rhyme or reason to these, just a few pictures that were some of my favorites last year.

 

First up, this lil' ole blog of mine is way overdue for an update! I have sort of tweaked it throughout the years but I think it's time for a total overhaul. Not sure exactly when this will happen, but a freshening is definitely in order!

 

Despite my dreams of moving a little farther away from the city, it looks like we'll be staying here for at least a few more years. It doesn't make sense for us to over-improve (I just stole that line from Shannon!) right now, in this market. We live in a Conservation District, and although most houses here can't be torn down, ours can. It doesn't meet the guidelines that most other homes in the neighborhood do. Unfortunately, that means that any improvements we make will likely not raise the value of our home much higher than it already is. 

 

So, frugal renovation it is! It's more my style, anyway :)

I have been dreaming forever of a carerra marble counter in our kitchen. And guess what -- I found some! Yep, carerra marble tiles for free, from some construction down the street! We would only need to buy a few more to have enough to do the sink side of our kitchen. I'll be completely content to live with those, and save the extra $$ for my next kitchen.

 

A new beadboard backsplash on that side would be nice too, and thanks to the guy who was giving a bunch of it away on Freecycle, that's going to be a possibility! If you haven't heard of Freecycle, I wrote about it here. It's a wonderful resource for sharing leftover materials and items that just aren't needed any longer. We were given quite a few beadboard pieces that are the perfect size for the kitchen, and a couple of other projects too.

 

Our bathroom needs a total gut job, but a facelift will have to do for now. I'm on the lookout for something thrifty to replace the cracked floor tile. Some new tile (or more marble) to replace the dated tumbled marble counter top would be great, too. I have been checking Craigslist frequently and it's time to make a trip to the Habitat ReStore. Oh and some of the beadboard made its way into the bathroom, and I haven't even shown you all yet! It turned out really cute, I'll photograph that and show you all soon.

 

Our old doors have needed to be stripped and refinished for a loooong time now. After reading so many great reviews about CitrusStrip, I'm finally going to give it a try. I would also love to replace our door knobs with some vintage glass ones -- we found some in Canton for a mere $8 each! I'll keep the old knobs to reinstall when we sell our house and take the cute glass ones along. 

 

You all have heard me talk about our hardwood floors before. Even though this is a tiny house, moving everything out, sanding and refinishing the floors, and then moving back in would be a huge job. Not to mention, still a little costly. I'm seriously thinking about going right over them with Gel Stain, a section at a time. I know it wouldn't wear nearly as well, but don't you think we could get a couple of years out of it? It doesn't seem like it would be that hard to touch up, either. I'll be continuing to read up on this and see if anyone has had good results. 

 

More important than any of these projects though, is my continued search for balance. Balancing time spent on the computer with time to get things done. I would so love to be the perfect blogger, the one who answers every email, and blogs on a consistent schedule without fail. And still put three healthy, delicious meals on the table every day. Be there for my daughter every time the phone rings or a text comes through. Keep a perfectly tidy home and always be caught up on laundry. Give back to our community, something I sorely miss now that our daughter is no longer in the public school system.  And now that I'm in my 50s, I fully realize how important it is to nurture my health a little more. Balancing all of these priorities will be a major focus for me this year! I've spent a lot of time finding who I am, while looking at who I want to be, and the New Year is the perfect time for self-reflection and reprioritizing. I guess that being a work in progress means there will always be needed growth, and that' something I never want to sacrifice. 

I can't tell you how much it means that you all come by here, read my stories, and leave such wonderful, encouraging comments. I never seem to be able to answer every one, but I read and treasure every single word that you leave. Writing this blog has become one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me! It's a wonderful world out there, and I'm so glad we are all in it together. 

Love to all, Andrea

Joining:

Kim for Wow Us Wednesday.

Comments

[Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design]

Goodness it sounds like you have a lot of projects planned this year. You are going to be busy. Balance is so very important and it sounds like you are on a conscious path to achieving just that. I hope you have a great 2014.

[Kim @ Vintage Pretties]

I'm looking forward to seeing everything that you do. It's always such a pleasure to read your updates :)

[Kathy]

Sounds like you have some great plans for this year. I like the idea of improvements for very little money. So glad you found bead board and marble for your projects. Have a wonderful year!

[Ricki Jill Treleaven]

Thanks for reminding me why I love your blog so very much. :D Super re-cap.

[Debbie Crivello]

I am a new reader of your blog and I enjoy your posts immensely. You are so "real" and your style is classic.

Smiles,

Debbie

[Becca]

Wow, I love what you have planned for the new year! Your shelves always look fabulous with your great styling! And, I can't wait to see your new counter! Happy New Year!

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

Loved looking back at your pictures, Andrea! It sounds like you've got some good plans for this year and ones that won't break the bank. You always do things in your home that are budget-friendly and I enjoy seeing what you come up with. It sounds like you got some great stuff for free. I'm looking forward to seeing the beadboard in the bathroom.

[Jaybird]

Loved seeing the pictures!! Your home is so cheerful and inviting!
Blessings to you in this shiny new year,
J

[Stacey]

I am right there with you, Andrea. Must be the time in life. :) You just keep doing what you are doing. We'll be here.

[Must love junk]

Here's to an exciting 2014! (Love your gorgeous cat! :)
Susan

[Pat Rutledge]

I just found your blog and wanted to say "hello" to a fellow Texan! I'm in the DFW area...are you nearby?

Your home is lovely. I need to check out your recipes. Your paragraph about yourself is very real and I'm sorta doing the same thing. I do have more time than I used to but I don't have a balance to it. If you find the secret, please share! :)

I'm a new follower. Stop by and say hi when you can ~

xo
Pat

[work from home now]

Hi there! I know this is somewhat off-topic but I needed to ask.
Does building a well-established blog like yours take
a lot of work? I'm brand new to writing a blog however I do write in my journal daily.
I'd like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and views online.

Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or
tips for new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!

[Nita {ModVintageLife}]

I'm right there with ya...trying to balance things better. I'l be adding a little marble to my kitchen too! I'm all about little fix ups. Last night the drawer under my cook top came off the track. The bottom one did this once before and I had to replace it. I think it was the bottom one. I use these drawers a lot and put the most heaviest things in them...which is why the track gave out. It was a awful job to try to fix it before and I dread it this time. I told myself this is a sign that I should just tear out those drawers and cook top and put in a stove like I want to. The thermostat is also out on the wall oven. I know it could easily be fixed...but if I had money...this would be a good time to do what I want to do in the kitchen.

Can't wait to see the beadboard in the bathroom.

As for floors...a neighbor of mine says the best thing to do is strip them and stain them and do a wax finish. If something bad happens to the floor all you do is fix that spot and add more wax...un like poly...where all has to come off.

I polyed my living room dining room 7 years ago and now it's scratched from the several times I've had plumbers in the house. One big scratch across the living room floor. Did they drag the water heater out? I saw them use a dolly...but boy they did some damage.

My other floors needed to be redone when I moved in and I still haven't done them. My floors are my biggest problem. I am still finding dust on things from the time I did the living room - dining room. Now I know why sometimes people just put a wood floor over a wood floor. It's easier than taking all out and making all that mess.

Here's to us both getting things accomplished this year!