Anticipation
January 02, 2012
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Welcome to the second most wonderful time of the year people. At least I think it is. Next to the Christmas season, the beginning of the year is absolutely my favorite time. I just get plain giddy about all the possibilities…mostly for my house. ;)
Beyond just that new year feeling, it’s the first time in months that I can focus on more DIY again, instead of holiday decor. And that holiday decor is all down (except for outside – it’s been too dang cold!) so the house feels fresh and new and bigger and brighter and…SIGH.
I just love the new start the new year brings. It’s this time of year that I can’t turn off my brain – I laid in bed last night with visions of sugarplums…err, built ins, new paint colors and board and batten dancing in my head. ;)
I have some big plans for the blog and the house this year, but let’s start with the house, shall we?
I won’t bore you with more pics of undone projects again, but the one of the biggies is to get that office finished (for real, planning to have that post up next week).
The chocolate powder room is getting a complete redo. I’ve already put a first coat of a bluish grey on the walls and the ceiling, and for awhile now (it’s been torn apart for MONTHS) I have been planning on doing tall beadboard around the room, like our laundry room.
But then I saw this the horizontal look instead, and am kind of smitten with it:
I’m thinking all white though, with the blue walls above.
We currently have a pedestal sink in there, but because it’s a pretty big powder room, we have the space to add something like a small dresser with a sink instead:
I LOVE that!
I’m already scoping out Craigslist and have my measurements ready in case I find something that works at Goodwill or Habitat Restore.
I have big build plans in mind for a few rooms in the house. I’m calling this year The Year of the Built In. Dun dun dun...
I have thoughts roaming around in my head (told you it’s keeping me up at night!) for some in the living room, maybe the dining room (I have a whole idea in mind for the dining room that is a bit out there), and for sure in the playroom:
This space is more a game room space now, because most of the toys are down in the basement. The problem is I know we’ll need a bit more game storage space as the Bub gets older. Right now we only have a few board games that he plays, but my hope is that he’ll enjoy a rousing game of Clue as much as I did someday. (Without the fierce competitiveness and sulking when someone beats me.)
I’ve had plans to build bookcases around the window along this wall:
Isn’t it perfect for those? I’ve actually been planning them for years and my Dad and I have it mostly figured out. It’s just a matter of DOING it. :)
One of the biggest projects I’d like to complete this year is to move the washer and dryer and make the laundry/mud room a true mud room. Cause it drives me total bonkers to have the piles of laundry in there.
When my lovely, evil plan is all done – this space:
Will look something like this:
Ohhh yeah.
This wouldn’t suck either:
You know. Just saying.
You have NO idea how happy it would make me to see this every time I walked in. I know it will be covered with shoes and coats and dog leashes but I so. don’t. care. Anything is better than what we’ve got going now. It ain’t workin’.
There are SO many other projects running through my noggin – I’m loving the look of bright spaces with neutral pieces but lots of pops of color:
(This designer does some beautiful work!)
Because I couldn’t sleep last night, I pulled out my phone and made a list a mile long, just get to get the ideas out of my brain. Do you ever need to do that?
So, there’s the very short list for the coming year – I’ll share what I have planned for the blog soon as well!
I can’t wait to get started on the first project though – and it’s none of the above. It involves the pantry and making it work a little more efficiently (and a tiny bit prettier maybe). I think I have it all figured out – it’s just going to take a TON of work.
So do you love this time of year too? Have you taken all your Christmas decor down yet? Do you think your home feels new and fresh right now or drab and boring? Any fun projects planned for your house this year?
You may need game storage as Bub gets older, but I'll bet it will be for video games....and unless they have a video version, I'd be willing to bet Clue won't be one of them. Just saying....
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you are a much better designer than the one you thought did beautiful work. Your work is out of this world gorgeous!!!
Oh, my. Are we sharing a brain? I keep my list on a Google doc and work it all the time (with side trips to Pinterest for inspiration).
ReplyDeleteI am really going to try to limit myself to working on (destroying!) one room at a time. The powder room is my current victim; today I removed a hideous floral border that I didn't like after I put it up twenty years ago! Next up...priming and painting...and I'm going to paint the ceiling something other than white.
It's the little things...
Kinda love this time of year I have so many plans at the first of the year. We have not taken our Christmas stuff down yet. I plan to start tomorrow. Today we spent the day starting on a home project that needed to get done before we get all the Christmas stuff packed up. We added some insulation bat and getting ready to deck part of the attic over garage for extra easy access storage. Our home feels pretty nice to me right now but i love Christmas decorations so there all still up..lol My plans this year is to work on our guest bath I never touched it so its what the pre owner did It has lepord print paper boarder...lol I also work on my entry way. And big one will be installing our new closet system we have had since we moved in. I will get that done this year! So sad its been a year and a half since we moved in...lol
ReplyDeleteTrying again to post....Love your built-ins that you already have and the ones you are thinking of!! LOVE that ceiling in the mud room with the arch!! I would stare at that all day!!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I couldn't sleep last night either and was up for a couple of hours planning out ideas for home decor. We just moved into a brand new house and now that the Christmas decor is down, I can't wait to get started decorating and filling up all the empty walls. Can't wait to see what you come up with to keep me inspired. Love reading your blog on a daily basis!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see all of your projects for the upcoming year!! Very exciting!! I too, have had a million ideas running through my brain & yes, I had to finally stop & just get them all down on paper so that they would leave me alone & let me rest! :)
ReplyDeleteI've already gotten started on my first big project of the year & that is my master bedroom closet! Trying to organize the space & make it pretty!! I had to take everything out of it today to start painting & now it looks like my closet threw up in my master bedroom & bath! Not kidding...totally just posted about it if you are interested in seeing all of the embarassing pics! :)
It gonna be worth it though, right?! That's what I keep telling myself anyway!
Haven't put our Christmas decor away. It's just so pretty I'd like to enjoy it a little longer. Can't wait to see your new bathroom!
ReplyDeleteI have your same dilemma with the laundry room...I hate it there! It's not very welcoming. Would love it down in our basement. I have to live with it there...just have to close my eyes and the door to it and my piles.
All of those plans look lovely- best of luck with all of them! I actually don't have a set list yet because we will *hopefully* be buying our first house this year! We actually saw our dream house today, so hopefully all will work out for us. If we do get it, our project list would include painting, replacing a few light fixtures and getting some new appliances. Eventually we'll want new countertops and be able to move on to some landscaping fun, but I think the other things are plenty for one year!
ReplyDeleteI have mudroom dreams quite like yours! I'm hoping this is the year that I can actually make them happen! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. I know that wake in the middle of the night searching for pen and paper because there is no possible way I can get back to sleep until after I jot down all those ideas swirling around in my head ...
ReplyDeleteSarah I am so excited to see all of the changes this year. But I must say that I JUST did the Horizontal wood painted white on one wall in my bedroom, and I am in absolute LOVE with it!! I will have it posted on my blog soon!!
ReplyDeleteThe Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on Saturday, so our decor is still up...but it'll come down and we'll prep for the next birthday party before putting out things for the winter season. We will make a move back to the States- don't know where yet, so that's always an adventure! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely ideas!
ReplyDeleteI just love the picture of a mud room with all the clothes in there...looks so beautiful! I might start dreaming...my poor husband :)
Can't wait to see your projects this year...I cannot do everything I want in our rental house so following your blog is a fun way of seeing change happen!
Our Christmas decor is still up, but I started to take it down. The bedroom is done and it is so much brighter and ...cleaner (I did not dust for three weeks or more :)
I am SO excited for all of your projects this year! I read your blog every morning with a cup of coffee at my side, and I have so much fun seeing what awesome things you are doing! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas for the new year, especially the horizontal boards on the walls. I've got several of those pinned on Pinterest for future reference! :) Good luck...but may I say your present looks are not too shabby!
ReplyDelete--Kath
Hi, we have some similar DIY goals! ha :) I love your pin of the mudroom. Oh I so need one of those. Looking forward to seeing your stuff throughout the year :)
ReplyDeleteI had to giggle at your comment about your ideas keeping you up at night, because that is ME! I couldn't sleep to save my life last night with all of the ideas swirling around in my head! I think putting them together in a post like this might help to clear my head and help me sleep! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you do this year!
I do like this time of year in terms of getting things done, but I hate it in terms of the weather :( I'm currently frantically searching for a new place to rent too, because I hate our current house & our current town both... our lease ends at the end of February, and for the last few years we haven't found anything decent enough to move to, so we keep ending up staying so I've been panicking about that lately. Every year we end up staying & I vow to try to find ways to love our rental home, but I haven't found a way there yet.
ReplyDeleteLOVE all the new tdeas - should be a great year! I just had to comment on the cell phone list thing. I occasionally email myself a reminder from bed - but watch out - one morning I sleep emailed myself a message at 1:45am that only had a subject of "wood chips" - have NO idea what that was - have a great year on your projects and we'll have a great year following them :)
ReplyDeleteBoy! You have a HUGE list there!! Will be fun to watch you check off item after item this year!
ReplyDeleteDo I like this time of year? Well, I use to be real bummed out about it, but my sis and I came up with a tradition a few years back. One of the presents we exchange is something for our homes after the holidays...something new and fresh. So, when the decorations come down (which they have) we both have some new to replace it with!!! I usually also shop around for a few new candles, fresh door mat ans such so that I get a new feel. :) So, yes, I do like this time of year too!
Plus...have to admit. I live in an are of the country that our most amazing weather is now. Can't beat that! Fun post....can't wait to see the developments.
Our Christmas decorations aren't down yet, but they go so beautifully with the piles of snow outside. Tomorrow they will start to come down. I lOVE all the ideas for the year, most especially the mudroom: so organized and bright and beautiful. So looking forward to watching all the new things that will happening!
ReplyDeleteHurray! I'm so excited to see what you do, Sarah! You have some fabulous inspiration images to work with. :) I'm STILL working on taking Christmas down. I wish I could say I got it all in one swoop, but I let the girls go to a playdate yesterday and we've just been enjoying our time. But I am READY! :) My younger daughter turns 4 tomorrow (???!!) and I want the house to be Christmas debris-free. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely plans! Looking forward to following along. We are hoping to buy our first home this year, and once we're moved in I think the projects will come thick and fast!
ReplyDeleteDecorations still up here - in the UK it's traditional to leave them up until Twelfth Night.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year as well. I always feel renewed about getting projects done, and/or starting something new. We have renovated our kitchen from the ugly orange oak to a country french look. Now I need to do something with the fireplace and built ins in the attached family room that are also orange oak. I plan on painting them. I also have a mudroom/laundry room and it does not work. I would love to have my laundry on the second floor where the bedrooms are. Can't wait to see what you do this year.
It must be the new year....I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking all the wonderful home projects I want to do this year too. Hopefully I can actually do some it and actually finish it. I can't wait to see your projects, especially the family/game room built-ins, that would look amazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! And thanks for bringing all kinds of traffic to my blog!
ReplyDeleteWe also have some big plans in mind for our house in the coming year (and beyond!) We'll be tearing off our current leaky sunroom and starting to think ahead to a new one (the options are limitless...although they may take more than 1 year to happen.)
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I love reading your blog, is I totally relate! Every time I read, I find myself saying, yes, I totally do that too. The wheels spinning, can't sleep syndrome! I was doing that last night.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just posted my "Clutter Counter Confession" last night inspired by your posts about keeping it real. I hope my clutter counter doesn't scare anyone:). Thanks for the inspiration.
Can't wait to see all your new projects!
Kim www.plumberrypie.blogspot.com
yes yes yes - totally do the list making brain dump at weird times (& then I can let go of the thoughts & get some zzz!) totally love the word anticipation & I'm so excited to see your results - I'm SURE they'll be divine! I would love love to have you visit for my first linky GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
ReplyDeleteCome on over & join in the fun! xoxo
www.northerncottage.blogspot.com
I cannot WAIT to see all of this unfold! Sadly, I do not have my Christmas decor down - but have accomplished a bit of furniture rearranging, and moving stuff from upstairs to downstairs!
ReplyDeleteI have a whole list of stuff to get done too!
Dear Sarah: How did you get in my head? We have eeriely similar plans. Proof: 1 wk before xmas (yup, we're crazy) we painted the powder room a soft grey/blue, and am planning on putting up b & b in it. Mudroom reno: built in storage, quite similar to the pics you showed; playroom is still in progress etc etc. Perhaps we can motivate each other to get these jobs done!! =)) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year as well! In anticipation of spring, I went ahead and moved my living room furniture back to the walls (I had it floating in the middle of the floor for a cozier feel for fall/winter) and it feels HUGE and light and open and airy! Not to mention, my living room seems to have doubled in size! I have all my Christmas decor down and, like you, am excited about new things for my home! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the inspiration for your powder room. My husband and I recently did a complete remodel of a bath in our house and chose bead board as well. We wanted something a little less traditional and installed it horizontally from floor to ceiling. We really like it and have gotten tons of compliments on the not-so-traditional use of a traditional material. Good luck with your powder room!
ReplyDeleteWell that was a fun read. I always feel motivated to hop up from my compu after reading a TDC post & go DO something creative. :) Or organize.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how the Christmas decor feels so fun, special, exciting, dreamy going UP, & feels so fresh, clean, & declutter-y coming down. ?
Happy 2012..can't wait to keep reading! Chrissy
Wow can't wait for all of your changes!! i have the horizontal in my bathroom 3/4 of the way up and love love love it!!! one of my favorite things. it was supposed to go up vertically and at the last second i made my husband switch and could not be happier!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!!
Girl...I do the same exact thing! Every night, I drift off to dreamland with my head overflowing with ideas. When I wake up unfortunately, half of the ideas are lost in my old brain, lol. So I have now started making lists in my phone...and here I thought I was the only one who did this!
ReplyDeleteHello,
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Please post your comments! :)
Oh be still my little heart! I am in LOVE with the window seat/bookcase option. In fact, I'm now seriously considering making that work in my living room . . . I have no idea if it would actually fit. but oh, imagine the storage! Imagine the cuteness! Imagine snuggling with my kiddos on that bench!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I can convince my hubby . . . !
Ahhhhh! You mean I'm not the only one kept up at night with visions of Home Decor in my head! Good to know! So much to do, good idea to jot down those ideas as they come... my only problem, they change weekly! Is anyone else with me!?
ReplyDeleteI have the same feelings you do. Love making my new house list. I can't wait to see how you plan to do the built-ins. I have a similar project still in design stage.
ReplyDeleteYou have NO idea how much this post applies to me! lol. I have a post of my own that has been in the works since before Christmas of everything I want to accomplish this year. Glad to hear I'm not the only one! I'm in good company!
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas for the new year and look forward to seeing all the progress. This gives me good inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAre you moving the washer and dryer to the basement?
ReplyDeleteChristmas is still up because I love the lights, but I'm trying to get ornaments off the tree this week. I'm hoping we'll get lots of projects done this year. We've had flooring to put down for THREE years which is way too long.
Oh my word- I LOVE those built-ins! Beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE built-ins! I'm planning on building some shelving in my office.
ReplyDeleteYou really have some interesting projects planned for the year. I know they're going to turn out fantastic, can't wait to see them.
ReplyDeleteI may just wait to be inspired by you before I tackle my powder room. My ideas are all over the board. Glad we are kindred spirits - this is a great time of year! Everything is possible!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love the built-ins! We took out some in our master, and I still kind of regret it. :(
ReplyDeleteMy husband doesn't know it yet, but I have a closet turned book nook project in his/our future. LOL Christmas is nestled snugly in our basement and the Valentine projects have commenced! Can't wait to see your ideas for this upcoming "love" day!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your list is about as long as mine. Love the built ins and window seat. I think I pinned the same photo! If you go the mud room/Ikea hack, let me know if I can help. I'm so glad you liked our project. We love it btw...and will be posting a follow up post about the mudroom storage unit soon! ~Erin {A Charming Nest}
ReplyDelete"this wouldn't suck either." You are hilarious. Congrats Sarah, everytime I read your blog and all the things you can do to your home I always think of the debt free post! Good for you! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWE will be there next year. Yippee
Wow - I love all of your plans. I can't wait to see the amazing things you will do this year!!
ReplyDeleteI am excited about 2012. I think it's going to be a wonderful year!
Happy 2012 my friend!!
xoxoxoxo
Jen
Sarah, if I lived close to you, I'd be over there helping you build those built-in shelves. I've wanted to learn how to do that for so long. I have so many places I could use those in my home. Hope you share all the details...you've got some awesome things planned for this year. Can't wait to follow along and watch the transformations! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the blog, great pictures and ideas. I was just browsing around the internet. I will be sure to keep looking over your articles.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Will
Goodness! No wonder you stay awake at night! :) I have narrow beadboard in all my bathrooms (going vertical) at about 4 feet high. Very vintage looking and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with the window seat and shelving/storage idea for your playroom. I actually started thinking of how I could do that in my own house!
As far any goals for my own home, getting it organized and clean is my top priority.
I love the built-ins you have planned! And that arched mudroom? AHHHH! Frankly, I don't know what I'm doing this year! However, Christmas decorations are down. I couldn't sleep last night either....a couple of pieces of chocolte fixed that though!
ReplyDeleteCiao!
Guerrina in CT
You're so creative and inspiring...I do the same with making list so I can just rest easy with out all those ideas bouncing around in my brain. I have taken all my Christmas decor down & waiting for the trash man to pick up my shedding tree...At first I was a little sad and felt like the house was going to be boring with out the Christmas "cheer" but, like you was inspired & refreshed by a clean slate and motivation to do something different, go out and concur...I love that fresh NEW feeling that the beginning of the year and a new day/morning gives. ...I love all your ideas with the built-ins, and a lot of work...fun, rewording work!!! ;-) ...Now you've said all that, I guess you have more accountability and motivation from all of us reading to get it done?! Ha! Great way to start resolutions and get 'er done!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing so openly...you have a great way of expressing in your writing and pictures. Love it!
I love the storage space in white above!
ReplyDeleteMaybe an original piece of artwork would fit well in your decorating space. Check some originals out at http://www.norushimagery.com
Thanks for the fabulous blog!!!
I have been secretly stalking you for two years and just decided to come out from the shadows and share some of my own creations. I think you're totally awesome!! Your home is beautiful and it is evident that you really love what you do. Looking forward to 2012!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your inspiring and yet, down to earth, posts! Hubby and I have been talking about built-ins and a bench in our guest bedroom. We painted the foyer ceiling a different color (a few shades lighter than the wall) and I love the way the crown moulding trim pops. Hmm.. I would really like to do the bathroom ceiling a different color!.. :)
ReplyDelete