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Our 2018 Project Report Card

January 2, 2019

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We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

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We’re back from the holiday whirlwind (we’ll share more about that later this week) but wanted to look back at our goals from last year to gauge how 2018 shaped up. At the beginning of every year, we share a list of projects we hope to tackle, and looking back just one year it’s always so incredible to see how far we have come and what we have accomplished.

January 3, 2018 (in this post) we listed the 6 projects we wanted to check off last year, here’s what they were:

1. Master Bathroom. 

Check! Part of me is disappointed that we waited 5 years to renovate our sad master bathroom only because every single day since has been just…easier. More pleasant. More organized. It’s like all of the necessities I use every morning and night were in Limbo for 5 years and now they have a permanent place. It wasn’t without major headaches along the way, or a very high price tag or unexpected twists or setbacks. But besides that one thing, we love our bathroom. And although part of me is disappointed we waited so long, I really feel like that extra waiting period allowed us to get it right! See all the afters and posts about the bathroom here.

Here’s how our bathroom looked at the beginning of 2018:

And at the end!:

2. Master Closet

Overhauling the bathroom naturally meant that our closet also needed a facelift, since they were connected but also it was possibly worse than our bathroom. I remember at the beginning of the year we weren’t even sure what the plan was or what it would look like after. We went through a lot of versions before landing on a galley style and since we spent a pretty penny on the bathroom, we kept it budget friendly by going the Ikea Pax route. We have zero regrets and absolutely love our closet. It has been a life changer. See all the before and afters and posts about the closethere.

Beginning of 2018:

End of 2018:

3. Master Bedroom

At the beginning of the year, we confessed that we had done our master bedroom, but never really completed it fully. And sadly, I can say it still doesn’t feel done done. I give us a B+! I still haven’t ordered window treatments, and the floor mirror that we’ve had for years is really too small for the wall it’s on. Weirdly, the two different lamps we have been rocking that were supposed to be temporary have grown on me. But! We did make some major changes in our bedroom, finally addressed the weird insert where our TV is and added an electric fireplace (it was so easy!) and overall have been enjoying the lighter, more mature feel to the space.

Here’s how it looked at the beginning of 2018:

Here’s how it looks now:

See the master bedroom sources here!

4. The Garage

Our garage is an ongoing joke with us because, not kidding, every year we say, “This is the year we tackle the garage.” And every year we do clean it out but this is the year it stuck because this is the year we made sure every thing had a place. I learned that if you organize your stuff–even the boring stuff like nails or paint roller cages or coolers!–if you give it all a place, THAT’S how things stay clean. We organized the crap out of our garage. We got new doors. We epoxied the floor and now, all winter, we are reaping the benefits by parking in the garage. Both of us! It was all worth it.

5. Landscaping

In 2017, we did a lot of landscaping to one side of our yard, but in 2018, we finished the other side and then some. Although it’s not technically landscaping (although there was definitely that!), painting our swingset this summer was one of my favorite before and afters of the year! We also dabbled in landscaping in our friends’ backyard over a weekend and although I’ve always been pretty afraid of the task–this year I gained confidence in it!

6. The Cabin. 

That was the 6th project on our list at the beginning of 2018 and it kind of makes me laugh. Because, oh yeah!, among everything else–we have been renovating our A-frame! I have so much to update you on that happened in December (it’s exhausting!) But I’m so happy with the progress we’ve made up there in 2018. Our cabin is an hour away from our house. So while it’s nothing like the ease of renovating your own home, it’s not a terrible commute. In 2018, we painted the exterior black. We updated the fireplaces. We installed all new light wood floors. We built an amazing reading nook and decked out one of the bedrooms and recently started on another. For 2019 project goals, I’m going to be more specific about the cabin projects we’d like to complete.

 

2018 was our biggest year yet and 2019 is already almost completely booked with projects. We’re excited. We’re refreshed. We’re ready. We’d love to hear if there’s something in particular that you’d like to see more of or would like to see us tackle in 2019! Sound off in the comments.

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What do you think?

  1. Cathy says:

    Hi there! I loved loved LOVED seeing the variety of spaces and projects you completed this past year and look forward to seeing more! I noticed in some of your pics that your current home’s ceiling is textured, like the floral texture that we also have in our house. My question is, do you have any plans to tackle those, either removing the texture (scrape them off) or covering them maybe with shiplap? Would love to see a future blog post on this!

  2. Helen says:

    I love that shoe rack you added to the master closet. Where’s it from? Couldn’t find it in the shop the house links. Thanks!

  3. Lynn says:

    Just re-read your landscaping post, and would love to see more about painting aluminum siding. We have worn, 30 year old brown aluminum siding on our ranch, in a neighborhood full of tan/brick homes and I dont even know where i would start.

  4. Layce says:

    In regards to the Walmart stuff….I am holding back on an opinion…because it isn’t complete yet! Julia, you always do a great job layering things in and making it beautiful. I’m excited that you are using budget pieces and eager to see it all come together!

  5. Always budget friendly stuff! And customization of builder basic homes. Ours is new and a clean slate but BORING. Your projects this year turned out so beautifully. I literally cannot believe how talented and motivated you guys are! Keep it up! ❤️

  6. I’d love to see more step-by-step DIY stuff – I can’t get enough! xx

  7. Kellie says:

    I thought I recalled hearing you mention a boy’s room as an upcoming project for someone. I would love to see you design a boys space. I have 3 boys and am constantly looking for inspiration!

  8. Cassandra says:

    I’d love to see floor plans (especially with big projects). Sometimes I struggle to visualize how a space is laid out without them, and how spaces flow into the next.

  9. Michelle says:

    Bring back the podcast! ???? I miss it!

  10. Nicola Baird says:

    I loved the Instastory updates on the cabin. So excited to see what 2019 holds!

  11. Nathalie says:

    I just noticed you store paint in the garage. Is your garage heated? Are you worried about it freezing at all?

  12. Nazia says:

    Hi there! We are buying a new home and the first thing we wanted to do before even moving in is epoxying the garage floor just so it’s free of any paints and stains, and doesn’t require too much prep work. I am wondering how your garage floor is holding up and if there is anything you would recommend after using your garage floor for a couple of months.

  13. Kelsey Keller says:

    a little thing i would love to see from you guys is how you organize your cleaning supplies, pantry or even fridge! Also would love to see more of your downstairs office. I remember seeing a quick shot of the shelves you have with extra decor and curious how you manage the storage of extra pieces you arent currently using. Cant wait to see your list for 2019 and so excited and proud of everything you guys have done this year!

  14. RC says:

    I love seeing the small affordable refreshes along with the bigger renovations like the cabin. Please keep those in the mix! Happy 2019

  15. Lindsey says:

    I always always love everything you guys do, but I have to say I still love the older bedroom either the colors. I feel like you lost a lot of character! The fireplace was a great addition, but still mourning the old bedroom!

  16. Michelle says:

    You’re bathrooom and closet has been the biggest inspiration when helping my sister design hers and I’m glad you guys love it so much. Can’t wait to see what you have planned for 2019!

  17. Aimee says:

    I love the fact that you worked with more affordable retailers for the cabin. Keep it coming in 2019!

    • Lauren says:

      I am actually on the opposite side in terms of where you get your stuff. All the Walmart products seem lackluster while both the girls room and nursery from the ORCs are dynamite. Clearly higher end products photograph better. There are plenty of big box retailers for us to come up with less expensive versions of your rooms but if you get a gem of a sponsor then I support you going for the stars.

      • Vid says:

        Same. I just haven’t loved any of the Walmart stuff – perhaps because the loft/guest room is nearly all Walmart, and perhaps it needs to be mixed with higher-end furnishings to really look good, I don’t know. And maybe they’re great in person! But yeah, I agree that in photos, the Walmart stuff just doesn’t look anywhere near as lovely as your other furnishings/decor.

      • Maddie says:

        There’s definitely truth in higher end pieces simply looking higher end, but I also think it’s important to keep in mind (myself included) these rooms aren’t close to being finished! The girls’ room and nursery are fully styled with art and accessories, and so far the rooms in the cabin are literally just pretty beds with linens. I think we’re going to have to wait and see how she layers in other items before writing-off inexpensive home decor (although I do think memory foam mattresses can always use a pillow topper to look more luxurious)!

    • Totally agree! And obviously a vacation home (and one that you’re renting out) isn’t going to have a 50K bathroom! I think you’ve done the Walmart stuff beautifully! You always add something more expensive with it (the juniper pillows, camp blankets, etc) and they look so great!

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