Dude, we’ve been here over three months! On one hand it feels like we’ve lived here forever, and on the other hand it feels like we just moved in last week. We’re surprised by how much we’ve tackled since moving in: new hardwood upstairs, several exterior repairs, a half bathroom refresh, a refreshed foyer, some fresh paint in the bedroom, and a lofted sunroom. There are still untouched rooms calling our names, but for now here’s a time capsule of how our house looks three months in.
– The Front –
Outside we removed some dangerous trees, replaced an old leaky roof, repaired and repainted siding and trim, and painted the front door a happy color. The yard is still patchy and weed-filled; we’d like to add garden beds and more plantings to make the front feel less bare. There’s more work to do out there, but the basic improvements have given the house a much fresher curb appeal.
– The Portico –
We removed the old slatted screen door and painted the cream-colored sidelights to match the trim. We also painted the door. Next steps include a larger doormat, a new light fixture, and adding interest to the flat triangular plywood above the entrance—maybe framed with chunkier molding to give it more presence.
– The Garage –
The siding on the side of the house was repaired and repainted. We plan to paint the cream garage doors a darker color—either charcoal to match the roof or black like the shutters—to help the exterior read as more cohesive.
– The Foyer –
We removed the heavy wooden doors that separated the foyer from the kitchen, stripped wallpaper, painted previously blue trim white, and updated the walls with fresh paint. We also installed a new light fixture and added art. Remaining projects include refinishing the staircase railing (the spindles are still blue), replacing worn carpeting on the stairs with a runner, and possibly painting a subtle ceiling color to add depth.
– The Half Bathroom –
In the half bathroom we stripped dated wallpaper, painted the walls and trim, hung a new mirror, primed and painted the vanity, and installed a secondhand light and some art. We also upgraded the faucet. We’ll likely do a more extensive makeover later—perhaps adding grasscloth wallpaper or a tiled accent wall—but for now the inexpensive updates make the space feel much cleaner and brighter.
– The Dining Room –
The dining room still has blue trim and wallpaper, and we’ve mainly moved in our furniture. Long-term plans include updating the walls, swapping the light fixture, and reworking the built-ins in the corners to create a more cohesive dining space.
– The Living Room –
So far we’ve primed and painted the walls and whitewashed the brick fireplace. We loved how painting brick, wood paneling, and trim transformed our first house’s den, and this room feels similar. Next up is painting all the wood trim a glossy white and possibly adding a coffered ceiling with a soft blue paint to give height and warmth.
– The Office –
We moved furniture and organized the bookcase, but the room still needs painted trim. We’d like to add built-ins and possibly a floating desk to make it a more functional work space. There are several layout ideas for a custom, efficient office setup that we’re considering.
– The Kitchen –
We tend to live in a house at least a year before doing major kitchen or bathroom gut jobs so we can observe how the spaces get used. We’re taking notes on workflow and what gets in the way to inform a future remodel that will be open, bright, and far more functional.
– Our Bedroom –
Upstairs rooms started with threadbare carpeting, so in the bedroom we painted the cream doors and trim, installed hardwood floors just before moving in, and later refreshed the wall color. We’re excited to add built-ins behind the bed to visually center the windows, hang window treatments, rearrange furniture, and display art to make the room feel complete and intentional.
– Our En-suite Bathroom –
We haven’t touched the sink nook yet, but we removed old glass shower doors and added a high shower curtain to open up the shower area. Long-term we’d like to combine the sink nook with the main bath to create a larger, less segmented space with a double sink and improved flow.
– Our Closet –
Our closet is full and overdue for organization. We plan to add built-in drawers and shelves, replace the old carpet, and continue tile from the bathroom to create a seamless flooring transition across the bedroom wing. Functional storage here will make daily routines easier.
– Upstairs Hallway –
We ripped up old carpeting, painted doors and trim, and installed hardwood floors in a busy pre-move effort. Remaining tasks include painting the bannister spokes and touching up the hallway walls and ceiling to make the whole upstairs feel cohesive.
– Clara’s Room –
We painted trim, added new hardwood floors, and moved in Clara’s furniture. Plans include painting the walls, installing an overhead fixture, hanging art, and adjusting layout elements as the room evolves. It’s in that flexible phase where things will likely shift until it feels just right.
– Spare Room / Possible Nursery –
We painted trim and installed hardwood flooring, then left the room mostly as-is. We won’t decide on a full makeover until we’re sure of its use—if a nursery is needed someday it will move up the list, but for now it remains a flexible spare space.
– The Guest Bedroom / Craft Room –
Trim was painted and floors replaced, and we brought in furniture and curtains from our previous home to make the room feel lived-in. We still need to paint the striped walls and choose long-term furniture to create a more cohesive guest and craft space.
– The Hall Bathroom –
So far we’ve installed faux wood blinds and added bright accessories for cheer. Hanging the shower curtain higher helps conceal damaged tile and makes the space feel taller and cleaner until a full renovation is possible.
– Laundry Nook –
The blue trim is now white and the old carpet replaced with hardwood. We’re saving for new appliances and plan to add cabinetry to the nook, possibly frosted doors to muffle sound, and a tiled accent wall for a more finished laundry zone.
– The Sunroom –
We stripped out old carpet, removed broken doors that sealed the room off from the deck, lofted the ceiling, and completed electrical updates. Next we plan to add light blue beadboard on the ceiling and tile the floor to create a bright indoor-outdoor room—maybe even with an outdoor-style fireplace for cozy evenings.
– The Back Deck –
We removed a hazardous tree, repaired and repainted siding and trim, patched the hole left by the tree, and stripped and re-stained the deck. The outdoor space was in rough shape when we bought the house, so reclaiming it has been a satisfying project and dramatically improved how we use the backyard.
We stopped doing monthly recaps when we moved, but posts like this help freeze time and remind us how things looked after about 90 days of settling in. Do you take photos, write updates, or create albums to track your home’s progress? We love looking back at these early snapshots and saying, “holy cow, remember that?” Our house tour continues to be updated with progress photos, and documenting the changes has made the whole renovation process more rewarding.