General House Work Folding stairway added to garage attic storage area (April 2004) Additional new circuits to garage and exterior, including new garage subpanel and outlet on post near pond (Fall 2003) Repainted doors and door/window trim in white (was almond) (Winter-Spring 2003) Added a second, battery-backed up sump pump for insurance (our city is largely a wetland area with clay soil) (Winter 2003) Installed new hardwired security system (Winter 2003) New circuits to garage and exterior. (Fall 2002) Added wood floor in crawlspace under entry foyer for storage (Fall 2002)

 

Exterior of House New low-voltage landscape lighting (2007) Spa improvements;  Rewire for 240V (2006) Removed original deck, replace with larger, maintenance-free deck with yard access (Summer 2005) New Driveway (July 2004) Gutters for garage roof and east house roof (July 2004) Replaced the outdoor carpeting on our spa patio (Summer 2003) Added telescoping flagpole, for use both for its intended purpose, but also as a Christmas display element (Spring 2003) Removed existing front window awnings, added decorative shutters to all front windows. (Spring 2003) Replaced existing "Barbie Pink" entry door and storm door with new leaded glass door painted hunter green, and tan full-view storm door. (Fall 2002) Removed a large vine from west side of the house which was literally overtaking the kitchen window (Fall 2002)

 

Yard and Gardens Many landscaping repairs and improvements (2002-2008) Repair/replace  wooden garden dividers (ongoing, 2002-2008) Repaired and re-stained rose arbor (2007) New play center for the boys (2006) New split rail fence on east side of property (2006) Repairs to split-rail fence, including replacing a number of posts and rails (Summer 2004) Improved the pond fountain:  New nozzle and intake screen help keep it from clogging as often, plus make it look more full.  We added low-voltage lighting of our own design to light it up at night.  (Spring 2004) Outdoor storage shed (Summer 2003) Replaced lid and other repairs on garden compost bin (Summer 2003) Added large fountain to pond for beauty and aeration (Spring 2003) Repaired and refinished wooden planters, footbridge, and furniture. (Spring-Summer 2003) Repaired garden fountain and added frog "spitter" fountain (Spring 2003) "Tamed the wild" -- restored order to many overgrown plants, trees, and shrubbery (2002-2003)

 

Upstairs Built-in audio system for living and dining rooms, connected to home theater downstairs (January 2005) Redecorated old Guest room room with new borders, new carpet, and new furnishings in preparation for arrival of baby William (July-August 2004) Recarpeted Entry Stairway and lower landing (August 2004) Replaced the wrought-iron railing in our upstairs living room with a much nicer oak railing.  Also as part of this project, repaired and replaced some baseboard trim in the living room/dining room/hallway area.  (Feb-March 2004). Replaced kitchen range hood with new above-range microwave (Winter 2004) Guest Bedroom (currently William's room):  Redecorated room using a faux-finish dark/light gray look on two walls, and a dark burgundy look on the other two.  Replaced light fixture and all switches and outlets.  New window treatments are on the way.  (Summer 2003) New brass door levers throughout, and new brass pulls on bi-fold doors in master bedroom and entry foyer (Spring 2003) Bathroom:  Redecorated formerly almond room using olive/navy color scheme.  Repaired existing mirror/medicine cabinet and changed white bulbs to clear.  New brass light switch plates and added new brass towel bar and hand towel loop.  Replaced tub drain and repaired sink faucet.  (Spring 2003) Kitchen:  Added new track lighting, retaining existing Tiffany-style light on a separate, new switch.  (Winter 2003) Replaced existing light switches and most outlets with white "Decora" style devices throughout. (Fall 2002) Living Room/Dining Room:  Removed existing window treatments.  Repainted almond walls to blue/gray, with a green faux-finish accent wall near the fireplace.  Repainted ceilings.  Added new sofa and love seat. (Fall 2002) Kitchen:  Redecorated formerly pink/almond room.  Utilized a green faux-finished look on the walls, and repainted cabinetry white. (Fall 2002)  Master Bedroom:  Repainted formerly almond room using tan with a faux-finished navy accent wall.  Repainted ceiling.  New carpeting.  Added remote control for ceiling fan/light which formerly only operated with pull chains.  (Fall 2002)

 

Downstairs Redecorated the downstairs bathroom.  We found a great John Deere wallpaper border and added some John Deere toys, pictures, and other items to compliment Tim's John Deere collection in the home office just across the hall.   Craft Room/New Guest Room:  Completely redecorated.  This room was in the worst shape of the entire house -- lavender paint was everywhere including splashed on the window glass.  The room was repainted in a salmon and blue-gray faux finishing look.  The existing accordion closet doors were in bad shape, and these were replaced with bifold doors and painted white to match the other doors and trim in the house.  The single recessed light fixture did not provide adequate light, and was replaced.  New shelving was added in the closet to hold Cathy's craft supplies, and was the room was furnished with a desk and couch. (Summer/Fall 2003) Home Office (Bedroom #4):  Repainted almond walls with light blue.  Repainted almond built-ins to deep blue (also trim).  Properly wired existing ceiling fan (formerly used chain and cord) and added remote control for fan and lights.  Added lighting for displays in built-in shelving.  (Fall 2002-Winter 2003) Family Room:  New Carpet.  New leather sectional and oak coffee table. (Fall 2002)

You might ask "what's left to do".  The answer is LOTS!  Here's a list of projects we hope to accomplish in the short term.  We'll keep this page updated with the progress:

	The roof over our Spa needs replacing-- it was rigged up out of a pond liner and other inappropriate supplies by the previous owner.  We've temporarily improved it, but it needs some more major work.
	Bailey's underground dog fence, which was purchased shortly after we bought the house, still needs to be installed.
	We'll probably end up retiling the shower surround in the upstairs bath, as it looks like it's getting ready to fail.  The same thing happened in our last house, so maybe I'm just paranoid...
	There are many little things we'd still like to do with the landscaping, although we're constantly making progress.
	Lots of other little projects inside and outside.

Click Here to go to the House Index

This page was last updated on Sunday, March 30, 2008