Nick and I are purchasing his grandfather’s house. Before we move in, we are doing some much needed updating. And although I am sure I will continue to post about my crazy busy schedule (work, planning a wedding, buying a house, horse showing), I wanted to share some thoughts about our home improvement projects…
1. I would work way better with an unlimited budget. I have expensive taste (about EVERYTHING), however, expensive taste in home improvement is not conducive to staying on a budget. Nick keeps the pressure on me to start looking at costs before I buy (not what I typically do). I’ve started to watch home improvement shows and read blogs for tips on how to cut costs. The “oops paint bin” at Lowes will be my best friend!
2. My kitchen. I’m obsessed about how I want my kitchen to look. I think a nice kitchen makes the house. Most people will never see my bedroom or our guest rooms, but everyone who walks in will see my kitchen. Kitchens are expensive to update! A simple, yet updated change we are making is to the cabinets. The wooden cabinets are in GREAT shape. Buying a can of tinted polyurethane will go a long way. And so will simply updating the cabinet hardware! I’m keeping my eye out for deals on handles and hinges
3. Back to the paint. Unbeknownst to me, painting is a ridiculously good workout. Up-and-down the ladder, rolling, brushing… it all catches up to you. You paint 4 coats on 3 rooms and tell me how you feel. Also – paint and primer in one can is a lie. It doesn’t cover like it should – hence the 4 coats. You live and learn…
4. Is it bad that although we aren’t living in there yet I want to decorate the outside for the holidays? Wreaths, pumpkins, cornstalks! Little by little, it will help to move things in, right?
5. Parents are a HUGE help! (and friends too) Don’t underestimate payment in the form of lunch and a few beers. A few extra hands can really get projects moving and cut some project times in half. Parents and friends who are capable of construction or destruction tasks will again help cut costs, and actually get things done right. I’ll be the first to admit, this is hard work!
6. Set deadlines! I’m trying really hard to set deadlines for us. The last thing I want to be doing is lugging my stuff over to the new house in the middle of winter. And I also don’t want to be paying a mortgage and rent at the same time. Timing is of the essence. We dedicate a few evening hours over at the new house every week, and a BUNCH of hours on the weekends. We WILL have new carpet in the bedrooms in a few weeks – I can feel it. Then, onto the bathroom!
So, if you are reading this, and would like to contribute you construction or destruction skills to my cause, I will gladly pay you in food and beer!
Nick and I are purchasing his grandfather’s house. Before we move in, we are doing some much needed updating. And although I am sure I will continue to post about my crazy busy schedule (work, planning a wedding, buying a house, horse showing), I wanted to share some thoughts about our home improvement projects…
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