So we've been in our new house for about 4 months now - we just love it. We're still not sure how we managed to get a smaller house that fits our stuff better than our bigger house did... but we're thrilled. I love the energy in this place, it feels so cozy and comfy and homey. So I had posted pictures before we moved... but maybe it time for some updates? Plus I want to write down all my ideas and plans so I have some sort of record of it :).
Here we go...
1. Exterior Front
Before:
After:
Well, apart from the grass being green instead of snow covered and my car in the driveway we haven't done much here yet. Mostly because it's take me all summer to come up with a plan!! So the plan...
Near Term (Next Summer): Fix that front garden - it needs some tall, bright plants in there - some things with substance. So I'm thinking a clematis on the left side to break up all that siding, then maybe a few tall hyacinths under the window and a peony bush on the right side by the door. Then a few smaller things layered in the front - some snap dragons maybe and maybe some pansies. around the rocks. All that's in there is green and short so it doesn't have any sort of presence from the street. But I've got plans... I think I'll hit the garden centres for a trellis soon, maybe I can get something on sale, but the plants will have to wait until next year. I'll also pick up some hanging baskets next year - there are three hooks up front so that will really brighten things up in the front as well.
Long - Long Term (5-10 years away): It's hard to see from these pictures but along the right side of the driveway it's concrete right up to the neighbours property. The last bit of concrete is at an odd angle that you can't really do anything with. So I'd like to pull that concrete out and put a planter in there. Not sure how that will shake out yet, but it's not happening for a long, long time so I have time to get a vision!!
So that's the front of the house... next up The Backyard!
2. Backyard
Before:
After
It's actually quite lovely in the backyard with very little help from us!! Darren's been working on sanding and staining the deck and the rest has just sort of grown. But it's a little overgrown - so this fall I'll be thinning things out, tidying up the edges so the grass stops creeping in. But other than that there's really not much for us to do out here. Plus the garden already has most of my favourite plants so I just need to clear things out so we can SEE them!! I guess the previous owners were big on just letting things grow... but I think a little fine tuning is in order :)
3. Inside!! Living Room
Before:
After
It's not looking too bad is it!! We still need some more furniture... a curio case on the left side of the window, a bookcase behind the chair, an endtable next to the sofa on the left... and some decorations. I really should move the trim thing from the blind that is on the fireplace... but it's coming. I love this room. It's so comfy and cozy and the view from the windows is terrific!!
4. Den / Music Room
Before
After
I love this room... what was once a den is now a fabulous music room!! My music is all on the bookshelves with easy access, the piano is in it's own space, but still part of the living room. It such a nice place to practice my flute too - there is plenty of room so Lochlan can play with his instruments while I play with mine!! It's terrific. Apart from some tidying up and moving some boxes this room is mostly done. And hanging some pictures... I can't believe I still haven't done that!!!
5. Kitchen
Before
After
Alright... so maybe it looked better before!!! The kitchen became sort of a catchall for all the bits that we didn't know what to do with. So it's a little cluttered. We'll work on that...
The long term plan here is to update the kitchen cabinets and replace the counter tops. But it mostly works for now and kitchen renos are EXPENSIVE. So not happening for a long time yet. I actually quite like the space - this house is so cozy :).
Okay - I'll have to stop there!! We're going to look at furniture today - the store we bought our sofa from is having a closing out sale so we're going to see what kind of deals we can get on some of the things we're still looking for. But that means I have to actually get out of my pyjamas... So have a great weekend and I'll post more later!
