Our House Planning Notebook

With all of the traveling back and forth we wanted to create the notebook so all of our lists, ideas, and notes were all in one place.
We purchased a sketchbook and divided it into eight sections; one for each room of the house, the outdoor space, and a place for calendars notes and lists.
In the space for calendars we gave each month a page for the calendar and a few pages for notes about that month, like when we met who where and what appliances we looked at and how much they were.  In the sections for each space we first added a list of all the things that we wanted to be done to the space, for example what the contractor would be doing. We also added a list of items we need/want for each space so we could add notes when we find something or check it off when it is purchased.  Each space has inspirational images for each space to show our contractor how we want each space to feel as well as paint and fabric samples to reference when shopping for things to go in that room.

As our moving date draws near, another important thing in the notebook was a moving checklist.  Making the checklist now, a few months from moving makes sure that we will get everything we want done, without forgetting to do it when things get busy or waiting until last minute to finish.

DIY: Suitcase Tables

Quick confession, I didn't actually do this myself, but I would have helped if I was home. My Mom and Dad were kind enough to make these cool side tables for us out of old suitcases. They used a piece of plywood inside the bottom of the first suitcase to stabilize it and attach the legs. The legs were taken from an old table that already had an antiqued red finish should go in the living room nicely. The second suitcase was placed on its side and shelves were added for storage and stability. A piece of round glass was added to the top to become a table!

DIY

I don't know if we mentioned that the house is about 200 miles from where we are living currently which isn't too far but not close enough to be working on it just yet. In the meantime we are doing small d.i.y. projects to be used in the house when all the big stuff is done. The last time we were home my Mom and I went thrifting and found some great stuff! We found two wall sconces for about $3 each, an iron one and a brass one. To make the brass sconce look more like the iron one we took an old necklace apart, wrapped the links around it and then spray painted it black. It was a fairly easy fix to make the two look more like a pair and I think they will look great on the wall in the living room!!

Pressure and Time

A house remodel portfolio is in order. Paige has drawn floor plans and collected paint swatches including more deviations of white than a bridal warehouse. Yellow seemed like a good choice for the kitchen although we're having second thoughts. 

I've been searching DIY tutorials online and have enjoyed watching most. We're thankful that people have been offering us their older appliances, helping with furniture and fixtures. 

Recovering furniture seems like more of a headache than expected in all the explanations I've watched. 

This is a good tutorial of refinishing hardwood floors though with the real estate of our hardwood, it'd take a while to accomplish.