Home Goals for 2011
January 8, 2011
Hi, it’s me! Late to the soiree again (Nester’s Home Goals party), but for good reason! I spent all yesterday behind one of these:
I’m still an amateur in front of a camera, but so grateful for the patient and encouraging crew. It was nerve-wracking, thrilling, and educational all at the same time. But more than anything, exhausting. I have new respect for anyone involved with video production ~ oh the patience, time, and attention to detail from color balance to lights and sound. You’ll see all four features unveiled in the spring, I’ll let you know when they’re live!
OK, time for the Home Goals for 2011. I’m holding my own feet to the fire and I’ll try my darndest to finish up all of these projects around my house.
Goal #1: I’ll start with the most controversial change, the backsplash just behind my range. Not the white tile surround, just behind the range.
The Mister wants to keep it, but I’m so over the ‘fruit plate’ look, so much so I painted the surrounding yellow tile white because I couldn’t stand it anymore. I found some coordinating white harlequin shaped tile I want to insert in its place with some pewter accents too, so I’m turning on the charm to coax the hubby into saying goodbye, and cracking open my new Dremel MultiMax to cut that entire section out! You may think it actually looks good in this photo, but trust me, up close, it looks so painted.
How do you like the new clock above the mantel? Picked it up at K to the Mart peeps. Love it!
Goal #2: Create a homework, art, and storage center on this blank wall for my kids.
I finally got around to painting over the old paint color this morning where this cabinet used to sit. You know, six months after I painted the rest of this space.
Goal #3: Replace the existing entry chandelier with something larger in scale, and for goodness sakes CG, time to clean your outdoor sconces and paint over the brass too.
Goal #4: Invest in a smaller sofa or loveseat that will fit better along the wall and in this sitting area in my living room. I also want to create some large scale abstract art and find a great area rug!
Goal #5: I neeeeeeed to finish my little boy’s bedroom. It’s about time I hem and line those curtains and also add board and batten wainscoting to this sweet little space!
Goal #6: Remodel the hallway bathroom. You can’t quite tell but the countertops are ten year old cultured marble and I see a completely different color on these cabinets. Plus I’m scheming to elevate the existing vanity on small legs to make it more modern, think I can pull if off? Can’t wait to get started!
Goal #7: Finish this circular patio in the center of our backyard. Torn what to do here, stamped concrete, travertine, or mosaic tile? Nothing boring or slippery. The surround is a tan colored concrete that obviously needs power washed. Got any ideas for a design?
Goal #8: Refinish our courtyard patio. Right now, it’s a medley of exposed aggregate and smooth concrete. Why? Long story short it’s because we had to add the concrete steps when we added on to our house five years ago. To tile or resurface this baby, it’s extremely costly. Plus we’re looking into other options beyond ordinary tile. Supplies and labor alone are crazy expensive, and not sure I want to tackle 300 square feet of outdoor resurfacing on my own. Someday, right? A girl can dream!!
I also plan to paint and wallpaper the inside of my closet, but if I showed you that, you’d realize just how bad I am at keeping all my clothes organized. Help!
So that’s the big list, we will see how far I get!! What’s your #1 goal for home improvement this year?
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Tags: home goals, my home
What is the color of the wall I your living room (goal #4)? Absolutely love it!
Thanks for the inspiration! i love your site and great many great ideas here. I would start with the bathroom as this would be quick likely and give you motivation for the rest of the projects. I did my bath tonight after being insired by your bath remodel linky party and painted the oak vanity white and it looks really great. Iwas reattaching the mirrors above and my 2-year-old came in and knocked over the mirror on top of hubby’s toes shattering it (the mirror, not his toes). I was not a happy camper. Two minutes from completion and I had to stop and persue plan B which will take longer. Uggg. My number one goal is to do home projects in a relaxed fashion – take it easy and enjoy the process. It is already 8:30 pm and i am saying to myself…hmmmmm…what can I do tonight in the house. Goal #2 should be to REST!
Thanks again and good luck with your goals – I’ll be watching to see how you are coming along!!
Stacey :O)
i have to get my bonus room under control and decorated!!!!!
LOVE your goals and pictures! You already have an amazing house with great ideas!! Can’t wait to see everything!
http://marblesfromheaven.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-home-goals.html
It seems that each room in my home needs a little something. A piece of artwork, a small piece of furniture, etc. I will be looking to finish off these little things in 2011. I am also planning to redo my 7 yr old daughters room. It’s time for a big girl update!
Can’t wait to see your projects!
hey girl, I have a “mint condition” 1950 sky blue bathroom that I probably SHOULD remodel. So, when you do yours, I’ll get myself together an do mine! p.s. would you write a great goals list like that for me?
Can’t wait to see you tackle all these great projects. By the way, thank you for all that wonderful 2010 blogging. You’re an inspiration!
Warmly, Michelle
I think my biggest improvement is to find more art- to bring color to my space and to “finish” the overall feel of the room.
That’s an impressive list :) I love your house! Looks just like a magazine!! Our MAIN goal is to FINISH remodeling the master bath. That we started almost a year ago. If we can get any tile people to actually GIVE us a quote. I also want to paint the entire main level- since my new kitchen/addition dreams are on hold for at least 2-1/2 more years….
I’m an interior designer from Melbourne, Australia – I loved your blog, I found it very inspiring. This is all new to me but I have just set up my own blog
scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com
You may like to check it out because I had so much fun doing it. It’s got a bit of everything fashion, interiors, food, travel spots – hopefully you will find something in there that you like.
Thanks for providing me with such great entertainment!
Cheers
Melissah
Now that’s a list! I could never get mine in one post, too many too little time. You could do pavers in the circle. There are going to be a lot of cuts with it being circular , you might want to ease into some type of square in the middle section to save labor costs. Pea gravel is a painnful on your feet and is high maintenence with keaves. You could always stain the courtyard concrete and aggregate, a beautiful outdoor rug would be a quick fix with a big impact. Good luck,
I am repainting my tv armoire in the living room (which is now a pistachio green…..what was I thinking….???) a nice creamy white……in February……when hubby is gone for a few days……lol!
xoxo laurie
I can help you with the last two goals for the exterior. I am a Landscape Architect and I say go with the easiest maintenance. In the middle section, I would add colored, stamped concrete. However, FIRST I would acid stain everything- including the walls which are pretty colorless. This is a project you could do yourself with a little study and pull of for a few hundred dollars. Acid staining is a great way to overcome the problem of different ‘shades’ of concrete. It also gives off an ‘old world’ feel and lasts much longer than simply staining concrete. Use a base color and one or two accent colors. Kinda like a ‘faux’ finish. A little googling of ‘acid staining concrete’ should have you on your way!
Can’t wait to see all your projects! Regarding the fruit tile in the kitchen- did you see the segment on tile tatoos on the Nate show last week? If you’ve got a dremel and have already starting coaxing your hubby, you’d probably rather go for the real thing, but if you’re interested in a temporary solution you may want to check it out:
http://www.thenateshow.com/videos/detail/1049
I love to see your transformations happening around your home. I had an idea for your circular patio, painting or staining an old compass face on it.
Love your kitchen. I have a question for you. What process did you use to paint the yellow tile backsplash? I need to do the same and I’ve read many different ways of doing it so I would appreciate hearing from someone who actually did this. Thank you so much! I love your blog!
My number one goal is to get organized. We moved into a new home and I have to organize before I go crazy!
How about a mosaic of coordinating pavers and put moss in between? Really, I just looove moss. Here’s an example: http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/65328/65328,1273225405,7/stock-photo-old-moss-grown-stone-wall-52543168.jpg
Also, if you aren’t reusing your couch elsewhere, I may be interested in purchasing it from you!
I like Leeanna’s idea about the compass but doing it in mosaic or possibly a sun with the swiggly rays. I know it may take a while, but would last a bit longer and would really fit the Tuscan feel of your patio/vineyard area. Happy New Year by the way!
I will be waiting for your bathroom makeover as mine needs one too and is very similar to yours. So inspire away Miss CG!
I love your goals and I LOVE that you are willing to show us your “needs help” areas. Vulnerability can be such a lovely gift.
One day, ONE DAY I plan to install shelves to contain my stereo system and purchase a flat screen TV so that I can finally get rid of the bulky armoire that is currently home to all of that. Oh, and I need a dining room table that seats more than 4 comfortably. One day.
No pressure, but I’m dying to see how Goal #2 turns out. I’m so in need of redoing my kids homework space. On the edge of my seat!
Do you happen to know the paint color in the room under Goal #4? I’ve been looking for a color similar to that, and I absolutely love how it looks in your room!
salonjuleen(at)gmail(dot)com
Your home always looks so perfect…glad to see you have projects yet to do. Thank goodness your human. :)
I am secretly sporting an evil smile that even YOU have sore spots in your home, ie. those outdoor sconces, I am waving my wand, ZING, bright brass for you!!!! (Cue devilish wicked witch laugh here.) On a more serious note, I have realized that you are truly human with an unbelievable amount of high octane energy. Hope you get through your list this year. I am going to make my own list.