We’ve lived in the new (to us) house now for almost 5 months now (w.o.w.) and the only rooms that have been done are the front bathroom (part one & part two) and master bath. Can you tell I’m a procrastinator? Although, like I’ve said before, I like to get the feel of place before I start diving in. I think 5 months is a pretty solid “feel”. Time to get the party started. And, yes, maybe my nesting phase has started.
Before I get too crazy with To-Do lists and the like, let me go back and summarize our situation for those of you who aren’t familiar with it. Back in February, we moved – into the Grandparent’s house. Don’t worry they’re great, they’re just in a retirement home now. And the Mr, Arden and I, gladly volunteered to live in their vacant house. Hello three bedrooms!
Now here’s where it gets a little sticky. The house hasn’t been updated much and we’re not really in the position to renovate, now matter how much I might wish! Living here is the perfect opportunity to save up to buy Copy Cat Chic casa #2 (our first home sold last year). That being said we don’t have a lot of money to put into updating G&G’s house, especially if we want to get a good deposit together for our future home. So most of the updating we’ll be doing will be smaller projects and cosmetic fixes on a *small* budget.
So I’ve posted some pictures below of how the house looks today (Click here for pics on how it looked when we moved in). And just to be clear, I haven’t tidied up or decluttered, I’m keeping it real folks. This is how it looks every. single. day. Glamorous, I know π Let’s get on with the show, shall we?
the den/playroom
We haven’t touched this room besides piling all of Arden’s toys and playthings in it.
to do
new paint
create built ins on either side of the fireplace
update mantel
paint fireplace
new light fixture
reupholster G&G’s old sofa
hang something on the walls
get rid of the chaise and ottoman
remove old handles/bars/hardware
replace the carpeting (hard to tell in the pics, but it’s a little stained in some places)
THE nursery
Same story here! All we’ve done is move all of Arden’s furniture into the room. Now we have to create a room for her to share with her new baby brother!
TO DO
new paint
new light fixture
a new crib
a big girl bed for Arden
a nightstand
new bigger dresser
replace rocker for one that’s more comfy for nursing
add book storage
new window treatments
add organizers to the closet and paint
move G&G’s old hope chest into storage
hang stuff on the walls
THE master bedroom
Yet again, we just moved all of our stuff in here where ever it would fit. As you can see it’s pretty tight. I want to get rid of the mismatched dresser and nightstand and replace them with just two matching chests on either side of the bed.
TO DO
paint
new window treatments
new bed?
new bedding (!)
new light fixture
find matching chests to use as nightstands
sell current dresser & nightstands
attach full length mirror to wall – instead of propping it on a chair π
hang art on the walls
THE entryway
We hung a little shelf and mirror here that is good in the meantime, but obviously it’s a little too small in scale to feel satisfying.
TO DO
remove wallpaper and paint
new light fixture
replace mirror with a larger one
replace wall shelf with larger one with storage
THE living room
This room doesn’t bother me too much. We really need to hang some art in here though. The Mr hung some random stuff up willy-nilly on the hooks already in the wall. It makes me laugh π As you can see the ocean art has kept it’s place (for now).
TO DO
replace the media cabinet
hang up artwork
buy stools for under console
declutter
THE Dining room
And for those of you who voted in the great dining chair debate. You can finally see the results. Yes, I went with the minority, to the Mr’s dismay π But I’m super happy and my tushie is super comfy. So all around a great choice.
TO DO
remove wallpaper
paint
replace light fixture
find something to plug into that random wall socket (that’s not a clock)
And in posts to come….the guest room, the kitchen, the garage, the front yard and the back yard. You can keep track of our little ranch house makeover here or go to the label “Ranch House Redo“.
Anonymous says
Long time lurker, first time poster. Glad you're taking your time! We are as well. I hate a rushed home. I think it takes time to figure out what would fit in the space best. Btw, Arden has been our long time most loved baby name (baby to come soon, lol). My jaw dropped when I saw that was your baby's name! Good taste π
Reichel Broussard says
Arden is a great name! Nice choice π
Tia Brumbelow says
Can't wait to see what you do with the rooms! I agree with you about the living room, it's pretty cool now π
Reichel Broussard says
Thanks Tia! π
Anonymous says
Great progress. What brand are your slipcovered sofas? I'm on the lookout for white slipcovered sofas that are affordable. Thx
Reichel Broussard says
They're super fancy Ikea Ektorp sofas π Super comfy and super cheap. Especially when you have a stained slipcover!
Anonymous says
I thought they might be. I had been looking at that sofa but wondered how well they hold up at that low price. How long have you had yours? Thx again.
Reichel Broussard says
I've had ours for over 5 years, BUT we bought them used off of Craigslist, so they're even older. One I got for $60 and it's super old – I can tell by the foam used in the cushions. And it's still super comfy. The other one is a little newer (down topped cushions) and just as comfy.
julia says
oo, let me know if you sell that dining table pendant!
Bianca Sotelo says
Reich!
Text me! You know I'm down to come over and help with a day of home makeover!! Plus dying to see you and Arden! I pretty much make my own schedule, so i'm free whenever!!
x Bianca
Reichel Broussard says
B- You are awesome π Thanks for the offer! I'll keep you posted π I'm kind of spinning in circles right now trying to figure out what to do first. hahaha
Yardley HomeforSale says
Are you going to do anything for those brown flat doors? I have those in my new house and I hate them…they have a lacquer finish too that will be hard to cover! I have 20 doors that way!!!
Reichel Broussard says
YES! God, yes π I'll be painting them. I was thinking of maybe doing the trim & doors a taupey greige and keeping the walls white, since the house is so dark. 20 doors?!! Yikes, that's a lot :