Nester is having a House Goals party, and it was just what I needed to start mapping out my plan for 2012. Since this post alone took me about three hours to write, I can only imagine how long the projects themselves will take. We’ll see.
1. That darn master bedroom. It’s a thorn in my side. I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about it simply because we don’t have guests up there. (This is where I will pretend not to notice all the many jokes that could be made about that sentence.) It’s one of those “shut the door and worry about it later” rooms, but I’m making changes this year. Here’s a little picture tour for you.
Uhhh…anyone ever close up an entire window before? We built this house 8 years ago, and I’ve hated it for 7 years 363 days. It’s a pain to work around, and it really serves no purpose. Hate it. Of course, the pictures map out a LOT more work, but I’m in “Stage 1” of the idea right now. For those of you don’t know, Stage 1 means I am starting to bring it up around my husband. We remain in that stage for several weeks—sometimes months—depending on the project level. We have a system here. Stay with me.
Of course, when it’s all said and done, it’ll look JUST like this. I really don’t think I’m that far off. I have all the essentials already. You know…4 walls, flooring, a side table. I’m inches away. I can feel it.
#2. De-boob. (What is this post rated?) Again…built the house years ago, but the complaint this time is that our contractor told us DAYS before the lighting was being installed that we needed to pick things out. Uhhh…ok. They had nothing we liked, and we didn’t have any time for special ordering. Annoyed would be a good way to describe our feelings. I hate all our chandeliers, and I’m getting rid of all the boob lights.
My poor laundry room light (above) has already felt my wrath. The light bulbs kept blowing out, and I don’t feel like there’s enough light in there at night. That’s what it looks like. Nice, eh? Below, you’ll see I conjured up some beautiful lighting to look into. However, don’t let my inspiration photos fool you. One of these pendants is over $1,000. Say huh? Key words: inspiration photos.
one, two, three, four, five, six
And lastly…back to the laundry room. It’s just there. Since I can’t bump out the wall about 5 more feet (don’t think I haven’t asked), it needs to reflect my style better. Also, I can’t guarantee that this picture was taken at 12:00. It’s very likely that I just don’t have a battery in that thing. Poor little room.
So I plan on painting, tiling, building, and installing. For such a small room, it’ll be quite a bit of work. Since my New Year’s Resolution is to do laundry more than once a month, I figure this is the most likely way to get me to do that.
Finally, here’s a sneak peek of the first project I’ll be doing. My husband’s out of town for a couple of weeks (if you plan on coming to my house to murder me, I’ll murder you first), so I’m employing my father-in-law (who has no idea yet) to help me build/organize a linen closet. A 7-foot linen closet. Insert nervous giggle here. Aaaaannd now I’m sweating.
I’m off to prepare my “Let’s do this, Dad!” speech to make him believe he actually wants to help me. Wish me luck. In the meantime, stop by Nester’s place. I love to see what everyone has planned for the year.
No ‘guests” in the bedroom while the hubs is gone. (sorry, couldn’t resist)
Love all the projects you are going to be working on! We still have some booblights as well, they drive me crazy too….someday 🙂
XO
Kristin
I have your address and I know where you keep your basket labeled “ammo.” I am SO coming over and helping you de-boob the house. LOL! ps…I saw a light fixture very very similar to #3 at our Lowe’s the other day. You’re welcome. pss….I am very offended that my laundry room was not shown as your inspiration room. You would be in basement laundry room heaven if you saw it. Minus all the stinky boy clothes.
I just finished my post for this party as well. Love your master bed inspiration photo.
My laundry room looks like Voldermot lives there… 🙂 worst room of the house. That didn’t even make the 2012 to-do list. It’s that bad.
I put a couple of “boob” lights in my house because they were cheap and they were better than what was there before (think 1970s brass – ew). I too have laundry and the laundry room on my list of goals. Good luck with your bedroom plans!!
My husband just came running – I was making strange hysterical noises laughing at your ‘boob lights’. That’s hilarious! And I’m so glad to hear someone else has a process to get hubby on board. I’ve been casually mentioning rugs for a week or so now, so I’m hoping that in another week or so he’ll come up with the great idea to get a new one!
Only two weeks for a new rug? That’s like….a record! Mine needs months to come around. 🙂 Good luck!
Bedroom chair? Think papasan chair ; ) how cozy would that be?! Laundry room? Be glad-very glad you have one! My washer and dryer—sit opposite the stove and dishwasher in the wide open…no door let alone a room! a then single male (who I am now married to) built the house…’nough said! And the lights? Are all mish-mash whatever was marked down…breathing. First room up at my house is my craft room. Waiting for him to take a weekend away and major stuff will happen in that space! Until then, I am cleaning and weeding out! Then it’s Katie bar the door on the rest of the house! Good luck with your father-in-law! Blessings, Sharon
Believe me, Sharon. I’m SO thankful for that laundry room. Just always looking for improvement, ya know? A craft room? Brilliant idea! Good luck with everything!
I just had to comment about the whole boob light thing – who hasn’t been a victim of those at one point in their life?! Can’t wait to see what you accomplish this year!
BTW – who did your blog design? Love.
Danielle Moss, Rhonda. She’s BRILLIANT and so affordable! I highly recommend her! Here’s her site. http://www.danielle-moss.com/
Awesome plans ahead! I am convinced that even if I had the largest laundry room around, that I would still manage to fill it with mounds of laundry. ;-). I am still amazed at how much laundry a family of five generates.
And your inspiration photo for your master bedroom takes me breath away (love you Candice). I know you will do wonderful things this year and I can’t wait to see them unfold.
Have you SEEN your laundry room, Jenny? It’s ginormous! 🙂 But you’re right–we can always fill them with more clothes, eh? Thank you for stopping in!
Ah yes, the laundry room can look deceptively large when there’s no laundry in it! 😉 Maybe if I was better at laundry maintenance, it would seem larger. And if my kids hung up their stuff vs. flinging it on the floor. But I’m working on it!
Thanks for the inspiration. We must have built our houses at about the same time and I can feel your pain. While I do still like most of my lights I have changed a few out in the last year. I also repainted almost the entire house and redid a small portion of my laundry room, which is slightly smaller then yours. I added a counter top on top of my washer and dryer. It is awesome. I need to look for some tile for a backsplash in there but since I don’t even have one in my kitchen maybe I should start there first. : ) Thanks for helping me to get motivated.
Counter top on top of the washer and dryer–brilliant. I’m hoping my husband will help me with that as well. Good luck with everything!
I can’t wait to see you dive into the Master bedroom project. I am so stalled out on my bedroom and need some inspiration! (oh, and a boatload of money 🙂
The tile possibilities for your laundry room????? Love. Yum – look forward to reading about that one too!!
Exactly, Lisa. I have lots of ideas…I just have to find the money to match those ideas. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Oh I can’t wait to see your master bedroom makeover! I want to de-boob as well but not quite sure how. Will I have to repair the ceilings when replacing with pendant lights?
Not at all, Erin! I’ve already switched a few out, and the new light just fills over the space left by the boob. Even if it does, you can get one of those ceiling medallions to cover it up. Good luck changing them!
ok so i love so many things about this post…
1. Thank you for showing us the imperfect, because we all have it.
2. I think I have the exact same bed frame. Loved it a few years ago…but…I also love your ideas 🙂 I think my husband would kill me.
3. Your comment – “I will murder you first” literally had me close to spitting out my coffee. Loved it!!
Love the numbered comment, Christina! Right up my alley. I was hoping people would find humor in the murder comment. Never know if people know me well enough to get the joke. 🙂 I really do love that bed! The headboard is just too low, though. And we’ve had it for 17 years! Time for a new one. 🙂
I have a couple boobie lights I’d like to get rid of too 😉
I love your house goals! I put up some as well on my blog, and I didn’t even think about de-boobing (lol) though my house totally needs it. We were in the same kind of crunch – lighting needed to go up, we couldn’t find anything we liked on the spot so we figured just buy these cheapo boob lights and replace later… four years went past and they’re still there! can’t wait to see all the progress you make throughout the year!
I feel your pain, Wendy. We’ll just have to change them out gradually, right? One boob at a time. 🙂
Looks like you have some great stuff to work with! My laundry room is hopefully on the to-do list for this year. It’s halfway drywalled and has been that way for years. Also half the concrete board is down! Old house and this room had to be started becasue of some other things that needed done and this room was tied in to so many ohters. And then it sat while we finished 2 bathrooms, a living room, a bedroom, a landing and stairway. It is looking like it might finally be the laundry rooms turn!
Wow, these are some awesome goals. I love all the bedroom details. And, a linen closet sounds like the perfect project for a fun new challenge a few blog friends and I introduced on Monday and it would be so fun if you want to join. If you have a second, check in at http://thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/imagine-the-impossibilities-challenge/ to learn more, and feel free to email me if you have any questions!
I can’t stop giggling at your “murder” comment!!! Your ideas look great. I especially agree with wanting to close that bedroom window, but yes, that will be a costly & labor intensive decision. You’re off to a great start! And good luck with the F.I.L. !
Just started following your blog and love it, this post in particular, as your 2012 Home Goals are mine – master suite and laundry room. And my reasoning for the laundry room are the same – maybe I’ll enjoy doing it more. Love yoru ideas and can’t wait to see how both rooms evolve.
Welcome, Sarah! Thank you for stopping by! Good luck with your home goals! 🙂
OMG! Chris!! I have one of those random, useless windows in my bedroom too!!! AND I CAN’T STAND IT! Argh! I totally feel your pain. I want to close mine off too, but I highly doubt that will happen! I found a great picture on Pinterest of a bedroom that has a similar wall with the one random window and it looks great. So if I can’t close mine off, I’m going to aim to get my room to look as much like the one I found as possible. Here’s a link to the picture if you want to check it out: http://pinterest.com/pin/268527196501475653/
xoxo
That’s a beautiful room, Amy! Thank you for sharing the inspiration! I’m still looking into it, but I’ll just have to move forward if it can’t be done, eh? Thanks again!
Where did that last picture come from, the one of the inside of the bathroom cabinet?
Seriously? Did I link every picture but that one? Argh! I think it’s a Martha Stewart picture. I’ll figure it out. Sorry.
That would be the one I want lol! I just want to know what they used on the inside of the door if you remember.
I’m just laughing right now… at all of it. I mean great ambitious goals too, but mostly I’m just laughing.
Mission accomplished, Carrie. 🙂 Thank you!
As far as the window in the bedroom, I know there is at least one other blogger out there that covered a window in the bedroom. I believe that they hung a mini blind, closed it, then hung new drywall. So, on the outside it just looks like a window with the blind closed all the time. Sorry I don’t know where I saw it. Good luck! I love the inspiration photo.
Gotta love pintrest I saw this and thought of you. Don’t cover the window, work with it. http://pinterest.com/pin/98094098103389902/ I also think, as if my opinion counts in your bedroom, haha. .. you could balance the window with a large mirror on the opposite side of the bed and a tall lamp. I’ve seen it on….of course…pintrest. Then over the bed there was a saying or maybe 3 pictures hung side by side, if I run across it again I will send it to you….can’t remember that part exactly. As far as your bed again….pintrest….someone revamped their sleigh bed to be a cover tufted bed. I got nothin for you laundry room….I hate that room now matter how pretty, I don’t mind the washing or the drying but the putting away is the thing that makes me hate it.
Ohhhhh, yet again, we dream the same dream. At least you have a LAUNDRY room. So jealous. Looks like someone (who shall remain nameless) has torn up your laundry rug, like someone (who shall remain nameless) does at our house.
And I haven’t even started hinting to hubs about my two projects. I have a looong way to go.
Ha! I just noticed Waldorf! I just laughed out loud! You’re hilarious aaaannnnd we share the same brain. It was actually my powerful vacuum that chewed up the rug, but I vacuum in there because of the one who shall remain nameless. Regardless, the one who shall remain nameless is always to blame.
I have followed your blog for a while, but have made me laugh so much lately!! Thanks for the little notes into what you are really thinking. My favorite is the murder comment. Love it!!! Can’t wait to see what you do!
Thank you so much, Brittny! That was a great comment. I’m glad I could make you laugh. Even if it was about murder. 🙂
Your posts are so entertaining! I love the content too of course, but the way you write is so hilarious! Anyways, our laundry room is d.u.l.l. too and seeing as I spend about half my waking hours in there, I would love to spruce it up. And by spruce, I mean at least take down the 80s wallpaper. On the other hand, its a room like the master bedroom in that no one sees it but me anyway so I think- what’s the point?! My husband and I have the same “process” about house projects as you described. We’re now very close (within 6 months I’d say) of him agreeing to install a kitchen island for me.
Well thank you! 6 months from a kitchen island? That’s pretty good! As for that 80’s wallpaper? Tear that baby down! It’s fun. 🙂
http://pinterest.com/pin/33425222203996509/
You could try to recover your bed like this. Come on it only looks hard, you have talent you can do it!
I don’t know about cost, but you could always gather fabric (canvas drop cloths?) and hang it ceiling to floor behind your bed. It would be very dramatic. Then you could put a lamp on the side where the window is and hang something on the other side where the drywall is. Just a suggestion. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog! 🙂 Do you by chance have a classroom one? I’m a teacher as well.
I like the way you think, Melissa! I’m glad you found me too! Unfortunately, I don’t have a classroom blog. I’m a high school teacher, and I don’t know how much information I could pass on in the form of a blog. Elementary teachers have tons to write about! I do have some posts that I’ve devoted to it if that helps.
FYI – I was at Big Lots today and they had canvas drop cloths 9′ x 12′ for $15.00!!! 🙂
Really like the background print on the inside of the bathroom cupboards. Is it material or paper and where did you find it?
I love your master bedroom project! Good luck with that! And we want to see the results 🙂
I loved how you described “Stage 1” — ha! I’ve often wondered how all of you fabulous decorating bloggers get all your projects past your husbands! Stage 1 can last at my house for years at a time…lol. Now that we’ve been in our house 10 years he’s finally getting receptive to a few ideas! Good luck with all your great projects. Can’t wait to see what you do in the laundry room…looks a lot like mine. 🙂
I love that you are in stage 1 — talking your hubby into it 🙂 I am doing the same thing right now! It started with asking him to pick up a dresser I found on Craigslist when he got off of work last week. To be continued on the rest of the story and redo 😉 Can’t wait to see what you end up doing.
You give new meaning to the term ” boob job”. As a mom to four girls and victim of an undersized laundry room, I’m so happy to discover your blog today. BTW- just had the ” bump it out 5 feet” conversation yesterday. Not gonna happen here either.
I love your house goals, we are about to make a big move so no goals here other than to get moved and find an awesome house to put my mark on 🙂
Loved your post but especially loved the picture of that bedroom..I putting that one in the idea file. About to start changing up our bedroom and that inspires me.
Thanks, Debbie
I can’t wait to see how your bedroom turns out! GOOD LUCK!
Hi~ I love your sight! I just googled “bedroom fireplace wall” and came across the image for your inspiration room. I love that fireplace wall (along with everything else!). Do you know where the design came from or if there are other perspectives of this room? Thank you so much!
I believe it’s the Candice Olsen one? Type in her name or go to Pinterest. She has a tv show that will show different views. Good luck!