It’s a brand new year and one that’s bringing with it probably one of the biggest changes, if not THE biggest change, since we bought our home. February 14th marks 5 years since we picked up the keys to this place and that half-decade as whizzed by in the blink of an eye.
This year though it’s not just our home but also my work space. I’ve left my full-time office job and will for the next few months anyway be based predominantly from our little home office. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and also a dedicated space to hopefully help me on the way to maintaining a freelance life.
It’s also made me think about what’s in store for our home this year. Last year I was adamant that we would start our living room renovation and we did. This year though feels a bit up in the air. Of course we need to finish the living room but that’s all underway, at the moment we’re waiting for a few deliveries.
So what next? We’ve gone from being time-poor and cash-ok to time-better but cash-poor. We definitely won’t be starting our ground floor extension this year (which had looked like it would be happening about 6 months ago until I threw the unemployed spanner in the works!) BUT I’m adamant that’s not going to stop me from moving forward.
I’m not going to lie, part of me is looking forward to having more time to tackle some house projects myself and learn new skills. I always say I’m not a DIYer but I painted our bedroom, started that infamous never-ending staircase renovation and gave our family bathroom a mini-makeover. 2018 though proved a pretty tough year which put paid to tackling anything myself and we outsourced what we could.
Here’s what would be ace to complete by the end of this year, budgets/collaborations allowing. I’ve been reading so many how-to posts lately from some of my favourite bloggers and instagrammers and everyone starts somewhere right? Just have to believe in myself.
- Finish the living room – as I mentioned we’re working on that but the colour of those bloody cupboards is still a bone of contention. I don’t know why I don’t just paint them and then change it if we don’t like it but there we go. Also, tiling the fireplace is still definitely on the agenda so watch this space
- Sprucing up the kitchen – our teeny ‘can’t swing a cat’ kitchen was the first room we worked on when we moved in. I didn’t know how to paint and used the same paint for the walls as on the woodwork and radiator ha! It was a dark red with brown vinyl flooring so I painted the walls white and we got a fairly cheapy lighter vinyl. A few years on and it’s all looking very tired and dirty. And considering we’ll need to put up with it for a little while longer, I think it needs a facelift I just need to figure out how.
- Finishing the guest room – this is pretty much nearly done, I just need a blind for the window and maybe a chair for the corner. Oh, and that new radiator. This is our third bedroom, we have a sofa bed in there because the second bedroom, the meant to be main guestroom, is full of stuff and needs a pretty major overhaul.
- That *insert swear word here* staircase – started in the summer of 2014. Abandoned since the summer of 2014. I was so jealous of all the beautiful Christmas garlands I saw on Instagram this year that I KNOW I have to carry on with that bloody project. I HAVE to.
- The en-suite – similarly to our kitchen, we gave the en-suite a lick of paint and a new vinyl floor in 2014 and it’s now starting to look a bit worse for wear. It’s our dream to turn it into a proper wet room as we have two full bathrooms and definitely don’t need baths in both of them. This would definitely be a budget permitting though, or failing that a wonderful collaboration π Who knows?
I think that’s it for now. I’m probably more excited about the opportunities for this year than I have been for a really long time. If I can come back at the end of this year and have ticked a few things off the list I’ll be very happy. What about your plans for 2019? I’d love to hear them.
Like you we have a ton of projects to do on the house with a very small budget. Weβve been in the house over 20years now. We did loads when we first moved in but itβs all looking very tired and date now. Good luck with your DIY?
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Oh my goodness Claire, the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere even when I was little is 4 years, that’s such an achievement to have spent 20 years somewhere! Good luck with your plans X
Wow sounds like it’s going to be a busy year for you and the house! The staircase is also something we need to work on. #homeetc
Sarah | https://www.dreamofhome.co.uk
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I really hope so Sarah, last year just felt like it ground to a halt! Good luck with your projects too X
Good luck with all of your plans! We have big 2019 plans and we are essentially going back to square one with our house and ripping out all of the decor we did 5 years ago, to completely change the layout. It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time!
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Eep I caught a little snippet of your post when you linked up, that sounds so exciting (but I agree, equally terrifying too!) Can’t wait to see it transpire X
It’ll be an exciting year for you, Lins! All the best with the freelancing and I look forward to seeing what you do in your home. My immediate plans include trying to figure out how to bridge the gap between our budget and renovation costs!!!
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Oh Meera, we need to find those magic money trees, if you do then let me know! It will be amazing, good luck! X
We start off by saying we won’t do much and then reel off a list as long as both our arms – despite the conservatory and some smaller projects last year we weren’t productive last year so we’ve some that will reappear (and hopefully get done) this year π
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Tell me about it Steph! Although I have to say most of our plans are really my plans and Pete just sits there rolling his eyes at me…!
Such exciting plans! This has inspired me to look back at a post I wrote this time last year with my home plans. I have a horrible feeling I haven’t ticked many (if any!) off!! Ha ha. x
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Oh Becky I know that feeling ALL too well! Here’s hoping I can tick a couple of them off by the time the year end rolls around X
Huge congratulations on taking the big leap and going it alone with your business! Having done the same myself, I know what a big decision it is, but you won’t regret it. Best of luck!!
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Thank you Camilla and lovely to have you with us for #HomeEtc X
Wow, that is ambitious but you can totally do it!! Good luck with your new freelance career. I guess it’s not technically new but at least you can do it full time now. Exciting! I haven’t thought about this years reno plans at all yet. I guess I’m still trying to get over Christmas holidays π #Hometc X
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Thank you Pia it all feels very exciting indeed! I hope you had a lovely Christmas X
Just a small list then. Huge congrats on breaking free from employment. I hope it brings a smile.
We always have a massive house to do list and no budget.
So I keep it written down and tackle what I can.
You can definitely learn to tile my lovely. I have done it before and if you take your time then you will do great.
Excited to see more posts on your projects xx
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Oh wow thank you for the encouragement! I definitely think that once you put your mind to a new skill it can be possible. Good luck with what you have planned for this year Xx
Can’t wait how your plans develop this year Lins. I am sure you will tackle a lot of those jobs in no time.
We painted our kitchen units last year and it completely transformed the way the kitchen looks. Painting it it’s a really good way of updating it without spending too much money.
My plans for this year are to paint and decorate our loft extension and also our staircase. I’d like to also refresh our bathroom as it now looks very tired but that might have to wait
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Oh I’m so glad to hear how well painting your kitchen cupboards worked out! Good luck also with your plans, looking forward to watching your progress lovely X
Wow Lins, this all sounds super exciting and I’m not just talking about your house plans! Sounds like a great opportunity for you and I can definitely vouch for working from home. We’ve got loads of little jobs that need finishing here too. Good luck with it all! xx
You’ve got a BUSY year ahead lovely!!!! Exciting times ahead!! SO thrilled that you’ve left your day job to pursue your freelance career. I did just that 13 years ago and have never looked back. Wishing you all the luck in the world (both with your work *and* that staircase!!!) xxxx PS β thanks for being a fab cohost of #HomeEtc
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Eek it’s SO exciting Caro, I’m beyond happy and excited to see where the next few months may lead. Fingers crossed to many good things Xx