What’s Next For Our Home – Spring 2021

Well here we are in April and I’ve realised that I haven’t done my normal annual look back at the year past for our home and what lies ahead that I normally do in February, to celebrate the anniversary of when we bought it. I think I’ve been otherwise preoccupied with returning to work and adjusting to new schedules but here we are, better late than never.

For the first time in a long time I feel genuinely excited about what 2021 and 2022 will bring for our home. We’re finally in a position to do some of the things we’ve had on hold for the last two years whilst I’ve been self-employed. Don’t get me wrong there will still be LOADS of DIY and budget ideas to come (always!) But it will also be nice to move forward with either jobs that we need a trader to come in for, or items that I can’t just conjure up with a few lollipop sticks and some paint, as epic as my skills clearly are 😉

So what does this all look like in practical terms?

The Hallway

Joy of joys as this post goes live a brand spanking new radiator for our hallway is due to be delivered TODAY and the excitement is very real. You know you’re a grown up when the very first thing you do with your first payslip in two years is order a new radiator but well, I know most of you are renovation fiends and will totally get the joy.

The radiator is to match the one that we replaced back in 2018 in our living room. In an ideal world of course we’d whizz round the house and replace them all but some of them are massive and this gal with her expensive tastes and custom spray jobs mean things don’t come cheaply.

So PLEASE keep your fingers crossed that I got my measurements right otherwise…its been nice knowing you!

Windows, Windows, Windows

The windows are another job a little like the radiators, goodness we got a shock at the cost when we planned to replace them all around the house when we first moved in. Instead we’ve done them bit by bit – first of all the front of the house, then the two landing windows and back spare bedroom.

That just leaves the bathroom window and en-suite window above it, you can see them both here and honestly? I know some people love leading as a period feature but it’s amazing how much light it blocks and to be honest it just looks a little old fashioned.

We haven’t had a quote for the windows yet but it’s definitely up there on my hit list.

The Garden

Oh my, gardens are just one giant work in progress aren’t they really? Plans here for now are really just more cosmetic than anything else. Pete built me a new smaller raised bed for imminent veg growing as we had some leftover wood in the shed, and I’d also like to put together a bit more of a sturdy pea frame following my foraged sticks and string affair last year. There’ll be more to come on growing adventures for this year if the weather ever bucks its ideas up.

One of the more imminent plans is just to extend the gravel path so it runs all the way around the original raised bed that we built out last year. I didn’t think it bothered me that the lawn ran all the way up to the edge but I’ve realised now that accessing all the veggies would be much easier if I wasn’t dodging either muddy lawn or Maddie’s deposits. Stones are apparently en-route so it will be a joyous weekend of digging out turf in my not-too-distant future.

Last but by no means least, I’ve dug out our sewing machine which I genuinely don’t think has seen the light of day for a good 5-6 years. I have a machine, I have fabric and am determined to try and make myself some new outdoor sofa cushion covers. I just have to learn how to use it first….! I’m also planning to resurrect our previous outdoor dining table and chairs with a bit of sanding and a splash of paint so as always all the activity will be over on Instagram.

The Shed/Outbuilding

This has been our main focus over the past few weeks and probably boring everyone in the process but I can’t tell you how exciting it is to actually have proper functional storage space for tools/DIY/gardening stuff. We’re almost fully moved into the shed now and so the outbuilding will be next.

In there, we’re going to be taking down some internal walls to create a bigger open space, and as part of that we also need to rip up the hideous red carpet and work out exactly what’s going on with the floor underneath. This is almost like a Phase 2 of the works and ok, it’s not in the house but we’ll certainly be making great use of the space. Everything from a gym to a little potting area and chest freezer will be going in there, not to mention now I’ll have space for many more DIY projects and actually know where the tools are to use them. It’s seriously thrilling middle-aged stuff!

I think all of the above are going to keep us quite busy for the next few weeks and months. Longer-term we have dreamy ideas for a greenhouse and the extension is – fingers-crossed – back on, but I’ll save that for a future post!

Have you got plans for your homes now the days are longer? Let me know in the comments below.

Follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

3 Comments

  1. April 8, 2021 / 9:14 pm

    I love this website, thank you for the interesting information and your lovely pictures!

  2. May 22, 2021 / 2:55 pm

    Thats a great plan and you have really nailed it. this blog has given me some ideas that will add glory to my home. And i can share it one of my favourite companies known as dreamhomez. You should check them out as well. They are amazing and have helped me renew my parents house. By the way keep sharing your blogs and i will keep learning them.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *