Let’s Do This: New Year, New Project List

I love that welcoming January brings with it a sense of a fresh start, even though in reality it’s just another day. It’s especially helpful with projects, because I like to think of all I can accomplish in the year ahead.  I’ve decided to share my ideal list of projects for the year.  Let’s see how much I can get done!

I’ve got all these projects organized in a Google Spreadsheet, so that I can prioritize and break down budgets and keep track of progress.  They’re divided into DIY and BUY categories so I can also see which items will require more money.

A benefit of having a blog is that it can help keep you accountable for what you need to get done.  That’s my goal with sharing my project list.

Living Room & Dining Room

Big changes are coming to our living room in February! We’re on the waiting list to have our dirty white couch professionally reupholstered – finally! – which will kick off a bit of a design refresh for me in this space.

• Sew Curtains
• Find Large Door Mat
• Sew New Pillows
• Cover Lamp Shades
• Reupholster Knoll Chairs
• Resolve Dining Room Art Situation
• Sew Table Runner

Kitchen

The kitchen is cold, so the most important projects relate to that.

• Add Weather Stripping to Door
• Find a Rug
• Organize Undersink Cabinet
• Organize Spices

Bedroom

Our bedroom has been on a design hold for ages as we’ve discussed building a bed.  It’s time to get on that, already.  I’d like to start building in March, but it’s a joint project so it will depend on what time frame works for Ryan, too.

• Build Bed Frame
• Buy Mattress
• New Night Stands
• Hang Art
• Make Curtains
• Make Pillows
• Touch Up Paint
• Build Dog “Bed”

Office

This space is one of the most finished in the house, so the tasks I have to do are all little ones that are easy to DIY.

• Refinish Dresser
• Change Charging Station
• Contain Cord Clutter on Desk
• Sew Dog Bed for Merlin
• Cover Lamp Shade

Bathroom

• Re-caulk Tub
• New towels and bath mats

Basement Rec Room

Gah. For some reason we never seem to follow through with “decorating” this space.  I guess there’s a few reasons – 1, it’s downstairs so we can ignore it.  2, my sewing storage constantly overflows into it.  4, it’s a big room and our ideas for it are constantly changing.

I hope this will be the year that we actually do something awesome with the space.

• Paint
• Hang Art
• Get Rug
• Refinish Coffee Table
• Refinish Book Shelf
• Refinish Dresser

Studio

Shoot, I need to finish my studio makeover. I’m so close to being done.  I’ll get on that this month.

• DIY Cabinet Hardware
• Finish Touches to Shelving Unit
• Window Shade
• Convert Sewing Table to Drop Leaf
• Reupholster Sewing Chair

Storage Room / Workshop

This space has become cluttered and messy again. We need to reconfigure it to allow us to more easily use all our woodworking tools.

Back Porch

• Add Cafe Lights
• Refinish & Recover Chairs
• Better Storage?

Miscellaneous Projects

• Make a Photobook for 2013
• Sew a Quilt
• Finish Old Scrapbooks
• Reupholster Stool
• Frame Italy Art