2012 Home Improvement Goals - How Did We Do?

At the beginning of 2012, before I made the blog available for everyone to see, I set some home improvement goals for myself.  Going into the new year, I thought it would be beneficial to review the original goals and celebrate my success and analyze my shortcomings. 

1)  Update the downstairs powder room. 

 

My taste leans more toward the traditional, a style which I would have to guess appeals to the majority of home buyers (or at least is minimally offensive to most home buyers).  As you can see in the picture below, the original powder room did not reflect my style at all.

 

The specific action items I had included:

• Replace the vanity with a taller one and replace the distracting sink with with an undermount sink.  Replacing the vanity and sink will also require replacing the faucet.
• Replace the lights on the side walls with more traditional lighting.  Also move the lighting to the sink area where it better serves it's purpose.  It's difficult to check your hair or see what you're doing when washing your hands if the lighting isn't in the right place.
• Remove and possibly replace the tile backsplash.  As it stands, the backsplash looks like an afterthought.

I'm happy to report that I managed to complete all the items on the list.  I haven't yet shown you the complete powder room redo, but you may recall getting a tiny sneak peek when I showed you my Christmas décor.

Yes, that's beadboard and a new sink you're seeing.  I'm thrilled with the way everything turned out.  I'll reveal the complete powder room soon.

 

 

2)  Reconfigure the laundry room.

 

Here is how the laundry room looked when we first moved into the house.

As you can see, I made some notes on the photograph documenting my ideas for reconfiguring the space.  After living with and using the laundry room for awhile, I came up with some even better ideas, and had the laundry room redone in July.  Here's how it looks now:

 

 

 

It functions so much better for us with the washer and dryer being side-by-side, and I enjoy looking at the pretty additions like my Arthur Court collection and the photographs of my girls when they were little.  If you want more details on the laundry room makeover, click here.

 

3)  Incorporate  more one of a kind, unique, or personal items to all of my spaces. 
 

This isn't exactly a measurable goal, but I think I've done a fairly good job of meeting it.  So far, I have been decorating the new house with an eye toward resale.  That being said, I have used a lot of neutral paint colors and uninspired fixtures.  Yes, I want the spaces to appeal to a majority of future potential buyers, but I'd also like the personalities of our family members to be reflected in our home.  I think I've accomplished this through many of the DIY projects I've worked on throughout the year.  Here are a few examples:

 

 Hanging DIY leaf prints made by my daughter

Creating easy, inexpensive artwork for my teen's room

Giving a boring dresser a stainless steel look

Stenciling and sewing a monogrammed window treatment

Painting an abstract piece of art for the laundry room

Wow, I can't believe I accomplished them all!  I think the secret to achieving your goals is to make them measurable and breaking them down into smaller, less overwhelming action items.  Now, while I'm feeling good about what I've accomplished in 2012, I should sit down and figure out what I'd like to get done in 2013.  Look for that post in the next few days. 

 

So, how did you do in 2012?  Did you accomplish any of your goals?  If you accomplished even one of them, you should be proud.  If not, remember that today is a new day (and new year) full of new possibilities and opportunities.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and 2013 may be the year that you take that first step.