1 Year Home Anniversary (Before & After)

It couldn't be a better day for my 1 year anniversary in my first home: Happy Thanksgiving! I am still so thankful for this 115 year old beaut. To celebrate, I'm going to take you on a room by room updated tour (even though some rooms are missing because I didn't have time to clean them enough and get the photo during the daylight).

I struggle with naming this post "before and after" because as you will see, some of my house is far from the after stage. So this post is more like a Before and Now post. 

Half Bath

I painted the walls, replaced the faucet & toilet, and changed the mirror.

I still need to paint the baseboards, window trim, and door/trim... And obviously break off the excess shims that have been there for 9 months.

Laundry Room

This area off the kitchen used to house the kitchen sink. With no room for a dishwasher on either side, this had to be moved.  I know buyers don't prefer laundry machines in the kitchen, but I think this is better than the laundry being in the basement. 

I still need to repair the hole that was cut out for a security camera, paint, and hang my collection of washboards.

Master Bedroom

One of the first things I did in this house was remove the old carpet that was in this room. I had one of the windows replaced, and I painted the walls. I had laminate floor installed as well. This is my favorite room! I don't know if it's because of my French provincial dresser or the consistent color palette, but it's overall relaxing. 

I still need to paint baseboards & door trim, paint walk in closet because it looks like a haunted house in there, replace light fixture, and replace light switch plate.

Guest Bedroom 

I know the after isn't very pretty, but I made up for it with an image of my eldest  child. In this room, all I did was rip out the carpet and replace with laminate flooring.

I still need to paint this entire room and closet (and unpack?).

Kitchen

This kitchen had a major overhaul. The stove was moved and a sink and dishwasher added. I had an additional counter space made and topped it all off with granite counters. Rotted floors were replaced and a heat vent moved. The floors were refinished along with a new faucet. And not to mention that wine rack! 

I still need a backsplash, paint, and to mount the over-the-range microwave. I would like to replace the white and black stove to match the rest of the stainless steel appliances.  I also need to attach the matching hardware onto the new cabinets (I've had it for 11 months). And until my kitchen is painted, the plastic will remain on my appliances.  I would also really like to have the kitchen professionally cleaned since the cabinets still have grut from the previous occupants that I have been unable to clean on my own. 

All in all, I am still just as thankful as I was the day I bought this home.  I still have a few more years to go in this home, so hopefully by the time I move, all of my projects will be completed.

Mercury Glass Pumpkin Jar DIY

Mercury glass is still trendy on Pinterest and I've had a can of mirror spray paint for a while now, but I've been waiting for that perfect project to use it on.  After a stop at Goodwill, I found this pumpkin glass jar (a Dunkin Donuts original from the 80's) for $3.

I wrapped it up with simple supplies I had on hand: tin foil, and a plastic bag - held together by some frog tape.

I first sprayed the inside of the dish with a light mist of water.  Obviously, a lot of the mist collected at the bottom, but I sprayed the looking glass spray paint anyway.  When I was done spraying with the spary paint, I would put the dish upside down to let the moisture come out and to make sure not all the moisture was at the bottom of the dish. I repeated this process about 3 times. (The lid was easier, as I didn't have to flip it upside down).

I let my creation dry and removed the plastic, tin foil, and tape.  It's not perfect, but I think that means I did a good job. 

I was just going to let it hang around for Halloween, but gourds are still festive up until Thanksgiving, so this guy is going to stay for a little while longer.