Home Renovation Update: Nearing the Finish Line

It’s been a whirlwind twenty days since our last update, and the house has been a hive of activity! We’re in the home stretch now, with the entire team pushing hard to complete all the final tasks. Our goal is to list the house for sale within the next two weeks, and we’re optimistic we can achieve that, provided everything goes according to plan. Let’s dive into what we’ve been working on:

Landscaping Transformation: From Jungle to Oasis

The exterior of the house is undergoing a stunning transformation. We’ve completely revamped the backyard, turning it from an overgrown jungle of lilies and hostas into a well-manicured, functional, and visually appealing space. I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest fan of mowing the lawn, but in this instance, the new sod has dramatically improved the yard, creating an inviting area where potential buyers can easily envision their families spending quality time.

Lush green bushes lining a white fence, enhancing curb appeal.

Newly laid green grass with scattered brown leaves, creating a natural and inviting pathway.

Floor Refinishing: A Touch of Elegance

Refinishing the floors was a project I initially considered tackling myself. However, considering the time constraints and my fear of making costly mistakes, we ultimately decided to hire professionals. The initial sanding phase was completed yesterday, and the polyurethane coating is being applied today. This means we’ll be unable to enter the house for a few days! The anticipation is killing me!

Closet Organization: Maximizing Storage Space

I’ve officially become a closet system installation expert! I’ve successfully assembled and installed closet systems in all the upstairs bedrooms. While the first one presented a bit of a learning curve, I quickly got the hang of it and was able to efficiently install the remaining systems.

An empty closet with white doors, showcasing the potential for organized storage.

A well-organized closet filled with clothing and accessories, demonstrating efficient storage solutions.

The closet systems we purchased from Modular Closets fit seamlessly into the existing closet spaces and significantly enhance the storage capacity of the bedrooms. While closets might be an overlooked detail during a house tour, they are incredibly important. Well-designed closets promote organized living, and we’re confident that our buyers will appreciate this added functionality.

Front Door Upgrade: A Striking First Impression

We decided to take a bold step and upgrade the front door by partnering with Zabitat to install a full glass insert. Initially, I was hesitant about this project, especially the DIY aspect, as it required cutting out the entire center panel of the existing door. However, the installation process went smoother than expected, and the transformation is remarkable. The door is now unrecognizable, in the best possible way!

We also repainted the door with a fresh coat of Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258, further enhancing its visual appeal. The results are truly stunning:

A yellow door before the renovation, contrasting with the white building.

A modern front door with a glass insert, adding natural light and curb appeal.

The glass insert itself is beautifully crafted and surprisingly heavy, indicating its quality construction. An unexpected benefit of the upgrade is the increased amount of natural light that now floods the entryway, creating a more open and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a win-win!

DIY Shutters: Adding Character and Charm

Inspired by the fresh paint on the front door, we decided to add matching shutters to the windows. After researching online options, I concluded that simple board-and-batten shutters would be an easy DIY project. And I was right!

I purchased primed exterior trim boards and cut them to the desired length using my miter saw. After painting everything with the same exterior paint (SW 6258), the shutters are now ready to be installed on the house!

Storage Shed: Maximizing Outdoor Utility

Jon and I agreed that a storage shed was a must-have addition to the backyard. We instructed our landscaper to create a level space for it near the parking pad:

An outdoor patio and lounge area, showcasing backyard design.

Two people constructing a small storage shed in the backyard.

We dedicated a weekend day (which was unusually hot for the season) to installing the shed. This is a definitely a manageable DIY project for most homeowners, and it’s well worth the effort if you lack ample garage storage space. The key is to create a level foundation. We built a floor system using treated lumber, setting it on leveled concrete blocks. Assembling the shed itself required nothing more than a drill/driver.

Bathroom Remodel: A Touch of Modern Elegance

The bathroom floor tile was installed this week, and I’m absolutely thrilled with the results. Yesterday, Jon and I installed the wainscoting and trim, which completely transformed the look of the room. The bathroom is really starting to come together!

Bathroom tiles being installed around an old sink and bathtub.

Ongoing construction work in the bathroom, showcasing the remodel in progress.

Home Staging Photography: Capturing the Vision

Given the tight timeline of this project, we’ve already started the photography process in several rooms, even though the entire house isn’t yet complete. It’s a bit surreal to be working in a perfectly finished and beautifully styled room while the bathroom floor is being torn out next door!

So far, we’ve completely furnished and photographed one of the children’s bedrooms, the master bedroom, and the basement family room. I’m eager to share these photos with you now, but I’m concerned that you’ll lose interest in reading my updates if I reveal everything at once. So, you’ll have to be patient!

In the meantime, here are a few teasers to whet your appetite:

A detail of a styled bedroom with a bed, bedding, and pillows. — A glimpse into the “boy’s room” …

A Burrow box next to a white modern couch in the basement family room. — The basement couch (from Burrow) arrived in four boxes and was incredibly easy to assemble. People will wonder how we managed to get such a large couch down the basement stairs … it’s magic!

A styled desk vignette with books, roses, and decorative items in the master bedroom. — A charming vignette from the master bedroom photoshoot.

Conclusion: So Close to Completion!

We’re incredibly close to wrapping up this renovation project! It’s hard to believe how much progress we’ve made in the past six weeks. Kitchen cabinets and countertops are scheduled to be installed next week, followed by a long list of minor touch-ups and finishing tasks before we move in all the furniture and complete the remaining photography.

If you’re new to our renovation journey, I encourage you to go back and read all the previous posts in this series to get fully caught up on our progress! You can also click here to sign up for e-mail updates about this project! Stay tuned for more updates as we transform this house into a dream home!