Walking Phyllis this morning, I started reflecting upon my journey back to where I grew up - three different houses in the same town.  And now I've returned to the same town, in my fourth home, growing a family of my own.  I thought it would be hard, if not impossible, to replace the people and the home we left behind when we decided to move back to my hometown.  But this house becomes more of a home with each milestone that passes, with each new friendship we find, and with every new project we tackle together as a family.  

I hope to not only document some of the lessons I've learned and knowledge I've gained with each project but to inspire someone to improve their environment in a way that is meaningful to their lifestyle.  It's rewarding to see the impact of physical changes on the psyche of the people who live, work,and play in the space.  

My house....

Just kidding.  This is my neighbor's house.  I've been helping with some finish selections.  More interior photos and some befores and afters to come later.  They are anxiously awaiting their move-in date after renting another home in the neighborhood for several months while the work was being done.

Our house...

  ...is across the street and is more of a blank slate.  A 1970's center hall colonial blank slate.  White house.  Black shutters.  Dated red brick.  We have not and will not vacate during any of our renovations.  Although I've wished we could escape the mess and chaos sometimes, it's fun to be a part of the process.  

Many sleepless nights have been spent with sketch pad and pencil in hand, dreaming up affordable ways to add some personality to this 1970's builder-grade house and bring it into this decade.  

Here is one small change that makes the world of difference.  I just spray painted our polished brass hardware on the storm door with Rustoleum's oil rubbed bronze spray paint to match the other new hardware and fixtures in the house.  It's proving to be pretty durable so far.  I wish I had before pictures handy but imagine bright, shiny, polished brass.  So, if the shape and functionality of your lighting or hardware are acceptable but the finish doesn't match your other hardware or is dated, this technique is something to consider.  A $7 can of spray paint and some elbow grease (sanding some of the polish off and reassembling the hardware in the door after painting) was all it took.  I also did the kick plate at the bottom of the door.  

And another project in the works...turning a narrow back hallway into a mudroom.  This one is going to be tricky with the limited space and the amount of mess we accumulate near our entryways.  The hallway connects the kitchen and the garage and there is a powder room and living room off of the hallway.  So far, we installed high beadboard wainscoting and a horizontal trim piece (for coat hooks) with shelf (for keys, etc).   The new high beadboard trim will be durable if bumped or dripped upon and 5 double coat hooks should provide enough hanging space for our everyday outerwear.  I may have to expand into the adjacent living room with some shoe storage.  I'm in the process of scouring the house for a furniture piece that can be repurposed for shoes.  And, as you can see, I still need to paint and install the coat hooks.  Possibly a framed chalkboard on the garage door may come in handy for last minute messages...