Taking stock – updates to the grand plan

Because we hit the 12 month mark, it seemed like a good time to take stock on what we’ve accomplished and update our master plan (original found here). This will give you a snapshot of what we have planned and how far along each room is. (Spoiler: most rooms are still at 0%). To make it a little easier to read, I highlighted any changes that occurred since we drafted the list. At the end of this post, I also highlighted the projects that are on our radar for 2014.

Basement
10% done
% change: +7% for installing the freezer, assembling some shelves and starting on the workshop
Plan changes: The functional bits are the same, but a layout redesign really maximized the space.

• DryLok walls
• Replace the sump pump
• Create a cover for the sump pump hole
• Run electric and build a platform for the chest freezer
• Add shop lighting
• Assemble shelving and organize our personal stuff and business materials
• Add a light to the stairwell
• Build a door for the stairwell
• Build a wine cellar
• Build a workshop <– Going on now!
• Paint the stairwell

 

Studio
85% done
% change: +20% for crossing a bunch of items off our list
Plan changes: None

• Remove the windows between the home and work space
• Finish the drywall
• Replace the broken bottom panels of the garage door
• Replace bricked over windows
• Patch holes too numerous to count
• Run additional electrical outlets
• Remove old fire alarm system and cables
• Remove old alarm system
• Repair the pole holes
• Wash the walls and floor
• Paint everything white
• Build a room around the furnaces and cover it with a cool texture <– We’re still debating how to cover the furnace room. In the meantime we painted it white and we owe you a proper update.
• Replace fluorescent light fixtures with LED lighting 
• Build a platform for Aaron’s desk
• Build a viewing area for client meetings
• Run Cat6 network cable
• Install gallery hanging system
• Set up Aaron’s office <– partially done. It’s functional.
• Add storage for Aaron’s camera collection
• Make canvas
• Hang art
• Build a partial wall for Heather’s office/printer area <– Killed two birds with one stone when we hung the art.
• Set up Heather’s desk
• Build shelving in the mechanical room
• Build a conference table
• Build a cool light fixture to hang over the conference table
• Build a new front door
• Design and build a screen door for the garage door

 

 Entry cube
0% done
% change: 0% This space gets vacuumed occasionally, but that’s it.
Plan changes: None

• Replace the fire hose lights
• Finish the drywall
• Paint
• Hang art

 

Dining room
1% done
% change: +1% The fire pole was secured in time for our Open House!
Plan changes: None

• Secure the fire pole at the bottom with more bolts
• Patch all the holes, including the large one that was possibly a coal door
• Finish the duct work
• Run more electrical outlets
• Put the dining room lighting on a different switch than the studio lighting
• Build a new door for the basement stairwell
• Paint
• Run new floors throughout the first floor, maybe lifting the floor to add a radiant heat system
• Build a light fixture that’s been floating around in our heads for years
• Build a large dining table
• Hang art

 

Downstairs living room
0% done
% change: 0% This space has really come in handy for staging other projects, like the time we had to build a new bridal show booth. It’s currently holding some overflow from the workshop that will (hopefully) get stowed away in the next few months.
Plan changes: None

• Finish the duct work into the bathroom
• Patch the holes
• Paint
• Run new floors throughout the first floor, maybe lifting the floor to add a radiant heat system
• Add a cool, modern fireplace
• Buy new seating (couch and chairs, some of which may be vintage)
• Add a window or door to the yard
• Hang art
• Find a spot for a bar

 

Kitchen
2% done
% change: 0% We haven’t made any changes to the kitchen, but we are noodling some options (like the wall removal and flooring) as we head toward a total overhaul (hopefully starting later this year)
Plan changes: We’re tinkering with the layout. My desired island is off the list, but I’m still excited about the additional counter space we’ll be able to squeeze into this space

• Replace two of the bricked over windows
• Add a new lighting fixture
• Buy appliances
• Open up the kitchen to the rest of the first floor
• Build a new backdoor
• Vent the range hood outside
• Run new floors throughout the first floor, maybe lifting the floor to add a radiant heat system
• Basically completely gut the kitchen. We’re still figuring out what this looks like. It will definitely have more cabinet/counter space, an electric wall oven and built-in microwave

 

Half bath
10% done
% change: 0%
Plan changes: None

• Replace the bricked over window
• Cover the Swiss cheese ceiling
• Add a new light fixture
• Paint
• Restore the slop sink
• Restore the toilet paper holder
• Restore the door
• Add art and accessories, like a mirror and storage

 

Stairwell
0% done
% change: 0%
Plan changes: None

• Decide whether to keep the original door, if so, refinish it
• Patch the walls and paint
• Paint the railings and refinish the banister
• Add new lighting

Upstairs living room
0% done
% change: 0%  Despite being the second most used space in the house (the studio wins because Aaron is in there every day), this space has seen very little love. We’ve cleaned it up and set up a bar, but that’s it. We have our sights set on a renovation in the downstairs space, so we’re planning a help-us-live-with-it upgrade this spring in the form of paint (white, obviously).
Plan changes: None

• Tear down the plaster on the west side to expose the brick
• Make the roof hatch usable
• Fix the plaster on the ceiling
• Remove old fire alarms
• Run more electric and add outlets
• Hide the electric panel
• Replace the closet doors
• Insulate the furnace sound deadening material
• Refinish or remove the hall door
• Run new flooring throughout the second floor (some sort of old factory-weathered wood is our dream option)
• Add windows on the west wall (maybe)
• Investigate the ceiling ducts to determine if we can add a skylight
• Replace the lighting
• Paint
• Build a “mega couch” for ultimate TV and movie viewing
• Hang/hide a projector and screen
• Hang art

 

Captain’s bedroom and bathroom
1% done
% change: +1% The fire pole was secured in time for our Open House!
Plan changes: Originally I thought we would keep the closet, but with no hopes of replumbing the bathroom we’ve decided to make that space into part storage, part vanity. We’ll keep the mirror and build an area where someone could do their hair or makeup. You know how a wet bar doesn’t actually have any plumbing? Kind of like that. We also added a reading nook to the plans thanks to some Pinspiration (follow our ideas on Aaron’s pinterest page).

• Secure the top of the fire pole with more than just electrical wire
• Replace/add screens to the windows
• Fix the duct work
• Refinish the original door
• Refinish the window sills
• Use the water connections (maybe for a coffee bar?)
• Replace the flooring
• Add a bed, dresser, side tables and other necessities for a guest room
• Hang art (maybe a large pull down map)
• Demo the closet
• Turn the bathroom into part storage, part vanity
• Build a reading nook

 

Awesome bathroom
-5% done
% change: +5% for narrowing down the leak
Plan changes: None

• Replace fixtures as necessary to make sure everything works
• Replace the lights over the mirrors
• Redo/cover the plaster walls
• Paint
• Build a storage solution for towels and other necessities (maybe a rendition of pipe shelving)
• Build an LED drop ceiling
• Build a new door
• Add a Mojo washing station in one of the showers

 

Hallway
95% done (for now)
% change: +95 for painting
Plan changes: This space didn’t even make the original list. After the coat of white paint, I’ll call this space mostly done for now. Eventually we need to decide on some layout changes, which could affect the door and the lighting.

• Paint it white
• Hang art

 

Workout bedroom/extra bedroom
5% done
% change: +5% for eliminating the stage and actually setting up the treadmill
Plan changes: We’re leaning toward giving the closet space and a window to the laundry room and relying on the Murphy bed/storage wall to serve as the closet for this space.

• Remove the “stage”
• Remove the pole closet
• Build a Murphy bed and extra storage along the south wall
• Extend the laundry room by stealing the closet space and a window
• Fix the window sills
• Finish the trim
• Build out the exercise area (mirrors and a weight rack)
• Mount the TV
• Replace the flooring
• Fix the plaster
• Paint
• Replace the fan and add lighting

 

4^th bedroom
0% done
% change: 0% Technically I organized this space, even though you can’t really tell in the picture.
Plan changes: None

• Build the old pole closet and furnace into a proper furnace room with a door leading to the hallway
• Close off the existing door and turn the space into a closet for the master suite by adding a door between this room and the master bathroom
• Paint
• Replace the flooring
• Add new lighting and electrical as needed
• Add a window (maybe)

 

Laundry room
0% done
% change: 0%
Plan changes: None

• Expand the laundry room by stealing space from the workout room
• Build storage and a clothes drying rack
• Paint

 

Master Bedroom
0% done
% change: 0% While we haven’t done any renovations to this space, the facelift should keep us happy for a few years.
Plan changes: None

• Remove the half wall
• Remove the double closets
• Seal the brick
• Adjust duct work
• Build a new door
• Update slide dimmers to something more modern
• Replace the flooring
• Redo the lighting
• Build a platform bed
• Buy/build side tables
• Add a fireplace (maybe)
• Buy additional furniture as needed (chairs, dresser, etc) – maybe some vintage pieces
• Paint
• Add light blocking window treatments
• Hang art

 

Master Bathroom
0% done
% change: 0%
Plan changes: We took a look at the original ceiling and realized the plaster is in really good shape. Instead of installing a new drop ceiling, we plan to expose the original ceiling, patch it and paint it.

• Extend the wall of the shower so we can add a steam feature
• Replace the jacuzzi tub with a claw-foot tub or an uber modern tub
• Replace the vanity/storage with something more modern
• Replace the flooring
• Add a door into the new master closet
• Add a window to the west wall (maybe)
• Paint
• Remove drop ceiling and fix plaster
• Add new lighting

 

Exterior
40% done
% change: +10% for cleaning up the front (we still owe you a good update, but here’s a peek.)
Plan changes: The mulberry tree is here to stay thanks to the electric company hacking the other tree to bits.

• Buy Right Lot
• Seal the roof
• Lay a huge patio
• Replace the asphalt in back with a new parking pad
• Install a carport
• Fence the yard <– The wood for this arrived on Monday!
• Plant grass
• Finish the carport into a garage
• Remove the dead tree in the front yard
• Move the trailer to the back
• Remove the sign on the front of the building
• Add new lights to the front
• Fix the light over the front door
• Repaint the front garage door and hang new flags  <– Update coming when things green up a bit!
• Build an awning over the front door and adjust the lighting
• Create raised planting beds
• Section the patio into functional areas (like eating, lounging and a fire pit)
• Build an overhang for the grill area
• Build a fire pit
• Build fire wood storage
• Build patio furniture
• Build an overhang for part of the patio
• Pour a concrete pad for trailer storage
• Tuck point the building (likely in stages)
• Replace the bad second story windows
• Landscape (another tree or two, ivy, tall grass)
• Add motion lights to the back and garage
• Run electric to the garage
• Run electric on the patio side of the building
• Fix the water faucet in back
• Remove the asphalt in the alley
• Add uplighting
• Buy the alley

 

Overall updates
10% done
% change: 0%
Plan changes: We realized our main electric panel will need some reworking. It’s not pressing (or fun money).

• Activate the new security system
• Incorporate home automation, including smart thermostats
• Investigate on-demand water, especially for the upstairs bathrooms
• Rework the main electric panel

Of course, we can’t focus on ALL of that in 2014. Here’s what we (reasonably) expect to tackle throughout the next year:

• Build the workshop
• Finish the fence and carport
• Build a shed
• Paint the upstairs living room white
• Start a kitchen remodel

There are lots of other smaller updates on our list and we’ll keep you informed as we go.

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