As I sit down to write this blog post, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude and
accomplishment. This year has been filled with so many DIY projects and home improvement endeavors, and I'm proud of everything I've been able to accomplish. Looking back on the start of our barndominium journey, we're grateful for all the people we've met and all the things we've learned. It's been an exciting and rewarding experience, and we can't wait to see what the future holds. But before we start day-dreaming about what 2023 will hold for us, lets take a look back at 2022.
DIY Stair Renovation: A Tale of Sweat, Tears, and a Few Near-Disasters
As I stood at the top of my newly renovated stairs, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. This project was no small feat, and it took a lot of hard work and determination to see it through to completion. But as I look at the finished product, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to take on this DIY project.
When I started, I have to admit that I was a little intimidated. I had always been a bit hesitant to tackle our stairs, and I wasn't sure if I had the skills or confidence to pull it off. But as I started to work on it, I began to realize that I was capable of much more than I had initially thought.
Throughout the process, I learned so much about different tools and techniques, and I began to feel more confident in my abilities as a carpenter. I also learned the importance of patience and persistence, as there were definitely some challenges along the way. Like when I thought I was doing a great job of putting up plastic and using my #wagner sprayer to paint the board and batten. Yeah, I didn't do so great, ended up with more paint in my hair than on the walls and the overspray was real! Or when I didn't quite have the right tools to be able to efficiently take the nose off of the treads I was replacing. So, what did I do? I took wayyyyyyy too much time and used a hand chisel and hammer. I may not always have the exact tools I need but as I persevered and worked through those challenges, I began to see my skills and confidence grow.
From Dank and Dated to Fresh and Fabulous: My Laundry Room Renovation Saga
One of the first things I did when I decided to redo our laundry room was paint the walls. First, I ran by Home Depot and grabbed a 4x8 wall panel and attached it to the back wall with glue and a few small nails. I went with Valspar Flood Tide from Lowes that I thought would add a bright and cheerful touch to the space.
Next, I repainted the cabinets. They were looking a little dull and dated, so I decided to give them a fresh coat of paint in a crisp white color. I also tried to paint the floors to look like tile. Unfortunately, that didn't quite work out as I had hoped, but that is ok because that is how we learn.
One of the most challenging (but ultimately rewarding) parts of the renovation was building
a custom tabletop to use as a folding surface. Taking into consideration that we would need to be able to access the back of the washer and dryer, I left the last board unattached to the wall. I added a finger hole and now that piece can easily be removed. I decided to go with a stained wood finish, and it took a lot of trial and error to get it just right. But in the end, I was really happy with how it turned out.
In addition to these updates, I also added a wall mounted drying rack from Amazon and a narrow utility cart from Lowes that I put between the machines. Even though everything with this project didn't turn out exactly as I had planned, I learned that I can design a fully functional laundry room even in a small space by taking advantage of every inch and still making it look Pinterest-worthy. It's amazing how much of a difference a few updates can make!
From Bedroom to Walk-in Closet: My DIY Dressing Room Transformation
Cramped and cluttered, those were the words I used to describe my bedroom closet. I knew I needed a change. I was tired of rummaging through piles of clothes and trying to cram everything into a space that was just too small. That's when I decided to transform an unused bedroom into the ultimate walk-in closet and dressing room.
I spent hours scrolling through different options and finally landed on a closet system that I thought would work best for my needs, the Easy Track Closet System from Wayfair. It arrived a few weeks later, and I was excited to start putting it together.
Before & After:
One of the things I was most excited about was designing and building a custom pants rack. I have always struggled to store my pants in a way that was both organized and accessible, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I used soft close side mount drawer slides, some 1x1 posts, and stair balusters to create a pants rack that was both functional and stylish.
As I put the finishing touches on my new walk-in closet and dressing room, I couldn't believe the transformation. It was like night and day compared to my old, cramped closet. I had plenty of space to hang my clothes, store my shoes, and display my accessories. It was exactly what I had always dreamed of, and I couldn't wait to start using it every day.
If you're tired of dealing with a cluttered and cramped closet, I highly recommend transforming an unused space into the ultimate walk-in closet and dressing room. It's a fun and rewarding DIY project that will make getting dressed in the morning a breeze.
Starting Down the Path to Our New Barndominium Home
This year also marked the beginning of our barndominium build journey. As we embarked on this journey, we knew we had a lot to learn. Neither of us had ever built a home before, let alone a barndominium, so we were excited to dive in and discover all that we could about this unique type of home.
I reached out to people in the barndominium community and was fortunate to find a number of helpful and supportive folks who were more than happy to share their experiences and insights with me. I also did a lot of research on my own. I read articles, watched videos, and explored various forums and websites to gather as much information as I could. It was a lot to take in, but I am determined to be as prepared as possible for our build.
As I continued to research and learn, my husband got to work clearing the land. He spent countless hours removing trees and digging out the pond, and it was amazing to see the transformation that was taking place. As he was digging, he uncovered a bunch of old bricks that we're planning to utilize in some way when we build the house. It's amazing to think about all the history and stories that these bricks have seen, and we're excited to give them a new life in our barndominium.
As we move into the new year, I'm filled with a sense of positivity and gratitude. I'm grateful to be a part of the barndominium community and to be able to build our dream home. I'm determined to approach the new year with a positive attitude and an open mind, ready to tackle whatever challenges and opportunities come our way! From my family to yours, I hope you all have a wonderful and prosperous New Year!
Xoxo,
Jaclyn
I absolutely love chatting about everything DIY and home improvement, so come say hi to me on Instagram and Facebook or leave a comment below.
Remember... Don't Be Afraid of a Little DIY: I believe that you can turn your house into a beautiful home, all you need to do is get your hands dirty one project at a time.
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