Yesterday marked our one-year anniversary in this house, and I can’t help but feel like we’re celebrating a first birthday. It’s been a year of small victories, big plans, and creative problem-solving as we slowly make this place our own. Some days it feels like we’ve lived here forever; other days it feels like we just crossed the threshold for the first time. Time has a funny way of stretching and compressing, especially when you’re mid-way through an ongoing home update and approaching your early thirties.
If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you know I started it to document the progress and projects in our new home. One of the earliest posts was The BIG Project: moving into a new home, and since then I’ve been sharing before and after photos, DIY tutorials, and the design choices that are shaping our home renovation journey.
Fortunately, I grabbed some “before” pictures from the listing since I didn’t think to take my own photos before moving in. Those early images are invaluable for tracking progress as we transform each room. Below are a few of the before and in-progress shots that show where we started and how far we’ve come.
The living room hasn’t undergone many changes yet, but it’s next on my list. I’ve been measuring for board and batten and testing several wall colors to find the right tone for the space. I’ve hit a small snag because my saw is out of commission, which has delayed the full living room renovation, but once that’s fixed I’ll be rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. This room will be a major living room renovation and styling project—expect a fresh paint job, architectural detailing, and more personalized decor.
This photo shows the living room dressed up for the holidays. It helped me see how much personality and warmth the space can take on once we add paint, molding, artwork, and the finishing touches that reflect who we are.
The breakfast nook has seen a few more cosmetic updates: I painted the walls and installed a large magnetic chalkboard, which instantly added function and character. It’s a small corner that packs a punch for family life and casual mornings.
I’m planning to hang curtains soon to warm the nook up; a little fabric and texture will go a long way in creating a cozy breakfast nook and improving the room’s layered look. I have ideas lined up but haven’t committed to a final fabric or treatment yet.
The kitchen has only had paint so far, so no dramatic before-and-after shots yet. It’s one of the rooms with the biggest potential, and I’m envisioning a multi-step kitchen refresh that will include updates to finishes, lighting, and styling. For now, fresh paint has made a noticeable difference, and I’m gathering inspiration for the next phases of this kitchen renovation.
Miss A’s room is the most finished space in the house. It’s our little nursery-meets-playroom and feels so complete compared to the rest of the home. That said, she’ll be transitioning into a big-girl bed within the next year, so the room will evolve again—and I can’t wait to share that makeover when it happens.
Our master bedroom has come a long way too. We’ve refreshed the walls, added a photo wall and updated bedding to make the space more inviting. I still need to finish the other side of the room—there’s more styling and storage work on the list—so you’ll likely see more before-and-after content from this room as we continue the master bedroom makeover.
Here’s how the bedroom looked right after we moved in, when we had only painted and placed furniture. After a few updates and decor tweaks, it now feels much more like our sanctuary. I still love our king-size bed, PB Colette paisley bedding, farmhouse headboard, and the IKEA Rast hack nightstands—they’ve helped define the room’s style while keeping the design approachable and DIY-friendly.
There’s still a long list of home improvement projects we want to tackle. You can see many of our goals in the home goals post, where I outline priorities like landscaping, painting, and DIY builds. In fact, we bought trees for the front yard just yesterday, and once they’re planted we’ll be able to check landscaping off the list—one small but satisfying step toward our curb appeal and outdoor plans.
I love watching how people design and shape their homes; it should reflect who you are. Our home tells our story through color, furniture, and handmade details, and sharing that journey is why I maintain this space. I hope our projects and honest updates inspire others to approach their own home renovations with creativity and confidence.
Thank you for following along during our first year here. I’m excited to continue sharing renovations, before-and-after photos, and practical DIY tips as we make this house feel even more like home in the years ahead.