Home Improvements

 I got the urge to do some home improvements after Christmas. We haven't really done much updating since we moved in back in 2004. The wall color is aging well so there aren't many plans to paint (even though it needs a fresh coat some day). It seems gray is having it's moment and I've been trying to bring some of it in when buying new things like rugs and towels. Our bay window has never had drapes or shades on it since we moved in. We are far off of the main road and our neighbors aren't close so it really hasn't bothered me to leave them bare. I thought it might be a nice way to dress up the room though so I started looking at hardware for bay windows. Sure enough there are window brackets especially made for these kind of windows. It sure looks nice and the privacy is a bonus. Our youngest child said "Wow, it feels like we are staying in a fancy AirBNB!" Funny kid.

 

Yes, I could have cleaned the table off but it would look like this again in 4 minutes.

We've always had hand-me-down tables. Our kitchen table and dining room table were hand me downs from my grandparents and parents. I like them, they are sturdy and well made. It's the chairs that wear out and need to be replaced. Our dining room has gone through two sets of chairs now and they needed to be replaced yet again. I was looking to buy new ones this time and they are running around $150 a chair at the furniture stores around here (those were clearance prices no less). We'd need six chairs so we'd be looking at $900 in just chairs.....which seems crazy to me. So I got on Marketplace and found someone selling their whole dining set for $400. The table might need a refinishing this summer, we'll see. I like doing that kind of work so that's no big deal. It's nice having comfortable chairs again!

The legs of the table are unique.

The biggest home improvement for the year will be started in April. We finally gave up trying to redo the siding on the house every couple of years and are having professionals come and put Hardie Board siding on it. We are so excited!