Checking in with our Quick + Easy Project List

It’s surprising how even the smallest of changes can have such a big impact sometimes. I guess that’s what we were counting on when we put together this list of quick + easy projects we hoped to tackle around here. Just a few little ideas that would be pretty simple to do, but could have a big impact on the way we use feel and/or function in our home. But really, what good is a to-do list if you don’t circle back around to check things off as you go. So today, I’m doing just that. It’s time to check back in with our quick + easy project list to see what we’ve accomplished so far and what we’ve still got left to tackle. I’ve got loads of pictures to share today too, just so you can really see just how much of a difference these little changes can make in a space. Are you ready for it?

Quick + Easy Project Check In

ONE: Installing smart switches.

✔️ DONE!

Honestly, this was a bigger process than we originally expected it would be – mostly because we kept deciding to swap out more and more of our old switches for a newer, smarter version along the way (here are the smart switches we went with). While we’d originally expected to just tackle the basement and a few of our most used switches on the main floor, in the end I think we swapped out nearly every switch in the house. On top of that we also added some smart plugs with switches for most our lamps as well. These switches are so dang easy to install and I love that we can easily add another switch location anywhere in our house in just minutes without having to do any extra wiring. The convenience of these little switches has been such a game changer for us!

TWO: Change out the white switches in our study.

✔️ DONE!

All of our switches and plugs in the study have been swapped out for bronze and I even added the prettiest unlacquered brass wall plates to the light switches. It only took an hour or so to get them all changed out, but they look SO much better than the bright white against these dark brown-black walls.

THREE: Repaint our antique desk.

✔️ DONE!

As you may have noticed in the photos above, I also managed to get our old antique desk all painted out in the most lovely chocolate brown. I also swapped out all the old polished nickel hardware for some unlacquered brass while I was at it too.

FOUR: Paint the basement.

🅇 NOT DONE.

Haven’t quite made it around to this one just yet. With texture to sand down and so much patching to do, not to mention the sheer size of this space, painting out the whole basement feels so impossibly big to me right now. I might just have to break it down by area, or even just a few walls at a time, but eventually I know I’ll get this one done. Thinking I probably won’t tackle this big project until after Summer though because who wants to spend their Summer painting in the basement?!

FIVE: Painting some of our interior doors.

✔️ DONE!

I’m super excited about this one! While I knew I wanted to paint out a few of the interior doors around our main floor, I had a really hard time landing on a colour for them. What started out white, went to brown and then almost-black before finally landing on the real deal. In the end, I decided on Black Beauty from Benjamin Moore and I’m SO happy with the contrast they bring into each space, while still staying true to that warm, inviting feel I’ve been working towards around here. You can read more about that epic painting journey here if you’re curious.

SIX: Change our doorknobs.

✔️ DONE!

As you can see in the photos above, we also swapped out the old brass door lever for this beautiful solid brass knob. In fact, we’ve changed out all of the old doorknobs throughout the entire main floor now and it looks SO good! Plus, now I shouldn’t be locking myself in the bathroom again anytime soon.

SEVEN: Slowly start changing out some light fixtures.

✔️ DONE!

Changing out the light fixtures around our main floor has been on my mind for ages now and I’m SO excited to say that we’ve gotten a pretty good start on this one. So far we’ve managed to swap out the sconces throughout our entryway, the hallway lights, our living room and office lights and most exciting of all, the ceiling fan over our dining table has finally been switched out for this gorgeous linear chandelier! I love the modern vibes these have all brought to our otherwise 90’s style house. It’s incredible the difference they’ve made to the feel of these spaces.

EIGHT: Window coverings.

✔️ ALMOST DONE.

If you read our 10 month update, you’ll already know that we’ve installed some new window coverings throughout most our main floor. After months and months of deliberation, we finally landed on these smart shades for our kitchen and living room and these lovely custom curtains in our dining area. You can find all the details about the fabric and colour choices here if you’re curious. All that’s left now is to plan out and purchase some curtains for the study and then our entire main floor will be done.

Well, 7/8 isn’t too bad I guess. Slow and steady seems to be the name of the game for us here. I really do want to be intentional about the choices we’re making here as we update each space and, while most of these rooms will see some pretty major renos down the road, these little projects really do make such a difference to how we use and enjoy these spaces in the mean time. I hope all of these little projects serve as a good reminder that even the smallest of changes can have such a big impact in a space.

Wishing you SUCH a lovely day my friends! 

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