Welcome, dear friends, to another exciting year of transformation and inspiration! As the calendar flips to a new chapter, it’s time once again for my annual tradition: sharing our eagerly anticipated home goals and renovation plans. For those who’ve been with us since 2012, even back in our previous home, you know the drill – this post is a cherished ritual where I lay out the vision for our living spaces for the year ahead. For newcomers, prepare to dive into a world of ambitious projects, both essential for functionality and born from pure design desire, that will shape our beloved bungalow. This annual reflection not only fuels our motivation but also serves as a tangible record of the remarkable journey our home has undertaken, showcasing just how far our little cottage bungalow has come.
Last year brought with it a whirlwind of unexpected challenges and profound personal loss, significantly impacting our ambitious plans for #thecottagebungalow. We started the year with immense energy, hitting the ground running on various projects. However, a series of devastating losses derailed our momentum. We were deep into our kitchen renovation when my beloved grandmother passed away over Mother’s Day weekend. Her loss was a monumental blow, leaving a void that was incredibly difficult to navigate. Shortly thereafter, my sister’s deployment meant Naomi and I once again took on guardianship of her children, a demanding but loving responsibility. And just about a month into that transition, a dear friend and my bestie’s husband tragically passed away. For those who follow my journey on social media, these events are unfortunately not new. I had never before experienced such an intense period of loss, pain, and grief. Understandably, all my priorities shifted, and the latter half of the year became a period of healing and reflection. I needed to step away, to be present with family and my best friend, and to allow my mind and heart the space to grieve. Grief, as many of us know, is a complex and ever-present force; you don’t ‘get over’ such losses, but rather learn to adjust to life while carrying their weight. Now, as we embark on a fresh New Year, I’m finally beginning to feel a sense of renewed energy and purpose, eager to pick up where we left off with our home transformation journey. Let’s explore the exciting projects we have planned for this year.
Naomi’s Dream Pool: A Backyard Oasis Nearing Completion
After dedicating almost a full year to intricate indoor renovations, particularly our kitchen, my excitement to shift our focus entirely to our outdoor spaces is palpable. Some outdoor projects from last year’s list naturally carry over into this year, with the most significant being the realization of Naomi’s pool. Yes, you read that right – we are building a pool! Or, more accurately, it’s almost complete. We broke ground on August 31st, and despite facing numerous delays due to unforeseen circumstances like COVID-19, the complex process of burying power lines, relentless winter rains, and the usual holiday interruptions, we are incredibly close to the finish line. We’ve just successfully passed the penultimate inspection, meaning we are on track to have the pool fully completed and filled within the next two weeks. The anticipation for this family haven is immense!
I’ve been sharing snippets and progress updates of the entire pool-building process on Instagram, and I can’t wait to dedicate a comprehensive blog post to it once it’s officially completed and ready for swimming. In the interim, here’s a glimpse at the design concept we meticulously developed to ensure it perfectly complements our outdoor aesthetic. Stay tuned for a detailed reveal and all the exciting content coming soon!
Backyard Landscape Renovation: Crafting a Cohesive Outdoor Experience
While the pool project is primarily Naomi’s vision and a fantastic addition for the kids, the extensive backyard landscaping renovation is truly my passion project. We’re embarking on a complete overhaul of the existing landscape. The beautifully constructed deck and patio we previously built will remain, as will our beloved potager garden. However, almost everything else is slated for a dramatic transformation. We’re talking about installing all-new sod, designing and creating fresh flower beds, implementing a sophisticated new irrigation system, laying elegant flagstone pathways, strategically relocating and enhancing our cozy firepit area, staining the fence to give it a fresh look, and undertaking extensive new planting. Essentially, we are starting from scratch to create a backyard environment that not only integrates seamlessly with the stunning new pool but elevates our entire outdoor living experience. My excitement for this project is through the roof! We’ve already engaged a talented landscape designer, and they’ve scheduled us to begin the work in less than two weeks. Be sure to follow along for all the behind-the-scenes content, as I’ll be extensively blogging and sharing every step of this exciting transformation on social media.
My Office Studio: A Dedicated Creative Sanctuary
The concept of an office studio was introduced on last year’s home goals list, primarily as an initial idea to explore. Over the past year, I dedicated significant time to research, meticulously refining the details of what I truly envision for this space. Now, with a comprehensive plan of action firmly in place, I am ready to move forward! This office studio build is designed to be a natural extension of our broader backyard and landscape makeover. Consequently, its construction will largely proceed concurrently with the other exciting developments happening in our backyard, ensuring a cohesive and efficient build schedule. This dedicated space will be essential for my creative work, offering a quiet retreat and a functional environment to bring new ideas to life, greatly enhancing my productivity and inspiring future projects.
Dream Greenhouse: Cultivating My Green Thumb
Another beloved project nestled within our extensive backyard overhaul plan is the construction of my long-awaited greenhouse. I have dreamt of owning a proper greenhouse for years, and this is finally the year that dream becomes a reality! To be more precise, I’m finally getting a high-quality glass greenhouse. My previous attempt, a smaller structure, unfortunately didn’t withstand a significant storm, so this time around, I am committed to doing it right. Last year, I shared a fun ‘Home Wish List’ post, and prominently featured on it was a Royal Victorian greenhouse. These structures are simply exquisite and evoke such a dreamy aesthetic, perfectly embodying the elegance I envision. A greenhouse of this caliber would serve as the ultimate finishing touch, beautifully rounding out our English garden-inspired landscape and potager area, providing both beauty and practicality for nurturing plants year-round.
Via Greenhouse Emporium
The primary challenge, however, is that these specific orangerie-style greenhouses have become increasingly difficult to source, and their prices have escalated exponentially over the past couple of years. While my heart is undeniably set on this particular style, I am also seriously contemplating a DIY greenhouse project, utilizing repurposed old windows. I find the rustic charm and unique character of a reclaimed window greenhouse equally appealing and often more budget-friendly. This alternative approach offers a sustainable and creative solution, aligning with a more eclectic aesthetic.
via Homemade By Carmona
Therefore, if I’m unable to find a Royal Victorian greenhouse within a comfortable price range, building one myself is definitely the plan. Either way, I’m confident the final result will be absolutely perfect for our backyard sanctuary. I’ve already taken a crucial preliminary step: a concrete slab for the greenhouse foundation was poured simultaneously with the concrete for our pool deck, ensuring a solid base for this exciting addition. All systems are go!
New Garage Door: Enhancing Curb Appeal and Functionality
This particular project might seem a little out of place amidst our more extensive renovations, yet replacing our garage door is long overdue. Several years ago, when we undertook the significant task of painting our entire house exterior, we refreshed the existing garage door by painting it black to seamlessly blend with the updated aesthetic. However, I always envisioned eventually replacing it with a more charming and classic carriage-style garage door. Beyond aesthetics, the current door presents functional challenges; it no longer operates with the remote, requiring us to manually lift and close it. Furthermore, it has certainly seen better days, showing significant wear and tear. Therefore, it’s high time we invest in a new garage door that not only elevates our home’s curb appeal but also provides the convenience and reliability we need.
Front and Side Porch Refresh: Welcoming Enhancements
Last year, we had intentions of giving our side porch a much-needed refresh, but other projects took precedence, causing it to roll over into this year’s list. Now, I’m expanding this project to include our front stoop entry as well. During the extensive kitchen renovation, several windows were removed and replaced, subtly altering the facade of our home. With these new architectural elements in place, a slight spruce-up of the front and side porches will be essential to complement the updated look. This refresh will involve minor cosmetic enhancements, perhaps new lighting, updated planters, or a fresh coat of paint, all designed to create a more inviting and cohesive exterior aesthetic that truly welcomes guests to our home.
Completing the Living Room Refresh: The Final Touches
Our living room underwent significant updates last year, and I’m thrilled to report that it’s nearly complete. The space is already looking and feeling wonderfully refreshed, embodying the cozy and stylish ambiance we envisioned. There are just a few minor details remaining, primarily items that were on backorder and are still awaiting shipment. Additionally, I have a couple of small, personal projects to finalize within the room to tie everything together perfectly. Once these last elements are in place, our living room will be a beautifully cohesive and fully realized space, perfect for relaxation and entertaining.
Bar and Lounge Area Makeover: Repurposing for Entertainment
Do you recall our really tiny and rather awkwardly placed dining room? It was a charming space, but its configuration often felt a bit restrictive for modern living and entertaining.
Now that we’ve brilliantly combined our dining and kitchen areas into one expansive, open-concept space, that previously underutilized small zone is being transformed into a sophisticated bar and lounge area. This new configuration will serve as a seamless extension of both our living room and our newly renovated kitchen, making it an ideal spot for entertaining guests. I am incredibly excited about this innovative use of space; it promises to be a highly functional and welcoming addition to our home, perfect for casual gatherings and festive celebrations, providing a dedicated area for drinks and conversation.
Primary Bedroom & Bathroom Addition: Laying the Groundwork
And now, for what might be considered the “wild card” on this year’s list: the architectural plans for a primary bedroom and bathroom addition. While the actual construction for this significant renovation is still at least a year or more away, my primary goal for this year is to get the detailed architectural plans finalized. This proactive approach will allow us to begin the crucial processes of sourcing materials, meticulously planning the budget, and financially preparing for such a large-scale project. I’ve already re-engaged the incredibly talented architect who masterminded our kitchen renovation plans to begin working on the designs for the new primary suite. I cannot wait to share these initial concepts with you once they are completed. The process typically involves about a month to create the initial drafts, followed by several rounds of revisions and finalization, ensuring every detail is perfect. Since we don’t have a rigid start date for the physical build, being ahead of the game with the planning and design phases provides a significant advantage, allowing us to make thoughtful decisions without rushing. I’m truly eager to see the incredible design solutions our architect will propose for this dream addition, which will undoubtedly elevate our home’s comfort and value.
Alright, dear friends! There you have it – our comprehensive list of home goals for the year ahead. As you can see, our focus is heavily weighted towards transforming our outdoor spaces, and I couldn’t be happier about it. There’s something incredibly invigorating about creating beautiful and functional exterior environments. What exciting home goals are on your list for this year? I’d absolutely love to hear about your plans and aspirations for your own living spaces. Wishing you all a very Happy and productive 2024! Until next time, keep dreaming, designing, and transforming your homes.