The renovation autopsy: would we have done anything differently?

I took a long hiatus from blogging, largely because the renovation was over. We moved on to making our furnishings fit, rearranging rooms, and generally trying not to spend any more money. 

This summer marks the second anniversary with our new second floor. People sometimes ask if there's anything that we'd do differently if we had the chance. 

Without a doubt, we would still add the second story, and the front porch. The overall goals of the project were well-met, and we have no regrets about any of it. While there's nothing major we'd do differently, there are a handful of minor things we might change. 

Like what, you ask? Read on.

Order: placed!

Nearly four months after moving back in (four months!), we are finally getting around to window treatments.

But first, let me tell you, whoever conceived of paper shades was a genius. We've had them up since we moved in. They've lasted that long! Six for $20! Genius!

Still, after a while you think, well, it would be nice to lift the paper shades. Catch sight of the view. And, you know, not have them be made of paper. When even the kids start wondering when they're getting 'real' curtains, it's time to get serious. So, we bit the bullet and ordered window treatments today.

We're going with cellular shades just about everywhere. When we bought the house, the previous owner had installed plantation shutters on all of the front-facing windows save one (the kitchen). They're lovely. But a house full of such shutters was never on our wish list.

I love cellular shades mostly because when they're all the way up you can hardly see them. I tend toward unfussy windows. In the upstairs we're going with three different shades: Storm Marble for the girls (it's sort of a pinkish-white, or maybe a whitish-pink); Northern Lights Charcoal for most of the master windows, the hall window, and the master bath; and North Lights Glacier (a silvery-grey) for the master closet and water closet. On the main floor, we're going with Dirge (a grey-brown) in the kitchen, family room, guest and hall bath; and Northern Lights Navy in the office. Here's a link to the Bali site so you can check the colors for yourself.

In our dining room, and for our three large master bedroom windows, we're going with drapes. No, we haven't chosen them yet. The only windows we're leaving uncovered are the ones that look out over our back deck.

That's 30 windows getting cellular shades, five windows (representing two 'sets') getting drapes, and three windows left uncovered. My best advice: wait for a sale somewhere if you're covering this many windows.

With fall in air, now is the time to get these windows covered. I think it will add a nice, subtle touch to the rooms. They'll be here in three weeks, and I'll post pictures when they arrive!

Summer! Summer! Don't go!

Well, September is barreling down upon us. September. How did that happen?

Still, it's warm out, which means we're outside as often as the mosquitos will allow it. I tell you, that front porch was worth every penny. We sit and watch the kids play, greet neighbors passing by, read books and magazines, and just visit. Rain or shine, we love that porch of ours.

Things continue to get settled in the house. The chairs we ordered for our master sitting room arrive next week, so I'll post pictures when they come in. We've gone back and forth on getting a new headboard but to tell the truth about it, I'm a bit shopped out.

{Did you hear that? It was the mister shouting halleleujah! at the top of his lungs.}

Being shopped out, though, means we're still sporting temporary window coverings. My, how those paper shades do hold up. It also means the landscaping continues to consist of pine straw. Just pine straw.

All in good time, though. For now, we'll settle into our back-to-school routines, linger outside a bit longer even as the daylight hours grow shorter, enjoy the last few swims of the season. Summer hasn't left us yet.