Life as a DIY enthusiast and blogger is a constant dance between creative visions, meticulous planning, and the delightful chaos of multiple projects. For long-time readers, you know my modus operandi: I’m never content with just one project. It’s not merely a case of avoiding boredom; rather, delays are an inevitable part of any significant undertaking. Instead of getting stuck, I find joy in pivoting to another task, keeping my momentum and spirits high. Often, there’s also the strategic aspect of sponsored projects that remain under wraps, requiring a holding pattern until they’re ready for their grand reveal. Right now, I find myself in one of those exhilarating yet anxious “limbo” phases, particularly as the due date for our baby draws ever closer.
To channel some of this restless energy and maintain accountability, I thought it was the perfect time to pull back the curtain and give you an exclusive preview of the top five projects currently dominating my to-do list. These aren’t just minor updates; they are significant transformations that will redefine our home and, in some cases, our daily lives.
Speaking of our impending arrival: our November 5th due date is practically here! It’s bewildering how a global pandemic can make time crawl at a glacial pace, yet the countdown to welcoming a new human being feels like a giant whoosh, accelerating past me at an unimaginable speed. The only logical conclusion I can draw is that time itself isn’t real when you’re anticipating such a monumental life change!
The rush I feel is largely due to the sheer volume of decisions associated with baby preparation – an astounding 8,452 little choices, down to the most minuscule detail. We’re talking about an entire room’s worth of furniture and all its accompanying essentials: the crib, mattress, sheets, and countless other accessories. Then there are the daily vitamins and medicine reminders (a topic I’ll delve into further in a dedicated pregnancy recap post), the baby’s wardrobe, capturing those first precious photos, meticulously crafting a birth plan, a seemingly endless stream of doctor’s appointments, daily kick counts, and the quest to find the perfect pediatrician. It’s a truly comprehensive list, and it occupies a significant portion of my mental bandwidth.
Unlike typical DIY deadlines, which often offer a degree of flexibility, this particular deadline is unequivocally fixed. I suspect our baby would be a far more formidable critic than even the most persistent internet troll if I were to let him reach his first birthday without a fully prepared room! The good news is that we’re making substantial progress, albeit progress that feels somewhat scattered. Our efforts are dictated by practicalities: what’s dry, which parts are ready for assembly, and so on. This makes the entire process feel a bit awkward, with so much change happening but nothing entirely “finished.” To keep myself on track and to offer you a glimpse into the whirlwind, I’m publicly sharing my current top 5 to-do list here for all to see.
Our Top 5 Home Renovation and Preparation Projects
These projects are more than just cosmetic updates; they’re essential steps in transforming our house into a more functional and aesthetically pleasing home, especially with a new addition on the way.
1. Crafting the Dream Nursery
Admittedly, the baby will initially be in a bassinet in our bedroom, so technically, the nursery isn’t an absolute must-have by the due date. However, the emotional significance of having this space prepared is immense. Our immediate goal is to finalize the new drywall this weekend and commence painting. It’s an ambitious timeline, but achieving this milestone will contribute significantly to that feeling of being “ready.” Many of the baby’s items are currently boxed up, awaiting the clearance of all dust and construction debris before they can find their permanent home.
The nursery isn’t just a room; it’s a sanctuary in the making, a place where dreams will be nurtured. Every brushstroke and every piece of furniture placement is a step towards creating a warm, inviting, and safe environment for our little one. The completion of this room will be a huge mental hurdle cleared, allowing us to focus more purely on the joys and adjustments of new parenthood.
2. The Multi-functional Guest Bedroom and K’s Office
K’s office, situated directly across the hall from the new nursery (formerly my old office), is separated by the guest bathroom, which, thankfully, I gave a quick refresh earlier this year. This versatile room serves not only as K’s workspace but also as our guest bedroom. We previously installed a space-saving Murphy bed and have been diligently working on the built-ins that flank the bed. I’ve secured a sponsor for this project, which serves as an excellent motivator, ensuring I dedicate focused time to completing several aspects this month and next. I am particularly eager for the final reveal of this transformation.
This project holds significant personal importance for K, who not only meticulously crafted all the 3D models for the built-ins but also anticipates hosting his parents here. They plan to quarantine before the baby’s arrival to ensure a safe visit. We completed the Murphy bed installation quite some time ago, and bringing all those video edits together for a comprehensive post will be a substantial accomplishment in itself, truly showcasing the evolution of this vital room.
Regarding the evolving color scheme: My initial vision for the built-ins leaned towards the medium green wall color I selected during a “Dueling DIY” challenge for this room. Unfortunately, the paint was mixed with an excessive blue undertone, so I decided to use it as a kind of primer to avoid purchasing more. Ultimately, I made the strategic pivot to a richer, darker green (Magnolia Home 1905 Green) for the built-ins, complementing it by painting the remaining walls a creamy white. This will significantly brighten the space and create a more sophisticated, welcoming ambiance. This will mark my first attempt at indoor spray painting, which brings with it a mix of nerves due to the extensive preparation required, but also immense excitement for the professional finish and the final reveal.
3. Elevating Interior Doors with Style
I am on the brink of sharing this project, and the anticipation is almost unbearable! I previously offered a brief tutorial on Instagram, but a more comprehensive version, complete with detailed pictures and video, is nearing completion for the blog. After years of living with bland, flat-panel hollow-core doors, I’m transforming them by adding trim and updating their colors throughout the house. The doors within the bedroom spaces are being painted a striking Tricorn Black, offering a bold, contemporary contrast.
For the rest of the house, I’ve opted for a muted, warm gray (Rockport Gray HC 105 by Benjamin Moore). I am absolutely enamored with this shade; it possesses a magical quality, seamlessly harmonizing with every other color scheme I’ve chosen for the various rooms. This gives me confidence that it will continue to complement any future decor changes. The impact of these refreshed doors on the overall aesthetic of our home is far greater than I initially anticipated, adding a layer of sophistication and bespoke craftsmanship.
This particular project has created a classic “domino effect,” or as we DIYers call it, “project creep.” Enhancing the doors has naturally drawn my attention to the surrounding door trim, suddenly highlighting every ding and scuff that has accumulated since their original painting. This in turn prompted me to touch up the stairs, ensuring the main hallway feels complete and cohesive once the trim work is finalized. To truly perfect the look, I’m also eyeing a new set of elegant door handles, which will provide that crucial finishing touch.
4. Building a Bespoke Changing Table
Perhaps it sounds a little ambitious, but we made the deliberate decision to build the baby a custom dresser that will double as a changing table, rather than purchasing a ready-made one. K, with his impressive design skills, conceptualized a fantastic blueprint, and I’m incredibly eager to showcase it to you all! The design emphasizes a super-swift assembly, and we already have all the necessary pieces cut and prepared. They are patiently awaiting the completion of the nursery drywall so we can assemble it directly in the room, where we’ll have ample space to work.
This custom build is more than just furniture; it’s a labor of love that perfectly marries functionality with personal style. Building it ourselves allows for specific dimensions and features that wouldn’t be available off the shelf, ensuring it perfectly complements the nursery’s design while serving its practical purpose for years to come. The anticipation of seeing K’s design come to life is truly exciting.
5. Transforming the Dining Room into My New Home Office
With my upstairs office being repurposed as the baby’s nursery, a significant logistical challenge arose: relocating all my blogging essentials. This includes a vast array of photography equipment, my desk setup, computer gear, vlogging equipment, art supplies, a collection of books, and all my paperwork. This entire operation demanded a new, dedicated space.
After careful consideration, the dining room emerged as the only viable option. It’s traditionally the least-used room in our house, making it a prime candidate for conversion. Furthermore, it boasts a large, inviting window, which I can position my desk against to enjoy ample natural light and a pleasant view. I’m already envisioning a stunning installation of long plant shelves in front of it, bringing in some much-needed greenery and a touch of biophilic design.
In the initial haste of moving things around, the dining room has, predictably, transformed into a veritable disaster zone! It’s currently a chaotic mess, further compounded by stacks of nursery items patiently awaiting their final destination. Looking at it, the task of organization feels monumental. However, I did manage a swift preliminary reorganization this past weekend (not yet pictured), so I’m optimistic I’ll have some positive updates to share once the nursery drywall is complete and we can strategically relocate items.
This transition is about more than just moving boxes; it’s about creating a productive and inspiring workspace. A well-organized office is crucial for maintaining my creative flow and managing the blog effectively, especially as I navigate the exciting journey into motherhood. I’m confident that with a clear vision and some focused effort, this dining room will soon evolve into a highly functional and beautiful new hub for my work.
6. Bonus Project: Strategic Content Creation for Maternity Leave
I know, I promised five projects, but there’s a crucial sixth undertaking that transcends a specific room or build, consuming a colossal amount of my time and mental energy: the monumental realization that I am going to be a MOM! My blog is not just a hobby; it’s my business, and I operate as its sole employee. While K is an invaluable asset for larger projects these days, I don’t have virtual assistants or a team to seamlessly take over during my maternity leave as I adjust to motherhood. (Truthfully, I’d love to find someone already familiar with the blog, but that search will undoubtedly take time).
To ensure continuity and maintain reader engagement, I’m diligently preparing a pipeline of content. This includes several videos and posts I aim to release over those first few months (think exciting Ruby polishing tutorials and demo updates!), along with wrapping up various brand partnerships to alleviate any potential stress during my recovery period. The bottom line is that I anticipate a period of recovery and stepping away, but I’m uncertain how much content I’ll manage to prepare in advance.
The silver lining is that I serendipitously laid some groundwork for this possibility last year. When I developed my “25 DIYs of Christmas” series during the holidays, I did so with the foresight that I might need a break this winter. My initial expectation was simply a break for the sake of rest, but it has perfectly aligned with the timing of adjusting to newborn life. Consequently, I’m now focused on getting all those videos ready to launch on YouTube in a concentrated blitz, mirroring last year’s blog series. There will also be a couple of new, exciting projects woven into the schedule. I’m also exploring the idea of reposting some of my older, cherished content that new readers might have missed – a common strategy among bloggers that I’ve yet to fully embrace!
So, there you have it: a comprehensive overview of everything currently occupying my mind as I concurrently prepare for the baby’s arrival, navigate a seemingly endless string of doctor’s appointments (so many appointments… more on that later!), and manage life amidst a global pandemic. It’s a lot, to say the least! Now it’s your turn: what exciting projects or life transitions are you currently working on?