Given that my last reno-related post included a snap of The Bookshelf of My Dreams I thought it would be interesting to list the things that we had originally wanted to include in our home reno and struck off the list for budgetary purposes. There are a bunch, but off the top of my head I know it includes:
- a wood-burning stove/fireplace
- main-floor laundry (this was removed from the list pretty early because it was evident it wasn’t going to be cheap) and then it evolved into a…
- a laundry chute
- … which dropped the laundry into an improved laundry area in the basement. Guess what? Our decrepit laundry area has not changed one lick.
- a pergola where the old garage used to be
- custom shelving in the basement
- a pretty pond/water-feature in the backyard (it seems ridiculous to even mention this, but if I’m being honest I might as well also mention that I secretly wanted koi in there too.)
- professional landscaping/fencing
- … and here’s a biggie: awesome new furniture. Ha. Ha.
Smart people budget for new furniture in their reno (imagine!). We naively thought our furniture would “do” for the time being but it’s clear to me now that upgrades will be in order sooner than later. We did manage to snag some great deals on appliances from Universal – so that’s good – including this gorgeous duel-fuel GE Profile stove:
… and I can’t wait to see it in place.
We definitely need to buy stools for our breakfast bar, a couch for the family room, and some kind of unit to house our PVR, DVD player and the video games, but that will have to be it for the time being. I would have loved for the girls to get new beds and writing desks but it’s not going to happen right now, and let’s not even discuss the cost of window coverings. Hint: it’s crazy expensive. :(
I’d hate for this post to be all about the stuff we don’t have, because that’s not what I’m thinking about at all. I am immensely grateful and happy with the things we were able to keep on that dream list: that bookshelf, an amazing mudroom for a busy family of four, a cedar garbage and recycling enclosure, an awesome back deck, a gorgeous kitchen (it’s going in this week!), and a stunning family bathroom that features The Best Shower Ever.
Custom renovations are a funny thing, aren’t they? Every single one is as unique as the people who live there and reflects their wants, their desires, their dreams.
I know a lot of people reading this have recently completed renos or are slowly planning their own. I’d love to hear about some of the things on your “want” list. Is it a hot tub? A walk-in closet? Granite counters? A treehouse? :)
p.s. I’m slowly updating the set of reno photos over on my Flickr page. You can see them all here!
