Home Improvement Eras Tour :: STAIR LIGHTS

The hubs has had all sort of ideas and surprises for our home update project so when he suggested Stair Lights for our new DIY updated stairs I was all in!

He did all the designing, wiring and electrical work. It took a lot of planning ahead so that he could wire it all when he removed the stairs and walls. It made it much easier to get it all  installed properly. 

Once he chose the lights and the switches, then got approval from “you know who” 😉, he got right to work.

We are very happy with our new lights!

Still a lot of work to do, however, our home improvement project was put on hold due to another project in the works. He has been working on a backyard covered patio at our middle sons and his wife’s house. He finished the roof for their future patio before the good weather started to change to rain, which was the goal. Now our focus is on Thanksgiving and getting our house as ready as possible for overnight guests which means we need to ( at the least ) choose and buy interior door knobs for all the new interior doors before our kids arrive! 

Happy Wednesday!

Home Improvement 2024 ERAS Tour :: A Quick Look Back

Before moving on with our current DIY Home Improvement Project it occurred to me that it would be fun to share a little history of a few of our earlier projects. So early in fact, that computers and social media were just coming on the scene so printed photos were still the “go to” for saving memories at that time. Over the years the hubs has made significant changes and improvements to our “ 1980’s” home and landscaping.

Our house was built next to an orchard and did not have landscaping on the sides of the house or the backyard. So, the hubs took care of that. 

He had a vision. He borrowed some equipment from a farmer he had worked for in high school, college and early marriage and before I knew it….

…he had it ready for landscaping by spring. 

Eventually he would build a deck with a trellis and covered it with grapes and years later he built a covered patio with a pallet board bar with seating. The one thing in common with all of our home improvement projects is he does it all. He thinks of it, designs it and then builds it.

As our family grew he decided to build an addition on our house. The original house had 5 bedrooms, one of which we used as an office - on one side for him/sewing room - on the other side for me. It was tight quarters however we made it work. 

In 2002 the hubs designed a new addition for the house. He drew up the plans himself, got all the approvals and then dug right in….literally!

It was a definitely a family project as we all chipped in when we could. Friends and family also helped when needed which was so nice but most of the work was done by Mr. Wonderful.

We did have to rent a machine or two. The hubs knew how to operate them so he kept things moving along. 

The kids loved to watch and occasionally got to ride along. The older boys were taught how to operate the machines and helped with some digging. 

We helped with the framing too when needed. 

This was just a fun, quick look at a few of the major projects that have led up to our current Home Improvement Project. Coming up soon…. our new Entry Light Fixture!

Happy Tuesday!

PAINTING THE ENTRY … Walls & Ceiling

Our Home Update Project 2024 moves to the ENTRY.

If you are just tuning in we have been updating our 1980's home.

Out with the OLD and in with the NEW.

However, before we can replace our old 1980's light fixture we must paint our 

VAULTED Ceiling Entryway.  

Did I mention this is a DIY Project?! 

The hubs had just finished installing the new stairs, rails and balusters, as well as DIY paneling. New carpet had been installed also so before we started we needed to cover it all in paper and plastic. DONE!

To be honest, I was not much help on this next phase. Actually, I have not contributed much muscle power to any of it however I try to pitch in whenever or however I can. My role is more about choosing the paint colors, carpet, stair components, fixtures, etc. Other than that, this is basically a one man show!

We decided ladders were just not going to work for what this phase entailed which was painting the high walls, the ceiling and hanging a new light fixture. So, the hubs rented scaffolding. We needed three sections to get close to the ceiling and even then he needed a step ladder and/or an extended roller. Each piece of the scaffolding was very heavy. My main job was to keep each section steady as he lifted them up and even that was difficult.

I am not sure I was even keeping them steady...

{ actually I am SURE I was NOT }

 ...but he assured me I was. What a great Coach!

The third section was too tall for me so I got out of the way and he constructed the rest

{all of it} by himself. Give credit where credit is due and he definitely deserves all the credit.

DONE!!

Whew... he finished the job with no injuries!

But wait .... 

before he disassembles the scaffolding he needs to take down our

old 1980's light fixture

and hang the NEW ONE. Stay tuned!

Our Home Improvement Eras Tour 1987 ~ 2024

Happy Saturday !

Steppin' Up the Stairs - DIY Home Improvement Project 2024

Our trusty old stairs served our family of 6 (and our yellow lab) very well for 37 years, however it was time for an update and some fresh new carpet. 

April 24

Little did I know, how much preparation takes place long before the stairs actually get replaced.  

April 24

The moving of the vent was one of the many projects. 

And more wiring. And lots of it!

April 29

The walls have to be patched and painted.

April 29

Both upstairs....

April 29

....and downstairs.

May 4

Lots of decisions to be made!

May 4

May 8 

Lots of sheetrock and mud. 

May 8 

May 8

The old treads are taken off and put back on many times. 

May 8

Begin replacing the old with the new.

May 8

Measuring and cutting new stairs.

May10

May 14

May 17

And finally....New Treads are here! Mr. Wonderful had to be very precise on his measurements as he began fitting the new treads to the risers. Once they are fitted they need to be finished so in the meantime the old treads go back on, however, sometimes we just used the risers to get up and down. That was risky as we did not want to lose our balance and put our foot through the sheetrock below. We did not need to add projects to the already long list so we were extremely careful. However, the most challenging step in the project was still ahead.

But first, we had something much more important to do! 

May 18

Early the next morning we "got out of Dodge" and headed to our youngest son and his fiancés commencement ceremony in Yakima. We were so looking forward to this special day!  

Our hotel was along the Yakima river.

So naturally we couldn't resist taking walks along these well maintain paths... 

...that paralleled the river and just seemed to go on forever. It was just beautiful and so peaceful.  

The Commencement Ceremony was held in Yakima's

Historic Capitol Theatre which is such a classic venue. 

The next day the kids met us at the Main Stop for brunch. 

It is such a cute place. 

And great food and coffee!

It is right next to the train tracks so you could hear and feel the trains rumble by and see them through the big windows.

We would definitely go back. 

May was a busy month, for sure! Our getaway for commencement was so special and lots of fun. It was good to getaway, however, the project was waiting for us when we returned. So, I will be posting more about that very soon.

Happy Thursday!