Our Utah Home Anniversary – Two Years

It’s funny how time flies, yet stands still at the same time. On one hand, it feels like we just arrived in Utah in the moving truck with all of our belongings to a home that needed a LOT of love. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like this renovation will never end. Ha! We’re nearing the end of our project list and it’s fun to look back at the things we’ve accomplished and the memories made these past two years. We’ve really turned this place into a home and couldn’t be happier. Click through for a fun recap, SO MANY before & after images, a glimpse of what the future holds, and the items left on our to-do list. If you’re interested in the one year recap, find that here!

This was our very first photo at our new place- it doesn’t get any more realistic than that mess in the background. Although we’re still brokenhearted, I’m happy Finn was in the photo with us. The three of us packed up our lives and moved across the country as a family chasing dreams. Our friends helped us unload the moving truck upon our arrival and thought we were completely insane for buying a house that needed SO much work (see the before images here). Here we are a couple years later and every time they come over for a visit, they’re astonished that our vision actually came to fruition. Sometimes I think Emmett and I are even surprised.

Let’s start the two-year recap with a floor plan… just to give you an idea of the layout:

I’m not going to lie, the lonnnng list of finished projects is pretty gratifying to look at. I also thought it would be helpful to some of you who are tackling similar projects- it’s basically an archive of everything we’ve done to the house.

F I N I S H E D    P R O J E C T S

Backyard

• Installed a privacy fence
• Installed a paver patio
• Landscaped the backyard
• Built custom outdoor seating
• Painted the outdoor sofa
• Ran electrical and installed an outdoor fan
• Finished the backyard
• Setup the backyard for fall
• Restyled the backyard a year later
• Finished the “side yard”
• Winterized the backyard

---

Front Exterior

• Updated the house numbers
• Updated the mailbox
• Added a DIY door mat
• Replaced the front door, hardware, and sconce
• Added window flower boxes and landscaped the bed

---

Veranda / Carport

• Painted and revealed the updated carport
• Added a planting station / bar
• Set up an end of summer dinner party

---

General

• Refinished the hardwood floors
• Updated the doors and windows (and hardware)
• Updated all of the closets: his closet | her closet | office closet | hall closet | guest room closet
• Updated the lighting for better efficiency
• Updated all of the millwork (crown moulding, trim, panel moulding, baseboard, etc)
• Replaced light switches and outlets

---

Living Room

• Finished and revealed the living room (get the look here)
• Added surround sound
• Updated the living room palette
• Hid permanent sconce cords
• Decorated for the holidays
• Added built-ins
• Rebuilt the fireplace and added marble

---

Bathroom

• Finished and revealed the bathroom
• Designed the new bathroom
• Demo and prepped the bath
• Tiled the bathroom
• Painted the bathroom and added fixtures
• Finalized the bathroom accessories
• Refinished the bathtub
• Added a medicine cabinet
• Built a custom bath tray
• Updated the linen closet
  

  ---

Master Bedroom

• Finished and revealed the master bedroom (get the look here)
• Styled the bedroom for spring
• Swapped the bedding and styled for fall
  

  ---

Kitchen

• Installed floor tile
• Finished and revealed the kitchen
• Designed the new kitchen
• Demo and added insulation, new subfloor, and framing
• Updated electrical, plumbing, and drywall
• Finished the drywall
• Added millwork and replaced appliances
• Added floor tile and selected paint
• Replaced the cabinetry
• Installed cabinets, appliances, fixtures
• Designed a breakfast nook
• Revealed the breakfast nook
• Created and installed a custom sconce
• Installed soapstone countertops
• Added a marble mosaic backsplash

---

Laundry Room

• Finished and revealed the laundry room
• Designed a new laundry room
• Demo, replaced the subfloor, electrical, and new plumbing
• Drywall and added floor tile
• Installed new cabinetry, backsplash tile, and countertop
• Installed hardware, millwork, and paint
• Switched the finish of the flush mount light fixtures
• Built custom dog feeders
• Installed hooks

---

Guest Room

• Finished and revealed the guest room
• Restyled the guest room a year later

Does that giant list make you tired just looking at it?! It’s sort of hard to believe we accomplished THAT much. Lots of big projects, too: a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, AND bathroom, just in the past year. There are also plenty of things we’ve done to the house that aren’t included on the giant list- I just never got around to blogging about it. If you’re wondering what is left on the ginormous to-do list, find that below!

---

T H E    T O – D O    L I S T

We’re honestly nearing the end of our to-do list, and then we’ll have to make some big decisions. Here’s what you can expect to see on the blog very soon:

• The finished hallway reveal
• A reworked hallway closet
• A built-in DIY in the home office
• Wallpapering built-ins
• The home office reveal
• Touch up paint and FINALLY install the kitchen exhaust (but I won’t blog about those mundane items)

---

F U T U R E    P L A N S

If your’e wondering… what comes next? After everything is crossed off the renovating to-do list- then what? Perhaps a vacation? Haha! One can only hope.

I’m a planner. I enjoy scheduling every bit of our life in my typical OCD fashion, but sometimes you just have to go with what feels right. I can honestly say, I’m not 100% certain what comes next. We’ll most likely ask our financial advisor and real estate agent if adding on makes sense (read more about resale value in this post), or decide if we should move onto another renovation / house to pour our love into? One thing is certain, Emmett and I can’t go very long without a big project. We’re not great with ideal hands and are kind of addicted to the process. It’s rewarding. We’re dreamers. We’re project people. We like to get our hands dirty, and bottom line- we take pride in making crappy houses nice. Does that sound crazy? I’m pretty sure we sound like crazy people.

We both admit this way of life is invigorating and gives us both a sense of fulfillment. We work well as a team, and I can honestly say our marriage has never been stronger. They say if you can survive renovating with your spouse or significant other, you’re golden. Does anyone agree? I guess what I’m saying is I wouldn’t want any other partner to do this life with, which is fitting because our anniversary is also this weekend! This renovating way of life has also become my livelihood, my passion, and my full-time job- Emmett and I are both very thankful.

PS. if you’re interested in any sources seen in our house throughout this post, click here! Every single thing is linked. Questions? Hit me with them in the comments below!! I love chatting with you guys. Thanks for another amazing year of your support, encouragement, and friendship! xo, Sarah