When I first started putting this post together, I felt like we didn’t do many home projects in 2025. We did a lot of landscaping and had new windows installed, but did we do anything else? Well, once I started to look back through the year in pictures, I realized we did a ton of work on our 1970 house in 2025. We did most of the big renovation projects in our first two years in the house, so this year felt a little quiet in comparison, but we still made some great progress.
Here is what we ticked off the list over the past year…
new windows
We have been replacing the windows on one side of the house at a time, and with the front and right side done, we needed to replace the old windows along the back and left side of the house. We were fortunate to partner with Window World on this project. We ordered windows from them previously as a customer, so there was no doubt we were going to work with them again.
You can read all about our new Window World windows HERE.
As an extension of the window project, our awesome contractor repaired a portion of the wall in Calvin’s room that was damaged by termites before we bought the house. I didn’t get pictures of that since it happened when I was in Italy, but we were very fortunate that we only needed a few studs replaced. We thought the damage might be more extensive, so it felt like a gift that it was a relatively minor expense.
landscaping
We spent a lot of time on landscaping last year. It was slow and steady work that involved our entire family, but I think I enjoyed gardening last year more than any previous year. I did have an unfortunate run-in with a mystery plant (I think it was sumac or Virginia creeper) that caused an allergic reaction and subsequent infection, but other than that, I loved my evenings working out in the yard.
I made some significant progress on the front garden after keeping it covered in black plastic for a year. I was hoping that would smother the bishop’s weed that took over the bed, and it seems to have done the job. I monitored it closely and pulled any rogue sprouts I saw. I also covered areas where I didn’t plant with cardboard and mulch to help with weed suppression. I’d like to do more planting this year, but I want to make sure I don’t give the bishop’s weed too many places to hide too soon.
I have made some great progress on getting rid of bishop’s weed throughout the yard. You can read about that HERE.
There are still a few problem areas and noxious weeds I’m battling, but we’re slowly getting the ship turned around.
I also worked for weeks on removing English ivy from the side of the house. It was problematic because it was climbing up the brick and, at one point, into the windows. It was also a haven for weeds and maple saplings. It was a massive tangle of vines, and we needed to get it under control. I shared two methods we used to remove the ivy HERE.
I don’t think we will ever completely get rid of all of the ivy, but we’re still going to work on it!
new shutters
In addition to the landscaping, we wanted to work on boosting the charm on our home’s exterior and bring back some of the original features that have rotted away or been covered in vines. That included installing new shutters on the back and left side of the house. Here’s a tutorial showing how to install shutters on brick and how to paint vinyl shutters.
We also painted the trim along the back and left side of the house (we did the front and right side a couple of years ago), and hired a company to paint the trim and vents on the gables so we didn’t have to deal with painting on tall ladders. I’ll paint all day, every day, but doing it on ladders is not my jam. You can find the details on painting trim HERE.
building A/C & propane tank surround
One of my favorite home projects was building a DIY custom A/C surround…
A/C units are such an eyesore, and this custom screen hides it completely while allowing access and airflow. I also want to make homemade lattice for everything. I warned Jeff we would be revisiting the project for some future garden.
We also built a propane tank surround, and you can read about that HERE.
power washing
While we were sprucing up the rest of the exterior, we power-washed the patio…
…and the front walk. I don’t know if those are technically home projects, since it will likely be one of those maintenance chores we do every year or two, but it hadn’t been done for a long time, so it made a huge difference. That front walk was completely transformed.
wallpaper removal
We did most of the projects ourselves this year, but we did hire the wallpaper removal in the guest room & bathroom. I have already removed a bunch of wallpaper and glue in this house (along with carpet glue), and I just couldn’t face anymore. It was worth it to me to pay someone else to do it, and they did an excellent job.
basement progress
I thought this might be the year I finished removing carpet glue from the basement floor, but there is still more to do. Every once in a while, I get a bee in my bonnet and get another section done. But then I get busy with projects that are a lot more fun, and it’s forgotten for a while. Maybe 2026 will be the year it’s completely finished! You can read how to remove carpet glue HERE.
We did two other things that made this basement feel a little less like a 1970s DIY renovation – we painted over the paneling and crazy wallpaper and swapped out the old fluorescent lights that weren’t working properly with new LED panels. We were even able to add two more lights, and it is so much brighter down there! You can read about painting over wallpaper HERE.
There are still sections of paneling I need to paint, but, as with the glue, I work on this project in spurts and starts. Even with it partially completed, we use it a lot more for hanging out, working out, and Jeff often works down at the table when he needs some quiet.
mediumalizing & organization
Last spring, I decided it was time to let go of some things. I sold a lot before we moved, but even so, we had too much for this house. We were also still pretty disorganized from the move and all of the renovation projects.
So, we properly cleaned out the garage, AND we’ve kept it clean, which is a huge triumph. You can see the garage before & after HERE.
I also sold a bunch of ironstone and antiques, so I had room to highlight my favorite things. You can read about Minimalism HERE and selling items secondhand HERE.
If you’d like to review my previous yearly home renovation recaps, you can catch up below…
6 Responses
I no doubt ever thought for one minute…you would let a year go by without much being done!!!
On to 2026!!!
Remarkable progress in a short amount of time! You have created such a delightfully charming home.
Hi Marian,
On my laptop so I know this will go through 🙂
Isn’t it nice how others can see how much we’ve done when we can’t see it ourselves. I get wonderful encouragemnt from my husband when I say I haven’t done much. I think it’s because the list is long and it always gets added on to.. I can read your posts and get pretty hard on myself because I don’t have the motivation that you have. You do encourage me though 🙂 I love your home, the exterior of your home is beautiful and looks welcoming and comfortable.
Enjoy the snow~ the reflection,
Cynthia
It’s amazing when we give ourselves some grace and think back on all we’ve accomplished.
Marion your home continues to evolve every year into the most beautiful of ways. You are such an inspiration. Your post last year on how you approach letting go of some of your possessions was like a big hug. My Mom was a passionate collector of antiques and I am still working on liquidating her collections. I keep rereading that post as well as your Stuff Series and every time I come away feeling encouraged. Thank you from one military brat to another.
The design choices, color palette, and attention to detail really brought this space to life. It’s amazing to see how much character and warmth have been added such a beautiful balance of modern style with cozy, inviting touches.