reno recap five | windows, wallpaper, details, and more

by | Feb 2, 2023 | 1970 home renovation | 21 comments

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Since there has been a lot happening in our 1970s brick ranch renovation, I thought it was time for a reno recap.  If you missed the previous work that we’ve done on the house, you can catch up with previous reno recaps HERE.  I am glad I’m keeping a record of it because it’s already hard to keep track!  The last few months of 2022 were about tackling the large and immediate projects in the house like flooring, replacing the roof, and updating the electrical panel.  I feel like now we’re getting into more of the fun stuff like refurbishing the pool and renovating the kitchen.  We’ll get there.

Here’s what has happened over the past few weeks…

new windows in the primary bedroom

As I shared in more detail in THIS POST, we found a budget-friendly solution for updating the windows in the house, which we’ll do a few at a time.  The plan is to do update the windows on one side of the house at a time until they are all done.  I didn’t think windows would be super exciting, but they look so good inside and out.  They’ll increase the curb appeal of the house, help with insulation, and just look beautiful!  I can’t wait to get the rest done.

window world windows | miss mustard seed

I’ve also been replacing the vinyl roller shades (I order them from Blinds.com, watching for sales) as we’ve been painting rooms and trim.  Replacing 2-3 at a time helps spread out the cost.  I decided to stick with roller shades because they are cost-effective, block the light, and install well on our window/trim style.  There really isn’t room for window treatments that install inside the trim (like the plantation shutters in our last house), so roller shades are a nice option that can virtually disappear when fully rolled up.

You can read more about the curtains HERE and the French return rods can be purchased HERE.

wallpaper removal & painting

I shared more about the wallpaper removal project HERE and HERE, but suffice it to say that between working on it ourselves and hiring a chunk out, most of the wallpaper in the house is now gone!

removing wallpaper | miss mustard seed

We still need to scrub the glue off of one wall in Calvin’s room, but that will be pretty easy.  We also need to remove wallpaper from two small sections of wall in the kitchen (the rest is being ripped out along with walls and soffits) and the walls in the guest room.  I plan to install new wallpaper in the guest room, so I’m not too concerned about tackling that project on my own.  That bathrooms still have wallpaper, but that is pretty minimal and those need to be renovated as well.  I’ll deal with that in time, but the spaces that were the biggest hang-up are done.

Jeff, my mom, and I have been working to get primer and paint on the walls.  I finished painting Marshall’s room yesterday and I’ll be working on the hall the rest of this week and over the weekend.  Then, it’s on to the dining room and there are a couple of walls I need to finish painting in the studio.

priming and painting walls | miss mustard seed

recessed lighting

I usually take pictures in natural light, but I turned on our new recessed lights to show them off for you!  This house had very little overhead lighting, which I didn’t take note of until the home inspection.  We quickly learned that just using lamps didn’t provide sufficient light.  It was okay in some rooms, but the studio was pretty much unusable after dark and even on overcast days.  The bedrooms also felt dark at night with only one or two lamps.

Installing recessed lights in our house was possible because we don’t have a second story and we have complete attic access for the entire house.  That meant electricians could add the recessed lights without having to cut into the walls and ceiling.  They just had to drill holes for the lights themselves.  We are so, so glad we decided to get the lights installed.  The rooms now feel warm, well-lit, and much more functional.

new recessed lights | miss mustard seed

We had four to five lights installed in most rooms, six in our bedroom since it’s a bit larger, and eight in the studio!  We were only going to install six in the studio, but the electricians suggested eight.  I am so glad they did because now the room is fully flooded with light.  All of the lights are on dimmers as well.

new recessed lights | miss mustard seed

radon abatement

I don’t have any pretty pictures of this one, but we did have a radon abatement system installed.  The radon levels revealed in the home inspection test weren’t super high, but they were higher than levels considered safe.  Since we use the basement for laundry, workouts, and playing (there’s a ping-pong table down there), we wanted to make sure those levels were in the safe range.  We also hope to finish more of the basement in the future and this is a small first step to that.

upcoming renovation projects

  • French doors on the studio.  This is mostly about critter control since the cats like to step in my paint and sit on my lap when I’m working.  It’ll be nice to be able to shut them out.  It’ll help a bit with noise and provide some separation from my workspace and the rest of the house.

art studio and foyer | miss mustard seed

  • Work begins on the pool in the next week or two.  The first thing to get attention will be the concrete.  There are a few sections of concrete around the pool that need to be replaced and adequately graded for good drainage.  Once the concrete is done, new buckles for the pool cover will be installed.  They’re also pouring a small pad for the pool shed, which will house the pumps and such.  The plaster and tile work will start once the weather warms up.  I still can’t believe we own a pool and it’s going to be so fun this summer.  You’ll find me floating in there most hot evenings, I think.

concrete pool before restoration | miss mustard seed

  • Tree & yard work.  The large holly bush and the pine tree in front of our house will both be removed in the next 3-4 weeks along with the trimming and thinning of all six of our large maples.  We were able to get a great “winter discount” and decided to get all of that tree work out of the way.  It’ll help with the curb appeal of the home, but it also addresses some safety concerns (dangling dead branches) and protects our new roof from potential storm damage, clogged gutters, moisture, etc.   When we have some nice days, we’ll work on yard clean-up, hedge trimming, and removing some overgrown areas.  I can’t wait to see this house uncovered.  It had beautiful landscaping at one point, but it’s gotten a little out of control in recent years.

1970 brich ranch before renovation and landscaping  | miss mustard seed

  • Kitchen renovation starts in April.  And, if all stays on track, the kitchen renovation will start in April.  We’re going to start with the construction phase first, which involves moving the basement staircase, removing the “mudroom” walls, knocking out the soffits above the cabinets, adding lighting and electrical for under cabinet lighting and outlets, enlarging the window over the sink, and repairing the plaster walls.  Once the construction is done, we’ll move on to the fun stuff – installing the wood floor, hanging the cabinets, installing the appliances, getting counters, etc.  I am so excited to get my new kitchen!

So, there is a lot going on.  It all seems to happen so slowly and so fast simultaneously!  That’s how renovations go, though, and I’m trying to enjoy the process and the careful work.

Off to paint some more trim…

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    21 Comments

    1. Babs

      Phew! You are wearing me out just reading about all you have accomplished. You should be very proud of how much progress you have made.

      It’s a lovely home and you are making it yours.

      Continued success in all your projects.

    2. Kim

      Wow, just a lot of nonstop action! I don’t know how you manage it all and stay well, but I sure do appreciate you sharing your reno work projects with all of us. It is interesting to see how very different this house is than the Minnesota house, and it is a reminder to me that I do not want to have to renovate a home, ever! Painting is fine, but anything more than that is not my cup of tea.

    3. Lorie Pirtle

      I need recessed lighting in my 1960 ranch we recently began renovating. Luckily my son is an electrician. Not so luckily Mom is usually last on the list. To be fair he does work a lot, and he did install them in our last house. Maybe a home cooked meal might entice him, that or a veiled reference to my will….

    4. Mary Alex

      Thanks for the update, Marian! It’s much appreciated that you did all and also give updates about it. Just Lovely.

    5. JC

      It’s transforming before our eyes!! I think it is moving along quickly, but I know it’s different when you are living in it rather than looking on from afar! Everything you’ve done is so lovely. I can’t wait to see your kitchen!! We are buying a semi-custom home and on my list is a black ILVE range! I am also wanting to put a shallow shelf in from one side of the range across the back to the other. I think it looks so European, which is the look I’m going for!
      Fun, FUN!!

    6. Marne

      This may be a bit nosey, but can you share any advice on paying for home improvement projects? Maybe I’m a tightwad, but all I see is dollar signs!!!

    7. Gillian Zylka

      my husband and I have been doing renovations on our home for a while…I feel like I am living in a renovation T.V. show except instead of it taking one hour it is going on a couple of years!!! my husband did all of the work building two bedrooms, a bathroom and rec room in what was once an empty basement. the work seemed slow at times, but now that it is all done (downstairs anyway…) I can’t believe how good it all looks. Now the main bathroom on the main floor is under construction and it should take a couple of months…after that, we will be removing two walls between our kitchen, living room and dining room and installing hardwood floors and getting rid of the fifty year old wrinkly carpet. I am getting used to living with the upheaval and I think it is all worth it. Love love your updates, and you are giving me ideas!!!

    8. Dianne, at Magnolia Hill

      Ok, dear Marian. Now you’ve done it. How do you relax and sleep well? I’d lay awake at night and fret about projects and more, while you clearly have a well-defined thought process that lets you plan without fretting. Or are you lying awake at 2 a.m., like many of us, planning the next project?

    9. Rebecca

      So exciting! I love following along with this.

      I had no idea you could do landscaping in the winter. I’m definitely going to try and get some work done!

    10. Naomi Shelton

      Sounds exhausting, Marian! One question: What is the best method for removing wallpaper? Is there a specific product that you use to “unstick” it?

      • Susan O

        I found mixing cheap fabric softener with warm water (maybe 1/3 softener to water) then applying it to the wallpaper, letting it work for a few minutes and then stripping the wallpaper worked well for me. Be sure to have a drop cloth to catch drips and wet paper.

    11. monique

      So much done in no time!
      Lighting is so important, thank goodness for dimmers, it creates the moods you want so easily. From bright to romantic.

      How is the ” dark room “, does the young man like it? If not, it will be hard to cover. It takes personality, does Marshall like to listen to hard rock, punk noise?

      Have fun all of you, that is what counts.

    12. Perri Williamson

      Honestly, can lights have never looked so good. It is all exciting and wonderful…but those lights are just so perfect. Especially above the fireplace. Such drama. Light is so powerful in design and when used well is a real game changer.

      Great job and inspiration and can’t wait for the rest.

    13. Linda Scott

      My main floor just finished getting painted early this week and now I have to put it all back together, I’m exhausted just thinking about what I have to do and it’s way less then what you are doing. So continue to enjoy the process and I’m sure you can’t wait to get to the decorating stage of it all. Your home is so lovely and now it will be beautiful when done!!! Can’t you see how that pool will look with the water in it and furniture and plants around, WOW!! Looking forward to seeing the kitchen too!! Good luck with everything!!

    14. Janette

      People don’t realize the harmful effects of radon, which is odorless. It’s the second highest cause of lung cancer after smoking. Our house also had high numbers when we bought it. The radon system is some of the best money we spent.

    15. Sandy

      Thank you for sharing the process Marian. It’s sure coming along nicely. I know it’s loads of work which make the rewards so much more precious. Bless y’all each step of the way!

    16. Zanetta

      I’m anxiously watching each move you make. We purchased an older home that is so similar to yours. We’ve concentrated on cleaning up the acreage for the last year. We started outside first! Planted lots of fruit trees and Leylands. Next is the inside and removing tons of wallpaper. I’m considering the taking out of walls to help the flow of the house. Need new windows. Need to say goodbye to the soffits and pink countertops in my kitchen! Really, the cabinets are in poor shape even they they look nice; they’re just cheap.
      Watching and so glad you’re a few steps ahead of me!

    17. IreneL

      Such good progress! The can lights are wonderful esp when they are on dimmers. Lighting makes such a huge difference in a home. The painting is coming along nicely and looks great. I am excited for your upcoming renos on kitchen and pool area. Thank you for sharing this experience with us!

    18. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

      Marian. thanks for the wonderful update! You have done so much since moving in. You are like the “Energizer Bunny” because you just keep on going and going and going from one project to the next! Just love to see the progress you have made. It’s great to see all your personal touches being added. How nice to have your new kitchen scheduled for April. How nice this will be for you to have your beautiful kitchen finished. Your home is beautiful and it has been great to watch you accomplish all your plans. This is truly a labor of love! So happy for you all.

    19. Sonam Sharma

      After reading your blog post, I can conclude that you bring life to the home with your job. It’s such amazing work. I’m desperate to see your next work.

    20. Anima Astrologer

      Hey! Your work is really awesome. I’m a businesswoman who will try your designs in my office or home.

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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