We're getting to the point of outgrowing this house, and, therefore, are not undertaking any new major projects from here on out. However, our needs still continue to change with a growing toddler, a growing family and a growing accumulation of things (despite our best efforts!).
One problem we had this spring is that the grape vine given to us by Ryan's late uncle needed a support system to grow on. We always try to approach any problem with resourcefulness (aka cheapness) and creativity before buying something ready-made. Ryan used some leftover hardwoods he had gotten for free off of Craigslist awhile back to make this lattice. It also, conveniently, helps cover up the chipping paint job on our garage ;)
Another problem we've run into time and time again in this house is a lack of storage. We have this beautiful leaded glass door and, behind it, we used to store our vacuum cleaner. Not so attractive, but really, you barely noticed it was there.
When Ryan needed to buy a new desktop for work, he didn't know where to put it. It sat on our dining room table for a bit while we contemplated where it could go. One idea was turning the eat-in-kitchen nook into a desk space, but I wasn't comfortable giving up a space we use multiple times daily for one he uses a few times a month. He didn't want to store it in the attic because of temperature swings and we're in the process of converting our third bedroom into Viv's new room to free up the nursery. We ideally wanted it on the first floor anyway so that we could still be together while he worked. I don't remember now who suggested it, but we tossed out the idea of putting a desk behind the door. Ryan measured, and it would fit! He had his grandpa's old headboard in the basement to use as a free table top.
It's so perfectly hidden and out of the way, Viv hasn't even really noticed it. When Ry needs to work, he just pulls up a chair and has an instant office.
We also made some minor changes in our kitchen. We had bought this rolling cart when we went to Ikea a few months ago to store eggs, bread, onions, potatoes and anything too big for our cabinets. It was hidden in the eat-in area, but we decided to pull it out and make it more of a statement piece.
The magnetic board has been around almost as long as our relationship, repurposed a number of times. Really, I wanted it mainly to cover up an old phone jack that is plastered in the middle of that wall, but I've also found it handy to have for my daily to-do lists, for which I made a dry-erase section out of a magnetic picture frame and thin, dry-erase whiteboard sheet.
We also swapped out our old table for this retro one. The space is small, and we're about to add another family member. That means three adult chairs plus a high chair pretty soon. I was staunchly against this hand-me-down table at first, but with it set up in the space, it not only gives us more room, but definitely brightens the kitchen up. We found awesome chairs at Ikea that would complete the retro bistro look, but we're putting that shopping trip and purchase on hold.
I guess yellow is now the accent color in our kitchen, which is perfect because I'm obsessed with these pineapple towels I just bought!
