Project Goals of 2013

At the beginning of 2013 I made a list of all the projects I wanted to accomplish throughout the year. It was my first time making a project goal list and I didn’t really know how well we would do throughout the year. ..

So, how did we do? Let’s find out!

1. Finish the Breakfast Nook.

Before:

Breakfast nook bench

After:

Breakfast Nook by The Wood Grain Cottage

Breakfast Nook by The Wood Grain Cottage

We made some serious progress in this room! I’m so proud of everything we accomplished. For the most part, this room is done. I still have a few little projects I’d like to do, and I’m still adding to my collections, but I’m really happy with how this room looks. The breakfast nook bench and the plank wall completely changed the room.  I’m so happy we did them!

2. Laundry Room Makeover.

Before:

laundry room before by The Wood Grain Cottage

After:

Laundry Room by The Wood Grain Cottage

Laundry Room Farmhouse Light by The Wood Grain Cottage

This room was definitely priority on my list. This was the only room in our entire home that I had major issues with. 2013 was the year we handled most of them! We installed a surround around the washer and dryer, I re-painted, we added a plank wall, Anthony made 3 large sorting crates for our laundry, he built me a side table and I made a new light for the room. We still have a few minor things to finish, and a few more accessories to make or buy, but this room is almost finished. And the most important thing? We both LOVE it!

3. Install a Backsplash in the Kitchen.

Kitchen by The Wood Grain Cottage

Much to my dismay, this project was not completed. I tried, man did I try. We even went so far as to buy all the supplies to do it. They’re conveniently sitting in the garage, laughing at me every time I trip on them. 2014 is the year, I can feel it, and I’m hoping January is the month it’s happening in.

4. Install Planks Around the Island.

Kitchen by The Wood Grain Cottage

We didn’t get this one done either. I think it would look fabulous, but I decided to focus my attention on a few other things, like the powder bathroom.

5. Install Board and Batten Wall in Master Bedroom and Powder Room.

Master Bedroom by The Wood Grain Cottage

Our master bedroom has made some serious progress since we’ve started. We didn’t get around to installing the board and batten in the bedroom, but I still think it would look wonderful in there. Especially since you can see it from our living room. And we all know how much I love the board and batten in the living room. Let’s just say I decided to swap the master bedroom board and batten for the living room. And I’m completely happy with it!

The powder bathroom also had a lot of changes. I switched my thoughts on the board and batten and installed planking 6 feet high and painted the vanity white. Such a game changer for the little room. I’m looking forward to working on it more in 2014.

Powder Bathroom by The Wood Grain Cottage

6. Master Bathroom Paint & Curtains.

Let me just tell you that we didn’t do a single thing in this room. Not one thing. I had originally hoped to repaint the bathroom so that it flowed better from our master bedroom, and I really wanted to add new curtains. It’s still on the list, I’m just not sure how much of a priority it is now. However, I do think you’ll see more of this room in 2014.

7. Built In Book Shelves in the Dining Room.

Christmas Home Tour 2013 by The Wood Grain Cottage

I knew this one would be wishful thinking, but that doesn’t change how anxious I am to install them. It’s going to be a complete change for the room and such a statement! Plus, it’ll give me the room I need to display the collections I’ve been working on!

I have a serious obsession with shelving, my dedicated pinterest board is proof of that!

8. DIY Outside Shutters and Window Boxes.

We spent a lot of time last year working on the exterior appearance of our home. We built in the middle of a field, so we started with a completely blank slate. I really wanted to install shutters and window boxes. Like, really, really. Anthony wasn’t as excited about it, especially since we’d have to drill into our stucco siding. Someday I hope to get this done.

9. More Landscaping.

Before:

Front view

Progress:

The Wood Grain Cottage

We definitely added more landscaping last year. We added plants, trees and rock and really worked on our grass. There’s still so much to do and I would love to spend more time on this! 2014 should bring a bunch of outdoor/ landscaping projects! I already have my eye on a few of them.

10. Organization, Organization, Organization!

OH man! I had such high hopes for organizing in 2013. I just knew I would get more done. I would have bet on it, and I don’t bet. Sadly, it didn’t happen and I’m feeling it. From closets to the office, I have my work cut out for me!

Since 2013 was the first year that I made a project goal list, I can see that it’s more of a guide, if you will, than a check list. Things happen throughout the year and my priority on projects seem to fluctuate. I think that must be normal because one minute I’m entirely focused on one thing, can see that I’m not going to get Anthony on board, and switch my attention to something else. That’s just an average day here at The WGC. Some days I honestly feel a little bit bad for that sweet husband of mine, but then I remember that he married me, so he must have known what he was getting himself into. Plus, I’m not sure his life would be complete without me randomly springing a new project on him.

2013 was a great year, but I’m excited to see what we accomplish in 2014! Stay tuned for those project goals, because I definitely have them!

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26 Comments

  1. Happy New YEAR … you have accomplished a lot and everything looks great. I am staying tuned to see what you do in 2014. I am loving your plank wall and wondering if I could do that in my bathroom that needs redecorated because of plumbing issues. Will ponder that.
    Blessings and keep the inspiration coming.
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

    1. THANK YOU so much, Audrey! I’m looking forward to 2014!
      I think a plank wall sounds pretty perfect… 😀
      Happy New Year!
      -Shayna

  2. Wow, and what a fab idea, to make a project list room by room. I am going to use this idea, and of course should fiance grumble, I will be sure to give you credit for the idea. 🙂

    1. THANK YOU so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! 😀
      If there’s any grumbling, just be sure to send him my way! 😀
      -Shayna

  3. HI there, I am a new follower to your blog and loving all the inspiration with your beautiful home!
    I was wondering where you found the towel bar on your kitchen island? An exhaustive google search and I still can’t find one like it!?
    Thanks so much!

    1. THANK YOU so much, Janie! I’m so happy to have you as a new follower! Welcome to The WGC! 😀
      For the towel bar on my kitchen island, it came on it when we bought it. I wish I knew where you could buy one… We got the kitchen island at Home Depot.
      I hope that helps!
      -Shayna

  4. OMGosh Shayna-
    I love your new space. It’s just beautiful…
    I finally found the pie stand (the one you painted and put the numbers on)
    My husband got it for me for Christmas – I am going to paint only the little circle and leave the rim the dark wood color.
    I think I am going to monogram mine – Not sure yet –
    I love looking forward to your emails – they always make me smile..
    Have a wonderful day.
    Rose

    1. THANK YOU so very much for the super sweet comment, Rose! I’m so happy you’re going to personalize your stand… how exciting! 😀
      Enjoy!
      -Shayna

  5. Your home is so well thought about!! I too am a thinker. I moved into a smaller tract home into what I call stucco California style! I have the mission style tiles but the windows along the back looked so….plain!! So I devised a plan. We got wood. No I don’t know lumber sizes but the piece is two and 3/4 ” wide and 3/4″ deep. My husband mite red the corners and I helped prime and we painted in an accent color. Since our surface is not perfectly square straight, my husband did use wood filler and sanded the mitered corners. We were done that day and had three small one French door and one large window to do. We used liquid nails to adhere. That was almost nine years ago. Just that wood addition around the window added so much to the look of a finished home. As for window boxes, I researched them as well. What I considered though were boxes on stands. You put them up against the window ledge, but it isn’t attached. I googled free standing window boxes. It looked good and did not mean tearing up the siding. Plus the drainage drains to the ground, not down your siding! There are even ones with this self watering kit that can hold water for a week or three days in heat of summer!! I also used a giant pot to hold a cylinder shaped plant/tree. The pot provides interest (watered by my watering system) and the tree or bush do not grow so tall. Once again, the pot lifts a less expensive specimen as it is not the huge size yet looks substantial because the pot elevates the specimen. I’ve had one in a pot 15 years and a cedar tree that is two feet tall and wide yet almost nine years old, and other things in pots that are trees and plants. Some in front and some in back where we had the boring windows. Just some ideas maybe your hubby may consider after all the chores from the 2013 list is done?!!!!

  6. Ps. I see you DO have the wood around window!!! Maybe painted a bit darker to one of the darker colors in your brick would make it stand out? I have shutters and they are dust catchers. I’d like very simple ones like I saw years ago at a winery…but oh well…but your wood darker around windows with window boxes freestanding? You would not miss shutters. Or two pots on either side of window with cypress type or what grows well in your area planted in it would give you that instant height that won’t need much pruning. I think planning is half the fun too!!! Your home is such a blessing!!!

    1. Awe, Gwen! THANK YOU so much for the great ideas! I have definitely been thinking about freestanding window boxes! They just might make the 2014 list! I love the idea about the wood frame too! 😀
      THANK YOU so much for sharing your ideas!
      -Shayna

  7. You got so much done. There may have been other things on your list that you wished you had done, but just look at them as your start on your 2014 list. I love your breakfast nook especially and I bet you enjoy the improvements every day there.

    1. THANK YOU so much, Grace! You’re totally right, the breakfast nook is something I enjoy every day! My list for 2014 is getting quite long… 😀
      -Shayna

  8. Stunningly beautiful, Shayna! As always, your house is so lovely to look at!!! I am sooooo looking forward, to what’s in store for 2014!!! WGC is a place I enjoy “getting away” to…blessings & <3
    M

  9. I am in awe—you are too good! I knew your blog would be one to watch when I discovered it last year. I thought the first photo was from a magazine when I first pinned it. Can I ask what camera/lens you were using?

    1. JENNA! THANK YOU so very much for the super sweet comment! I’m so happy to have you as a reader— I love your blog too! 😀
      For my camera, I use the Cannon Rebel T3i. My lens is the Tamron AF 28-75mm. I love them both! The Tamron lens was a complete game changer for me! 😀
      I hope that helps!
      -Shayna

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