Sometimes this house stuff is so uninteresting I feel bad making you read about it. But, Momm likes it and it’s pretty much all I do. MK won’t let me go for a hike or bike ride until I’ve completed the renovations of the entire house. Slave driver.

So, the latest idea is to put a hole in the wall between the kitchen and the living room. Not JUST so I can watch Law and Order while I cook, but to open it up and let more light in. And so I can watch Law and Order while I cook.

We’re planning on taking down all the wood on the living room wall (when MK’s dad comes, which is soon approaching!). Here’s what that looks like to remind you.

The other side of that wall is the pantry. Here’s what that looked like to remind you.

MK ripped all the wood out, and much to our chagrin, as I mentioned in this post, ever so briefly, found wallpaper. And had to remove it. And that was gross. But I did it, patched all the holes, and painted the space.

We have no idea  if it’s possible to make it a whole walk through doorway, or just a picture window type deal. We’ll find out. In the meantime, we went ahead and took down all the shelves. Because if it is eventually a walkway or window, you don’t want to look at our food. We found the perfect ikea piece, which is technically called a ‘desk’ although I can’t see you using it for that. It’s our new roll top hidden pantry.

If anyone didn’t check my Twitter over there on the right (you don’t have to sign in to look around!) you are totally missing out on my super awesome patio and furniture. A few chairs with cushions was all it took to make me fall in love with this house all over again. The weather here is so perfect, so it follows being comfortable outside is perfect. I thought I’d share it again, in a much sunnier picture:

I’ve been sitting out there with my coffee and book most mornings for a week now. It’s all kinds of  gorgeous and lovely. Tons of sweet chirpy birds keep me company. By the way, the latest book I finished, An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England, was great if you’re looking for something to read!

We’ve done so much to the house! I kept stalling on the photos – trying to get the B’s over here to see it in person. But each phone call from Momm means I can’t wait any longer.

Here’s a before of my office/2nd guest/future kid if there are kids room:

There were two touching blue walls, and two touching white-ish walls. No idea why. It bugged me. MK replaced all the outlets, and I painted the walls and the ceiling. Then, I finally talked him into letting me put some racing stripes on the wall. It’s the chardonnay and merlot room now!

Painting with a dark color like that on a not perfectly flat wall was no easy feat. Neither was getting the one little drop of paint out of the carpet. But I am super thrilled with how well it came out. Still need to hang a bit of wall art, but making good progress! We painted MK’s office closet, which means I have painted every single room in the house, ceilings too, except his office and the one bathroom downstairs that came done. No wonder my neck permanently hurts!