Happy New Year! I’d hoped to put this out before 2022 was officially over, but like most things I got wrapped up in more pressing matters and didn’t get around to it.  

But for the first day of 2023, let’s take a look back at what was accomplished in 2022, and what I hope to accomplish in 2023. 

Last year, I wrote a blog post recapping the highlights of the year, and setting a list of priorities for the year ahead.  You can read that post here.

This year, I’m taking a cue from the OG home bloggers, Chris Loves Julia, and giving myself a report card, covering what was, and wasn’t, completed this year. 

 

The Kitchen B+

I gave myself a B+ for the kitchen project this year.  I’d hoped to have it completed during the spring, and the reality is it wrapped up (kind of) in early fall.  I say kind of because well, I still haven’t found countertops or installed my sink and faucet, put the baseboards in, or photographed and revealed the space for you all!  What really threw me for a loop on this project was the total unwillingness for anyone to install marble or butcher block locally, and a particularly exciting photoshoot that paused everything in September.  I know, excuses excuses. 

The best photo I can take without professional assistance

The Laundry Room Closet C- 

I admit I’m a bit disappointed in myself for not finishing this one. We finished the drywall, paint, lighting, hanging rods, drawer sets, and installed new appliances, making a very functional space.  What I haven’t finished because I dread it with every fiber of my being is the finish carpentry on the drawer sets, installing trim, plastering the inside of the existing closet, and photographing and blogging the space for you all.  A few weeks into this project it became abundantly clear that my laundry room was approximately 85 degrees out of plumb, and that really took the wind out of my sails.  In 2023 I am mentally preparing myself for this, and sucking it up and putting this project to bed. 

Wiring the Third Floor D

This project gets a D, but a forgiving D, since I am at the mercy of my generous and lovely electrician friend’s schedule, and he bought his own cheap old house in 2022, so NBD.  I did however purchase ALL of the materials (about $750) and we’ve created the layout, so I have no doubt this will get knocked out in the near future. 

MISC Projects B

When I made this goal, I expected it would look a bit different, like cleaning hardware, touching up paint, maybe organizing the mini house. None of those things happened, but instead, we did fully finish the bedroom closet, planted a hugely successful garden, plastered the second floor hallway, plumbed the bathtub and added a new vanity in the primary bath, did a few furniture flips, restored the front doors, and completed a little bit of much needed front landscaping. I think with a massive project like this house, you have to give yourself some grace, and when a project feels fun, or calls to you, go with it.  This is supposed to be fun, remember. 

The First Bath
Freshly Plastered Hall
Front Door Restoration
After
FB Marketplace Find
The Garden
Bedroom Closet

Looking ahead to 2023 

And so with this in mind, here are my 2023 goals 

First, I do want to finish what I’ve started in the kitchen, laundry room, and wiring the third floor.

With electricity on the third floor I hope to finish a guest room up there, replace the final missing window, and get the front room organized and usable, including building a little wall to partition off the furnace from the rest of the room. 

I’d also like to tackle some smaller things, like finally putting crown up in the bedroom to close the gap between the walls and ceiling, and figuring out how to hang drapes on those curved walls/windows. 

And finally, I’d like to share more of my other projects with you all.  The McLain house is just what I work on in my spare time, the majority of my life is actually spent on other peoples projects, and 2023 is going to be a huge year for two other projects very near and dear to my heart. 

Thank you all for spending another year with me, and I hope 2023 brings us all great success and fulfillment.