Thanks to Lowe’s for their support in this home improvement project!
Last week something very exciting happened: we moved from dreaming about home improvements to actually making them happen.
After three years in this house, normal wear and tear, life’s demands, an old dog and a new puppy, plus a few mishaps left parts of our home looking tired. Between running a church, managing a household and everyday life, some projects simply got postponed. If you recognize that juggling act, you’re not alone.
I’d been imagining changes for a long time, but the bigger the list, the more overwhelmed I felt. With limited time, skills and budget, progress required patience. Back in January I wrote about home dreams rather than strict goals because dreaming felt lighter and less pressure-filled. Looking back now, every single one of those dreams has either already come true or is about to—only six months into the year. That feels amazing.
One of the biggest priorities was replacing damaged carpet with Hickory hardwood flooring. We once hid a paint spill with a seagrass rug and lived with it, but with Winston the older dog and Jack the puppy, the carpet transitioned from ugly to downright smelly. That was the tipping point—smelly carpet had to go.
Our living and dining area, the family kitchen, stairway, hallway and master bedroom all needed new flooring. I’m the type who shops when a project must start and I’m unsure where to begin, so I headed to Lowe’s to look at options. Lowe’s responded quickly and sent project manager Robert to assess the house. He listened, answered questions and offered solutions, then arranged for installers to come measure and plan. That removed a huge chunk of stress for me.
Best of all, this won’t be a failed DIY—professionals handle the install, so the work will be done quickly and correctly. Knowing experts are on the job brings peace of mind and confidence the result will be beautiful. With the plan in place, the carpet will be removed soon and new wood floors will be installed within weeks.
As with most home projects, one thing leads to another. I’ll share details about the flooring we chose, how the installation unfolds and the rooms involved. There are related tasks as well—fresh paint and a kitchen update are on the horizon—and I’ll reveal those in the coming weeks. For now, the photos in this post highlight the spaces we’ll work on and I’ll return to each with progress updates.
I’m especially excited about the master bedroom. We haven’t touched it since moving in three years ago—privacy was once provided by towels in the windows and that became permanent for too long. The room has had pigmented walls and worn carpet, not exactly inspiring for someone who loves a fresh, well-scented bedroom. That changes now: this week it will be painted, the carpet removed and new floors installed. A proper master makeover is finally underway.
When Robert and the installers visited, it was chaotic at home—unexpected visitors, sleepy relatives in pajamas and dogs underfoot—because I missed their heads-up and hadn’t had time to tidy. The crew took it all in stride and I quickly remembered a lesson from a past kitchen remodel: when contractors are working in your home, you set aside pride. Invite them in, treat them kindly and accept a little mess while the work gets done. In short, you show them how colorful your family life really is.
Take note of the kitchen in these photos—one update often sparks another. You’ll see more of the kitchen changes as the project unfolds.
So that’s a typical day at our house: a bit messy, full of life and always entertaining. I’m thrilled to share progress on new floors and room makeovers as they happen. Tomorrow I’ll post pictures of my home office, which is already “done enough” to show.
So, what do you think? Some big transformations ahead, huh?
And I’m sure Jack will keep us highly entertained through it all.
Huge thanks to Lowe’s for working with me on this flooring installation project—I’m so excited!
For an update on my kitchen remodel and to follow along with the project, click here for the first post!