Home Renos: The First Step

We have wanted to renovate/repair our house for several years but until now I've either been working on my PhD or had a baby. Or both. Now it is time to take on this new project.

Except I don't really know what to do.

It's really hard to start doing something when you don't know where to start. That's, like, procrastination city for me right there.

I knew I needed help, and lo and behold, someone who I sort of know, who is friends with a neighbour, is an interior designer! If I would have known that, I would have kidnapped her years ago!

Anyway, she is coming over on Wednesday to take a look at the house (ack!) and talk and I am ridiculously excited. Hopefully I won't have an IBS attack and miss the meeting (anxiety, you are a cruel friend). I am hoping that since I know her but not too well I will be able to talk/breathe my way off of any ledges I want to climb on.

We know our roof needs some work. And we need new windows. And a second bathroom. After that it's up in the air. I HATE our front room - it is dark even though it's west facing and the view out the front window is ugly 8 months of the year. One option is to open it up to the kitchen. That would add some light and make the front room more accessible. Speaking of the kitchen, it could use an update. Our cabinets from 1976 are wearing out/falling off. The drawers suck. Sensible storage is severely lacking. The layout is annoying for cooking and I really hate how the stove is right by the traffic path - it makes me nervous opening the oven.

Then there is our back door - the entrance we use most as a family. When we all come home at once, it's a shit show. 5 people in 9 square feet of space. And all the shoes! I'd like to make the area bigger (how? dunno!) and add a bunch of storage so we can keep our coats by the door we use the most to go outside.