Don't judge but I watch HGTV all day, I love to clean and make a comfortable home, and I love looking at Pinterest for things I'd love to have in my dream home. Is that normal? I don't know but recently I've been inspired. My bf has just finished renovating and cleaning a house he inherited from his late uncle and when I went to go see and help finish cleaning this past weekend, I was inspired.
I started dreaming about hardwood floors, paint colors, how to set up the front porch so it looks inviting... Ha! Too bad I'm still a poor young dancer who can barely afford her rent. Regardless though, I have some advice for the future me who actually has a home and can change and update to her heart's content:
1. DON"T SMOKE!!! I spent 45 minutes cleaning and scraping nicotine and tar from one, count 'em ONE, kitchen cabinet this weekend. This man smoked like a chimney in the same few spots in his house for 40 some years and never cleaned a day in his life. The amount of buildup that had accrued (it changed the color of the wood at least 4 shades darker. Definitely thought the wood was a mid town brown when in reality it used to be blonde wood) has done more to deter me than any anti-smoking campaign I've ever seen.
2. Laminate floors look just as nice as hardwood. There is no reason to spend three times as much money for real hardwood floors when laminate looks just as nice, is more durable, is easier to install... It'll save you a lot of money for those brand spanking new kitchen appliances you have your eye on.
3. If ever you need to replace windows, look for ones that pull out for easy cleaning. This house has fairly new windows but there's no way to clean the outside window without taking down the storm windows first... which involves getting the power tools out, which means you'd be waiting on your man to get that done before you can clean them. And since you're me, I know you don't like waiting when you've got the cleaning bug.
So future me, listen to my advice and tell me... did we ever get that mini cooper convertible we've always wanted??
