1950's house:
Ripped down everything in the family room (walls, ceiling) down to joists and studs and re-drywalled (ceiling too) everything, painted, carpeted, crown molding.
Built my own fireplace mantle.
Completely gutted a bathroom, covered walls with tongue-and-groove wood planks, replaced sink and toilet, tiled floor.
Painted every room.
Added deck to the back of the house.
Ripped crappy wallpaper down in bathroom (different one) around the top of the shower (tile below) and covered with water-proof fiberglass.
Added motion detector lights all around yard.
Built dog run.
Replaced fence.
Installed ceiling fans and/or replaced light fixtures throughout house.
Gutted basement, installed paneling and drop ceiling. Carpeted.
Refinished wood floors on first floor.
Next project.....drywall or peg board garage walls and install shop lighting throughout. Maybe paint floor.
It's a never-ending process. The only things we've hired contractors to do is the wood floord refinishing, the carpeting and crown-molding and the deck installation. It's satisfying to do projects yourself, but with 3 kids there just isn't enough time anymore. I'm happier to spend cash to get stuff done now...and I can yell at someone other than myself when things are done wrong.
