Sherry and I are giving each other a slightly early Christmas present in the form of a major home improvement undertaking. It’s actually something we’ve been dreaming about for a while, but we’re not going to reveal what it is quite yet (it’s still in progress) so instead, we thought we’d provide a series of daily clues leading up to next week when we’ll drop the big reveal bomb and share all the yummy before and after pics.
Today’s hint is the photo below. No, we didn’t get a Christmas bush, we actually had to put away our tree a whole week before Christmas Day (and couldn’t resist snapping this picture during the disassembly). It’s just one of the many things we had to do to get the house ready for its presto-change-o.
Any guesses so far? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s hint, which just might shed another sliver of light on our little surprise project. Oh the possibilities…
Shannon says
My guess is that you’re refinishing your hardwood floors!
Colleen says
My guess is you are expanding your doorway to match the otherside.
Kathryn says
You’re blowing out a wall! Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like open-plan living…and you two are organized enough to make it all work!
Kelly says
My first thought is that you’re expanding the doorway to open up the space. Good luck!
megan says
My guess is that the doorway is expanding!? Can’t wait for another clue.
linda@LimeintheCoconut says
Yep…My guess is the wall is a comin’ down!!
Kerry says
As John Cougar Mellencamp put it… “And the walls…come tumblin’ tumblin’ dowwwwn”…
That’s my guess!
Adele says
Built in book shelves?
sarah says
ditto Colleen!
Sam R says
Built in shelves behind the fireplace
SJS says
I’ll go with a wall coming down too, but your going to leave a central fire-place, because taking down the chimney is such a pain.
Kara says
Everyone’s guesses are so good!
I’m going for dark floor stain!
Erica says
My best guess is new hardwood floors???
Jessica says
Floors!
Corey says
I’m taking “shed another sliver of light” to mean, something to allow more light. Could be opening up a doorway, or something to add more light like a window or recessed lighting.
jen says
it looks like i’m going solo on this guess, but..
i think you’re finally tackling some sort of bathroom remodel. you’ve mentioned more than once (just not recently, which is why i could be way off) that once you recovered from your kitchen overhaul, the bathroom was the next major reno on the list. so that’s my guess. as for the picture clue….. that doorway leads to the bathroom so you had to make sure it was cleared?
yeah, that’s a stretch.
Bethany at Emmy Lu says
My guess… something to do with your fireplace! Perhaps putting a gas insert in??? Nothing says Christmas like the warm glow of a fire in the hearth!
Blair says
Getting the floors to match the dark floors in the kitchen/den part of the house?? You tried to refinish them yourself a while back in a closet (showing off my true inner die-hard YHL fan) but it didn’t work, so I’m thinking you’re finally just ripping them up and replacing them or bringing in a pro to strip/stain.
By the way, I like the ideas that others mentioned about opening up the doorway, but didn’t you close off the dining room there to make the 3rd bedroom? Opening up a bigger doorway would take away from the bedroom.
Cindy says
I initially wanted to say floors…. but someone pointed ut “sliver of light” so I am thinking that might mean opening something up…..
Brandi H. says
Your pregnant and are starting on a nursery!! You & Me = Baby!! Sorry, I went an entirely different direction :)
Jessica J. says
My first guess was refinishing the floors, but other guessed that. So, playing on the “sliver of light” I’m going to guess that you’re putting in some sort of skylight.
SSM says
I don’t really have a guess, but if I would it wouldn’t be anything too dramatic of a change. I would just something simple like opening up the doorway a bit would be a good change.
Just curious are you all at all worried that the inside of your house won’t really “mesh” with the exterior? I never understood houses that had designer interiors, but the outside still screamed 1970.
Sara says
Remember that in order for them to open that doorway they were going to have to add hardwood pieces. Weren’t you told that it would never match perfectly!?! Yea, I’m obsessive also! So, if you did open the doorway then you would have to redo the hardwood floors! Oh I can’t wait for the next clue!
Abby says
I am guessing a nursery!
East End says
My first guess was that you’re adding the second floor. But that’s not just a big project, it’s huge! Then I thought you’re adding a window. But that doesn’t look like an outside wall. So, what would be big enough to cause you to take down the Christmas tree….I’m going with my first guess, the second storey…..
Gràcia says
Painting the ceiling? Re-painting the walls? All the other guesses are sooo huge, I’ll keep mine small!
(Not that painting is small… I’m too much of a chicken to paint!)
Kristen says
My guess is you are putting in some new skylights
sarah e says
“shed a sliver of light”???
I guess you’re expanding/putting in a window!
P.S. Just found your blog via the AT Homie nominations… I’m enjoying it already!
Diana says
Long-time lurker, first-time poster here. My guess is that the two of you have the most important home-improvement project in the works…a baby! What makes a house more homey than a giggling/sleeping/cooing/loving baby? I could be way off base. Maybe you’re just tearing down that wall like others are suggesting. Can’t wait to hear!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Diana,
Thanks for the guess! We actually revealed our big home improvement undertaking yesterday so follow the link to learn what it is:
https://www.younghouselove.com/2008/12/drumroll-please/
xoxo,
Sherry
Michelle says
i know this is an old post and off topic but where did you get that super cute poster? I love!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
The poster’s from vlig.com. You can read all the details in this other old post: “You And Me, Baby.” Looks like they’re still available (yay!) but prices seem a bit higher than we remember paying (boo!). Hope that helps!
-John