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2002-07-06 | 1:09 a.m.

(FlyLady gave out an assignment a week or two ago that piqued my interest. She suggested that we do a "walk-through," where you walk through your house pretending to be a realtor, and make notes in each room about everything that would need to be done to get the house ready to sell. I didn't hew to the assignment perfectly, but this is what I came up with. I hope to come back to this page to add more. The idea is, if you have a list, you might actually tackle some of these projects someday. And if I ever do, I'll be sure to cross off anything I actually complete!)

House exterior
� have stucco professionally repaired and redone in lighter shade of cream
� repaint wood trim using different color (maybe mediterranean blue?)
� repair window frame damaged by unknown asshole trying to break in
� clean exterior windows, add screens where needed
� clear roof, gutters, drains, spouts and all other Willy Wonka-esque devices

my fantasy for the house overall would be to add another bedroom to the top back of the house, planned by a professional architect, accessible by a few stairs from the upstairs hallway

Front yard/driveway
� replant lawn with mix that doesn't turn completely yellow in summer; keep mown
� trim back araucaria tree, remove dead branches
� take out nasty cabbage-y mangrove things (replace with languishing star jasmine?)
� remove pathetic agapanthus below bay window and reunite with siblings
� plant driveway hellstrip per Sunset mag. article
� plant star magnolia tree in front right corner
� move wisteria, bamboo, gardenia planters to left side of house
� prune and thin gnarly bougainvillea bush so letter drop is accessible
� patch/repaint chips on garage door from time we attempted to Christmas-wrap (bad idea)

my fantasy: tear up yard, upgrade sprinkler system w/timers accessible from indoors; shore up and level front lawn with attractive low retaining wall at sidewalk; add swath of pretty, drought-tolerant, native plants surrounding teardrop-shaped lawn; replace mismatched red fencing on both sides with new decorative fencing

Front porch/front door
� remove thumbtacks from time we Christmas-wrapped door
� remove stubborn beeswax stain on front porch (broken toilet mishap, long story)
� paint and/or re-do mortar patch under doorstep to match surrounding stucco

my fantasy: refinish front door (yikes!); add artsy security screen door

Foyer
� repair broken hardwood planks in front left corner
� refinish hardwood floor
� fix door chime or doorbell (or both)
� new threshold
� add "draft dodger" that doesn't look too stupid
� declutter picture frames on oak table

Living Room
� refinish hardwood floors
� paint baseboards and side of step at foyer and DR
� clean out and fill gap between hardwood planks and step to DR
� new drapes and rods
� sand and paint window frames

my fantasy for this room: install flat-panel TV over fireplace; add decorative tile over brick fireplace; remove couch and chair to green room, replace with pair of leather loveseats; replace steamer trunk with nice coffee table that holds memorabilia, like a shadowbox

Dining Room
� refinish sideboard
� add visual interest to south wall with art or artifacts
� new drapes and rods to match LR
� sand and paint window frames

my fantasy for this room: add beautiful, dramatic china cabinet (custom-made and/or antique if possible, if not possible buy something like this on payment plan); a new Spanish-style dining room table and chairs to match; move sideboard to south wall or replace with something nicer and slightly more ornate, in keeping with other new pieces

Kitchen
� repair broken counter tiles
� remove wallpaper and paint
� hang shelving and/or pot rack over microwave
� polish cabinets
� clean mini-blinds, poss. replace with curtains (guarding privacy somehow)

my fantasy for this room: complete professionally designed remodel with lots of old-fashioned built-in cabinets, new stove, refrigerator, and double sink rearranged for optimal efficiency. Ultimate fantasy�a banquette and a double-sided, built-in china cabinet (DR side) and kitchen pantry with pass-through shelf, like we had in Br. Street house

Green Room (3rd bedroom)
� pull up green carpet and replace with tile, carpet, or lino
� convert to family room with red couch and chair and rectangular coffee table facing non-cheesy entertainment center on west wall
� paint walls and trim using complementary color scheme--maybe robin's egg blue?
� move computer to corner on smaller desk so it doesn't dominate the room
� clean windows and mini-blinds
� caulk neatly around A/C to block holes
� add plants to gardening table
� replace screen door

my fantasy for this room: replace carpet with good terra cotta tile, add gorgeous Persian rug, add two pairs of French doors to east wall leading outside to terrace with half-awning and comfortable outdoor furniture

Downstairs bathroom
� remove wallpaper, repaint (but what color will match tile shower??)
� regrout and seal shower tile
� sand and paint window frame contrasting color
� new towel racks

my fantasy for this room: great paint job, new sink & vanity, and medicine cabinet

Back steps/back yard/side yards
� paint back steps
� clear toys and crap out of yard
� clean up barbecue grill
� add vegetable garden and minimal landscaping
� pick oranges from orange tree

my fantasy: replace back steps with staggered terrace/deck/patio combination; use outdoor tile for patio that wends its way around the south side of the house, like the house across the street to the left. That area could be really spectacular with effort. Add a garbage can rack, container plants and trees, greenhouse. Rebuild treehouse in Swiss Family Robinson style.

Upstairs hallway/downstairs hallway/closets
� refinish hardwood floors and steps
� repaint walls and doors
� declutter cedar closet

Master bedroom
� repaint in seemlier colors (at least repaint ceiling)
� finish window covering for two east windows and remove ugly blue mini-blinds
� sand and repaint window frames, door frames, all trim
� add headboard, more substantial frame to bed
� new bedding
� declutter closet; do something about ventilation hole

Upstairs bathroom
� remove wallpaper and paint
� any way to remove stain from formica counter?
� get plumber to check toilet seal; clear drains
� remove decades-old harvest gold Dixie cup dispenser
� new towel racks

Kids' bedroom
� remove paneling
� paint lilac with contrasting trim
� new drapes/rods
� replace '70s drooping-blossom light fixture
� try to pull together with an overall decorative scheme

Basement rooms/garage
� clean, declutter like mad, remove excess large appliances
� fix garage door spring
� get rid of black spray-paint graffiti left by previous teenage occupant
� get rid of non-working car
� clean windows
� do asbestos test on wrapped pipes
� cap off basement toilet

my fantasy: convert back third of garage into finished gardening room that leads outside. Spruce up laundry room so it doesn't feel like a dungeon. Maybe add a darkroom.

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