Renovation Resolutions for 2024
I’ve been renovating since 2016, moving from one project to the next for a period of eight years, and it’s flown. Three properties and very short periods of time of ‘normal’ life, (six weeks being the shortest at the project on Chestnut Close). If you’re renovating, I have a recommendation: Live. Whilst transforming a home is all encompassing, renovating doesn’t have to put a stop to the other aspects of your life, the other challenges, interests and aspirations you have for career, relationships, physical and mental health. During my first renovation at Hope Cottage, I was taking on the mortgage and improvements alone so spent almost every penny I earnt on my home, this wasn’t something I resented as I adored it, it was meant for me. However when I began my second renovation, also independently, (fiercely so), I made a silent vow to myself not to pause life. At one point being on holiday in Corfu as new windows were fitted and the walls replastered, I was determined not to miss out on opportunities and I’m proud of the decisions I made and experiences gained. This is a promise I’ve tried to prioritise with the joint renovation of Alpine with my partner Lee. As we enter 2024, the year Alpine will function more like a home, I’d like to share my Renovation Resolutions with you and hope that from reading you will give yourself time to make vows that strengthen your commitment to yourself and your project.
I will be grateful for where we are.
Since 1st January 2023 I’ve practised a miracle morning routine (Hal Elrod, check it out), so each morning I’ve listed reasons to be grateful and without question I feel deeply fortunate to live here. I bloody love it and pinch myself frequently. Coming home after any period away is a relief, it welcomes me in its rough state and I can’t wait for the satisfaction when it will be finished. Considering we don’t have proper storage or cooking facilities or cushions to squish into I recognise the depth of my appreciation. I am grateful:
To have a strong shower that wakes me up.
A peaceful bedroom (with no sign of the renovation going on in the rest of the house).
An ever changing view over the back garden of the bamboo we planted and the gentle curve of hills.
To open the bedroom window, climb back into bed and listen to the waves crashing onto the beach.
A place friends enjoy to come to stay and create memories with us as we improve our home.
In 2024 I won’t dwell on what we don’t have and will continue to journal my gratitude for the current reality whilst we move towards what I visualise our home to be. Interior designer and renovator Bee Osborn has shared the process of renovating her home in the Cotswolds, and I noticed her words of gratitude throughout the tough challenges of converting a derelict barn. Bee recently posted “I always try to acknowledge how fortunate I am by doing a gratitude list every morning… I look forward to sitting around this table for our first Christmas in the cottage with my family, and appreciate just how incredibly lucky we are.” You can follow Bee on instagram and her website illustrates more of her beautiful work in her home and for her clients.
I will use visualisation to boost motivation.
Following my gratitude list I allow myself to step into the future, the dreams and aspirations I have for our home. Using a green pen (I associate this colour with growth and stability) I describe, in as much detail as possible, a day or experience on the other side of renovating. Occasionally this is ‘On this day next year…’ at other times it’s a vision for a month from now. Waking in the dark, feeling the warmth of the underfloor heating, settling on a chair in the kitchen under a weighted blanket, with a comforting cup of fruit tea and watching as the sun gradually tinges the kitchen in an orange blaze. Making my favourite Mexican breakfast with eggs collected from the local fresh egg hutch… I could go on. If you want to adopt this strategy I’ve written a blog and shared some entries from my visualisation journal, you can read this and download a free renovation visualisation journal template to get started.
I will prepare and plan ahead.
I’ve felt the panic of a possible delay, or blankness in the face of multiple decisions, and know these feelings easily lead to rushed decisions and potentially mistakes. Therefore in 2024 I will block out time to secure plans, tick off decisions, update budgets, research products and place orders. As we approach the second fix stage, being organised for trades will settle any indecision and arm me with confidence when answering questions or working around any problems. Admittedly as a designer I can rely on my ability to make decisions in layers, as elements progress, but being someone more comfortable with systems and organisation I will be using the software I use for clients to itemise all second fix items, flooring, wall colours and window treatments. If you’d like to join the organised renovators club a simple spreadsheet will suffice and can be downloaded here, if you need a little more help (and crave a well planned project) message me about joining the Renovation Room.
I will find ways to cook a wider range of meals.
We’ve been living without a proper kitchen for a year now, this will soon be a whole blog in itself filled with tips. Honestly, it’s not that bad. We are lucky to have a utility room with enough storage, power, a small work surface and sink to wash up. Of course I frequently visualise being in a warm kitchen with space to prepare meals, hours to spend making a meal, days spent baking for friends, kitchen cake dates, Friday pizza nights and slow Sunday roasts. In our six year relationship Lee hasn’t really experienced my cooking as I don’t feel inspired in a shitchen, so he’s stepped up and cooks 90% of what we eat (thank you Lee). With a slow cooker, electric camping hob, steamer and air fryer we get by with a good enough diet but naturally we’ve fallen into making the same things for ease because we know we can. For the next four(ish) months that we don’t have a kitchen I will find a way to make different meals, we’re in the heart of slow cooker season and instagram is a library of air fryer recipes, it should be easy! I’ll endeavour to share what we try on my stories, and if you have any go-to’s I’d love to swap Renovation Recipes.
I will say yes to opportunities.
I implied at the start of this blog that in the past I’ve see-sawed between prioritising the project and accepting it will take longer in favour of living life, with the latter being my preferred approach. This is a little easier with Alpine as firstly we are in a beautiful part of the world and living an active life with breath-taking views is free, but secondly this is our forever home and there wasn’t the expectation to get to ‘finished’ quickly. I’ve written a specific blog about how we’ve approached a long game project differently but with regards to a resolution, I will say yes more often in 2024. My work filled so much of 2023, this year there will be more space for adventure, we’ve booked two short breaks to explore Copenhagen and Seville. I recognise how lucky we are to be able to do that, but it is at the expense of our home, however this is a decision to invest in our quality time together. There will always be another month, another months pay towards home goals, but taking time for other interests, and each other, is what keeps you, you.
I will rest without guilt.
To follow on from devoting time to other pursuits, this will include more rest. In 2022 I read 45 books, in 2023, the year of great growth for my work and demands of our project, I read 22. Reading is my escape and one of the only hobbies where my brain doesn’t drift to creative thinking, put a good book in my hands and I will sit for hours, lost in the literature. Friends with children talk of guilt for resting, whilst I don’t have little people who need my attention I do have lots of interests; yoga, walking for two hours a day, blogging, writing newsletters, developing my membership, client work, building a course, learning new skills, journaling and creative writing, mindful colouring (love it), playing games and of course reading. All of which need time, but I typically prioritise the renovation over my interests and rest. So as we begin 2024 I am setting another reading challenge of 45 books, I’ll drop my recommendations on my Instagram stories and if you want to join me over on Goodreads I’d love to see your reading journey.
I’m beginning a gentle January writing this blog in my local coffee shop, where the community book club I’m part of meets, feeling incredibly grateful for the free or low cost experiences right outside our door. There’s no doubt that our renovation is at times close to suffocating, the frustration of trying to find things, the lack of personality (aka treasured vases and cushions) and the absence of an easy routine all contribute to feelings of less. However there is more to come, and with these resolutions the journey will be more fulfilling. Wishing you the happiest renovation year, or if you’re not renovating and you’re reading because you’re an absolute hero, sending you great courage for your goals of 2024.
Other blogs you may find helpful:
Managing Renovation Stress and Overwhelm
What I do When I’m Fed up Of Renovating
Planner shown in images is my go to for EVERYTHING, Ring Binder with Daily Planner Insert from Inspired Stories