Crown moulding always looks nice.

We will be tearing out the carpet and replacing with hardwood and tile. The hideous white appliances will be replaced with stainless steel and putting in granite counter tops in kitchen and baths. We are unsure about the landscaping as we want to wait and see what it looks like in a few years. We have no houses behind us so we will put a palm tree in the backyard. The epoxy garage floor, attic stairs and floor in attic are being done Monday.

All lighting fixtures will be changed, and were adding ceiling fans in every room. We also want to have skylights in the kitchen and master bath.

We are not bringing furniture other than one bedroom set so we can really make the house our own style, which is modern. The stuff we have now has been well used and were sick of it. I am so excited to spend up a bunch of money on furniture. A new house justifies new furniture!

The only furniture we are bringing is the dining room and kitchen, everything else is new, with a custom office in the third bedroom.

Nicely said and great words to live by. Thanks for an important post to remember, Gracie.

Plantation shutters

I kept a couple 5x7 pieces of the carpet and had them bound for area rugs

Wow, you have done many already. We would recommend gutters around the house and a slide away screen door on the front door. Best wishes.

Hello alanmcdonald,

We are coming up on our 1 year as full-time residents in TV. For various reasons we waited until the the past month or so to begin to make our house our home.

We choose to spend most of our first year making friends, getting involved in both familiar and new activities and "working on" our new and exciting lifestyle.

Much of what we origanilly thought we wanted to do to our home, both inside and out changed as we settled into our new lifestyle.

Waiting for at least a few months, (especially outside landscaping) helped us determine what we really felt comfortable with.

Our home could be what we want anywhere, but the lifestyle we want can only be here in TV.

Regards,
Don

Several more things:
1. I would do the things you are certain, you know what you want.
2. I would take my time to ponder some of the changes, as you might change your mind, if you jump into something. For instance, I had high definition laminate installed, instead of granite, (cost is 2K, vs 10K). I have heard of people who have done this sort of thing, and then decided they wanted something different.
3. Ask TOTV for contractor recommendations, as we know who does a great job that will be reasonably priced.

I found it to be so much better pacing oneself, than feeling, "I have to get this done, in a big hurry". You will get too tired, and not enjoy yourself as much as you should. Some things don't have to done immediately. It's like eating an elephant but "one bite, at a time".

I have been here for eight moinths, and still have projects, that need to get done. I'll admit, the list is getting smaller but things, do pop up, along the way.

Having fun!!! Isn't that the reason, you moved here!!!

Enjoy the process, you'll get there, and have some fun along the way. :smiley:

Yeah...they are something new for us. Always had different mulch's in SW Fl, or pine needles once even. Not sure I even like the slate/rock, but my husband wanted it. Its supposed to keep the bug (read: palmetto) population down, but I really haven't seen any since I moved here. And it sure does limit your options for change. OK...that was a bad suggestion... :(

I recommend a whole house surge suppressor as the very first thing you add to your home. After that, window treatments, then whatever options from the previous posts that you like.

Don.

You might look to see if you need additional gutters and downspouts.
:)

Oooops, this WAS mentioned earlier. My mistake.

I have a solar tube in my kitchen and in my guest bath. One of the best things I did !!
Sliding screen doors for the garage.

Where do you get rugs bound? Where is a good place for carpet..that you can get bound and delivered?

Solar shades on the lanai