Transformation of the Tempe Condo

So these pictures are a long time in coming, I know, I know. But at least they made their way onto the blog. Later is better than never right??? :)

This kind of chronicles the last semester and the work-in-progress that is the Griswold/Porter condo. The first picture starts at the beginning, October of 2008, Dan buys condo. Moves in.

December of 2008 starts the next chapter, Val moves in.

March 2009, updating begins. We take trip after trip to Lowe's, write out plans, budgets, etc. We decide to do everything in pieces. Family room, dining room, kitchen, then bedroom. Before Portland all we have time to accomplish is family room and part of dining room.

Val starts project on spring break by priming & painting all the doors, trim, doorways, etc.

At the end of spring break, Yurea comes to paint family room. He is a Croatian contact of Dan's friend Sinead at work. He does an EXCELLENT job!

Things are looking good! This is pre-blinds.

We pick out wooden blinds for the window in this room, as well as the two entryway windows in the foyer. We choose vertical screens for the sliding glass door.

Take note of Dan's ceramic frogs at the end of the stairs. He loves them so much ;)

We really love the vertical panels because we can see the green from the trees outside. The light is just filtered so it doesn't shine directly on us, but still provides a good, balanced light for the room.

After painting we start updating the hardwares and light fixtures. We replace both outdoor light fixtures, which had pretty much ceased to exist, the hallway sconce, and the big hanging light you see in a few of the pictures. (Which used to be a long, hanging HUGE grey disco light ball, which Dan has decided to keep in the bedroom for when it "comes to him" about what this ball's purpose should be. I am actively plotting every minute of my life to destroy said ball)

New doorknobs, no more gold fixtures!!!!

And there you have it! Next item on the list is painting the dining room a deep red, and finishing the tan color into the kitchen. Also next on the list is getting another couch! We survived the first 6 months of living together with one couch, and I must say it was quite the feat. I feel pretty proud of us. There's nothin' like "together time" all the time ;)  So we are rewarding our efforts with a matching love seat from the set. Also we didn't get around to putting our pictures back up, so that is on the list as well. We are looking forward to purchasing some art while we're up here in Portland to bring back to the newly painted walls.

We have enjoyed improving our living space, and our life together along with that. Like everything, it's a work in progress! This project taught us a lot about working together. Looking forward to many more improvements...