I knew this would happen—everything decided to start at once. After what felt like endless waiting, the home projects we planned are finally in motion. It’s equal parts chaotic and exhilarating.
Technically, the stair runner began last week and is still in progress, so one thing I wrestled with for months is almost finished. Meanwhile, other projects that have been on our list for a long time are finally underway.
The Exterior Paint Job
Right now the trim, shutters, and doors on the exterior are being painted. This is the project I’ve wanted to tackle since we moved in. I laid out these plans in my “Home Goals, Part 1” post earlier, and after saving up and finding painters, we finally got on the calendar. Scheduling around the weather and the painters’ availability stretched the timeline to roughly fifteen months from idea to execution.
They started yesterday, and I snapped a few photos to show the contrast between the old yellow trim and the new Simple White. At first I worried the white would look too stark from the street, but it softens the overall look and feels much more like us. It finally ties the exterior to the interior palette, giving the whole home a cohesive look.
For the front door and shutters I tested a few dark shades. Graphite was one option, but the sample felt lighter than I expected. Ultimately we settled on Onyx by Benjamin Moore for a deeper, richer contrast that complements the Simple White trim. I can’t wait to share the full reveal when the painters finish and I can photograph the final results.
Seeing this transformation already has me excited for the rest of the updates—trim, shutters, door hardware, and finishing touches will pull everything together.
The Grass Project
The yard has been a frustrating saga. Last summer a lawn care service we hired damaged the grass in our front yard, turning what was once lush and green into patchy, dead turf. It took time to realize they wouldn’t correct the problem, and by the time we accepted that, it was too late to repair naturally that season.
We decided sod was the realistic path forward. Because our yard is steep (water runs off quickly) and gets direct sun most of the day, choosing the right grass variety was important. Several neighbors had success with Zoysia, which establishes well in sunny, sloped yards, so we got on the waitlist and prepared for installation.
To prepare, my husband has spent days scalping and removing dead grass so the new sod will take hold. It’s been a lot of muscle work, but once the Zoysia arrives and is laid out this weekend, the front yard will get a fresh start. I’m already imagining the curb appeal improvement once the paint and sod are finished.
Until now it felt odd to focus on flower beds and landscaping when the house exterior didn’t look the way we wanted. With the larger projects moving forward, I’m excited to shift attention to shrubs, plantings, and small landscape details that will make the yard feel complete.
Our Favorite Pressure Washer
A lot of prep work went into these updates—cleaning, scraping, and pressure washing surfaces before painting. One tool that made a big difference was our inexpensive pressure washer. It’s been indispensable for removing years of built-up dirt on siding, steps, and the patio.
I wanted to clean as much of the exterior as possible before the painters arrived because the house hadn’t been thoroughly cleaned in a long time. The pressure washer cut through grime and mildew quickly, and I plan to use it on outdoor furniture and rugs once painting is complete.
The difference on the front steps was dramatic—what looked dark and dingy is now clean and fresh. I’ve also pressure washed the back patio and sidewalk; the amount of caked-on dirt was surprising. It feels satisfying to see these surfaces return to life.
With the painting underway and sod arriving soon, the exterior of the house is turning into the refreshed space we’ve imagined. I can’t wait to photograph the finished home and yard for the full reveal.
What are you working on for your home’s exterior this spring? Share your projects and ideas in the comments—I’d love to be inspired by your updates.