Number One thing we love: all the little things that the reno has improved in our lives. We still have a small house in comparison to what you see on HGTV. No man cave, no walk-in, no ensuite, no granite (okay, a little - we decided for a little bling).
So the little things:
We can exit from our kitchen right into our back yard. I don't have to slog across soggy grass (we do live on the coast, so there is a lot of sog) to get my herbs in the winter. Yes, I live in Canada, no we don't get snow, but lordy, do we get rain.
So a patio was a nice add-on to the reno. It was really well done too. Cost a bundle, but included new drainage, new lawn, the stupid "privacy barrier" (still mad at myself for that slip-up), the gardens and the patio.
We can exit from our laundry room now! Look at those stairs! Plus, that's a hot and cold faucet. For washing Max! No more bathtub for the poor pup.
We can barbecue all year. 'Nuf said.
I have wall space to put photos up. I have a whole wall of old family photos. I never had that before. I LOVE it.
We turned our furnace room into a sound-proofed rock-out room, complete with second tv and moved the gaming system in there. It's the neighbourhood teen hangout. eek! Now we have a TV room AND a music room. Aren't we snooty?
Evan got his own room!
We switched to a gas fireplace (we had to - too close to the kitchen, potential for CO2 poisoning, etc.) No more slogging outside for wood. No hissing raccoons, rats and giant spiders. Just soggy soccer gear. Hooray!
We got a bigger bedroom at the back of the house, with a nice view of the trees or night sky, and a comfy couch ('cause we accidentally walled it into the room). I LOVE it.
And finally...
Our beautiful kitchen! That's a combo of granite, granite tile and laminate, all in the same colours.
Bonus? When you move the table beside the mystery box (which became extra counter space), we have a rockin' dance floor.
And that is worth celebrating!