Inside Houzz
Using Houzz: Create a Home To-Do List
See how to use an ideabook to keep track of your home projects this year
I'm always reading these helpful little articles about how to get organized. They always tell me I should create a home binder, organized with subject dividers and plastic sleeves for contractor's cards and receipts, inspirational pictures, pages ripped from catalogs and a pretty picture of my house on the cover.
Never in my life have I been organized enough to get this kind of thing together, but I have written about 1000 ideabooks, so I thought, "Why can't I use Houzz to help me keep my own house on track?" Here's how I've turned my insomnia-inspired home Wish/To-Do list into something I can stay on top of:
Collect photos and notes. As I collect inspiration photos and research each task, I can easily add notes that include what I need to research, what I need to buy, resources and their phone numbers, how long the project will take, how much it will cost, and more.
Updates and reorder the list. With a click of the "Edit Ideabook" button, I can add information, change the order of my projects and check off things as I accomplish them. I may even add a few things I've done already, because I always do that on To-Do lists.
Here's my current project workbook:
Never in my life have I been organized enough to get this kind of thing together, but I have written about 1000 ideabooks, so I thought, "Why can't I use Houzz to help me keep my own house on track?" Here's how I've turned my insomnia-inspired home Wish/To-Do list into something I can stay on top of:
Collect photos and notes. As I collect inspiration photos and research each task, I can easily add notes that include what I need to research, what I need to buy, resources and their phone numbers, how long the project will take, how much it will cost, and more.
Updates and reorder the list. With a click of the "Edit Ideabook" button, I can add information, change the order of my projects and check off things as I accomplish them. I may even add a few things I've done already, because I always do that on To-Do lists.
Here's my current project workbook:
Coop Wallpaper by Peter Fasano
PROJECT: Fix up that sad, sad laundry room, cont'd.
Peter Fasano's Coop could be the perfect wallpaper choice. I've been wanting to use this ever since I saw Steele Marcoux use it in her bathroom.
In the future, I can add images of washing machines and paint colors I like for this room here as well.
Peter Fasano's Coop could be the perfect wallpaper choice. I've been wanting to use this ever since I saw Steele Marcoux use it in her bathroom.
In the future, I can add images of washing machines and paint colors I like for this room here as well.
PROJECT: Replace ugly and stained tile on top of kitchen island with thick slab of honed marble or Caesarstone. I want it to look like this, but be about twice as thick.
• Measure — DONE: 56"x26"
• Call Clark to find out the name of the remnant place in Decatur
• Hit the stone remnant place in Decatur
• Choose slab, schedule appointment.
• Measure — DONE: 56"x26"
• Call Clark to find out the name of the remnant place in Decatur
• Hit the stone remnant place in Decatur
• Choose slab, schedule appointment.
WANT: This kind of hidden garbage thing in the kitchen for trash and recycling
• Call Clark and get good cabinetmaker's name
• Clean out an undercabinet and drawer to make space.
• ASK: Is there any way to put a lid on the stinky kitchen trash? Having it open is kind of gross to me.
• Call Clark and get good cabinetmaker's name
• Clean out an undercabinet and drawer to make space.
• ASK: Is there any way to put a lid on the stinky kitchen trash? Having it open is kind of gross to me.
WANT: New pendants in the kitchen
• Win lottery. The ones I tend to like are pricey. However, I may be able to sell my existing Arts and Crafts pendants.
• Research if I can sell existing pendants and how much someone will pay.
• Ask Rebekah Zaveloff what she thinks next time we have a chat.
• Choose favorites (Hicks Pendant, Schoolhouse Electric) and figure out which sizes will work by mocking them up with cardboard.
• Make notes here on how long chains should be, dimensions that will work, etc.
• Win lottery. The ones I tend to like are pricey. However, I may be able to sell my existing Arts and Crafts pendants.
• Research if I can sell existing pendants and how much someone will pay.
• Ask Rebekah Zaveloff what she thinks next time we have a chat.
• Choose favorites (Hicks Pendant, Schoolhouse Electric) and figure out which sizes will work by mocking them up with cardboard.
• Make notes here on how long chains should be, dimensions that will work, etc.
WANT: New kitchen hardware
Depending on new pendants, switch out kitchen hardware. I would love something darker like this, with the bin pulls and latches.
Need: 4 sets of latches, 20 bin pulls
Depending on new pendants, switch out kitchen hardware. I would love something darker like this, with the bin pulls and latches.
Need: 4 sets of latches, 20 bin pulls
PROJECT: Install black toilet seat
• Check out the seats on the market
• Measure existing seat and make sure one will fit
• Buy it
• Check out the seats on the market
• Measure existing seat and make sure one will fit
• Buy it
MAINTENANCE: Have the gutters cleaned
• Call John the Lawn Guy – 678.555.5555
• Cost: $50
• Call John the Lawn Guy – 678.555.5555
• Cost: $50
GeoSpring Water Heater
MAINTENANCE: Have heating system inspected
• Call Assured Heating and Comfort to Schedule an appointment: 770.555.5555 — DONE: Jan. 13 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Already paid for due to contract
• Call Assured Heating and Comfort to Schedule an appointment: 770.555.5555 — DONE: Jan. 13 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Already paid for due to contract
WANT/SOON TO BE NECESSITY: New Dishwasher
• Find out what Wicki has — DONE: Fisher Paykel Double Drawer
• Research energy-efficient models – do they dry well?
• Are there any green rebate kind of things available (Call Pat about the city one he was talking about at dinner)
• Check in on the scratch and dent joint
• Find out when big sales are
• Find out what Wicki has — DONE: Fisher Paykel Double Drawer
• Research energy-efficient models – do they dry well?
• Are there any green rebate kind of things available (Call Pat about the city one he was talking about at dinner)
• Check in on the scratch and dent joint
• Find out when big sales are
Home Decor Fabric-Annie Selke Links Chocolate
PROJECT: Finally get that chair reupholstered (this has been on my to-do list for 10 years)
• Browse Houzz for fabrics I like
• Hit Forsythe Fabrics Design Center to find out how much I need to order and cost
• Borrow truck and bring it over there
• Browse Houzz for fabrics I like
• Hit Forsythe Fabrics Design Center to find out how much I need to order and cost
• Borrow truck and bring it over there
Thor Pendant Lamp by Thomas Paul
WANT: This cool light fixture for my bedroom
• Mock up measurements to check on the scale
• See if I can get a discount at DP
• Get name of electrician from Clark
• Mock up measurements to check on the scale
• See if I can get a discount at DP
• Get name of electrician from Clark
PROJECT: Give old pine dresser a makeover
• Go to Ace and ask about paint/sanding/priming/etc. (my neighborhood Ace totally IS the place) — DONE
• Buy dropcloth and new brushes — DONE
• See if hardware (very similar to this hardware) can be freshened up or if I should buy something else fun at Anthropologie — DONE
• Go to Ace and ask about paint/sanding/priming/etc. (my neighborhood Ace totally IS the place) — DONE
• Buy dropcloth and new brushes — DONE
• See if hardware (very similar to this hardware) can be freshened up or if I should buy something else fun at Anthropologie — DONE
ACCOMPLISHED: O.K. So here is where I could add a picture of my finished task, to get that feeling of accomplishment.
This is the poor girl's version of the dresser seen above, which ate up my entire weekend. It's been a DIY disaster, but it's almost done. I am getting very close to being able to take my unmentionables out of the bags and put them back in the drawers. I'm just trying to make a decision on handles.
A Reluctant DIYer's Diary of a Dresser Makeover
This is the poor girl's version of the dresser seen above, which ate up my entire weekend. It's been a DIY disaster, but it's almost done. I am getting very close to being able to take my unmentionables out of the bags and put them back in the drawers. I'm just trying to make a decision on handles.
A Reluctant DIYer's Diary of a Dresser Makeover
TrueModern™ - Luna Sofa
PROJECT: Find a new sofa.
• Search Products section and make an ideabook on Houzz — DONE
• Research further; most vendors don't include the all-important seat height — DONE
• Hit stores that carry the sofas to see them and pick fabrics in person — DONE
• Order online or in person — DONE
• Search Products section and make an ideabook on Houzz — DONE
• Research further; most vendors don't include the all-important seat height — DONE
• Hit stores that carry the sofas to see them and pick fabrics in person — DONE
• Order online or in person — DONE
Petrie Sofa
ACCOMPLISHED: Finding a new sofa. The winner is the Petrie Sofa from Crate and Barrel (click title above for details). Here's how I went about making this investment:
Before purchasing, I used Houzz in another way. I created a list of sofas that I liked by perusing the Products section of Houzz, narrowing it down by searching under Modern and Sofas. As I browsed, I created an ideabook called I Need a New Sofa That's Not Too Low (my ottomans are 17" high, so I need my sofa to be at least that high, or else my feet fall asleep).
From there I researched my picks by seeing them in person when I could (shout out to the Crate and Barrel in Hingham, MA, where I ordered it) and emailed companies for further information (shout out to Edgar Blazona of TrueModern for letting me know the seat height on the Luna Sofa was 18.5").
Before purchasing, I used Houzz in another way. I created a list of sofas that I liked by perusing the Products section of Houzz, narrowing it down by searching under Modern and Sofas. As I browsed, I created an ideabook called I Need a New Sofa That's Not Too Low (my ottomans are 17" high, so I need my sofa to be at least that high, or else my feet fall asleep).
From there I researched my picks by seeing them in person when I could (shout out to the Crate and Barrel in Hingham, MA, where I ordered it) and emailed companies for further information (shout out to Edgar Blazona of TrueModern for letting me know the seat height on the Luna Sofa was 18.5").
Here is part of the crazy House Wish List I wrote during a bout of insomnia. After writing it, I realized I was never going to buy that binder and that doing things digitally is so much neater and more efficient.
I'm still figuring out how exactly my new ideabook system will work for me. By room? By what I hope to accomplish by month? Separate ideabooks for Maintenance, Projects and Wants? I like the idea of a big list for the whole year.
So far this is an experiment; I'd love to hear your suggestions and know if you use ideabooks for this kind of thing. If you do, please include a link to your wish list in the Comments section so that we can all check it out!
More:
Book Tour: The Happy Home Project
Using Boxes to Clean Up Clutter and Inspire Creativity
Show Us Your Garage!
16 Crafty Ways WIth Creative Spaces
I'm still figuring out how exactly my new ideabook system will work for me. By room? By what I hope to accomplish by month? Separate ideabooks for Maintenance, Projects and Wants? I like the idea of a big list for the whole year.
So far this is an experiment; I'd love to hear your suggestions and know if you use ideabooks for this kind of thing. If you do, please include a link to your wish list in the Comments section so that we can all check it out!
More:
Book Tour: The Happy Home Project
Using Boxes to Clean Up Clutter and Inspire Creativity
Show Us Your Garage!
16 Crafty Ways WIth Creative Spaces
• Clean it — DONE
• Get dryer vent cleaned — DONE
• Figure out if there is a better place to store extra linens
• Figure out if I can fit stackables someday or if the ceiling is too low
• Figure out paint or wallpaper; make sure it goes with awesome "Bounce Girl, Bounce!" painting that's already in there.