It’s wild to think we’ve already spent four years in this house. In some ways, it feels like we only just moved in, still stumbling over unpacked boxes and scribbling endless renovation to-do lists. Yet when I look around today, it’s almost impossible to imagine the house as it once was. The transformation has been so thorough, so layered with care and effort, that this space feels like a completely different place from the one we first walked into.
Over these years, we’ve poured ourselves into nearly every corner of this home. From big-ticket projects like gutting the kitchen and bathrooms to ambitious conversions of the deck and garage, our ranch has slowly but surely grown into something that feels uniquely ours.
A House in Motion
When I think back on the sheer number of projects, it almost makes my head spin. We’ve:
- Renovated the kitchen into a space where we actually want to cook.
- Turned our deck into a cozy living/dining room.
- Remodeled bathrooms to make them brighter, more functional, and more inviting.
- Converted the garage into a bedroom and bathroom, giving us more livable space.
- Installed a hot tub (a dream come true during Vermont winters).
- Replaced every window, updated the roof, and added solar panels for efficiency.
- Built a sprawling backyard garden with raised beds, along with a perennial garden out front.
Each project seemed daunting at the start, but together they’ve reshaped the house into something that finally reflects how we live and what we value.
The DIY Mudroom Project
One of the most recent (and surprisingly rewarding) undertakings was creating a mudroom. The original entryway was more of a covered porch—practical enough in theory, but anyone who lives in Vermont knows that a true enclosed mudroom is practically a necessity. Between muddy boots, snowy jackets, and soggy dog leashes, an outdoor vestibule just wasn’t cutting it.
So, we got to work.
The project stretched out in phases, mostly because of timing and logistics. We broke ground in the fall, eager to enclose the space before winter set in. Once the basics were in place, we hit pause to wait for some electrical work. Only after the snow melted did we finally finish the detail work and bring the vision together.
The result? A compact but mighty mudroom that makes daily life so much easier.
Function Meets Comfort
This new entryway isn’t huge, but it doesn’t need to be. What it lacks in square footage, it makes up for in practicality. Now, instead of tripping over muddy shoes in the kitchen or leaving wet coats draped over chairs, everything has a designated spot.
Leashes, hats, and bags each have their place. Dirty boots can stay by the door where they belong. Best of all, the mudroom opens into a larger space we outfitted with built-in storage, thanks to some clever reworking of IKEA cabinets (I’ll share that space soon!).
Adding the extra set of doors also did wonders for the home’s energy efficiency. With the mudroom acting as a buffer, the house stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter—a small change that’s had a big impact on both comfort and utility bills.
Before and After
Looking back at photos from when we started, I’m struck by how small changes can make the biggest difference. That once-open entryway never really served its purpose. Now, it feels intentional—an organized, welcoming transition into the house rather than just a pass-through.
It’s not glamorous like a new kitchen or as show-stopping as solar panels, but the mudroom embodies what home projects are all about: solving problems, creating comfort, and shaping spaces that work for everyday life.
What’s Next
Even after four years of renovations, the list isn’t finished (and I’m not sure it ever will be). That’s part of the fun. Home evolves with us—it grows, changes, and adapts. Each season seems to bring new ideas, new challenges, and new dreams for how this house can serve us better.
For now, though, I’m savoring the little things. Coming home and kicking off boots in a tidy mudroom. Cooking dinner in a kitchen that feels like the heart of the house. Watching the garden grow in the backyard we built with our own hands.
This Vermont house started as just another project, but four years in, it’s become something far richer: a reflection of who we are and how we want to live.
