Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

DIY

Casual Friday: What we're doing on our new house before moving in, fav sunnies under $25, the playroom, backyard inspo and more!

April 9, 2021

See all the playroom sources here. 

Chris and I are flying to Raleigh as you read this (well, if you're reading this on Friday morning-afternoon)! We close on our new house in May and we are meeting with a contractor to go over just a couple of projects we'd like to have done before moving in at the end of June. It's the first time we're going to see our new house with the eyes of "this is our house!" so we're so excited to see it again. We made the decision to put an offer in on it after seeing it twice over two trips but also after seeing several other houses after it. And for some reason--it's the ONLY house I didn't take video in. Needless to say, I'm ready to go back and see it and snap some photos and video and take it all in and make some plans!

So what are we tackling before we move in?? The floors! It's definitely one of those things that's easiest to do without living there, so we'll be refinishing the main floor and extending wood floors throughout the rest of the house. (Still deciding on whether or not I should do carpet like this (source)

or wood floors in the play room--psst the next playroom is much larger! I'm so excited for the girls and we're all excited for a ping pong table.) We don't forsee us doing any major structural changes to the house, but we will be adding a wall--I'll explain after we close-- and we'll have our contractor do that before the floors as well. And that's it. Everything else we'll tackle ourselves after we move in, over time.

We can't wait to share photos and plans and everything as soon as we close! Is it May yet?!

Other fun things this week!

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Yes to plaid floors and it will look just as great as it did when Dina Holland Interiors sourced it for the fun kids bedroom on a cape!

  2. Love the playroom inspiration photo, but the designer of that room should be credited (Dina Holland Interiors).

  3. I think you should look at Luxury Vinyl Tile for your playroom. Easier to clean than carpet, cheaper, and you can get one to match your wood floors. Add indoor/outdoor area rug and you are all set for little (and big) messes.

  4. That gray plaid carpet is fantastic! It calls to mind the girls' office in your current house: modern classic schoolhouse, maybe?! And is Polly the cutest ever? I think so.

  5. So exciting you get to see the house again! Major yes to the carpet in the playroom! I have the exact same one as my stair runner and I love the pattern so much. It always makes me happy I took the plunge on something a little bold.

  6. Have a safe trip to Raleigh! You will get to experience spring in the south with all the pine pollen. When I relocated here, I had no idea what it was. I hope you enjoy your time here. The weather has been beautiful. And I am so excited to see your new home and how you will make it your own.

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

A mood board with cowboy-inspired moody fashion picks and equestrian-themed home decor
Fashion

Canadian Cowboy: Not Your Average Western Look

I loved seeing fresh takes on Western wear. It goes to show there's room for fashion in every aesthetic. Recently I saw this funny interview with Brett Goldstein of Ted Lasso fame. He said he recently went to Texas for the first time (he's English if you're unaware), put on a cowboy hat and immediately […]
5 cutting boards in a grid on a marble countertop with various fruits, herbs and vegetables
Product Tests

My Tell-All Review of Composite Cutting Boards

This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own. Nothing matches a beautiful wooden cutting board (our Boos board lives on my counter—it's a piece of art and sturdy as an ox). The drawback with wooden cutting boards is they can't be cleaned in the dishwasher. For anyone cutting meat, seafood, or anything […]
Decor

The Final Reveal: Greta's Bedroom Transformation

Greta is turning 15 in just a few days, and it feels like the perfect time for the reveal of her teen room makeover! Shop Greta's Room When we moved into this house, we replaced the floors and painted her room, but didn't really do much other than that. She’s growing up, and she wanted […]
Two seared filet mignon steaks on a serving plate with crispy sage on top
Chris Cooks

How to Perfectly Cook a Steak in Any Kitchen

The best way to make a steak is indoors. That's not a concession! It's done in all of the best steakhouses. They don't tend to use a grill, even though that is where most of us start when it comes to cooking a steak. This time of year? I'd rather be indoors than freezing outside, […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2025 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES