This is one of my favorite days of the year: sharing my design and renovation plans on the horizon! Designing spaces is what gives me the most life, and I’ve got some big ideas on my plate. But! We also like to have a few smaller projects to balance it out. Last year we completed quite a few major projects. The living room became the moody, modern, traditional space of my dreams, the dining room got the ceiling it always deserved, the primary bathroom did a 180-degree turn into a serene retreat, and our primary closets maximized storage (and style). Whew. We don’t want to live through as much disruption this time around, which is partially why I’m approaching the design process differently—especially for project No. 2 on the list!
In order of priority, here are the home projects we want to take on in 2026!
1. Updates to the Girls’ Jack & Jill Bathroom
Now that our primary bathroom is finished, Polly & Faye are more eager than ever to have a shared bathroom space of their own that feels just as special. Their “Jack & Jill” bathroom had a bit of an update a few years ago, but it’s still a bit of a “black hole”—it’s tight, dark, and the layout is so cramped that the natural light is completely blocked by a door. It’s a very tight footprint, but I know it can be better.
We’re currently working on floor plans to maximize every inch, which likely means taking out a shallow built-in closet to gain some much-needed breathing room. I’m dreaming of a 60″ built-in tub with a single glass pane to let the window light finally flood the room. For the finishes, I’m leaning toward a trough sink with double mirrors and a soft, botanical color scheme. Since Faye’s room is blue and Polly’s room is green, I want to blend those worlds with diamonds, stripes, and a fun, patterned tile floor that brings it all together.
2. Designing the Lake House Renovation
This is the biggest “mental” project of the year—designing the lake house. We have to have the layout submitted by May and the full design finished by August to hit our November renovation start date. Honestly, designing a whole house at once is a little overwhelming! (If you’re catching up on our plans, I answered burning questions in this post!)
I’m aiming for a vibe that is moody, traditional, and quirky-charming—something a bit less modern than our main house. I want to make “quirky” decisions that prevent the home from feeling time-stamped to 2026. If we can invest the time into the layout and finishes now, we’ll be ready to enjoy it by next summer. Chris and I want to maximize the time we have as a family in the house during the best outdoor months, so we don’t miss much!
3. The Storage Room
This one was on our list last year (just didn’t make the final cut!). Tucked away behind the laundry room in the blue bonus room is a space we call the “blue storage room,” and it’s currently the only untouched room in the house—original carpet, original drywall, and all. It’s a catch-all for pillows, gifts, and clutter, and since it has no electricity, it’s basically useless once the sun goes down.
I want to turn this into a dream wrapping and craft station. We’re going to add lights, electricity, and custom cabinetry for all my ribbons and tissue paper. I’m even hoping for a small island to wrap gifts on! This room will stay hidden behind a push-in door, making it my new favorite secret escape in the house.
4. The Garage Refresh
The garage is where Chris and I differ a bit on priorities, but we both agree it’s time for an overhaul. It’s currently painted lavender from the original owners (you can’t tell above, but I assure you—it is) and just a bit less optimized space-wise than it could be. It’s technically a 3-car garage, but we don’t keep a car in there most of the time—and I want to change that!
So, we need to be honest about our storage. I want a dedicated spot for breaking down boxes and a clean, organized zone for a fridge that holds Cricket’s food so it’s not in our kitchen fridge. One thing I’m tempted to try is a tiled look on the floor using our peel-and-stick CLJ x FloorPops to make it feel like an actual extension of the home rather than a generic garage. It’s about making this room functional—and feel like it matches the rest of our house.
5. The Entryway
While the playroom and guest house are in need of some TLC, I think the entry is going to jump the line. It’s very, very white right now, and it’s the first thing people see when they walk in. We’re ready to add some soul to this space with wallpaper, architectural trim, and a beautiful stair runner (inspired by the one the installed in the back staircase). It’s time this house had a proper introduction space that matched the rest of the aesthetic!
We’ll see if we get to everything…the biggest project is Merrimore, so anything after that would be icing on the cake!
I’m a bit surprised the playroom is not higher on the list of priorities. Wouldn’t you want to renovate it while the kids are still young?
I was wondering if you will be using AI for design and Interiors for any of these projects? And if so, can you show so we can learn along with you on how to use AI for our home projects?
I haven’t used any AI for projects, but if I do, I’ll for sure bring you along.
Sounds like a great plan for your upcoming projects. Looking forward to the end results that will be gorgeous.
I watch all your remodels, updates on your home and everything about the lake house. You two really amaze and motivate me now that I am retired and living on a budget!❣️
I can’t want to follow along, especially with the girls’ bathroom and the garage! I’ve been doing research and can’t figure out the answer to a question I’ve had for ~1 year about your FloorPops. Would they work on a bathroom with a heated floor, that rarely gets used (guest bath)?