The Manor
HOME AND GARDEN · THE MANOR

Home and Garden

Build guides, kickoffs, and briefs, plus everything still queued

FRONT YARD
DIY Brief Developed Front Path V-approach in natural stone, laid over three weekends.
DIY Queued French Drain Assess the drainage pattern and scope with Building Planner.
DIY In Progress House Garden Bed First plantings in; document inventory and plan follow-ons.
DIY Queued Mailbox Define style and post material; check town regulations.
BACK YARD
DIY Completed U-Bed Build Cedar U-shaped raised bed, built and installed. DIY In Progress U-Bed Planting and Care Companion guide: inventory, spacing, season calendar, weekly care. Reference Reference U-Bed Liner Section Wall cross-section of the HDPE liner stack-up. Reference Reference U-Bed Liner Diagrams Three views of the HDPE liner installation.
DIY In Progress 10x12 Shed Close-out: interior storage, motion lighting, branch trim.
DIY Brief Developed Firewood Storage Black locust open log store, two face cords on a gravel pad. DIY Brief Developed Invasive Removal Cut-and-treat protocol for bittersweet and poison ivy. DIY In Progress Reseed Grass Lawn restoration: seed, water, then reseed bald spots.
DIY Queued French Drain, Gate & Driveway Assess drainage at the gate and driveway run.
BACK PATIO
Pro Contractors Identified Run Electric to Back Yard Licensed E-1 run to the back yard; three quotes.
DIY Queued Stone Patio Foundation for the fire pit, hot tub, and sauna.
Pro Queued Run Water to Back Yard Resolve heated vs seasonal line before hiring a plumber.
Pro Brief Developed Sauna Pre-contractor research: EWC vs WRC and the patio dependency.
DIY Queued Outdoor Shower Scope shed demolition and drain routing.
Pro Queued Hot Tub Blocked by the stone patio and back-yard electrical.
DIY Brief Developed Adirondack Chairs Pine prototype then a set of chairs; miter-saw build.
DIY Queued Fire Pit Blocked by the stone patio; scope with Building Planner.
STUDIO
DIY Brief Developed Build Wall Mounted Pen Holder Wall-mounted tiered pen holder in Baltic birch and basswood. Reference Reference Pen Organizer Concept The concept: a stepped carcass with 16 removable trays. Brief Brief Mudroom Scope Brief Scope brief for a studio mudroom built-in.
DIY Brief Developed Shoe Rack Mudroom shoe rack; LED wiring decision pending.
DIY Queued Fix Vent Wall Assess damage scope before planning the repair.
DIY Queued Replace & Rebuild Window Wall Scope alongside the vent wall.
DIY Queued Fix Single Door Frame Assess fit and condition before ordering materials.
DIY Queued Home Gym Define the equipment list and floor plan.
DIY Queued Home Office / Gaming Room Define layout and cable management.
OLD HOUSE
Pro Contractors Identified Exterior Paint, North Wall Historic exterior repaint, north wall, lead-safe prep. Pro Contractors Identified Exterior Paint, Front Wall Front elevation repaint, the most complex wall. Pro Queued Exterior Paint, Side & Patio Wall Side and patio walls; bundle all three into one contract.
Pro Contractors Identified Fix Siding & Kitchen Sink Window Siding repair and kitchen sink window; Pinnacle quoted $2,500.
DIY Queued Fix or Replace Front Door Assess fit, condition, and Manor/Cottage aesthetic.
DIY Queued Fix & Replace Dining Room Door Assess alongside the front door.
Pro Contractors Identified Basement Door Bilco bulkhead door on the fieldstone foundation.
Pro Queued Renovate Master Bath Major renovation; run Project Kickoff first.
Pro Queued Open Dining Room Wall Structural assessment required before any work.
Pro Queued Replace Sunroom Floor & Winterize Floor material and insulation to make it four-season.
DIY Brief Developed Spice Rack Wall-mounted walnut and brass spice rack. DIY Brief Developed Toe-Kick Heater Diagnostic for the dead hydronic toe-kick heater. DIY Brief Developed Bedroom Storm Windows Low-profile aluminum storms for three bedroom windows.
DIY Queued Update Basement Stairs Define scope: cosmetic refinish vs structural rebuild.
DIY Queued Update First Floor Stairs Define scope: cosmetic refinish vs structural rebuild.
DIY Queued Master Bedroom Built-Ins Julia-led; define wall, function, and aesthetic.
DIY Queued Master Bedroom Furnishing Source bed, mattress, nightstands; build a mood board.
Reference Reference Project Index Status board for all Old House projects.
SIDE YARD
DIY Brief Developed Invasive Removal Bittersweet and poison ivy suppression, side yard. DIY In Progress Border & Privacy Garden Border planting: hollies, yews, and a pollination plan. Brief Brief Border Privacy Brief Privacy screening brief for the side border. DIY Brief Developed Japanese Beetle Treatment plan: hand-pick, traps, and milky spore.
DIY Queued Patio Furniture Define style within the Manor/Cottage aesthetic.
PROPERTY-WIDE
DIY Queued Recurring Maintenance Tracker Recurring-cadence tracker for cleaning, watering, oil changes.
MANOR COMMAND CENTER · HOME AND GARDEN
Public · Litchfield County CT