Our New Storage Closet

This project has been sitting for a YEAR now. And we finally finished it! You may remember last October when Justin and friend Rueben cut a hole in the wall at the back of our little coat closet under the stairs to see what was behind it.

Well, this is how it all started.

And when we saw all of that space that wasn't being used, we decided to knock down the rest of the wall.

And that is how it stayed.....until about a month ago. We finally finished the closet.

Justin installed a recessed light and the electrical work was tricky. Thanks to a friend/electrician in the ward who came over and pointed out that we used the wrong wire. But we finally got it right!

And then there was the drywall. I will just say that we now have a new found respect for people who do drywall and make the walls look beautiful and even without any bumps or lines. Drywall is a major pain and took much longer than I realized it would. Here is me holding up a heavy piece with my feet while Justin quickly puts the screws in to hold it.

And the mudding and the taping and the sanding, oh my!

This is what I will look like when I'm all old and gray, just in case you were wondering!

And finally.....ready for some primer, texture and paint!

Putting on some primer late at night

And here is miss Katelyn helping me with the paint. I painted the first 4 letters and then she wanted to do the rest.

Please note the snow boots. That is what she has been wearing for the last month....

And the painting is....finished!

Now for a carpet remnant being cut down to size and installed.....

And now that we have a functioning closet, it's time for some food storage shelves.

And with all of that we were finally ready to put of closet back together. Ready to see the finished product??


(drum roll please.....)


TA-DA! Here are some views with the coats back in and our new extended pantry in full swing....

We love it! And I'm so happy to finally have a functioning closet again! The kids love to go in there. Brandon has done his homework in there, and it is their new hide out.

You know, a closet under the stairs is a perfect spot to learn how to do some of these home improvement things like drywall, when it doesn't have to turn out perfect.....thanks for working so hard with me on it Justin! Go us!