Sherry and I decided to give ourselves an early Christmas present this year: a major home improvement project we’ve been planning for some time. It’s a project we’ve talked about and sketched out for months, and now we’re finally making it happen. While we’re not quite ready to reveal the full scope—it’s still a work in progress—we thought it would be more fun to share the journey. Over the next few days we’ll post a series of daily clues that hint at what’s being transformed. Then, next week, we’ll unveil the completed project with full before-and-after photos and a detailed rundown of what we did, how we did it, and why we made the choices we did.

For now, today’s hint comes in the form of the photo below. Before you jump to conclusions: no, we didn’t bring home a new Christmas bush. In fact, we had to take the tree down a full week before Christmas this year to make space for the work. That snapshot was captured during disassembly and represents just one small logistic step in preparing the house for the big change. Packing, shifting furniture, protecting floors, and creating access for contractors or tools are all part of the prep work—tasks that are easy to overlook until you’re in the thick of a renovation.

Preparing a home for renovation involves a surprising amount of planning and coordination. Beyond the obvious steps of clearing space, we created a timeline, prioritized which rooms needed immediate attention, and mapped out an order for the work to minimize disruption. Proper preparation helps avoid damage, keeps the project moving efficiently, and reduces stress for everyone involved. Since we want to share the full process later, we’ll document these prep steps in more detail when the reveal is ready—covering materials we chose, protective measures we used, and tips that saved time and money.

The clue photo is meant to be a subtle hint rather than a giveaway. It’s representative of all the little things that make a renovation possible: a temporary absence of decor, the cleared pathways, and the focus on making a functional workspace in what is usually a lived-in home. If you follow home improvement projects, you know that every successful remodel starts with a clear vision and the willingness to clear the old to make room for the new. We’ll be sharing that vision soon, along with the reasons this particular improvement was the right next step for our house and daily life.

We plan to release one hint per day until the big reveal next week. Each clue will add context and build toward the final reveal, so whether you enjoy design, construction, or simply the satisfaction of a dramatic transformation, there will be something for you. Our upcoming posts will include progress photos, explanations of the decisions we make, and practical advice for anyone considering a similar project.

Any guesses so far? We’d love to hear what you think is coming—leave a comment if you have an idea. In the meantime, stay tuned for tomorrow’s hint, which should illuminate another piece of the puzzle. We’re excited to share this journey, and we hope our experience will inspire others who are planning their own renovations. The countdown is on: one hint a day, and then the big reveal with before-and-after images, cost breakdowns, and lessons learned.