Making the Swtich

I'm not going to lie to you, we're still knees deep in this step project, and although we're making great progress, it's taking a lot of time.  (As all good woodworking projects do.)  So in the mean time while we cut, nail, putty and sand, I thought I'd fill you in on a quick project that I did a couple weeks ago that I forgot to share.

Back when we moved into the house there was one (ok, hundreds, but one particular thing) that really bugged me.  The previous owners had switched out all the switch plates for clean new white ones, but left in the old almond colored switches and outlets.

And they were every where.  Seriously.  Since this house has so many half levels, at the top and bottom of every set of steps is switch plate full of 3way switches.  And those almond colored pieces of poo have been tormenting me for over a year now.  In fact, back when we first moved in I did an inventory of all the switches and outlets to buy new ones, as I wanted to replace them immediately.  At the time though both my mother and the Hubs *gently* told me that this project probably wasn't our biggest priority, and to hold off on something so trival until there was more time.  I reluctantly agreed, but silently cursed the little buggers every time I flipped a switch. 

Until now.

I used a nice long nap one Saturday afternoon to systematically go through the house (or at least the first main levels) and remove and the replace the ugly switches.  The best part is that the typical switch is only $1 or so, and I had a few extra in the house left over from various projects, so even though I replaced a couple dozen switches and outlets, it only cost me about $20.  $20 and my sanity.

 I know its probably not all that noticeable, but that's sort of the point.  Before these switches were just one more thing that made this house old, dirty and dated.  Now they look shiny white and new.  Sometimes its big projects like full bathroom renos and furniture building, and other times its the little things that make my bacon sizzle.  How about you guys?  Any quirks about your house that drive you batty?  Old, strange light fixtures or sockets that throw you over the edge?  We had 3 different dimmer switches that had long since lost the dial to turn, leaving just a little stub to turn.  That's just not right people.