We have only done 3 major renovations and after each one, I cooked a big meal and we sat down and reflected on the good and bad of the job!

For three years my mother (for decorating advice) and my brother (for construction advice) were my sounding boards during the whole house remodel of my retirement home. There were many family dinners at a favorite restaurant where I came laden with photos, spec sheets and samples. The house is pretty much finished and I was able to host Christmas dinner and other holiday gatherings this year. I think we are all glad we lived to see the end result (and that it looks and functions the way we anticipated!). It was nice to just quietly start "living" there.

When we finished our kitchen remodel we popped open a bottle of our favorite wine we'd been saving for the occasion.

Shots of tequila.

When I finished the remodel of my 50's bungalow I celebrated by hiring a food truck from my favorite restaurant and inviting the construction team, family, and the entire neighborhood for a housewarming party! People still talk about it and it was a great way to get to know the neighbors.

By trying to avoid messing anything up...vacuuming too exhuberantly dings in the paint, breaking the glass diffuser shades trying to change ceiling light bulbs out, setting off the fire alarms while cooking and having to try to whack them to turn off because they’re on the highest part of vaulted ceilings...and no grape juice spills on the nice medium gray carpet.

I aim low. Celebrate = no destroying or damage for at least a month. ;)

We've never done a "large" home project. We tore out the front yard a few years ago and made it a big flower bed, we've done extensive work to our backyard as well...but everything we've done is always with an eye toward "what's next?" Nothing on the inside has ever been actually completed, sadly. Various stages.

Tori! What a great idea! I wish I had done that. I will steal the idea for next time!!

Start planning the next! Our house is only 3 years old so we always have something going on whether it's a DIY or a pro job. As much as I love interior design and landscape architecture it does get tiring. See my next comment in "Biggest lesson learned when buying your home?"!!!!

The very first thing I did after the renovation was completed... was take a bubble bath in my new tub. The afternoon sun streaming in the new floor-to-ceiling window was so blinding and strong that I had to wear sunglasses order to take this selfie and to see the gorgeous mountain view (around which I planned the whole bathroom renovation)!

Hopefully there is nowhere for potential neighbors to build nearby, or I predict some window coverings in your future! ;)

We generally have a glass of wine in the new room. Doesn't matter if it's a bathroom or a bedroom or an office - we enjoy it.

Vow never to do it again ... for about a month, then I start thinking about the next project.

It ends?? What is this word 'completion'?

woodteam5-pretty sure it's a made up word.

Usually I take pictures, then sit in the main room and just take it all in! Always a nice feeling when a job is completed and it looks amazing!!!!

We celebrate with our homeowners with a "completion party", the carpenter, clients, design and project staff all join at the home and have a toast!

Hosted my parents 60th anniversary party with 60 guests in our newly landscaped yard!

Hosted a party for friends and neighbours, plus our contractor and designer and their spouses, so everyone could see the house in action and to thank the contractor and designer for their hard work. Made a Shutterfly photo album of before, during and after photos to chronicle our experience.

Aspirin !

Leave ... last time we went on a cruise, I was tired of staying home, watching over things & dealing with the disruption, mess & workers coming and going for weeks at a time. During the process, I routinely provide food & refreshments on a regular basis in addition to providing an ice chest filled with bottled waters & drinks.

when we finished our kitchen, we treated ourselves to an overly elaborate espresso machine, which is enjoyed every day, just like the new space. :) otherwise, mostly recuperation after all the reorganization and purging that the project required.

We hosted a reveal party for our friends, neighbours and workers. Lots of fun.

When our addition is complete my husband wants a high five, I hate high fives. But will do it just this once. Then we will talk about the kitchen remodel.

I have remodeled 3 different homes. Each time it finished, I paid the bills and continued working. When I finished my first new build, I moved in and continued working as usual while entertaining people who dropped by to see my new place. I suspect my final home - cottage in the woods wildlife habitat will be the same. Since I'm always working with animals, things just don't stop. However, I do and will sit on the front porch for a while with friends and enjoy life; then sit on the back porch for a while with friends and enjoy life and perhaps a meal or two for a while. I'm more of an outdoor person and a little of indoor, though I do appreciate shelter when it is cold or it rains.

When I completed my townhome in the city, my Aunt insisted I have an open house celebration for 3 hours. She helped me with the caterer, guest list, invites and so on. She even help me find an appropriate outfit to wear. Needless to say, people came and went, small talk happened, food was eaten and drinks were drunk. I was not comfortable throughout the entire thang.

Five years later I moved to rural life and rented out the townhome in the city. My Aunt never did come see my 1940s ranch house I was slowly working to remodel, nor the barn I built, nor my horses or friends. Somehow I was very comfortable. And that was over 35 years ago!

Wait! What? Someone actually finishes a remodel?

Nah, we just celebrate when an area is done!!!

We start another project before one is finished...

Sharayak so do we LOL! We are like 95% done with every room we have started.

Depended on purpose at the time. When completing a rehab to sell we'd have a nice dinner. After escrow closed a bottle of La Fleur perhaps. If we were living in it and no major issue I'd put it on market and delay celebration until in new home. I had worked on a couple of places previously that turned out well and sold quickly. A few more while on E. Coast and near Sacramento went as planned. Then the subdivision, rebuild, lot split and sale, move a house to back lot with offset garage allowing room for 5. Huge amount of work to finish with a gorgeous place on nearly 2 acres and original house on 1 acre facing nicely shaded Elm Avenue. It might have been better to live in the new house without a diforce sale. Note to Celestina; barn/house cats, horses and/or pups will always help celebrate ;) Now living in the hills and trying to answer Houzz for rebuild help on river rock, stone, brick and stucco house that began as catalog cabin then morphed to ranch house. Confusing at times when I run into knob and tube wiring in cathedral ceiling next to kitchen which is part of 100 year old cabin. Or climbing under floor to find, 'ya can't get there from here, only the pipe can.' Wouldn't trade it for a chateaux on Gramercy Park.

BBQ!

We just had a half a party to celebrate being half way done with a whole house remodel. Our friends brought half a... pie, sub, pizza and we all wrote on the kitchen wall that is coming down next! I put before pictures in the rooms that were completed and encouraged people to wander and explore.

The total bathroom re-do is nearly done and my plan is to have a Potty Party....after I cleanup the sty the rest of the house has become in the process!

When I finish my kitchen/family room remodel, I am having friends over but making it a charity event. I’m asking everyone to bring something for the homeless (toothbrushes, soap, diapers, etc.) instead of bringing us a bottle of wine. That way I help a charity and get to show off my remodel!

You mean other than champagne?