Sometimes it’s hard to believe we have lived in this house for three years. I hoped to get this post done last week, but going to Minnesota and being sick knocked me off my game. Let’s take a walk down memory lane to see how this house looked when we started and where we’re at now. We’re not completely finished, but most rooms are getting there. At least the structure, furniture is a different story. One that I might never be done with. The entry isn’t large, but the dark door, red curtains, and dingy wall color didn’t do the space any favors. Or scream “Welcome!”
After adding a white tongue and groove accent wall, a new glass door, and light gray paint, we’re almost done. To call it finished, we’ll replace the railings for something less, um, orange and ornate.
From the stairs, the living room is just off to the side. Orange-y tan and maroon walls were much too dark for our liking.
Brightening the room was as simple as a coat of paint and bold grass-green curtains. Of course it helps that I’ve learned a little more about my camera since then. Though that has a long, long way to go, too.
Oye, that red accent wall drove me insane.
As much as this room has changed, there’s still some work to finish up. Crown, doors and perhaps a new coat of paint on the entertainment center.
The search for the perfect rug hasn’t been easy.
Most of the windows were original to the house, except the gridded two in the main space. Despite being newer, the bay window sagged and the door was too tall for these ceilings.
While replacing windows, we also swapped the door for a window and vice versa.
The kitchen is the biggest change to date. Starting with broken and dated oak cabinets, small beige floor tile, and blue wall paper wasn’t our favorite look.
Going away from the darkness, we added white perimeter cabinets, a white planked ceiling, and a wall of marble tile.
Before, the pantry cabinets on the other side of the island were poorly placed and ate up a lot of real estate.
Because we love open floor plans, especially when entertaining, we opened the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room.
Next to the kitchen is my little office nook.
Turning the seating area to face the window makes the office feel so much larger. Working facing a wall isn’t nearly as nice as looking out a window.
An open fireplace in the family room was a danger, with a dirty moss rock surround that swallowed the room.
Eventually I’d love to get a more cushy pair of chairs and a slightly smaller sofa.
The main bathroom wasn’t functional for our family with young kids to splash around in the clawfoot tub.
Replacing the tub with a tub/shower combo works far better for our family.
A large wooden vanity didn’t offer much storage, but took up a lot of floor space.
Adding a shelf stack and open vanity uses the same footprint, but boasts a load of storage.
As with many 70’s homes, there was plenty of dark oak, including a floor to ceiling bookcase in the guest room.
To accommodate a bed and dresser, we cut out the center of the shelves to create a surrounded bed nook.
The boys’ room was a blank canvas with beige walls, popcorn ceiling, and two windows.
A little ceiling scraping and paint really upped the fun factor for our two young kiddos.
Our bedroom had electric blue walls, two of which were wall papered and painted over.
After more popcorn removal and scraping layers of wall paper off, we painted the room nearly black. Adding a door lets in even more light, and once the deck is built, we’ll have our own little getaway. Ignore the unfinished bed frame. I’m still figuring out what I want.
More blood-red walls in the master bath. Paired with the oak cabinets and yellow tile it felt very fast food restaurant-y.
After a full gut remodel we have a modernized space perfect for relaxing.
Though many people questioned our decision to remove a sink to gain a full bath with clawfoot tub, we moved ahead.
I have to say, best decision ever. Especially because I’ve always wanted a clawfoot tub. After a long day of projects and kids, it’s the best place to unwind in the evening.
As always, our house is a revolving door of projects and construction. Looking back at the beginning makes me even more excited with the progress and all the time we spend updating this house.
Want to see more change? Check out past tours: last year and two years ago. Crazy how things change.
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