The remodeling is done! Okay, that’s a lie. It’s not done. We still need to finish a few more things in the kitchen, tile the upstairs bathroom, and get a new roof. But, we’re moved in and settled, and the house looks beautiful!

This was a real fixer upper. Unfortunately, we didn’t have Chip and Joanna’s budget, or their crew that could finish the whole job in a month.

I did have, however, and unbelievably hard-working mother-in-law and husband who would work tirelessly through the night to complete jobs (e.g. the vinyl flooring in the kitchen nook). And, I would say that I worked pretty hard, too. There were days we worked 15 hours without eating (not advocating for this–super unhealthy, but it happened). I painted more than I ever wanted to paint in my life, I learned how to use a drill, and I gained about five pounds in muscle from constant moving and lifting.

Without further ado, here’s the transformation!

Kitchen

As you can see, not only were the walls three layers of laminate, but the floors were three layers deep of tile, vinyl, laminate. Underneath three layers of flooring were beautiful hardwood floors, which we sanded and refinished. 

The state of the kitchen sink, thanks to the previous tenants.

VOILA! A completely gutted kitchen:

My coffee and tea station:

My new motto: be present. I usually think, “It’ll be nice when…” or “I’ll be happy when…” or “I’ll finally relax when…” But really, I need to learn to live in the present moment and enjoy it as it is. During this remodel, my husband, mother-in-law, and I were able to actually have fun while working. We chose to enjoy each grueling moment.

Did you know you can ask your countertop company for the extra counter they cut out of your sink? You already paid for it, so why not? We asked them to carve a piece out that would fit in this island we bought from Sears. Now it matches our countertops!

Back bedroom/ now the kitchen nook

For some reason, the previous tenants took the closet doors off and left them in the basement, where they eventually got damaged. To make do while we search for replacement closet doors, I put up a tension rod and long, flowing curtains to add to the whimsical feeling of the light, airy room.

My husband put down these “easy” vinyl floors. Yes, that’s vinyl, not hardwood. Aren’t they beautiful?

More to come in another post: living room, dining room, guest bedroom, painting the front door, and pulling up carpeting.

It’s good to be home.

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