We moved to this area of Texas from South Texas in 2008. We rented a home for over a year, trying all the while to decide what kind of home we should purchase. We went back and forth between building a home, splurging on our dream home, or going the safer, more economical route of remodeling an existing home. We chose to remodel a house on a pretty, quiet street, with a forest-like yard and a swimming pool. We purchased the home in October, and remodeled it from November 1 to December 5th, the day we moved in. Since then, I have been decorating and rethinking all of my current possessions, but I am finally feeling like the house is ours and just might be home for years to come.
I thought it was time to share with you the transformation. I'd love to hear what you think; I'll be posting pictures every day this week!
Here is the BEFORE view from the front door. Take special note of the low doorways and ugly window on the back wall, not to mention the carpeting and the tile. All gone on day one!
The AFTER view, and although this room isn't completely decorated here (it was over 2 months ago), you can see the changes pretty easily. All new floors, walls removed and doorways made larger. Brand new wood floors, new lighting fixtures, and new trim. We removed the whole back wall and installed two windows and a french door.
My favorite change is the fireplace. We covered over this brick veneer with drywall, designed and had a mantel built, then knocked out the hearth and installed pretty tumbled travertine subway tile, flush with the wood floor. We took out the hideous fan and put in a fixture with a simple drum shade. A new coat of paint on the walls and trim, and voila!
We have since moved the furniture around (and taken down the Christmas tree). More photos of this room soon.
The AFTER view, and although this room isn't completely decorated here (it was over 2 months ago), you can see the changes pretty easily. All new floors, walls removed and doorways made larger. Brand new wood floors, new lighting fixtures, and new trim. We removed the whole back wall and installed two windows and a french door.
My favorite change is the fireplace. We covered over this brick veneer with drywall, designed and had a mantel built, then knocked out the hearth and installed pretty tumbled travertine subway tile, flush with the wood floor. We took out the hideous fan and put in a fixture with a simple drum shade. A new coat of paint on the walls and trim, and voila!
This is the BEFORE view from the back wall (now with french doors), looking toward the dining room. Take note of the doorway openings, we made them bigger.
We have since moved the furniture around (and taken down the Christmas tree). More photos of this room soon.Stats on the house: It was built in 1986 and is about 2400 square feet. It is one storey, 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms on .70 acres.
39 comments:
Such inspiring changes. Clever you! Can't wait to see part two of your house tour.
clever indeed - everything is so beautiful. cannot wait to see it in real life!
OOOH! I am loving it all! Can't wait for all the updates.
btw: Did you guys stay in your ward?
Dear Leslie,
As one of my first non-family/stranger blog- comment-leavers, I feel like I can ask you this:
Will you remodel and decorate my future home? The one I don't have yet but plan to have in the future?
Because seriously...you rock!
Sincerely,
Emily
Hi Rochelle! Yes, we did stay in our ward, which we love so very much. :)
Hi Emily! So good to hear from you! Thanks for your sweet compliment. Are you still in Japan?
Yes. We're in Japan for about 17 more months and will then head to California! ...Where we'll maybe (one day) be able to afford a shack built in the 60's. Here's to hoping! (Hey, as long as you come remodel and decorate it, it'll be awesome, right?)
I love the changes, the wood floors are to die for! My husband and I are trying to decide where to move after grad school, Texas is a front runner.
Oh my hell. Excuse my language, but how did you even see those possibilities? It is INCREDIBLE!
How much do you charge???
It looks amazing! Oh, you are so lucky-It's my dream to one day renovate a home exactly to my liking. Can't wait to see more pictures!
Wow, what a lovely home. You have wonderful taste.
Leslie, it's beautiful! Absolutely amazing. I would never have thought to widen the doorways but it makes such a difference. I love the fireplace too. It's amazing!
fun..can't wait to see the rest...the piano in the front room is wonderful.
It's beautiful!
Beautiful! Love the changes you made!
You guys did a GREAT job on your house! WOW! Can't wait to see your other photos!
laura@6lalas.blogspot.com
Wow - amazing transformations! Can't wait to see more... I feel like I should be seeing it in a magazine.
I love it! What kind of flooring did you use - it's gorgeous!
Absolutely Amazing! I too live in Texas, I live in Conroe just outside of Houston. I live in a home built in the 70's. My hubby bought it before ever meeting me. We have so much remodeling to do! Thanks for the inspiration!
This is awesome, Leslie. What a beautiful job you did! It's so cozy, too, which I love. Where did you get that mirror above the fireplace? It's so pretty!
Clean Mama, we used 3 1/4 inch red oak, stained quite dark after a light with-the-grain scraping. :)
Whitney, the mirror is from Wisteria, I picked it up at the outlet, which is local for me.
Wow! I love it. You are quite the designer. I can't wait for more photos. Bring them on!!
You have absolutely beautiful taste!
Your home is beautiful!
I love the rug in your family room. Where did you find it?
Gorgeous. You definitely have an eye for design. Just lovely.
I'm especially intrigued and inspired by this post because we just bought our first home last month and it needs a LOT of work. Most of what we've done so far hasn't been as drastic as your changes - lots of painting, new blinds, etc. - but I'm especially curious about where you found your light fixtures. I'm clueless when it comes to shopping for stuff like that, and everything I've found at home improvement and lighting stores just isn't cutting it. I'd love for your to expound on where you like to get furniture, too! Your home is just lovely. Keep it coming!
Gorgeous! Wonderful! Beautiful! Love it all...
Gorgeous! This is making me think seriously about redoing our floors in wood rather than carpet, as I was originally planning. I love how clean and streamlined this looks.
These are beautiful renovations! I LOVE the wood floors. I may come back and ask you the details when we get ready to renovate our new place this summer. You did an amazing job with the place. You have a great eye.
Really, really lovely.
Anonymous,
I had the rug cut and bound at a carpeting store a few years ago, for a previous house. I needed 10x13 and that size is very pricey in rug stores. I'll keep it around for a bit, but it's on the list of things to replace. It's a bit too brown for my taste in this house.
Thanks, though!
really beautiful transformation!
i love the hardwood floors, and the light fixtures are spot on.
the front door is oozing with charm, and i LOVE the tile around the fireplace.
well done. it's just beautiful!
Long time reader first time commenting. You house looks fantastic - well done. Can't wait to see more pics.
C
Leslie, your home is gorgeous! What a transformation. The fireplace is gorgeous and i love the kitchen. Thanks for sharing your home.
So beautiful and amazing! Love it love it love it! I used to live in your neck-o-the-woods (Coppell actually). You did such amazing work on this home...it is perfect.
Your home is GORGEOUS! I could live in that piano room . . . :)
Looks so bright, cheery and clean. Love the trim work! I love a great remodel!
chickhardware.blogspot.com
I know I am pretty late in discovering your home remodel. But I just had to comment. I am in complete awe that you had such vision. You've completely changed the feeling of the home by widening those doorways and adding all those windows, etc. The floors are stunning too. I love everything you've done.
What is the color on your walls in the living rooms?
Incredible transformation!!~
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