Dramatic Results from Cost Conscious Makeovers
We’ve lived here 2 1/2 years now and a lot has changed. (We moved in the week before Christmas Dec.,2016) We shared a timeline update at 1 1/2 years. Time for a timeline update on all the changes after 2 1/2 years.
When we bought this house we knew there were a few things that would need immediate attention in order for the house to function well for us. Others were put on the back burner for a later date. Some projects would be considered Major and some only Minor.
The first Major Project was the Kitchen.
This kitchen was really not very functional – way short on cabinets plus the range and oven barely worked. (2 burners out and oven 50 degrees off) I also didn’t like the track lighting or the really worn white linoleum floors and Formica counters. Really builder basic and poorly designed.
The Builder Basic Kitchen Makeover Reveal
This makeover started just a week after we moved in. By February we had a beautiful functional kitchen that I still love. By rearranging some existing cabinets and adding some new ones we were able to add much needed storage space and function while keeping cost at a minimum. Careful attention to the details – crown molding, counters, backsplash, lighting – created a custom, designer look for the entire kitchen on a very small budget. (Check out the reveal post to see all the details, picture timeline #1 and picture timeline #2)
Master Bathroom
The Master Bathroom was totally builder grade without one single upgrade of any kind. Functional, but not really pretty. This was not on the immediate list to makeover, however when we had a few leftovers from the Kitchen Remodel, the first makeover gave this room a much-needed mini facelift.
Master Bathroom Makeover – Free
We had a piece of granite left over from the slab we bought for the kitchen and it was big enough for the bathroom counter. Pfister gave us a fabulous new faucet, we bought a rectangular sink and the counters looked amazing. We also had enough flooring leftover from the family room/kitchen makeover to install the same NuCore Wood Floors in the master bathroom. Huge upgrade for virtually free.
Time to head outside and do something with the back yard.
Backyard
This was the backyard when we moved in. Nothing but one half dead tree. Lots of room for improvement. We began tearing things up by April.
My #1 desire with our move and looking for a new home was a pool. Finding a backyard big enough and one that was a blank slate was a bonus. Time to design a pool.
(From the patio looking back in the other direction. ) By the first of June,2017 we had a pool – – –
To finish off this area, we’ve added landscaping and lighting to create the perfect outdoor space for us to entertain and enjoy.
Patio Cleanup – Next Project
With the construction of the pool, the patio really became the dumping ground for everything. The side yard area next to the pool turned into a huge construction zone too. This area really needed some help. Once the decking around the pool was finished, the side yard immediately looked better, time for that patio to get some love.
This was virtually a free makeover too. Wayfair supplied the pretty striped curtains for the end of the patio and we had all the furniture and other accessories. Just a matter of cleaning it all up and creating a pretty seating area.
The next projects were to shuffle furniture around to find the best possible arrangements for the living room, family room and loft. Furniture doesn’t always translate well from one house to the next, so we took our time shuffling and purging pieces from room to room to create the most pleasing and functional spaces to reflect our style. At the end of year one, we slowed down on the makeovers so we could enjoy living and fluffing our new home. Room by room we swapped out furniture and accessories, added some new and finally found arrangements that felt like home to us.
Living Room –
We finally have a furniture arrangement that works for us.
Family Room –
This is where we spend most of our time and feels comfortable for us.
Loft/Office/Girl Cave –
I love this space. I blog here and if I want to slip away and watch a favorite TV program, this is where you will find me.
Master Bedroom –
This room feels so relaxing to us. (I know, I still need to paint that jewelry armoire.)
Guest Bedroom – I did a DIY Headboard makeover and found some really thrifty furniture pieces to pull this room together.
Now it was time to get back to some PROJECTS and ROOM MAKEOVERS
Time to finish the Master Bathroom Makeover.
Things got put on the back-burner for a while. I had back surgery in June of 2018 and had doctors’ orders to sit on the sideline for a year to let the rods and screws they added to my spine settle in and connect to my bone. The year is up so – – – – June 2019 I finally stained the vanity and gave it some love.
We are finally calling this good for now.
Upstairs Hall Bathroom
The Hall Bathroom Upstairs didn’t get any updates at all except some flooring leftover from the kitchen makeover. I hung a few pictures, shower curtain and called it good. It is finally getting a makeover that it so badly needs.
New vanity, toilet, medicine cabinet and mirror. Add in some new accessories and this bathroom looks majorly different. The new vanity is so much nicer than the old builder grade one. Hubby uses this as his bathroom, so he is going to love the extra drawers and storage in the new vanity.
There are still a few things we would like to do and upgrade, but for now, we are really happy with how the house is coming along.
What do you think? A big difference in 2 1/2 years don’t you think? Now, this home feels more like us and works beautifully for our lifestyle.
