Monday, January 11, 2010

We bought a remodel

Isn't she a beauty, in all her 1960's contemporary glory! She had not been touched since her owners built her 5 decades ago. There was a lot of shag, a lot of wallpaper, and a lot of popcorn ceilings. She had great bones though, and my cute carpenter husband knew he could make her into something great.

The original owners had passed away and their children were selling the home. It had been on the market for a long time without much interest. So we offered low and they accepted the offer that night. We sat in shock at the fact that we had just signed our names on the dotted line for such an undertaking. And make no mistake, there would be no fixing it up while we stayed in the comfort of our just completed adorable ranch home that we remodeled. We would have to live in this renovation, there was no other financial way around it. We put our house on the market, sold it in one day, and we were off.

It has been a long couple of years. It has been hard living in a house that is constantly under construction, when you have small children running about. We learned so much through this process, we learned ways to remodel cheaper than anyone ever thought was possible. My husband researched everything we bought for this house, finding the cheapest deal possible. So many things we bought were off the Internet...including our front doors that he bought off ebay for a quarter of the price anyone would normally have paid for such doors. We learned how much money you can save while doing it yourself, and we learned what things are not at all worth doing yourself. We did things that I cannot believe we were able to pull off. I speak mainly of my husband....there were times we both sat back and thought things like "I can't believe I just took down that load bearing wall, I hope I figure out how to put the new one back up". He always figured it out. He may have burned up the phone lines to my Dad that is a real contractor, but nonetheless he figured it out. God has given him a great gift, he has the mind of an engineer, a gift that I was certainly not granted. Here is what she looks like today...

My husband's creation, his pride and joy, the portico...

Only time will tell, but I hope this is the house we live in forever. I want my children to grow up here, and I want to remember the steps we took over these last several years so that I can remember why we will never do it again. So for the next few weeks I am going to type it out. Every room in our house has been gutted and I want to walk through and hit the highlights...or the low lights...whichever way you look at it. I hope to see you again.

Amy

34 comments:

sassy seamstress said...

I linked to you today...I am so excited you are doing this.

Melanie said...

I can't believe that's the same house! It went from so dated to so beautifully traditional!

Elizabeth said...

Breath taking!! What a very talented husband you have and you both have a amazing eye!

Amy S. Norris said...

oooooooooh YAY. i cannot wait. i will definitely have a date with your blog either in the mornings with my coffee, or at night with a quiet house and a glass of vino. :)

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW! Amy your home is just gorgeous! I love the classic brick style and the new portico is a wonderful focal point addition. You all are doing a phenomenal job on the remodel. You are so talented! ~Fabulous!

Thank you so much for your kind words and for finding my blog! I do hope to see you again soon. You are always welcome anytime my friend.

Many blessings to you and yours.
~Warmly, ~Melissa :)

Kelly said...

What a stunning transformation!! I can't wait to see the rest!

southerninspiration said...

Oh, Amy, I am so delighted you came by my blog today......oh, my word your house is fabulous! I can't believe it is the same house!! I am married to an engineer, too, and he is quite handy, but not to the degree that yours is! It's nice to read your blog and sort of get to know you....I will follow you, as I LOVE what I've read so far!
Fondly,
Suzanne

Michelle DeRusha said...

Oh my gosh, that is the most stunning transformation. The portico is spectacular -- I even love the driveway! I can't wait to take the rest of the tour this week!

Sarah said...

I am so excited to see all of these pics!!
And I am even more shocked how much we have in common:
Engineer husbands who are amazing carpenters, a fixer upper house that we've had to live in while doing it, and daughters named Ella.
Now I know who to ask my redo questions to!
Can't wait to see more!
The front is spectacular!
Sarah

Amy S. Norris said...

hey girl....desperate, huh? hehe. when are pictures, i am planning on opening orders soon (in the next week or so). but...am i thinking that your girls are older? i am only making up to 4T - but the pattern is by whole grain baby - they are actually linked off my blog under "some sewing stuff and stalk-worthy." ps - my hubby is super excited about the reno pics too. :)

Mrs. Dunbar said...

your home is gorgeous, as are your children. thanks so much for stopping by my blog, i have so enjoyed browsing through yours!

HouseMama said...

What a vision the two of you had for your home when you purchased it. It looks amazing and I can't wait to see even more. Thanks for sharing.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Amy, thanks for stopping by! I can't believe this, but I don't think I've been by here before. Your house is just stunning, can't believe that is the same house. WOW, I really can't wait to see what all you've done inside too. Your front doors alone are amazing. Love your writing & your heart. Hope you'll drop by & visit often. I'll definitely come back & see your house tour.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Hold on. This is the SAME HOUSE?! I had to scroll up and down and up and down to make sure. That's AMAZING. I never would've seen that much potential in it. You did a beautiful job!!

Rebecca said...

I look forward to seeing the rest. The outside looks amazing. Just beautiful.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

This is lovely, Amy! He has every right to be proud! I have always wanted a portico on the front of our colonial, but they took off over the years here and everyone in our development has one on their 1970's house now {except us!}. Now we are getting ready to sell to down-size, so maybe the next one! Looking forward to seeing the rest ~ I'm sure the inside is as gorgeous as the outside.

Michelle said...

Amy--so excited about your series on your house! I am learning so much from your blog!
Shell

Becca Bertotti said...

Amy - WOW! What a gorgeous transformation !! Your home is beautiful ... I almost didn't recognize it as the same house!! The portico makes such a grand entrance, too. You're so fortunate your "cute carpenter" is so talented (and, you, too). I'd love to know if the former owner's children have seen what you guys have done ... they'd flip. Again, just beautiful !!

The Starr Family said...

Just linked over to your blog... and oh my lands, your outdoor remodel is stunning! Just too excited to come back and see the rest of the tour! Thanks so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

hey amy! oh my goodness! beautiful! i want to move in! i just found your blog and became a follower! i cant wait to see inside!

Katie said...

Amazing! So amazing that I want to fly to your town and take family pictures on your front porch for next year's Christmas cards.. haha. Seriously...amazing....

Unknown said...

Hey, i found your blog through amy norris's blog!I remodel houses myself and am really interested in learning how to make my own shutters!!! would love the tutorial you mentioned!
Julie Brown

Kathy :) said...

Hello this is my first time by...what a great job !!

So nice to meet you !!!

All the best,
Kathy :
jokaj@comcast.net)

Kim said...

Found you through Hooked on Houses. I will be commenting on your project on my site blog archurnings.com. Hats off to your "cute" husband.

meredith said...

i just found your blog and your home is GORGEOUS!! this would be my dream - to remodel an older home to the beauty i envisioned! you are so blessed to have such a great design sense and a skilled wanna-be carpenter hubby!!

Brittney said...

What a gorgeous home! I'm over from Southern Hospitality and you've gained a new reader! I love your decorating style and DIY attitude!

Lori said...

Amazing renovation.

T*Family said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
T*Family said...

Beautiful home. I wonder what the children of the previous owner think of it now? I could only wish I was that talented.

lindsay said...

i saw you on better after today and this is just a jaw-dropping transformation! job well done. it's tee totally 100% gorgeous and i know you're so proud!

the cape on the corner said...

what a transformation! this is amazing. i love that you painted the brick, it is something i often vacillate on. ha, love your comment on my blog and sunroom redo. it really lifted me up today. i so hope that you stop by the cape on the corner again! i'm off to take the rest of your home tour...

Kristi said...

I absolutely LOVE your exterior of your home! I wondered if you could tell me what color the outside of your home is? And do you have any idea the color of the brick on your porch? I LOVE the combination!!! thanks :)
Kristi

Kristi said...

ps- your kitchen is TO DIE FOR!!!!! We are building (starting in about 2 weeks) and your kitchen convinced me white is the way to go!! :)

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

This is AWESOME!! LOVE the portico!!! And your front doors are STUNNING! The driveway!! LOVE the driveway!! I will be back to see everything you have done...I can't wait!!

Lou Cinda :)

Post a Comment