renovations

My goal when we bought this house 3 years ago (wow...it's been 3 years!) was to slowly remodel every single room. And it's been a long process because, man...something about 1991. Every fixture was brass; every wood surface was stained in a honey-oak glaze; and every room had wallpaper (usually hunter green, navy blue, purple, or a combination of all three). Sorry 1991, but you were heinous. And I'm so sick of removing wallpaper that I've come up with cool new ways to get around it - like, hang crown molding over the borders, and/or paint over it. (But don't tell my dad I said that. I can feel him cringing from here.)

This house was built in 1991. And the family who lived in it didn't update a single g.d. thing. They had three sons, a giant sheepdog, two cats, and a penchant for sports (as you will see). This is your BEFORE and AFTER tour. I still have the kitchen, two bedrooms and a master bathroom to go!

LIVING ROOM BEFORE:

DURING: (the day before the new carpet was to arrive)

AFTER: (well...sort of. There are new windows now. Plus, we painted the rest of the trim; purchased new curtains and blinds (white); purchased a new TV and entertainment center; hung more artwork; and I silver-leafed the mirror over the fireplace. It no longer feels "yellow".)




DINING ROOM BEFORE: (and actually, that plum color was added between the first time we saw the house and the day before we bought it. Homeowners actually thought, "Hmmm...you know what might really sell this house? A f@#king PURPLE dining room!")

(...and they didn't even do a good job painting.)

Could not get rid of the purple fast enough. This is not technically an AFTER shot, but you get the point.)




FORMAL LIVING ROOM BEFORE:

AFTER: (again...not technically an AFTER shot. Imagine a cushy chair for snuggling up and reading a book next to those windows...which have also been replaced.)




GUEST ROOM BEFORE: (one of THREE rooms decorated with "WE PLAY SPORTS" wallpaper.)

AFTER: (Ryan made the bed, I made the headboard, and together we created a room where our very special guests don't feel like taking batting practice.)





MASTER BEDROOM BEFORE:

AFTER: (I made the headboard - that's right! I jigsawed that b!tch and upholstered the buttons; Ryan added the trim and library paneling; the curtains inspired the nook - which is still under contruction; and we now have a gorgeous chandelier instead of a brass ceiling fan.)


(the chandelier)


BEFORE: (our little toilet room - part of the master bath. And believe it or not, this wallpaper once coordinated with the wallpaper in the master bathroom, the master suite, and the little reading nook.)



AFTER: (I just finished this room last night...which is what inspired the post.)

(I bought the paper at Hobby Lobby and put it behind those shadow boxes. Framed the others and will continue to collect little black and white things to hang on this wall.)


The master bathroom will eventually get a nice "retro" update. (in my dreams it has a claw-foot tub, white marble floors, old Hollywood dressing table, black chandeliers, black vanities with marble tops, and sinks that meet height requirements for anyone over 5' tall.) This is the master bath right now, so...you know. It's inspired some renovation conversations:






The nook off of the master bedroom will eventually be an office. I'm currently saving up for the desk, the chair, and the hardwood flooring (big, white, wide planks), but right now it looks like this:


And in every office, you need pink pearl erasers, right? So I painted this:


It used to look like this:


I'll post more pics when the nook is actually finished. :) I still have more flowers to stencil and a few more letters to write to Santa (crossing my fingers for "A Very Merry Macbook Christmas"!) Until then, I'm going to go get some updated AFTER shots of the 1/2 bath downstairs. It had a major facelift too. Man...I don't think I realized how much work we've actually done until just now. No wonder Ryan got scared when I asked if we could go to Lowe's this weekend.

Awkward Family Photos

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

My new favorite website. So awesome, I nearly wet my pants.

We thought this one was timeless.



I'm just a girl, standing in front of my parents, asking them not to do that.


Clearly, all of the other props were occupied at this photo studio.


Fourth of July: A reminder of the freedoms we fought so hard for.



Apparently, everyone objects at this wedding.


4th of July: A day to celebrate the good ol' magenta, grey and blue.


Well, at least he was wearing a seatbelt.


Why shout it from the rooftops when you can shout it in her face?


There's nothing more adorable than a baby pile-on.


Cat's Out of the Pocket: Even on the farm, you must accessorize.


Somebody didn't earn his cow.


Even his friends thought this one was a reach.


Bookend: This family was one encyclopedia from getting it right.


The Cabbage Patch Diaries: We still can't believe he cheated on her.


Me and My Skunk: A pony isn't looking so crazy anymore, is it mom?


Man's BFF is reconsidering.


A reminder to us all that when you are holding a monkey in a dress, you must own it.



What About Grandma?


For this loving couple, the path to the heart starts at the nostrils.


The answer: Leather. Lots of leather.


There is no aphrodisiac quite like denim.


A Beautiful Mind: Ever wondered what the kid with the clarinet is really thinking?


Mystic River: Seemed like a perfectly good place to set up camp before he arrived.


Three Mexicans in very convincing old lady costumes.


In this family, it's real simple - either you play a generic sport or you turn in your track jacket.


Punks In Space: Generational differences can be put aside in a galaxy far far away.


Awkward Drill Team: According to Ingrid, "Our music was something by the Doobie Brothers and the soundtrack of Labyrinth. I kid you not, we were instructed to emulate amoeba at the beginning of our routine. Which included hula hoops."


Fairy Godfather: This dad has just ventured into Never Never Land.


It's so great everybody could make it to graduation.


No, I want the opossum to sleep in my bed.


Beyond a reasonable point of casualness.


The Third Wheel: You've just been asked to prom...by another couple.


Henhouse: Finally, a photo of girls in prom dresses holding chickens that makes total sense.


Ice Ice Baby: He considered the earrings, but thought it would be too matchy-matchy.


Statistics show that children who grow up in a two ninja household are three times less likely to invite a friend over for dinner.



The Three Bears: Not since "Mommy the Pooh" have we seen such parental commitment.


Everything's coming up roses: Just darling.