I was talking to an old friend today and she asked about our house.  It reminded me where we started when we purchased "the old person house" in 2007.  This was our second home which we purchased in 2007, I hated it from the start.  Ugly wallpaper in entry/brass accents everywhere (not my style).  I really don't know how we even bought it in the first place.  1978 2 story ranch?  I was after a 50's or 60's daylight basement.  There was not a lot on the market at the time and the space was big, home had been updated...just by old people that liked beige and brass.  My husband was stuck on sticking it through and has worked so hard at making it everything I could want it to be.  We have gone over every surface in and out, quite often twice.  I am notorious for painting a room and then saying its just not right, re-do.  New surfaces include paint, tile, hardwoods, carpet, outlets, counters....everything.  Walls have come down, and walls have gone up.  Even the landscaping had an overhaul, but I have to admit the previous owners did a better job of upkeep.  

Looking back we have come a long way and I think the changes are impressive.  Although I don't know if I will ever love the house, it now feels like ours.  I wanted to add a post for myself and some others to see what we have pulled off.  Truly, this has been done with our own sweat and only a couple jobs were hired out like carpet and some trim install.  Not only that, but I hate to purchase anything new or full price.  Almost every item in our home has been purchased on Craigslist, Habitat Store, eBAy, garage sales (gorgeous true Murano glass chandelier included).  That includes lights, cabinets, toilets, tiles, granite, furniture & decor.  It's been crazy stressful, SO time consuming, but fun.  I just thought I would share some of the results.  

This is what we started with:

Open concept downstairs - Major changes ahead

Eating Nook (Door to Laundry) taking up 1/2 of current kitchen

Dining seperated by 1/2 wall to open living (wall was removed by us)

Nice built-in cabinets from the day of Big TV Sets

Master Bed with very small master bath - there is a reason we never got a before of that one

Avery's Room Before (Bed 3)

Bedroom 2 / Office

Upstairs Jack/Jill Bath -- Really weird, no other walls in the upstairs

One 1/2 of Upstairs separated by bath to similar opposing space

Really nice backyard full of roses and rhododendrons (I hate both!)

Love the back shed

22 Rose bushes in that garden outside master bedroom window, all removed and given to new homes.

Side walkway to house (I do love this area)

Oh those Rhododendrons!

Let the renovations begin!