Where to begin? That's what we said too. Although there wasn't much we absolutely had to do, there were quite a few things we wanted to do. So we dove in and we're still swimming.
Big Ed (previous owner) had apparently installed this granite island and countertops as a selling feature and although it is beautiful, we just couldn't fall in love with this crazy island bar configuration.
Before.
We searched in vain for the same granite (that's pretty much impossible) so you'll see later that we (mostly Jim) found something completely different.
Jim did all the work preparing for the new countertop which would be completely flat and bigger.
After.
Tada! We are so pleased with the new look and the work surface is much bigger and better. Since we were starting over, there was no need to continue cooking on that electric stove top we didn't like. We knew we'd eventually have to have a gas one so we did that too!
Here's a better picture of that big island being put to good use :)
Jim insisted we paint the insides of all the kitchen drawers AND install all new drawer slides. With all the other stuff we had to do, this did NOT seem like a priority to me. I was wrong. They are so nice now. The extra good help made it go by quickly too!
Jim has dreams of having a shop out back and perhaps one of these days we can do it. For now, he decided to convert the formal living room into a violin carving workshop of sorts. It's a good use of space and air conditioning is a bonus.
All those words, painted by the previous owners Big Ed and Cheri, were uncovered when the carpet was removed. Things like "Cheri loves Big Ed" and "Big Ed loves Cheri more". Apparently neither of them loved each other enough - they divorced not long after. We decided not to add our own graffiti. Bad karma :)
Jim installed this pine flooring that he tongue and grooved himself. It smells wonderful and looks great too.
The spot where the clock now sits used to be one of those openings. It looks like it's always been like this.
In the other opening, Jim installed this antique door we brought back from Belgium. It's so beautiful I wish we'd brought back a whole houseful!
Before.
After.
Before.
I know this bathroom looks pretty good and we liked it too. Only problem was that the countertop is actually laminate and looked like I had installed it myself. That really says it all - I'm really bad at laminate installation.
After.
Much better.
A little paint, new light fixtures and all our favorite old stuff.
Here's a better picture of that room :)
This is the second house where we've done this exact thing - a solid door changed to a French door going out to the patio. So much better.
Although there's no "before" of this room, it was empty with a different light fixture.
We brought this antique table from (and also handmade in) Belgium.
Here's a better picture of that table being put to good use!
