Dining room before and after

Last week I was going through a few pictures of our home and stumbled across a pictures of our dining room and living room before our major renovation this past winter.  Holy smokes the house looks different - I was absolutely stunned by the transformation.

You might think that's a little funny to hear coming from me since it's my house but when you literally live through a renovation and see every little step of the process unfold you take for granted the overall change that occurred over 3-4 months.

Our dining room before...

...and our dining room after.

The picture is taken from the exact same spot in our living room.  Hard to believe huh?! These before and after pictures remind me of how much I love our home. 

I hope to have a more house tour posts coming soon.  I am waiting for a day that when the stars align to get pictures taken (the house is clean, I am home, and it's a sunny day).

To see hour entire dining room, read this post.

House tour: dining room

A tour of my home, post renovation continues and today you get a look at our dining room.  Don't let the pictures fool you, it's not that big but it does have all of the features I wanted when we re-thought our dining space.  Our objective was to be able to fit a table that would fit up to 8 people and be open to our living space and kitchen.  Plus, I wanted it to be bright and feel big even though there aren't a lot of square feet. With our new, open, floor plan we can also set up another table when we have large groups of people.

I included source for the items you see in our space at the end of this post.

This is the view from the kitchen.  You can (kind of) see that we have a breakfast bar which is where Adam and I usually eat. We'll move to the dining room table once Colton is eating with us. 

This is one of my favorite things to have framed.  It is a coaster from the restaurant we ate at the night we got engaged! 

I'm still in the process of adding some artwork.  I just need to find the right thing - I have an idea so stay tuned...

I love how this room turned out.  I can sit at this table reading a magazine and drinking a cup of coffee in the morning as the sunlight pours in. It's also become to perfect place to visit with friends.  Sitting around a table to have a conversation creates such a sense of unity.

Sources

Table - Homemakers Furniture (Des Moines)

Bistro Chairs - Overstock.com

Console table - Target

Pendant Lights - West Elm

Lighting Track - Lowes

Laminate Flooring - Lowes

Plates - Target

Yellow Flowers - Walmart

Vase - Old

Art - DIY

Other House Tour Posts:
Guest bedroom

Kitchen sneak peek

Our home renovation is finally coming to a close - just waiting on the painter to come back for touch ups and to finish painting our trim.  I am so ready to have my entire house put back together and to be done working with contractors coming and going.  While I appreciate their hard work, I'm ready to be back on my own schedule, especially Saturday mornings. (Coffee and a little HGTV and Food Network tv-watching - in my pj's of course!)

Once I get to bringing our house together with our decorating plans more posts will come but for now, here is a sneak peek of our kitchen.

Before / Tear Down

During

After

I am more than pleased with the result! :)  Can't wait to show you more!!

Home renovation progress report

So many of you have been asking about the progress we've made on our home renovation update and I've not been so good an keeping you in the loop.  That's partly because progress has been real slow with the exception of a couple of productive spurts here and there.

If I said we were on schedule for completion, I'd be a liar. We should be done by now but it's all of a sudden looking like the beginning April.  Rule number one with home renovation projects - don't expect to finish on time!  This is not HGTV (unfortunately because I'd really like the $1,000 light fixtures they put in houses!) so we are unlikely to stick with timelines. Maybe if we had tv camera's rolling??

Anyhow... here is what our kitchen, guest bedroom and bathroom looked like before.  I keep in mind that our house has come a long way because it could still look like this...

or this...

Fortunately, we are here...

Second bathroom.

Guest bedroom.

Living Room.  (Yay for furniture!)

Here is our hold-up...

Kitchen.

We are waiting on our custom cabinets to be made. However, the base cabinets should be installed by Friday.  Once that is complete we can finish up flooring and trim.  Once the upper cabinet frames are in we should be able to call the painter to come and touch up the trim and paint.

Done

Created open concept floor plan

Re-structured kitchen floor

New insulation

New walls

New windows

Installed 3/4 bathroom

Paint

Some flooring

Carpet

Some plumbing

Living room furniture purchased

Some electrical work

Appliances purchased

To Do

Kitchen cabinets

Kitchen counter top

Finish plumbing

Finish flooring

Finish trim

Paint touch-up

Finish electrical

Decorate!!

Home Renovation: My decorating wish list

Sort of... we are a few weeks out from me actually be able to decorate but it's not to early to start putting my wish list together (and ordering a few items of course)!

Since I explained to you how I sold all of our things, it's only natural that I show you what sorts of things I would like to fill our home back up with! :)  My vision for each room is starting to take shape, one item at a time.  Here are a few things I have my eye on right now.  I really want to fill our home with warmth, color, comfort, and maybe a little bit of the unexpected- like something shiny or the stag print!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13

If you'd like to see more items I'd love to have in my house, check out my Home Renovation 2014 Pinterest Board.

Oddly enough, I'm a little stressed about decorating my own house.  So often I quickly have a vision for other homes I decorate through my e-design business but struggle with me own. I'm trying to take it easy and remember that I don't have to have it done all at once, it can happen over time! :)

5 tips for selling things online

If our renovation was to done tomorrow and we could move back in, this is basically what we would have for stuff.  Why you  might ask?! It's because I have successfully sold nearly all of our furniture, appliances, and some household items online. I actually sold ALL of my living room furniture in 15 minutes. Yay for making way for new things!!

My husband's friends have actually called with concern that he might be for sale next (not happening).

All of the items I've posted for sale, with the exception of my Pottery Barn rug which sold on Craigs List, were sold through a Facebook group called For Sale or Swap in West Central Iowa.  If you aren't part of a Facebook group like this, definitely join one.  I'm pretty confident you will be able to find one in your area.  What I like about this Facebook group it is that people are logged into Facebook nearly all day or checking their Facebook account from their phone continually.

Since I've definitely had some success with online selling, here my top 5 tips for selling your things online.

1| Take good pictures.
A cell phone picture doesn't always cut it.  This is especially true for big-ticket items like furniture.  Take pictures of the items you want to sell in good lighting and from the best angle possible. People like to see the whole item before they are willing to make an offer.  If the site only allows you one picture, offer to send more through email or a personal message.

2| Write a good description.
Stick to "what it is and what it does."  This includes the following: item size, age, condition, and if your home is smoke free and pet free (SF/PF).  Don't include descriptive words like "beautiful" or "gorgeous"  to describe your lamp or your couch.  I am always disappointed when I open up the posting to view it  because its generally not beautiful or gorgeous. I guess the seller did get me to look... Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :)

3| Price it right.
Price your items to sell, but price them fairly. When posting online, people are looking for a good buy. Know what your bottom dollar is before you post the item for sale in case people would like to negotiate with you and don't go below that price.  Unless you absolutely need to get rid of it...

4| Manage offers.
Managing offers is somewhat stressful.  If you are selling a hot item like appliances or furniture be ready to manage a lot of offers in a short amount of time.  On Facebook some people will post "interested" in the comments.  That does not mean sold. I only respond to people who say "I'll take it" or those that make me an offer. Some people like you to hold onto your item until they talk to their significant other or friend. I don't hold my items.  Generally, whoever offers me my asking price first get the item!

5| Know the best time to post.
The best times to post your items for sale are Friday or Saturday mornings.  People are ready to have a distraction from work and are more willing to pick up an item over the week.

If your item doesn't sell, it's ok.  Just re-post it a few days or weeks later.

Top Items People Search For Online:
Appliances
Some electronics - iPhones, iPads, laptops
Baby stuff
Furniture
Light fixtures
Rugs

I hope you find these tips helpful! Good luck with your selling!!

The reason behind the renovation

Besides the fact that our kitchen was poorly constructed and our house was cold.  And, even though we knew we wanted to renovate the first floor someday, there is an even bigger reason.  Are you ready for this?!

Nope.  I did not swallow a watermelon seed.  We are having a baby!! Wild huh?!  What's even crazier is that we are halfway there!  Our baby will arrive at the beginning of July - somewhere around July 7!

We decided a renovation was just easier while it was the two of us and figured it probably wasn't a fab idea to have a baby while living in a home full of dust and loud noises for a couple of months.  So, here we are, in the midst of a home renovation. :)

How am I feeling you might ask?! Pretty darn good actually.  In fact, I actually need to learn to chill out, take a break, and ask for help once in awhile.  While I don't really have any cravings, or food aversions, I do miss having a few drinks with my husband and friends. I'm still wearing my regular clothes with a few maternity things, like these pants from GAP, mixed in. I'm also still heading to the gym about 4 times/week.  I'm doing less weight lifting and more cardio.

Our world will definitely change, and I have a lot to learn but we are pretty darn excited! (and maybe I'm a little nervous. That's ok, right?!) 

I'm not sure that I'll transition into doing a lot of baby and pregnancy-related blog posts but as I learn things that I feel are worth sharing or find things that I can't help but love I'll pass them along to you all.  I'll for sure be sharing a decorating vision (or two) for our babies room!

Oh yeah... we aren't finding out if it's a boy or girl either.  We decided to be surprised because there are far too few surprises in life anymore and I'm sure there will come a point in the delivery room where I'll need a little bit of extra motivation.

Cheers!

Tile Decisions

Our home renovation is moving along quite smoothly.  In fact, my last decision (that I'm aware of) is what tile to go with for our backsplash.  I've narrowed down my choices to two options from The Tile Shop.  My two options are shown with the quartz counter top we decided on.

Option 1: Hampton Carrara Smooth Rectified Tile

Option 2: Hampton Carrara Cardine Tile

Our kitchen is a small U-shaped kitchen (we didn't add on) so to help the space look larger we chose a light-colored counter top surface and are going to compliment it with a very light colored backsplash.  The cabinets will be a dark walnut (white is out of the question for us since we live on a farm) and the flooring will be a wood laminate.  I like the classic look of these tile options because I want something that will look nice and still somewhat "modern" down the road. 

I'm stuck - I like both of these backsplash options!  Ahhhh!! What do you think?  I would love to get your opinion so please leave a comment below letting me know what you would choose!

The worst kitchen in the world... besides not having one

Are you ready for this?  These before pictures of our kitchen may shock you.

Don't mind the packing mess... however it didn't look that much better when it was all picked up. This kitchen was an addition that was put on our house in (probably) the 60's or 70's.  Where the carpet meets the linoleum is where the original house ended.  The construction was poor on this kitchen addition... the floor slanted, there was minimal insulation (thus the reason I had to thaw a beef roast in my living room) and the ceiling rafters were not fastened down.  Oh yeah and we sorta had a mouse problem.  

Here is our game plan...

• Tear out everything to the studs (actually to the dirt floor underneath the kitchen)
• Refasten and level floor boards
• Add a new floor
• Change out windows
• Remove header
• Update waterlines
• Add spray foam insulation!
• New countertops and tile backsplash
• New custom cabinets
• New appliances
• New wood laminate flooring
• Adjust lighting

Here is the other side of our kitchen.

Don't judge. The wallpaper was not our decision.  And who, by the way, puts a bathroom in the center of the house?! It's super awesome to have guests over and everyone can hear them pee...

To do list continued...

• Remove the whole bathroom to to create an open floor plan
• Remove plumbing to the bathroom
• Replace the north-facing window with a larger window
• Extend the countertop under the window (ending where the current bathroom wall connects) to create a breakfast bar
• New paint

Here is how the kitchen area currently looks.

It looks better already, doesn't it?

Renovation Game Plan - Guest Bedroom Decor Plan

It's about that time that I start to think about how I want to decorate our renovated home - as if I haven't thought about it already, right?! However, it's putting the vision into play that is sometimes the challenge - like finding the exact item to create the feel you want the space to have.

Oddly enough, the one room I have a clear vision for it our new main floor guest bedroom.  I showed you what was all being done to the new guest room from a construction perspective, here is an idea of how the completed room to look.

  Most of the items I already own but there are a few I need to get including the light fixture (Lowes) and the sheets (West Elm).  The 'Goodnight' wall hanging will be a DIY project so stay tuned. 

For some crazy reason, I want a dark room in the house.  My husband is against it but he'll come around! :)  The room sits on the south side of our house so that sun shines in nearly all day long which will brighten up the space - I'm also going to compliment the space with white bedding, white/gray curtains, white light fixture and some white decor - like the 'goodnight' wall hanging.

If it doesn't work... I can always repaint!

The stories of our old house

We are a week are 10 days into our main floor renovation and we are wasting no time at all!  Here is what has happened so far:

• Removed plaster and lath walls
• Took out the kitchen floor
• Replaced the kitchen floor
• Created a doorway into what will be our 3/4 bathroom
• Adjusted electrical, re-organized light switches, added lighting
• Moved and updated plumbing
• Spray foam insulated our entire main floor
• Roughed in the shower for our 3/4 bathroom
• Met with the cabinet maker
• Took out the rest of the chimney in our basement
• Dry wall will be up by the end of today

What's been more interesting is the story this old home is telling us.  (We were hoping to find an envelope full of money but that didn't happen.)  

Our home was built around 1920 and from what we understand raised a few, rather large,  families (8-12 people).  Some of the wood used to frame the interior walls was used even before this house was built. Check out the picture below...  The white lines and nail holes indicate that these board were used prior to framing up this wall.

There also used to be a door that faced the east.  Do you see how it is still framed in between the patio door and window?

A few other discoveries we've made...

• This bathroom used to be a bedroom.  We found out that because there was another window framed into one of the walls.  Thus the reason we have a humongous bathroom.
• Our master bedroom used to be two rooms.
• The only bathroom that existed in the original house was on the landing of the stairs.
• The kitchen was added on in the 60's or 70's. They were terrible carpenters - only a couple of nails held the floor boards up and the raters above that held on the ceiling  were not even screwed down.  (Seriously??!!)

Next week I'l continue to show you are game plans and a few design boards to give you a perspective of what our space will (hopefully) look like when it's all done!

Renovation Game Plan - office turned guest bedroom

Holy smokes... renovation is 100% underway at our house and I tell you what - our contractors don't waste time.  Our whole main floor is gutted down to the studs.  Exciting but very dusty.  I'm sure I'll be vacuuming our upstairs daily for the next 6 weeks.

I'm sure you are all curious about our official renovation game plan so over the next couple of weeks, I'll take you through our main floor one space at a time.  The over all goal is to add a guest bedroom, 3/4 bathroom and create an open concept floor place without putting an addition on the house. Do-able? Yes.

To start - here is a look at what used to be Adam's office. This will become a guest bedroom.  (He now shares the basement office with me. Lucky Guy!!)

Here is (sort of) a before picture.

Here is a look at our "structural" game plan.

My husband, being the ambitious guy that he is, got excited and started breaking through walls. 

Structural plan

Remove Trim - replace with new

Tear out plaster and lath walls - replace with sheet rock

Tear out ceiling - replace with sheet rock

Tear out the flooring - replace with carpet

Center heat vent under the window

Move the heat duct to the inside of the wall

Close the doorway that used to lead to laundry room - this will become a full wall.

(laundry room will become a bathroom)

Cosmetic Plan

Repaint with a medium-dark gray

Accent with white, coral, and light gray

Add a light fixture

Standard bedroom furniture

My cosmetic plan will come to life through a design board so stick around to see it. Did you notice I was testing out a paint color already? It was just a little bit dark for this room.

T-24 Hours Until Home Renovation Begins

Saturday afternoon I was baking cookies and Adam was lounging on the couch when he got a phone call from our contractor saying "Hey, I want to start on your house Tuesday morning!"  Yayyyy!!! (I mean, Holy S*!% this can't be happening, we aren't ready!)

You see, we decided to renovate the main floor of our 1920 farmhouse to create an open floor plan and ultimately create the feel of more square footage. Adam called the contractor on December 30.  They said they would give him a week's notice so we could move everything out and so that Adam could tear down all of the walls, which are still plaster and lath (yep, old).

Our contractor called Saturday.  A week's notice versus just over 48 hours, what's the difference?! I mean seriously...no biggie.  It's not like we didn't have plans to go out with friends or anything.

In that 48 hours we had move everything out the main floor of our house (minus the food in the fridge and our canned goods), took out half of our kitchen cabinets, removed all of the trim and knocked out the walls that separated our kitchen from our dining room.  Ooofta! (Did I ever mention that I'm originally from Minnesota?)

Here is what our house looked like on Sunday morning...

Here is the same view on Sunday evening...

Progress? I'd say so thanks to, probably, the most handy, hard-working husband in the world.

Can you see our vision??  If not, the good news is that this little blog will take on a new topic - home renovation.  Be ready for progress updates.  

Next I'll share what our space currently looks like and identify the changes we'll be making.  Followed by my vision for the new space.  It'll be fun!  

Oh yeah... and if you're looking for a good cookie recipe.  Check out this one!