Here Comes the BEFORE & AFTER

 Well, we have gotten to the point with our renovations that we can start moving in.  We held a little Open House on Sunday afternoon to show off the changes before we put all our junk inside.  I promised some BEFORE and AFTER pictures, so here they come.  Enjoy!

The view of the front of the house

The back entry hasn't really changed.  We will work on this after we move everything in so it doesn't get banged up.

Kitchen views

Breakfast nook 

Dining room views

Living room views

This is the bedroom that was supposed to be LW's mom's room.  Unfortunately her health is going to keep her from moving in with us so this will be a guest room.

The closet

Her bathroom

Our bedroom

Our closet

Our bathroom has been torn apart but not finished.  ReBath will be installing a new walk in shower and then the rest of the bathroom will be redone.

I created this memorial garden in honor of LW's father right outside what was to be his mom's room.  It is called Poppy's Garden.  The grandkids all called him Poppy.

And there you go....I hope you like our remodeled home.  Please come visit anytime.  We'd love to see you!

The Kitchen Remodel

 Ok here are a few pictures of the kitchen and breakfast nook as it is progressing.  This room has made the biggest change.  Not posting BEFORE pictures yet.  We are inviting anyone who would like to see the house now that we are almost done, before we move furniture and belongings in, to stop by on Sunday from 2:00-4:00.  We will have snacks and drinks as well.  Message me for the address if needed.  I will have BEFORE pictures on display then. If you can't stop by, watch for my next post because it will have BEFORE and AFTER shots.  I am hoping to include a little walk through video as well.

Wait Till You See This

 We are moving right along....putting in long days trying to get finished.  I am so excited about how the kitchen is coming along.  I think it might be my new favorite.  

new dishwasher

microwave sitting on top of new range waiting for installation

We decided to add this faux brick wall with a shelf.  We thought we would paint the red parts the same blue as the shiplap but it didn't quite match so we are re-evaluating.  Blue shiplap will go across the bottom under the windows.  I am so in love with this part.

Also got the stained glass window framed out and I think it looks so good.

This isn't a great picture because of the light shadows but look at this buffet I bought.  It has the perfect spot in the dining room.

And lastly, I placed this little picket fence along the flower beds outside to help corral the rocks from rolling into the yard and getting hit by the lawn mower.  I think it looks so cute.

That's it for now.  We are honestly getting very close to finishing.  Appliances need to be installed.  Countertops are here and will be installed on Monday.  Backsplash will hopefully go in next week as well and then the electrician can finish the kitchen outlets.  We have a little bit of trim work to do and we have to finish the shiplap in the breakfast nook.  Plus paint the red in the nook.  The back entry way still needs to be done but it might wait till we are moved in.  Same for the basement.

I want to have a little come and go open house for family and friends in the area to come see the house after the renovations before we move any more furniture or belongings in.  Maybe by the end of July we will be ready for that.  I will also be taking "after" photos from the same spots as the "before" photos and will post them.  I'll probably do a video as well to be posted.

Stay tuned!

It's Coming Together

Well, things are finally coming together and I feel like we are getting close.  Here are a few updated pictures.

Living room carpet is in and window is framed.

Dining room and kitchen flooring is in.

Kitchen cabinets are in.

We decided to hang this blue shiplap in the kitchen.  We had a guest  "contractor" here over the 4th of July who learned how to use a nail gun to hang shiplap.

Then we ran into a small problem...wood rot.  So we have re-evaluated our current plans for the breakfast nook area.  Wait till you see what we came up with for this spot.

I really wanted to get something "fun" done, so tonight we hung my coffee mug racks.  I plan to hang all the fun mugs we have on these hooks.

We are working hard to try to finish.  I'll post again when we have more to share.

Room By Room

My brain has been running on overtime thinking about each room and what needs to still be accomplished.  Here is a basic run down.  All the AFTER photos are how the room looks currently.

Mom's bathroom-  Install shower doors, shower head and faucet; install vanity; hang all fixtures like towel hooks; stain door and add hardware.

BEFORE

AFTER

Mom's bedroom and closet-door stained and hung; a few pieces of baseboards need to be added; trim around door once door is up.

BEFORE 

                                                        

AFTER 

Living Room-awaiting carpet: awaiting new windows: crown molding; baseboards: paint on window wall and window trim; new ceiling fan.

BEFORE

AFTER  

Dining Room-awaiting laminate wood flooring; paint; crown molding; door trim; new light fixture.

BEFORE

AFTER

Our Bedroom and Closet- door stained and hung with hardware; closet door hung; a few baseboards; crown molding in closet; new ceiling fan.

BEFORE

AFTER

Our bathroom-awaiting ReBath to remove current tub and shower and replace with a walk in shower; awaiting tile floor; crown molding; new toilet; install vanity; baseboards; stain and hang door and trim.

BEFORE

AFTER- no picture available as this room has become a holding place for tools, and materials

Kitchen and dinette- awaiting laminate wood flooring; awaiting cabinets, countertops, backsplash and appliances; awaiting new windows; paint; shiplap installation; new light fixtures;  new table and chairs; crown molding.

BEFORE

AFTER

Still a lot to be done but it is coming along.  Windows arrive and will be installed this week.  Hopefully kitchen cabinets and appliances will be here late this week or next week.  Once cabinets are in, countertops can be double checked and ordered.  Then we will have the house cleaned including the air duct system and be ready to move in.  I am hoping for early July.  There are still other things that need work like the basement and the shed. We need a garage built and fence installed but those can happen while we are living in the house.

This Saturday I am meeting LW in Vegas for a little side trip.  Then I fly back to Austin to help him bring the travel trailer and vehicles up to Oakland.  We should be back in Iowa by the 25th, ready to finish up and move in.  Stay tuned.  Most likely my next post will be more before/after pics but hopefully they will include move in pictures.