the grand ‘before’ tour…
Well, the time is drawing near…moving day is this Saturday.
But…before we get in there with all of my stuff…I thought I would take you on the grand…before…tour…
I will share before pics again with each after post as we get projects done, but this shows you what we have to work with {and all the work that is ahead of us!}.
I warn you…some of this is not that pretty…you might even think we were crazy for going with this house. But trust me. It will be markedly different once I get my hands {and the husband's} on it.
So we will start in the front…as you can see above it could use some "curb appeal". We plan to paint the house gray and add some cute white shutters and window boxes next spring and summer. I will also be seeking out those who are experts in the landscaping field {as that is really not my thing} to make it look cute and "cottagey" with flowers, shrubs, etc.
The previous owners put, what we would consider, a deck on the front so that will likely be moved to the back. We would like to put some nice steps {perhaps brick} going down from the door and a path {or as Josh requested…"a windy path" …how cute is that?} to the sidewalk. A new light fixture is needed as well as a lamppost.
Come on in the front door…
The storm door is a nice white…but the wooden door is dark green…
I am not sure what color to paint this door. I am open to suggestions if you have any! {Keep in mind the house will be gray with white trim…so perhaps it should just be white? I am stumped on that one as of yet. Looking forward to your thoughts…}
Now that you have entered you are in the living room which opens to the family room to the left…
This room used to be a bedroom that was opened at some point to make into a family room/office…
It has a pellet stove that will hopefully keep us toasty and warm in the winter. One downfall to this house, that we discovered during the home inspection, was that it does not have a working furnace. The previous owners solely used the pellet stove to heat the house while they lived here. A furnace will be our first big investment in the home.
This room also has some built in closets and a desk area…
I love the glass doors…
We may, at some point, change this area and take the doors to turn into a cabinet of some kind…but that will be later on down the road. For now this will be the computer area {where I will be blogging to you}.
Now moving to the living room…
both of these rooms are very….orange/yellow…that will be going very soon….can you guess what color?
If you haven't noticed a theme yet….they will be pale gray with white trim…
One thing I love about this home is how bright and light filled it is with all of the windows. It also has very nice flooring put in by the previous owners {although we do think they may have covered over the original pine floors…but we will be leaving this flooring as is while we live here}.
All of the windows will provide a lot of light for taking photographs! That is a must for me 😉
Off to the right there is a door that once led to a side porch. One of the best things the previous owners did was add a second bathroom there. It still opens through the porch door…
This bathroom has a shower stall and also has the washer and dryer on the opposite side. We plan to move those back to the basement and put in a regular tub/shower in their place – and then get rid of the shower stall altogether…
I do love this sink and cabinet, and even think I will keep it dark. This bathroom will likely have bead board and be done in whites/ivories/creams, etc., so I think the dark color will offset that nicely. The light fixture and mirror will be replaced with my own, however…
The staircase is to the right of the bathroom door…
Currently it is covered with the same carpet that we just ripped out of the upstairs bedrooms. We have left it for now for moving in, but it will go next week.
Then the steps will be painted gray on the tops with white on the front. All of the wallpaper needs to be taken down…which will be quite a chore I am sure. I'd also like a new banister at some point as well.
Before we head upstairs, we will tour the dining room which is directly to the left of the stairs…
Even though it connects to the kitchen…I still plan on making it as formal as possible…
You will not believe the crystal chandelier I found for in here on Craigslist. The sweetest elderly lady sold it to me for only $75 {said she originally paid about $900 for it in antique store many years ago and had it in her dining room for a long time – she was happy to pass it on to a new family who would appreciate it} – will share pics once it is up!
The kitchen is the last room downstairs…and does need some changes to make it my ideal kitchen…
I have a farmhouse style chandelier for in here that was passed down to me by my grandparents. All of the cupboards will be sanded and painted white with hardware added.
Josh says I can get a new stove if I can sell this one…so we will see! Anyone nearby in need of a stove? {grinning}
I would love one that is all white to replace it…
I plan on taking the cupboards in the right corner down and putting up shelving instead.
Would like to put glass doors on some of the others. At some point, I have my eye on a new counter top {already found one that I am in love with…Josh did say it would be pretty pricey though so that might be awhile} as well as a new sink and faucet {also pricey as I really want a white apron front sink}…
{sorry for all of the supplies in the pic!}
Off the back, in the dining room, there are sliding glass doors to the backyard. The previous owners put a concrete slab down and a roof with storage space above. One of the largest renovations we will be doing to this home is turning that area into an actual room. This house is currently only a two bedroom…so no room for kids when we have them. So that will be a project we will start working on once we know "that time" has come. We will make it usable as a bedroom for future owners, but we will use it as our art studio. I envision it with lots of nice windows and we may even move the pellet stove in there at some point, since it will be a very large area and may be hard to heat.
Okay…are you ready to head upstairs? Prepare yourself…that is the area that needs the most work…
As you head up, you enter the hallway area…remember I mentioned it has enough room for a seating area?
{see I told you it wasn't pretty!}
You can see a lot of the carpet that we removed from the bedrooms here now and some items left from the previous owners. See the icky brown floors? These will be a beautiful gray within the next few days. I cannot wait! I have always wanted gray floors and since these were already painted, I took it as the perfect opportunity to get my wish.
The first door to your right as you enter the hall is the upstairs bath that I told you about in my last post. Now these photos aren't as pretty as those, as they show how much work it really needs…
It has a wall of built in cupboards at the end which I really love…
This will definitely be a "romantic" bath one day with some bead board, new trim, paint or wallpaper perhaps, a petite chandelier, gold mirrors, new flooring, new sink…
The next door to the right is the second bedroom…for some reason I didn't take any pics looking into it…but here is one looking out…
This room has an adorable closet with pretty wallpaper inside. This room will be our bedroom when we move in…but…one day it will hopefully be a baby's room…
The floors in here will also be painted the same gray as the hall…{you would not believe how filthy the carpet was in here…they had a dog that used both bedrooms as a bathroom apparently}. I painstakingly ripped out every single staple from the carpet padding, and then scrubbed this floor on my hands and knees…it really needed it. Felt like Cinderella that day…probably have a lot of those days ahead!
Off to the left in the hall is a large closet {another perk to this house is the closet space…very hard to find in these older homes}.
Then at the end of the hall is the master bedroom…warning…another scary room ahead…
This room is very long and will be our art studio when we move in and then eventually our bedroom when we get the room downstairs completed.
Unfortunately, after Josh ripped up the very filthy carpet in here, he discovered it had sub-flooring that had been screwed to the floors and even more unfortunately……..glued down…
So that has set us back a few days, as he now has to scrape off all of the wood stuck to the floor…
Since he has done so much work in here now, we have decided to sand it down and refinish it. I know it will look beautiful once it is done!
So that is the grand 'before' tour of the house. Do you think we are crazy yet? 😉
Let's travel outside and I will show you the beautiful backyard where I plan to have both flower and vegetable gardens one day…
I will be 'romancing' everything as much as I can in the house…and hope you enjoy going on this journey with us…
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Just a note about my website and Etsy shops:
Etsy shops will remain closed for a couple of weeks as we settle in and get unpacked.
Painted White will reopen at some point in the future, but as of yet I am not sure when. Will of course update you here when it is. Thanks for your patience in the meantime.
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And a quick love note to my wonderful husband who turns 29 today! He gets the pleasure of working on those floors for his birthday…but Renoir and I will try to make it as special as we can for our favorite guy.
We love you very much my dear Joshua…you truly are a Saint to us….
Till next time…
45 Comments
Lynnae
Oh my goodness, that will be a lot of work but it is beautiful with potential. I think you will make it wonderful.
My two cents for the front door- leave the chippy green for a while. Get a glass storm door so the vintage look of the door will show through better. It’s a great door though. Maybe down the road strip the paint off and stain it. (Make your husband do it!)
Jojeana
You truly have a big job ahead of you. I remember so well what it was like to have to redo the “WHOLE” house. I have been there and done that in a not so distant past. You’re so lucky, though, to find such a wonderful old home with the beautiful “bones” that this one has. All of your plans sound so fabulous!! You are SO talented… I know it’s going to be GEORGEOUS after you wave your magic wand! 😉
I am very much looking forward to following this journey of yours, and wish you all the luck with your renovation projects!!
And of course we understand that you need to take a break from you Etsy shop to do your nesting. 🙂
Have a great day,
~ Jo
kelly
OMG I am so excited for you and I don’t think you are crazy at all, I totally see your cottages potential!! I can’t wait to see all the changes, its going to be adorable (;
Rebecca
What charm and character ~ It looks wonderful and I can see every inch of your new home just as you describe it …. It will be beautiful!!!
Wishing Josh a very Happy Birthday and you both a lovely journey. 🙂 ~ Rebecca
Julie Marie
Oooh Alice, I think it is just Heavenly! I can’t wait to see all of the things you and Josh do to make it truly your own… of course I absolutely LOVE the old clawfoot tub! Each and every room looks so inviting, and the little sitting area at the top of the stairs would be one of my very favorite spots to sit and read or daydream… your yard is wonderful, and you will have so much fun growing your own vegetables, herbs and flowers, and Renoir will love running all over! (Renoir, I will mail your package the end of the week to your new address!)… Happy Birthday to Josh today! How exciting to have your very own first home on his birthday! Hope you both, I mean all three (Renoir) have a most wonderful day… love to you, and I am sooo happy for you!… xoxo Julie Marie
Mira
What a heavenly place! I adore this cute house! Oh Alice, this house is just made for you and your guys! How I would like to come and walk with you through this gorgeous rooms! Ah, really I’m speechless and in love with this grey hous… just what I like! You happy little girl!
Hugs & Kisses, Mira!
Laura @ 52 FLEA
Alice, your new home will be adorable. Luckily you and your birthday boy are young and full of energy, motivation and lots of ideas. With your sense of style and his know how I am sure that we will be seeing a beautiful romantic home in no time! Have fun with it!
🙂
Alice W.
Thanks so much Laura!!!
Alice W.
Thanks so much Mira! Your words mean the world to me 😉
Alice W.
Thanks Julie! Wish you could come out and visit in person…Renoir would LOVE meeting/kissing your face 😉 Thanks for the b-day wishes for Josh too! Will pass them along…
Claudia
So thrilled for you, Alice. I, for one, say bring on the decorating, fixing-up, renovating posts. I can’t wait to see this journey.
xo
Claudia
Margaret
I agree, Alice this house is perfect for you!!!! I can just imagine how beautiful it will look after you are done redecorating and putting your touches on it!!
HB to your hubby and good luck with the move!
Margaret B
Monica
Alice,
That house has such a great potential! A lot of work ahead of you, but I’m sure it will be marvellous once done! As for the door, I think white is always a good idea, but I would also consider painting it grey. Or something that matches one of the colors you’re going to use inside.
I’m so thrilled for you!Oh soooo much fun!;))
Hugs to you and Renoir, and happy birthday to your DH!
Monicax.
Alice W.
Thanks Monica! Josh suggested gray too so that is a strong possibility. I think once I get things painted inside it will help me to decide. Thanks again for your sweet comment! 😉
Isabel ~ Maison Douce
Alice, I think your home is the sweetest thing!!!! I am sure it will be a stunning home once your magic fingers get busy…!!! Can’t wait to see the transformation!! And that garden…. How wonderful!!!!!
Isabel
Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top
Alice, I don’t think you guys are crazy at all. Your new house is so cute! The kitchen will be great with all the cabinet space. I can’t wait to see what you do. I’ve removed wallpaper before (lots of it)and I found the best way is to use a steamer. It takes awhile but it comes off the cleanest that way. And the carpet staples…what a pain! I’ve done that too. You are going to love it when you’re done. 🙂
Sarah
just found the only one that I would say is: Oh God! It ‘s all fabulous, beautiful photos are captured by the thousand and many things we have in common. Here in Italy it’s almost 2 am and I must run away to sleep, but I would talk about you and your wonderful pictures I’ve seen in my blog. I hope you do please!
You are amazing to me is an honor to meet you!
See you soon, good night!
Sarah
rene@missgracieshouse
OH…the fun you will have-she has great bones to work with…enjoy the project!
Rene
My Shabby Roses
It’s not hard to visualize all the wonderful things you will be doing in your new home. As I’m reading what you will be doing I’m seeing the outcome of it in my mind! It’s going to be beautiful!Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos. I can’t wait to see more.
Debbie
Tracie~My Petite Maison
It is perfect! I can see very lovely things happening for this home and it receiving all the love it so deserves. You’ve chosen a beautiful place to call home, Alice & Josh. Thanks for the tour, brought a couple tears to my eyes tonight… very, very happy for you.
Happy Birthday, Josh!
Alice W.
Thank you so much my dear Tracie 😉 coming from you that means the world to us! maybe one day you can come out and visit…I can dream right???
Tricia
Hello, I just found your blog and have to tell you that it is so cute. I love your little house and I don’t think you’re crazy for buying it at all…it has a lot of charm! I can’t wait to see it once you have made it all cozy and homey 🙂
CeCe
So much potential for cottage charm and you are just the person to create it in this darling project. I absolutely adore seeing old homes brought back to life — not by being made “NEW” but by honoring the beauty in the original bones. It will be so rewarding for you and so fun for us to see the progress. By the way, check at an Ikea store for you apron front sink for the kitchen. Best price I have found for one —
Spencer
So many new homes for Bloggie Girlies… I can’t wait to see what you do with this adorable little house.
Warm blessings,
Spencer
Anne
I have been following your blog for some time now. I have also had the experience of remodeling an entire house as well right down to the planks! You are going to have a lot of fun. As far as the kitchen sink. I have found the cheapest apron farm sink at ikea. If you look under canada stores you will find 2 sinks. One is a double basin and the other is a single. They are the most reasonable. Also “Old Painted Cottage” blog has the double sink in her kitchen. Take a peak, you may like it. Best of luck and enjoy the time.
Leah C
Sure, it may not be “pretty” yet, but I just know that you & your hubby will work your magic and make it beautiful! A lot of work ahead of you, but I envy you…because it’s so much fun turning a house into “your home”:) Wishing you love, happiness and days filled with beautiful moments there!
P.S. And happy birthday to Joshua:)
Karla
I absolutely adore your new home! I can picture the changes you describe. It will be a perfect spot once you are done. As for the door, I myself am a fan of highlighting the door. Maybe a darker charcoal or black? Or something completely unexpected and cheerful like a buttery yellow.
Karla
CeCe
Alice,
I just posted a picture of my Ikea farmhouse sink for White Wednesday. Thought you might want to see it. Keep your house pictures coming. It is so much fun to see other special homes!
Megan Chamberlain
Your new home is lovely and you are going to make it look amazing. I love old houses, they have so much character. I know you don’t do bright colours but what about a red front door, it would look lovely with the grey and white or otherwise a less extreme choice would be a shade of blue that is enough of a contrast against the grey.
Kirra Sue
Wow, I am SO excited to keep up with you guys as you take on this new adventure! I LOVED your old place, and just think you do such an amazing job at decorating. One talented lady, for SURE. The house is dreamy. Even underneath all it’s flaws, it’s beautiful. I especially am excited to see the upstairs bathroom. That tub? Kill me. I love it. So fun!! Happy Birthday to your hubby!!
Kerryanne English
What an amazing journey Alice for you, Josh and Renoir to embark on. I know that you will weave your magic and transform this beautiful old house into the most romantic vintage home. I will relish watching the transformation.
I wish you all the best for moving day and sending birthday wishes for Josh.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Jill
Thanks for the tour. I love the idea of a baby filling up that bedroom someday! I also think the Mary statue is so beautiful and definitely a gift from God! You have a long road of “fixing up” but what a beautiful journey it will be with your loved one! A Happy Birthday to him!
Cris Ralston
Oh the possibilities…and such a wonderful house. What fun you will have making it yours. I look forward to seeing the stunningly beautiful finished cottage 🙂
Fondly-Cris
Valerie@chateaualamode
I am so excited for you and I don’t even know you! What a fun house to remodel and redecorate. This is my first time to visit you and I will definitely follow your journey. Congratulations and Blessings in your new home.
Fay
Alice,
I’ve followed your blog forever, but have yet to comment. Finally this day has arrived for you and Joshua. So looking forward with great anticipation as you turn this grand house into your home. Do let us know what grays you find that work here in the Northeast. The willow is just perfect
Debbie
Alice,
This is the perfect home for you and your guys! It has good bones, and such charm, I know you will make it beautiful. Much happiness to you and your hubby on your new journey. Happy Birthday to Josh, mine is on the 17th!
Debbie
starrydeborah
What a treasure you and your hubby have found!!! Enjoy every moment! The good, the bad and the ugly lol.
Believe it or not, but this adventure will mold you both into who you are meant to become, have fun, look into each others often and smile, your journey is just beginning 🙂
blessings,
starrydeborah
Anne
Hi Alice!
How exciting!
We just purchased our own darling little farmhouse, so I know the excitement you’re feeling.
I look forward to following the evolution of your beautiful home!
Hugs,
Anne – Fiona and Twig
Abby
Congratulations on your new house…I can’t wait to see the transformation!
Charlene
Good Luck with the move! It is a LOT of work to move & fix up a house but, so worth it when it’s all said & done. Can’t wait to see what all you have up your sleeve to change. Charlene
mari
what an adorable house! the door definitely should be black. have fun!
Mrs Sutton
WOW – How exciting! The house has SO much potential and I can see that you will make it absolutely beautiful – the back garden is particularly gorgeous! Thanks so much for letting us in – I’ve just discovered your blog and I will most certainly be back to see your progress. I moved into my ‘new’ home in January of this year in the English countryside, and so far I’ve only created ‘mood boards’ and rearranged furniture – you’ll probably inspire me to get a move on! Happy Movingxx
Annie from NJ
Very beautiful house indeed. It takes time to renovate and one can’t rush it. When my husband remove the wallpaper it took him a long long time and he say the best is to use the fabric softerner.
thepaper-rose
can’t wait to watch the progress! YELLOW for your front door………that is my vote!
Dollys Cherry Heart
I am so excited for you both! I love restoring old homes.
Yours has so much character… you will have fun!
The sweat and tears are so worth it!
I also think a red door would say “welcome..come on in”
Also my first thought was copper on the porch roof…..
Can’t wait for more pictures!
Best wishes,
Dolly