First, the "Befores"

I am a sucker for makeovers. Not that I've ever had an actual makeover myself, I am way too chicken/cheap for anything like that. BUT, I have been known to DVR many a televised makeover stories of both people and houses and fast forward to the last 10 minutes. You know, the "big reveal." And right about now, I am wishing someone would just come to the house and tell us to go to a spa for a week and when we return they will "MOVE THAT BUS!"

But I know that won't quite happen, so I'll take the next best option: blogging about the whole painful blessed journey of a major remodel, all from the comfort of my in-laws' couch (that may or may not be a blog post of its own someday, FYI)!

First, the raw material.

Our lovely little cottage in the perfect neighborhood and location. Just needing a little TLC. Well, maybe a lot, as these photos will attest to.



Our "formal" living room, complete with fireplace! I can't wait to decorate that mantel each season;). Of course, we'll be redoing the floors to take care of that black hole, literally, in the far corner.


New floors will also take care of this lovely buckling wood accent in one of the back bedrooms..


and the general wear and tear that 50+ years of traffic, and more recently, bike riding, has caused:).


The floors are high on our to do list, as is the kitchen.


This will be a major part of the whole project, involving wall shifting, new floors/cabinets/counters/appliances - nothing will remain! Including, thankfully, these beautiful countertops, with authentic 1950's tile and the antique grout to match...


and this vintage dishwasher! If you think the outside is nice...


wait til you see the inside...


There are no words. Just a big sigh.

The kitchen will become part of a new great room, adjoining more fluidly to the family room, where we will be removing this fireplace wall...


for a number of reasons, not the least of which is this lovely crack...


and this super safe chimney separation on the outside...


Also in the family room, we'll be getting rid of the "step to nowhere"...


and generally making it look nothing like it does right now. We have plans to raise the roof. Literally. And the floor. I think this will in the end be the room with the most amazing transformation.

Less dramatic will be some of the details. All new windows are a must. Exhibit A: This really well placed crack in Liam's future bedroom window...


Our master bedroom will be getting a new closet treatment...



and losing this super classy paneled wall...

in favor of a sliding glass door opening onto the back deck.

The final plan for the back deck is up in the air... but the jungle like foliage will almost certainly be thinned out, and the arbor shade thing removed. Also, we have plans to shorten the deck significantly to provide a nice, wide expanse of lawn for our rambunctious boys...


And finally, the bathrooms. The hall bath doesn't appear to be in too bad of shape...


But then you zoom in...


Nice! So... all new bathrooms are coming!

Sadly, in getting the house ready to stage, the previous owners actually redid the master bath. Although, I have to say, looking at the shape the bathroom they did NOT redo is in, I would be a little frightened to see what the real "before" for the master bath was.

I think I am showing the house in its worst light in this post.