That's right! We're D.O.N.E, done!! And I have BEFORE and AFTER pics that I know you're going to "oooh!" and "aaah!" over. At least, you'd BETTER. After all years (yes, YEARS) of blood, sweat, and marital discord, if you can't find it in yourself to adequately ooh and aah of this renovation, you'd better fake it. :-)
We bought the house as a foreclosure, so it wasn't in the absolute best shape. Nothing awful, like vandalism by previous owners. It had just been treated a little rough, and some of the contractor-grade features hadn't held up so well. But for the price, the house--even with it's needed upgrades--was a steal. The best part was learning the ins and outs of DIY. We became homeowners not even knowing how to plunger a toilet. Seriously. Why learn when base housing maintenance does it for free???
In the last three years, loaded down with all our new DIY knowledge, our brains (and muscles) have grown by at least 3%.
Since we unpacked in July of 2009, we have (in the kitchen/breakfast room/dining room/laundry room)--bought a new oven and microwave (Installed ourselves. Hey, no laughing. It was quite an accomplishment!), replaced the laminate counters with Corian (including a new sink and faucet), spray painted the chipped "gold" cabinet pulls and the two light fixtures, removed wall paper trim, painted, changed out the blinds, moved an electric outlet from ground level to counter level, added a wall of shelves to our laundry room making it an additional pantry, added a tile back splash, and most recently...tiled the dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, and laundry room.
YAAAAY for upgrades! YAAAAAY for DIY!! YAAAAAY for no divorce attorney!!!
I'll shut up now, cuz I know you want to see the pix... I lied. I have one more thing to say. A warning: I said "done," not "clean." :-D
Oh, and forgive the order of the pix. Blogger was being an complete and utter behonkus and refused to let me drag them to where I wanted.
OK, NOW, I'll shut up. I think....
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Dining room BEFORE
Yes, that's carpet. Nasty carpet. |
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| Laundry room AFTER |
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| Dining room, AFTER |
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| Laundry room BEFORE |
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| Stove side of kitchen, AFTER |
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| Stove side of kitchen, BEFORE |
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BEFORE.
Too bad you can't get the full effect of the pitted, stain, warped counter tops. |
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| AFTER |
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| Breakfast room BEFORE |
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Breakfast room AFTER
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Posts
Great job! I like the valance over the dining room window :)
ReplyDeleteJust BEAUTIFUL, April - and I'm CERTAINLY not faking ;). Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brandi! My mom made that. Isn't she talented?!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I'm so glad you're not faking. LOL Glad you love it, too!
Lovely! Did you use a VA? Geno and I tried to get a bank owned home, but it just kept hitting snags with VA. I love the colors you picked too! And to feel done is a wonderful feeling.
ReplyDeleteI'm not completely done with mine, but I plan on posting before and after pics soon of the rooms I have completed. :) You should swing by and check them out when I post them, my fellow home updater. :)
April I come from a family of builder/remodeler/carpenter types. We were always "in process" but I love the process and that sense of accomplishment when you stand back and survey your work and pat yourself on the back! I hope you are doing a lot of that because you did a bang up job!
ReplyDeleteRachel, I WILL come visit your blog to see your before and after pix!! If I forget, feel free to poke me. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteCarol, there's a whole lot of back-patting goin' on around here. LOL Makes all the effort worth while. Yes, that sense of accomplishment feels great! It's addicting. :-)
Congrats on the new remodel AND surviving the process!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new kitchen.
Ooo! Aaaaah! OOOOOh! Aaaaah. Beautiful, you have done a really good job. I shall remember to take my shoes off next time I visit, didn't realise it would need complete renovations once I left.
ReplyDeleteLOL, "Lizzie"! Thanks for being excited about it with me. And you're welcome to keep your shoes on so long as you bring more yummy smelling soap. :-) And "accidentaly" leave it here.
ReplyDeleteHow many ways can we spell jealous! And it's never done. I just did new LV window treatments after 20+ years, even though we hope to move in five.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new window treatments, Lisa! Why are you moving out of your lovely old home??
ReplyDeleteIt looks great April! you guys did such a good job!
ReplyDeleteApril, I love it! So very nice!! Enjoy! =]
ReplyDeleteOh! And I meant to say that I loved being able to see the before and after pix!! ;-)
DeleteIt's working! Waa hoo! Way to go, Patty!!
DeleteI'm on a deadline and have been swamped with work all day but itching to reply to you. I had to take a few seconds break to squeal. This is awesome!!