A Big New Reno Project
I have a big project to announce and I am very excited about it!
I have a big announcement for you today.
You may not quite believe this news.
But it’s true.
We bought another house. An investment. And a project.
A. Big. Project.
Ready to see what we’ve gotten ourselves into this time??!!
Come on in…
The house was built in 1973 and only has had one owner- they clearly loved their home and took good care of it. It has been very well maintained in many ways. And has quite a vintage 1973 feel to it, starting with the door and hardware. The wooden shelf divider at the entrance of the home adds to the vintage feel…
The living room…
We are pretty certain that the carpets are original, and the gold mirror tile and wood paneling are certainly of the 70’s era as well. Check out the wood paneled valances- they even have built in lighting behind them. A lot of care was taken by the previous owners to customize their home to their liking.
Isn’t this light fixture quite amazing? I think I have a friend or two that would love to take that one off my hands and use it in their own eclectic space.
If you are standing near the fireplace and looking towards the other side of the house you can see the (two) bedrooms and bathroom…
The living room adjoins to the small dining room area and then the kitchen.
It has this cool old built in cabinet- I like the leaded glass in the top, but the amber glass in the bottom isn’t my fave. What do you think?
The dining area flows right into the kitchen.
It has solid wood cabinetry that I think we can salvage and reuse…
Pretty sure that the fridge is original circa 1973…
Though the stove and microwave hood fan are a little newer…
The kitchen counter has a little swing up portion of the counter that you can pull a chair up to…
And you can see the back door goes off the kitchen as well.
Isn`t it amazing how the 70`s patterns are back in – like the pattern on the floor?!
And on the closet doors in the kitchen. These doors blow my mind…
And guess what`s behind them?!
Main floor laundry. Crazy, right?!
From the kitchen there is a little hallway/landing area and the two bedrooms, bathroom, and door to the basement are off this hallway/landing spot…
The bedrooms are fairly small, but have a decent sized closet.
I would call the front one the Master Bedroom, but I think that might be stretching the term just a little.
Instead I will just call it the BLUE room…
That is quite the carpet, too, isn`t it?!
The smaller, back bedroom I affectionately refer to as the GREEN room…
Between the two bedrooms sits the bathroom.
And, yes, there is no tile in the shower. No tub surround either. Just wallpaper.
I don’t think it was ever used as a shower. The inspector thought it was totally dry, but I guess we will see when we open it up…
Hey, look, the boys already got started on that wallpaper!
Well, what do you think?
What would you keep?
What would you ditch?
Does it have your creative juices flowing? Or would you be running away in fear?
If you follow me on Instagram I will be sharing some more updates and changes as we tear this place apart!
It’s going to be on a BIG BUDGET. Full of DIY. And it’s going to be so much fun!
Hey Krista,
I think the blue carpet is fun! I had a thought.
If the carpet is clean enough, and not glued down, you could always cut the carpet and make an area rug.
That way you’re not limited to a blue bedroom, the rug could be placed in any room of the house.
God bless you, and have fun!!!
Hi Rena,
I agree – the blue carpet was super cool. Unfortunately it was really really dirty and stained. I guess that’s what over 40 years will do! The project is well on it’s way – quite a transformation is coming!!
Congrats on this new adventure! I can’t wait to see what you do with it!! Its amazing how this cute little house it totally stuck in the 70’s. but it looks like it was totally loved at one time. Loooove the front door and the blue carpet! But the room divider at at the entrance of the house, the bathroom mirrors, fake wood paneling, mirrors in the living dinning and the rest of the carpet, yikes!! I do like the kitchen floor, the doors to the laundry, but my imagination won’t take me to how to work all those in to a new clean design.
But you are so talented, so I am dying to see what you do!! I will be anxiously awaiting posts on what you have done to this little treasure!
xoxo
Such a fun project!!! It’s a different beast when you plan to rent or flip isn’t it? Those cool quirky things (like the neat kitchen floor or blue rug) would be totally heinous to someone who couldn’t see how you could design a room around them. I’m find with our flips that the more neutral and simple it is the more people will want it, which you, of course, know because of your last rental. 🙂
If we were doing it was a rental I think we’d do the glue down “hardwood” everywhere there isn’t real hardwood under the carpets, it’s so durable. And if it was a flip what we would do would depend on what properties are selling for in that neighborhood. Rental: paint the cabinets Flip: replace them. 🙂
Oh my gosh Krista that house looks so much like the one I grew up in here in Alberta. We had the exact same fridge, hanging light fixture in the entry, wood back lit window valance, and even the same switch plates. Loads of potential in that house and I can’t wait to follow the renovation. The kitchen cabinets and closet doors look salvageable.
I really like the house. It has great “bones.” I would say all the flooring needs to be updated (I like the blue carpet but it’s so busy, I feel like nothing else with a pattern could go in the room without it looking like the carnival was in town), new doors throughout, a more modern bath/tub surround, and I’d replace the dark paneling to brighten it up. Also the blue and green paint would so have to go. New light fixtures.
Hmm, I guess I’d do a lot of updating to it. I would have definitely bought it if I were you though. Houses with character like this one are hard to find.
Okay – this looks like a hoot and a half! I can’t wait to see what you guys do with this one!
Wowza! That looks like a straight time warp! You’ll make it amazing! 😉
Congratulations on buying another home…. I would definitely keep the front door – minus the screen looking storm door, of course! I think it’s unique and it looks to be solid wood. I would also try to salvage the kitchen cabinets and do something fun with the doors that conceal the washer/dryer/laundry room. I’m not sure what’s “funkier”, the carpets, or the 70’s light fixtures!? I’m with Chelsea and Cassie – I think if the rest of the room were white, that blue carpet would work! As for the pattern on the kitchen floor…..that might be “doable” as well, if the rest of the room were neutral. Can’t wait to see how you transform it – I would love to do something like that someday!
Blessings,
Lanita
We just put an offer in on a house that is somewhat similar to this… but a little bit more updated. I can’t wait to see what you do with the place… so much potential, so much fun!
First of all, congratulations on the new house!
What I would keep is the front door. If that is sold wood as it looks, it is stunningly unique!
Also the amazing glass doors that hide the laundry. Those are classy-classic elements.
Definitely the solid wood cabinets are a keep.
The previous owners were quite modern and fearless. It does look like a well cared for house.
I would ditch the carpets but then again, Iif I could I would pass a law forbidding permanent carpets. 🙂
Oh my gosh, Krista…how FUN! It’s like stepping into a total time warp! Those carpets crack me up. When I saw the lino on IG this morning, I was thinking that is almost stylish again lol. Can’t wait to follow your progress! XO
How exciting Krista! Can’t wait to see what you do with it girl!!!
I agree…that blue carpet is so cool. White walls with that carpet would be amazing!
Holy moley you have your work cut out for you! I want those louvered doors!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to see how this turns out!
okay, I’m super excited about this! This one is going to be FUN! I agree with Cassie – I love that blue carpet! ha!
so i will be the weirdo to say i would love that blue carpet and make it work. i think it’s kind of awesome.