Before A Whole House Renovation – Downstairs

Some people read for entertainment, others play video games. When I get bored, I start looking at real estate. Actually I don’t even have to be bored, I just like creepin’ around zillow.com to see what new homes have hit the market in my area. If you’ve been following for awhile, you may know that over three years ago, we sold our larger family home to downsize to something appropriate for the empty nesters that we are. We purchased a home built in 1957 from it’s original owners, and did a top to bottom renovation, complete with new roof, windows, and outdoor living spaces. As much as I adore this lovely home we have created, I’ve been craving a new project, so I look at real estate.

One day on my search, a new listing popped up in our current neighborhood that intrigued me. I promptly texted my real estate agent to set up a showing a few days out just to “take a look”. When searching, I require at least 2 out of 3 of my current MUST HAVES to even bother, which are: single story, lots of square footage for me to create amazing storage spaces, and an adjacent bedroom to the master that can become an obscenely large master closet. This house had two of those (it’s not a single story). Oh, and duh, it needs to be a good deal. I am not just looking for a nice house, I have one of those. What I’m looking for is the ugly duckling crying out to me for a makeover, or a nice family home that has seen better days and needs to be brought back to it’s glory. This house is the latter.

A few days later, I cruised through this house and could immediately see the potential. Actually what I mainly saw was the chance to have a REALLY HUGE closet again, so I convinced the hubby to check it out too. A few minutes of pointing out the benefits of doing this again and we were making an offer! YAY! We headed up north for the weekend, where I promised myself that I wouldn’t obsess the whole time (ha!), and the waiting began. The house was owned by the estate, as the owner had passed away, so we were dealing with the trust attorney. This is what transpired:

Our agent said that the house had been on the market about 24 hours, when it had received two above price offers! WHAT???? Insert my disappointment here, but wait. Within a few days, the first buyers could not get their financing, and the second buyers had already found another house. As luck would have it, we came along at just the right time, and soon it was ours! Yippee!

Upon entering the through the front door, there is a large living room to your right. These windows face the front of the house, which is south facing. The opening goes into another room that was clearly an addition to the original house. You’ll see why in a minute.

Currently we are knee deep in the renovation, thankfully not living there while it happens (learned that lesson the hard way). As soon as we get close enough to being done, we will sell our current LOVELY home (any buyers out there?). Our new project has great bones, and we are making a few changes that will produce a big difference. So here for your entertainment, are the before pictures. These are the ones that accompanied the listing. 

This is the room that was added on. You can tell because there is some sexy brick on the wall that is currently on the exterior of the house as well. The baseboard heating is another clue that this was an addition. The opening is looking back into the living room where you see the doorway into the foyer.

This is the other side of that added room, looking into the backyard. In this view, you are facing north. Notice the weird panel in the ceiling (what is that?). So many mysteries about to unfold!

From an opening in the formal living room, you have a view of the formal dining room. We are still facing north looking out the window. You are seeing the kitchen to your left through that door. The 80s called, they want their wallpaper and bay window back (sorry no water views here), but I’m crushing on the chandelier. She will end up somewhere else in the house.

Looking into the kitchen from the dining room. What’s that you say? Is that carpet in the kitchen? Why yes, it is! Do you think they are hiding something? Hmmm, let’s find out.

What is with that counter? Convenient at the time of it’s installation, I’m sure, but no longer working. Bye Felicia!

Looking into to the room adjacent to the kitchen. I think this is supposed to be the family room. But yea, that is a shower you see through that doorway. Another head scratcher. I actually like the brick and the mantle, and those beams are definitely staying.

This giant room (approx. 16′ x 25′) was marketed as “the sunroom” as it has three and half sides of windows. The large windows face the north, with the side facing the west. Those weird boxes flanking the window seat are actually bookcases, the shelves are temporarily MIA.

This is the other side, facing the east. The only opening that isn’t windows takes you back into that family room/kitchen area.

This is the half bath on the main level. There is a nice toilet, with storage above it. It is off (what I am calling) the utility room., which is accessed by entering from the main foyer, or from the family room/hearth area. There is a lot of wallpaper in this house to remove!

This is the laundry area, in the utility room. Yes, that is a shower. This must have been an addition later on, when the older person living here wasn’t doing stairs as easily as before. Since there is not a full bath on the main level, I’ll assume this shower was added. Yes, it’s as weird as it seems, but I’m sure served the purpose.

I will show you the upstairs in a different blog post, and share with you the ins and outs of making good choices for today’s family living. I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments, so feel free to leave notes and ask questions. After all, I’m assuming you’re just like me and are intrigued by the life that has lived here (and will again soon), so let the house snooping begin!

Best, 

Jill