Current House Tour!

As we embark on a new year, I’m excited to share a recent house tour with you. Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of working on a makeover project at my best friend’s home, so it feels like ages since some of you have caught a glimpse of mine! Let me take you on a journey through my current abode, as it is now.

Exterior/Porch

While the exterior may seem subdued during the winter months, my affection for it remains unwavering. The season’s chill doesn’t diminish the beauty that surrounds me, and I continue to cherish every aspect of it.

Entryway

The landscape of our view underwent a significant transformation last year with the installation of a brand-new front door. This sleek, modern entrance not only allows for an abundance of natural light to flood into the space but also provides a stylish finishing touch that brings the entire area together.

Study

This space is a true multi-functional haven for me! It’s where I work, where Rainie and I practice piano tunes, and sometimes even where the girls play. The small desk area has been my makeshift ‘office’ lately, but it’s clear I’ve outgrown it and will need a larger workspace soon – more on those plans later. You may have noticed some recent changes here; I traded in a modern piece for these vintage instruments (I’m still on the lookout for that third one to complete the set).

As I prepare to relocate my office, I want this room to feel more relaxed and like a cozy music room, study, or library.

Living Room

At the very center of our living space, you’ll find a cozy and intimate area that remains relatively unchanged throughout the year. The only exception to this rule are the fresh flowers or greenery that we add during each season, bringing a touch of seasonal charm to the room.

Breakfast Area

This year’s update to our living room view brought about significant changes, primarily driven by the replacement of outdated white sliding doors with sleek and modern patio doors. As we refresh this space, I’ve been experiencing a sense of stagnation regarding the chest of drawers vignette situated to the right of the door. To revitalize this area, I plan to explore new design options in the near future.

Deck

Finally, progress has been made on this long-overdue deck makeover, which was stalled due to unforeseen shipping delays and product shortages. Initially, we had hoped to complete the project last fall, but thanks to recent deliveries of necessary materials, we’re now just a step away from finishing what’s left. We’ve already gained an early start by installing some of the stunning railings, setting us up for a productive conclusion.

As part of the final push, we’ll be building new stairs and constructing a pergola to complete the deck, bringing it in line with our original vision.

Dining Room

As I reflect on the first room I painted in this house, memories of its humble beginnings flood my mind. This space held a special place in my heart for what felt like an eternity. However, as time passed and my personal style evolved, I found myself craving a refresh that would bring the room in line with my newfound tastes. The deep teal paint color still radiates warmth and character, but even its charms couldn’t stave off the inevitable feeling of being stuck in a decorating rut.

For months, I’ve been musing over potential updates, mentally preparing for the day when I’d finally take the plunge and give this beloved space a much-needed facelift.

Kitchen

As many of you know, the $500 makeover I completed in this kitchen back in 2019 was just the first step towards achieving my ultimate kitchen goals. While I’ve grown to love and appreciate the space, I’m now more than ever eager to tear everything out and create my dream kitchen. However, I don’t want to get ahead of myself – I still have a significant amount of saving and planning to do before making it a reality.

That being said, I remain optimistic that 2023 will be the year I can finally turn this vision into a tangible project.

Powder Room

While some might argue that the most significant change in this cozy powder room is the replacement of the traditional toilet seat with an innovative, child-friendly option featuring a built-in potty seat, for me, it’s business as usual. Despite the update, I still adore this sweet little space and cherish the memories made within its walls.

Garage

The garage’s current state is far from tidy. A surprise makeover in 2020, which included epoxying the floor and painting the walls, was meant to mark David’s birthday. Although some progress has been made since then, there have been hiccups along the way. Initially, I made the mistake of using an incorrect sealer, resulting in peeling paint in certain areas.

Thankfully, David took matters into his own hands and rectified the issue with a garage epoxy kit, adding decorative touches in the process. This space will eventually transform into his ‘shop’ for all things motorcycle-related. Currently, it’s also serving as storage for various odds and ends.

Our Bedroom

This space has a special place in my heart, as it embodies my personal design aesthetic. It’s an oasis within our home, where I can unwind and recharge. The bathroom is particularly inviting, offering a serene escape. My intention is to draw inspiration from this sanctuary, aiming to replicate its essence throughout the rest of my home and infuse each room with a similar sense of calm and relaxation.

Our Bathroom

One of my top two favorite rooms in this house tour is actually unchanged from when we first revealed it – apart from the addition of a new glass shower door just a few weeks ago. I’m surprised to admit that I hadn’t taken any updated photos since then, but looking back now, I can see why I might not have prioritized sharing them earlier.

The summer was spent planning and considering installing glass in the arch window, but as we’ve been living with it this way for a while, I’m starting to appreciate the openness it brings. In fact, if I were to change my mind about altering it, I think I’d opt for a small swinging door instead of a fixed glass window – wouldn’t that be adorable? The thought has me thinking that maybe the simplicity and charm of this room are more perfect than I initially realized.

Hallway

The current state of this hallway is a constant source of frustration for me. Despite a simple update to the ceiling lights, the space remains largely unchanged and feels stuck in time. My enthusiasm for transforming it into something modern and inviting is palpable.

Laundry Room

While I was pleased with the overall functionality of this space when I first finished it, I’ve been having some second thoughts about the paint color choice. The pink undertones are much stronger than I anticipated, which has left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Moreover, the soapstone counter’s actual black hue doesn’t quite mesh with the current shade, creating an aesthetic mismatch that bothers me.

To rectify this, I’m considering swapping out the paint for a more neutral tone to create a sense of balance and harmony within the room. Despite my reservations about the color scheme, I still genuinely love how this space has come together and serves its purpose.

Emery’s Room

As Emery’s tastes have evolved, so has her bedroom decor. You may recall that we temporarily settled on a twin-size bed arrangement, courtesy of Emery’s initial desire for a cozy corner nook. However, as she outgrew the twin bed and expressed a newfound longing for a ‘big girl bed like sis’, it was time to upgrade. I recently ordered a stunning canopy bed that has perfectly filled this space.

To complete the look, I’ll be keeping an eye out for a pair of nightstands and other complementary pieces.

Playroom

The girl’s favorite space, though often chaotic with toys scattered about, benefits from ample storage solutions. In fact, the room’s messy appearance belies its efficient design for cleanup purposes. While I’ve grown accustomed to this space, I must confess that I’ve been contemplating some tweaks. The pink wall color appears far more vibrant and dark than it actually is, likely due to the way sunlight interacts with the red ceiling.

To address this, I’m considering two options: either toning down the paint hue to a softer pink or repainting the ceiling white (though I’m not thrilled about that). In other news, I temporarily borrowed their café table to stage our patio’s reveal and was delighted by how well it suited its new surroundings. As such, I plan to purchase another identical piece to replace it and create a charming gallery of prints behind it.

Girl’s Bathroom

As I gaze upon this space, I’m struck by its untapped potential. Despite not having a grand vision in place just yet, I’ve been compiling a mental inventory of all the aspects that could use a refresh – from every single door to other, equally important features.

Rainie’s Room

Rainie’s passion for ballet has reached new heights as she continues to take real ballet classes and maintain her daily practice routine at home with the support of her trusty ballet barre. This dedication has been ongoing for a few months now, allowing her to refine her skills and build upon her foundation in the art form.

Guest Bedroom

As time has passed, I’ve subtly refined the space with incremental design tweaks, yet my desire for a transformative renovation remains unfulfilled. The prospect of embarking on a comprehensive makeover is tantalizing, and I can almost imagine the excitement that comes with bringing new life to this room.

Basement Bedroom

There’s something undeniably captivating about this moody room. Despite its charm, we’ve come to realize that having two guest bedrooms simply isn’t practical. The real challenge lies in accommodating David’s extensive collection of instruments – think two sets of drums and an assortment of guitars. This space offers the perfect solution, allowing us to dedicate a quiet corner for his gear.

Moreover, the cozy nook would make an ideal spot for a desk, providing him with a peaceful retreat to focus on his creative pursuits.

Basement

The basement has become a storage haven, akin to an outdoor shed. Initially, we intended to install a shed when redoing the garage, but that plan was scrapped. In its place, I’ve been storing everything in this room…and it’s now bursting at the seams. My ultimate goal is to transform this space into a home gym and my new office, where I can work out and be productive.

Basement Bath

With its endearing charm and untapped potential, this compact bathroom is poised for a transformation. Currently underutilized, it’s a blank canvas waiting to be brought to life once our office space is relocated to the basement. As usage is likely to increase significantly in the future, it’s only natural that a makeover will soon follow, capitalizing on its hidden promise.

Patio

When the sun shines and winter’s chill subsides, my go-to retreat comes alive. Currently, it’s a cozy winter wonderland, but my mind is already racing with plans to swap out the sliding door for one that perfectly complements the matching deck upstairs – a seamless blend of form and function awaiting its chance to shine.

Yard

I’m thrilled to be sharing an update on my home’s makeover, which was initially slated to wrap up last year but hit a snag with delays in building the deck. Despite the setbacks, I’ve continued to refine my design plans and can’t wait to reveal the final results. As you may recall, I previously shared some Yardzen renderings that captured my vision for the space. While my current plans still align with those initial concepts, I have made a few subtle adjustments along the way.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek! I’m grateful for your company on this house tour and can’t help but feel excited about the prospect of showcasing the progress I’ll be making in these rooms over the coming years. It’s already shaping up to be an exciting ride, and I’m eager to share my updates with you again next year.