I know were about 4 months behind on sharing our home we moved into, but I really wanted to still share this house so we can look back at where we started in the process of making this house a home! This is house number 3 and we hope to raise our 4 kids here and Lord willing, even our grand kids!
Just a little bit about this house, it was built in 1994, 2,400 square feet and the former owners were the first to own this home. The first time we visited this house, and actually every other time after that, the owner was always here and so we really got more insight on the home than if he wasn’t present. Upon meeting him for the first time, immediately I saw just how much he loved this home. He took pride in a few things, namely the time and effort he put into the landscaping and how he raised his children and enjoyed his grand children in this home for the last 24+ years. He took very good care of the yard and I was so impressed at how he laid out and planned the irrigation system in the front and backyard himself. It really was well thought out imo, but then again I don’t really know much about that stuff, haha. He also shared how his son built the guest house about 15 years ago as a gift to them. How cool is that?
Unfortunately, the reason for the sell wasn’t ideal. He shared how after what sounded like a painful divorce, they had to sell the house and split the profit. I really saw how he really wanted this house to go to a family who would care for and appreciate the home the way his family has. As a matter fact, on our last visit before we got the keys, we met his daughter and son and while we talked about a handful of things, the one thing I remember was when the daughter said something along the lines of her dad being excited it was our family taking over this home and wishing us a lifetime of happy memories as it did for her and her siblings as well as her children. That really meant a lot to us and made this home even more special!
Well, that was more than I planned on sharing today but I’m glad I did! Let’s get into a quick tour of our home before we even moved in:
Exterior
So while I don’t love the paint color as well as the interesting roof tile color, oh and the design they chose for that two tone effect, I do love that there’s a front porch and hitched roof at the entrance. While this house is definitely your two-story basic cookie cutter build, Jason and I saw so much we really loved about this house and felt it just needed some work at bringing out the beauty.
Entryway
The builders were far from generous with the entryway, haha! This is one of the areas that really bummed me out about this house, but I figured making the staircase and entry light pretty would help make up for the space it’s lacking.
The living room/ dining room combo
When I first visited this house, I was automatically drawn to all the light that pours in. The vaulted ceiling in here with the stacked windows allows a good amount of light in and I’m all about it. Unlike our last house, the dining and living room are connected which I think is a matter of preference. I wasn’t a big fan at first but I think once we remove the carpet and lay some new flooring, I think it will be much better in here!
Family Room
Coincidentally, this room is almost exactly the same size as our family room in the last house. But the biggest difference is that this room has 4 more windows then the last house, yes you heard right, 4 MORE, giving this room a whole lot more lighting than our last home. And you already know how I feel about getting as much lighting flowing in as possible. Are you seeing more now what I love about this house. Ha! You get it!
Kitchen
Oh kitchen.. what can I say about the kitchen?? It’s a kitchen, y’all. That needs work. Maybe a little demo. Oh forget it, it needs a lot of help and a lot of demo and while we originally planned on getting started in here a couple months ago, the weather didn’t permit it. But we are hoping to get started this month.
Downstairs hall to office, powder bath, laundry and garage
Office
You can see what we did in this space to make it our home office here.
Powder bath
Staircase
I shared the process and progress of the stair banister on my Instagram stories and will be sharing the whole DIY update here very soon. We’ve done so much and need to get you guys caught up on all the fun!
Loft
This space, though it’s small, was another reason we thought this house would be perfect for our family. It is a multifunctional space and is perfect for the kids to hang out and a place where they have their legos and pull out their toys which can easily go right back into their room since it’s right down the hall.
Masterbedroom
I also shared about our bedroom here but I do have an exciting update that we just worked on this weekend which includes a new light fixture I’ve been dreaming of using that was just installed. It’s so good and I’ll be photographing all of it this week!
This room has a lot of interesting angles, and interesting window placement which I was initially so nervous to work with. But with a little thought and consideration of the space as a whole, I think we figured it out and actually love it more than when I first visited the house.
Masterbath
The bathroom is far from grand, and the carpet in here sure isn’t ideal, but nothing beats the light that faithfully flows through that window, rain or sunshine. I’d love to one day do a whole demo and rework this space but for now, this is on the back burner. We may be able to do some cosmetic work in here, like paint the vanity and rip up the carpet and lay tiling, but isn’t a priority right now.
Upstairs hallway
Kid's bathroom
The short story for this bathroom is it just needs to be gutted and is on our to do list for sometime after the kitchen is done.
Girl's bedroom
Here’s another room I loved when I first visited, not because it was spacious but because the ceiling is vaulted, in a very subtle way but I just thought that was so cute! For that reason, I already decided the first time I stepped in this room that it would have to be the girls room and would look great with wall paper. And sure enough, last week, we did just that. Gosh, we’ve been busy, haven’t we?! Well, I will be working on finishing up their room and getting it photographed soon!
That handsome man above would be my amazing daddy who always came with me to visit houses when Jason wasn’t able to come. Not just with this house, but even with our first and second home. Oh dad, you have always been beyond more than a daughter could ever ask for in a dad! Love you so much for all you do for your kids and grandkids!
Boy's bedroom
This house has 4 bedrooms with a loft and a guest house, why in the world would my 2 girls and 2 boys share rooms? The easy answer is because having siblings to share a room with is awesome, duh! Haha, my 15 year old doesn’t always feel that way but the funny thing is he hasn’t even asked us to get the room downstairs which is currently the office. I think he secretly enjoys sharing rooms with his little bro. They drive each other crazy just as much as they love each other, what more can I ask for? Well, a lot of things haha but thankful they have each other!
Guest house
This little 375 sq. ft. space is what sold Jason. He loved the house but when he saw that it had a little guest house with a little garage (on top of the 3 garage that is all his), he was sold sold sold. He played it cool at the time because I could see he didn’t wanna get his hopes up but I could see it in his eyes, he loved the idea of having this extra space.
And who am I to talk?! When I saw the little rv parking, I started dreaming of an rv (that I don’t have yet) that just needs a little tic, begging to get Almafied! Haha, I laugh but I’m so straight face serious lol. I don’t know if it will ever happen but hey, it’s also a great space where the kids have their hoop and a playhouse!
As for the yard, we love the space and have to work on being better at having a green thumb, but we are working on it. On the plus side, like I mentioned earlier, the previous owner put up a great sprinkler system for the front and backyard so we just need to work on pruning and keeping the yard up. We’ll get there!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I am looking forward to sharing more projects we’ve been working on, lot’s of DIY’s and styling tips. If you don’t want to miss a post, be sure to to subscribe down below so we can stay connected!
Kathe C.
December 8, 2020I just stumbled on your blog after looking for Axstad white kitchens. I love your sharing your before house. My house is a 1990 builder special too and we are in the process of shedding the last of the 90’s look. We have the exact same cutout between the bedroom and bathroom and I am so curious to see what you do with yours.
Tech Sofa
June 3, 2023The guest house look is just wow. It will be more attractive just adding some furniture.
Houses Needs
June 11, 2024You wrote a amazing and mind-blowing article that every readers sticks and understand well
the reason for the sell you describe it very well I like it very much
Houses Needs
Sonia Afrin
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