Hi there. (I say to myself . It’s so weird starting a blog. I have 0 readers but I write as though I’m actually talking to someone. LOL There, that LOL for no one was really weird too. hahaha there I go again…) So here are my Illinois House -Before Photos! I’m trying to make this house less ugly because, frankly, it makes me want to cry. We just moved from TX. We bought a brand new house that I tore up and then fixed up. This time we decided to start old and ugly, since I can’t keep my hands off anyway! Oh, we move a lot. This is our sixth move in 11 years.
Illinois House -Before Photos
I am going to pick a project and post my progress weekly. (Or maybe biweekly depending on how realistic this turns out to be.) I think it will be a good thing for a couple reasons. One, it might help me stick to one project at a time so my entire house isn’t a complete mess all the time. Two, it will be kind of like when you have guests coming and you try to hurry and complete something before they arrive. Reason number 3, I anticipate that having to post pictures of my living space will encourage me to be more tidy. So that’s it. I’m going to start off with BEFORE pictures of my previously, extremely ugly house.
The Dining Room
The Den
Entrance hallway from both directions
Powder Room
Laundry Room
Yep, that’s where the dirty stuff goes. Then you have to walk over it to go outside. Great setup right?
Hallway to garage/laundry/office
The Kitchen
Living Room
Ok, the rest of the house is on video but you get the idea. It’s all the same orange-y wood molding and doors, brass fixtures and cheap carpet everywhere but in the entrance, downstairs hallways and kitchen, which is also ornage-y wood.
I hated the cosmetics in this house but liked the layout. I have torn apart the last 3 “brand new” homes we purchased so thought it might be a good idea to actually fix up an older, ugly house. I have done quite a bit already but still have sooooo much to do. I have been stuck on the basement for 2 years now. Here’s how I work. 4 months on, 3months off, 3months on 6 months off…You get the idea. So this is why I am nudging myself with a deadline of sorts. I’ll call it a weekly progress report.
Enjoy –if they don’t make you cringe!!!!
Lena says
We must be related…I finally convinced Ryan to buy an old fixer-upper…and now I am wondering what possessed me. Ry is NOT a handy-man, and I am like you, I am willing to give anything a shot and then I end up saying "good enough"! Love what you did in your TX house. Where were you guys at? We lived in Austin for 4 years before moving to the beautiful (not) state of AZ. We really loved it there!
Joe says
Start out small one room at a time, get a mental picture of what you want the outcome to be and stick with it till all the work is done then move on to the next room. Glad to see you are healthy and doing good, miss you Andersons… Tell your family hello for me when you talk to them.Joe
Kathryn-nannygoat says
Like I said in my last comment I am looking at houses that have a lot of the same "problems" you mentioned (brass fixtures, ugly wood trim, bad lighting etc.). You do such an amazing job! PLEASE take lots of pictures as you do these rooms. I would LOVE to see the process. It is inspiring!Keep up the good work.ps you must be exhausted! This is major stuff. 🙂
Natalie says
wow!! I do “diy” – you do construction level remodeling!! I am currently trying to build my first interior wall & so was checking out your site. You say simply “I framed the wall and installed it”… lol. But you give me hope – and that is pretty priceless! Kudos to whoever taught you so much!! My Dad thought this kind of work was not “lady like” and so I am learning as I go…. usually with a few do-overs! So just sign me – little military girl trying to be big diy girl! 😉