10 Things I Would Have Remodeled Differently

I've been wanting to put a list together of the things I might have done differently if we did our remodel over again. And gratefully, there aren't too many. And the ones I would change, are still pretty easy to change.

I read this helpful thread at the beginning, in the middle, and towards the end of our project. A couple of things were super helpful. Like the idea to put a gas line going directly to outdoor grill.... we would not have thought of that on our own, and it was much easier to have it done while all the other plumbing was being redone. My parents have that and have always loved the feature. And even though my grill loving husband has almost always had a backup tank of propane in case he ran out, sometimes he would still have to make a quick run to kroger to finish grilling dinner. He grills about 3 times a week, so we've already used the new gas line a ton.

Some things on that list weren't that helpful to us specifically. Like, we didn't want to spend money on a central vac. But little things, like adding dimmer switches, a light switch to our attic, were things I'm glad we did bc of this list. We also had some extra plumbing and electricity lines run so that we could eventually add a few things to the outside of the house in the future if we want to.... Like an outside wash/bath room like they have at the beach. That way the kids don't have to run inside from the pool with wet feet.  I could write a HUGE list of things labeled Things I'm So Glad We Thought To Do, (the top one being our decision to raise the ceilings) but on to the 'shouldas':

1. Use tile and counter materials to guide bathroom paint color.
I knew I wanted to use white hexagon and subway tiles in the bathrooms. And white marble for countertops. So, I should have used those two things to help me decide on wall color in the bathrooms. We painted the whole house in Dover White, which is still one of my fav decisions, but in the bathrooms it looks way more yellowish because of all the white tile and counters. If I did it again, I would have taken my tile pieces to the paint store and chosen a different wall color. Maybe just a true white, or maybe something grayish. Luckily, that one is a pretty easy fix if it continues to bug me.

2. Block windows for heavy window treatments
This is really a small detail, but I had read this before on the list, and was sort of talked out of it. I wish we had added 'blocked windows' with extra studs during framing. I like iron curtain rods, and if I want to hang them in a certain spot above and beside the windows, the drill spot would not be on a stud. So, that's not a big deal really, but it is something to think about.

3. Add a gas line on porch for gas lighting.
Why didn't we think to do this?! We would have to go to quite a bit of trouble to add this now. So for now, I like our plain porch lights just fine:)

4. Decide on the EXACT windows 3 weeks before framing.
I already knew I wanted to keep our existing old wood windows downstairs. Not only would this save us money in construction cost, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the old windows. I KNOW they are not as safe, weather tight and such. But this is where I am so glad I got to decide things like this:))) I love the old windows and the coolness they allow in the winter does not bother me or Isaac one bit. So, they stayed. But I THOUGHT I knew what I wanted as far as upstairs windows go.... I thought I could have all wooden windows on our top floor to match the bottom ones. Not so, I learned once the framer was almost done framing. I was limited on which types of windows I could pick since the framing was almost done. It's the only time in the house project where I was truly mad. We found some clad windows that would look really close to our existing old windows, so I got over it. But not without complaining a lot about it. They came in and looked better than I had expected, which was a happy. But I still like our old downstairs ones the best.

5. Bathtub placement and faucet placement.
I had wanted to salvage our old cast iron tub. Would have saved us about $600 (if i remember correctly) AND I would keep something I found sentimental. And I'm sure that old tub is sitting in a dump somewhere. Bool. Hopefully not. But if we'd planned better, we could have reused it. I didn't think about it mattering which side the tub drain was on. Apparently it mattered for pipe issues. So, once we realized our tub had the wrong side drain, we had to ditch the reuse idea. When it came to our big master tub, I wish I had thought ahead to put the plumbing for faucet on the back wall side of tub, rather than on the front side where Set can turn the water on when he walks by. Hard to explain that one, but things like that are not easy to fix once you decide on them.

6. Get two water heaters if you have a big tub and two shower heads.
We should have done this from the get go, but luckily we figured it out within weeks of moving in.They were able to add another tank under the house pretty easily. For a cost, of course. But, to have hot water for longer, it was so so so so worth it.

7. I would have spent more on faucets.
I picked plain faucets that I still like. But every time I see a really gorgeous faucet, I wish I'd just gone ahead and picked the more pricey ones. Sorry Isaac : ) The ones we have function perfectly, and look nice, so I really shouldn't list this one probably. Yet, it is something I would have done differently.

8. Kept counter remnants.
I went against all advice and chose white marble for all of our countertops minus our butcher block island.
I WOULD DO IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN! I think they're the most gorgeous thing ever. I know some people are laughing in disagreement, but this is where redoing your own house to your own taste is such fun. Freedom in choices! I just so wish I'd had them save my remnants including the squares that came from the sinks. I was told to do this and I forgot. We would have had to store them, but it would still have been nice to have them if I ever wanted them in future. As for the predicted wear on the counters, there are lots of chalky looking spots and etching on my kitchen counters already. Which I think that adds character and makes them more 'aged' which we all know I like. One day I'd love to have them honed. They came polished, so we've left them that way for now.

9. We should have locked up our valuables.
We had an ice maker, some lawn tools, and industrial fans all stolen during the process. We should have removed these valuables and locked them up looking back. Instead, we had to buy a new ice maker (sad bc our old one was a hair better than our new one) and replace the fans. You live and you learn.

10. Be sure on doorknobs and drawer pulls before they drill holes.
I should have waited to choose drawer pulls and doorknobs until the very very end. Like after we moved in. Because it wasn't until all the painting and faucets were installed that I could really tell what I wanted the hardware to look like. I ended up having them fill holes and repaint cabinets in several rooms bc I didn't wait. And I had all the upstairs knobs changed out bc I couldn't stand the ones I chose the first time. I learned that if something bugs me, that I should get rid of it right away, instead of waiting and hoping that I'll warm to the idea. The longer I let something sit, the more trouble it is to fix.


I am sure I will think of more. And now I want to write a list of the things I am so glad we did, bc a ton popped in my head while I typed this.

Overall, for our first time doing anything like this, we did super well. Isaac and I were surprised at how well we got along in the process, too. He was way more creative and open minded than I expected. He could better visualize the space planning than I could ever have hoped to. I think he was happily surprised too by my ability to make choices and decisions when I needed to. It was so so so much fun. So much fun that if I didn't want to live in this house on this street forever, that I might just want to do it all over again :)))

65 weeks ago we were working on these house plans.

Fun journey. 

Framed prints

We have/had a big blank wall in our front room, right when you walk in the house. I needed something big to fill the wall.  I thought about big greenish botanicals (love that look). I'd even have loved some huge framed dried fig leaves or something. Didn't know where to start on that idea. I have a true love when it comes to old things, and I usually tire less of them, so I decided to go with framed vintage prints. I searched eBay for just the right thing at just the right price;)

I got ab 18 prints that were from antique botany books for about 25 bucks. I used 12 of them for this project. 

I ordered 3 lots from the same seller and he gave me a discount and better shipping rate. 

If I had my pick for frames, I love old wooden ones the most. But finding 12 old big wooden frames (that would look good together) at a thrift store was unlikely. I've found sets of smaller ones (can't wait to fill those treasures for another wall soon), but knew for this I'd need to buy all 12 from a 'regular' store. Borrring;) jk, I know I can't find everything second hand at savers. 

I'd have loved custom frames, but for 12 that would have added up way too quickly. No luck at hobby lobby, but michaels had some I liked a lot. I'm always happily surprised at michaels. They have lots of great stuff. But for framing and matting, Hobby lobby is way better in my opinion. I thought about gold frames, but the big bookshelf in the same room has more gray and pewtery tones in its hardware and finish. So, when I found a bunch of these silvery ones on clearance, I bought them up. All 10 of them. Glad I didn't trust the worker there that said they called the NLR store and told me they didn't have anymore of the frames. I just drove myself on over and found them myself, and bought the last two I needed. I just knew that still had some.  At 10 bucks a piece, I was ultra happy to find all 12. 

Then I went to HL and picked out a mat color. Went with a darker gray one. They cut them in ab 15 minutes and then I went home and put them together. I used painters tape to keep the prints in place. 

Now for the hanging part, I called my helper, Sarah Finley, again. We measured a bit, but mostly eyed it. It only took a couple of hours. We worked quickly (and as quietly as you can be while hammering) while our babies napped.

And here they are... 

Think they work nicely. You can even see them from outside bc they're across from our big porch window. Which makes me smile. I was also inspired to hang kid photos and other things around the house once this wall was complete. I was motivated to get things up on walls before we had some friends over for a dinner. I never do anything until I've got a deadline, so it was very welcome motivation. 

I have some chairs that will eventually sit in this front room, but to have extra seating for the dinner, I set it up like a dining room. 

Pic below from before the table had it's tablecloth, obviously:)

Another project I can check off my in-my-head check list. I'm just not one of those actual written out to-do list people. But my ideas are all up there floating around in my head. Nice to see one through to completion. 

Happy weekend!

~morgan

Table redo

Back to house stuff for a bit. I'm trying to make this place feel complete. Which is not that easy for me. I love the process. And starting projects. And ideas. But finishing out my visions?! Not my strong suit. 

We have been so so pleased with our remodel. The added space (closets!! Playrooms!! Laundry room!!) has felt like the biggest luxury ever. 

I have been extremely slow in getting things set up. I'm talking furniture and hanging things on the wall and bedding and all the extra things that make a house feel so personal. I have analyzed over every detail to the point where I am just about where I left off... Two weeks after we moved in. The boxes are finally all unpacked (well, aaactually, there are a couple in a few closets :/ ). I have hung some curtains, but I still haven't decided on a coffee table, side tables, or a single lamp. How many times do I feel like this,,, First world problems really are redic. 

One problem is I like to find pieces that I fall In love with. Like, they have a special story, or they are one of a kind.... To a fault. 

I have had one success early on that i decided to post about in hopes that I'll inspire myself to make some more decisions.

 I found this big 8 ft table at a resale place in nlr. 8 chairs and the table for $200. I'd been dreaming of a huge table like this for awhile. And looked online a lot and saw how costly this piece of furniture could be. I love a good find, so I bought it before anyone else could scoop it up, hoping it would look just right in our new big eating space. Which is pictured below, premove. 

Here she sat in our rent house carport for a couple months. 

And here the chairs sat in our remodeled house for a few months before I decided what to do with them. 

So pleased when the table and chairs were just the right size for the space. And I love the cane backing on the chairs. AND it was all very sturdy.. Hugely important with my three rough kids. 

My talented friend, sarah, is great at completing projects and she helped me figure out what to do to update the table and chairs. 

We paid someone to sand it all. Cut the top decorative pieces off of the top top of the chairs, and paint the chairs. Now I just need to put some wax on the chairs maybe, and work on the chair seats. Which should take me another year at the rate I'm moving. 

But I'm very happy with where they are now. Isaac says this is his favorite spot to sit in the whole house. And I agree. 

It was a really big deal to me to have a big table in here. A place for neighbors and family to eat with us at any time. 

The rest of my house is very uncomplete. Here's to finding my motivation to complete the rest of the spaces! 

Grant Street Project: We Moved In Part II

So I left off somewhere around the stairs last post... 

Here is the view coming from our master

Turn right by the stairs and you'll enter the den. When we realized this room was going to be smaller than our imagined  space, our framer suggested vaulting the ceiling. We are so glad we did. It feels kind of cottagey to me. Furniture has been in at least three arrangements so far. Still working on the best place for furniture in here. 

 

To the left of den, is our big table. I found this set of 8 chairs and 8 foot table for a steal....second hand at a thrift store. It fits perfectly. I plan to sand the shininess off the surface and might paint the chairs. I love their cane backs. Two Lights will hang above the table, but they don't come in until next week. The real mantle and new doors were a big change that I love. 

I still have to work on these two rooms quite a bit. They are begging for curtains and arranging. But the open flow from kitchen-to eating-to den has been so nice. 

Under the stairs closet. A favorite hangout for my kiddos. 

You can see difference in old stain and new stain here. There is part of me that misses the lighter natural stain. 

Now head upstairs...

Notice baby gate at top of stairs. Keeps my peace of mind when we are upstairs. Don't want Set falling down these things. 

A little book nook at the top of stairs and in front of playroom (playroom that is filled with a huge mess right now:)

Upstairs bathroom - minus a bit of hardware 

Fun mirror I found on amazon :

The bedrooms upstairs look mostly the same. I like the way the carpet turned out. And the windows let so much light in! Cant you tell from this evening pic? ;) Such a treat, that light. 

Jack n Jill bath that connect Annette and Charles' room. Those lamp shades need some trim or something, I think. Can't wait to make each space more fun and 'us'. 

That about covers it. A virtual tour of sorts.

Now to get all our stuff in order.....

Thanking The Lord for this great blessing. 

-Morgan 

Grant street project: We Moved In!

Before we moved all the boxes and furniture and chaos under this new roof (which we are so enjoying!), I took some pictures of the mostly complete renovation. Glad I did, because we are certainly wading through piles of boxes now.  I have had my hands busy busy busy, but progress is sloooow around here with baby Set. I can get next to nothing done while he is awake! I want to post before and after pics in a future post. Maybe once I have a teensy bit more time with two free hands.

One outside pic

She looks great with a second layer!!:))

Now for updates on inside...

We opened up the original small doorway and added French doors. That room is where we used to have our eating/crafting table. Now it is designated as our craft table/desk/office room. 

The butcher block peninsula is new. We took down two smaller pieces on each side to create a place for barstools. We don't have those yet. 

The new lighting has been even better than I imagined. The dimmers are one of my new favorite gadgets. 

But in reality, I've already made all this newness a mess. Hopefully, I'll get it much more organized in the next few weeks. But Annette and I are already loving this 'work' space. It's like our mini classroom. 

This is our master bath, which was actually our kids' old bathroom and hallway area. Same window. That window that I had to break through once to 'rescue' Charlie once when he locked himself in. I absolutely am super sentimental about this old/new house... and am thrilled with the things that remain the same since the renovation. 

Hardware still needs to be put on. I changed my mind on hardware about 3 times :/

My side of closet. Isaac's side has several more drawers than my side. Big upgrade from our teensy closets before. 

Our master bedroom, which used to be Annette and Charlie's bedroom. 

Now these pulls, I loved. Got them right on the first try ;)

Laundry room

Under the stairs powder room 

Found the tiny sink online

Still need a mirror

This is our front room when you first walk in house. Nothing new except paint, carport door moved in here, and taller ceilings. 

Hard it get a picture bc of the sun in windows.

These are temporary porch lights until the ones we ordered come in. 

This is what you see when you first come in. 

Baby gates are complete, but need to be painted. 

And that's most of the downstairs. Except for the little den that used to be our master bedroom. It now has a vaulted ceiling which you can barely see in the background. Then the dining area with fireplace is to the left of den.

But Set just woke up, so I'll do the other rooms in another post, 

Maybe one day I'll get completely unpacked and organized. Doubt it will be anytime soon!!

Happy Friday!