Eight years ago, we purchased our 1970s fixer-upper and began a several-years-long renovation.
I learned SO much during this renovation—it was the learning experience of a lifetime. It was my first very large renovation. It took longer and cost more than I expected (as almost all renovations do).
Related: Elsie’s Home Tour Archive, Tips for Hiring a Contractor, Renovation Regrets.
What I wasn’t expecting, though, was how much I truly enjoyed the entire process. Once I realized we were finally done, I was missing the process almost instantly and wishing I could back and do certain rooms more slowly.
Anyway! Here is a before/after tour of all our living spaces! I hope you enjoy seeing the transformations (keep in mind the before and after videos are FOUR YEARS apart).
Oh! And by the way, I say, “This is my favorite room in the whole house” in two different rooms of this video—haha. Forgive me.
Entryway sources: Wallpaper / Buffet Table / Bench / Mirror
Den sources: Sofa / Similar Hand Chair / Pouf Ottomans / Similar Coffee Table / Lighting / Curtains / Similar Rug
Record table sources: Console Table / Turntable / Speakers / I did a post about our record player set up here.
DIY links:
–How to Paint Brick and Stone
–Our Projector Setup
–DIY Shiplap
Kitchen sources: Faucet / Chandelier / Quartz Countertops / Espresso Machine
DIY links:
–Paint Pen Organization
–How We Recolored Our Kitchen Appliances
–How to Organize Your Kitchen with The Home Edit
Breakfast Nook sources: Tulip Table / Chandelier / Dining Chairs
DIY links:
–Simple Frames with Gold Hardware
–My Rainbow Glassware Collection
Dining Room sources: Wallpaper / Chandelier / Rug / Mirror / White Chairs / Console Table
DIY link:
–Modern Farmhouse Table DIY
Sunroom sources: Coffee Table / Brass Planters / Tiered Planter / Brass Sconces
DIY Link:
–How To Paint Brick and Stone
Living Room sources: Sofa / Coffee Table (it sold out shortly after I bought it) / Mirror / Similar Rug / Bench / Art Print / Bar Cart (painted white)
DIY links:
–My Rainbow Bookshelves
–Paneled Ceiling DIY
–Color Washed Living Room Floors
Thank you so much for your love and support surrounding our renovations and home projects. If I’ve learned anything from this home, it’s that the process is just as magical as the end result and that I want a lot more renovation projects in my future! xx- Elsie
P.S. You can see the video tour from my previous home here.
Beautiful! This makes me also feel a bit nostalgic, because I startet following you when you were posting these rooms the first time. It reminds me of my life then and how inspired I felt by seeing your work. Thank you for sharing, I love your blog and podcast!
Stunning! Are all the walls Marshmellow? What is the color of the torquise stain used on the floor? How tall are the ceilings in this house?
Thanks!
What is the name of the quartz color you used? I’m going with an all-white kitchen like yours, having the quartz/marble conundrum, and am having a hard time finding a quartz I like by simply looking at tiny samples.
Could you link the part two tour that has your bedrooms?
Your home is so beautiful, peaceful and welcoming. I absoluterly love the work you did!
I love all the work you and your husband put into this space! My husband and I are looking for our first home and I’d love to know if you have any tips for seeing the design potential in a older home? You took a very old fashioned space (especially the den and kitchen) and made the rooms so much brighter and modern. How do you see that kind of potential when you’re looking to buy but you are looking at a darkly gloomy den and a yellow kitchen??
Hi Emily! This post might help– https://abeautifulmess.com/2015/05/thoughts-on-updating-an-older-home.html 🙂
Love ALL of it! I have the same sofa as you do in your den. Could you pls tell me the wall colour you painted in there? Thank you!
It’s Marshmallow by Sherwin Williams 🙂
this is so cool! thanks for doing the video.
one thing i really noticed is that painting not just the walls but also all the built-in cabinets and doors and trim white really brightened up the rooms. the cabinets look very chic now. I also gotta give your previous homeowners credit – that yellow-and-white color scheme in the kitchen and dining room was really kind of cool. I always like it when people make bold choices with their colors, and for those two rooms, that really worked!
Oh, and I have a request! Can you do a post about spices and your favorite ones to use? Cause you have A TON of spices. I counted about 20 in each row in the kitchen, so you got 60 different spices happening there. I’m not sure I can name 60 spices, much less tell you what to use them for. Would love to read about your fave ones.
Hi!
Yes- my husband’s main hobby is cooking! I basically just use garlic and cinnamon to be honest- but it’s his passion! He mainly likes learning recipes from other countries, so with each ones comes a ton of new spices!
Love! Do you have a tutorial for the colorful yarn wall hanging in the living room? Tried to find it and couldn’t!
Love it! Where did you get your dress you are wearing in the video?
Hi! It’s old J.Crew (I got it from Poshmark) xx!
Beautiful home! Where did you get the rocking horses from? I had the same one as a baby!
Hi Anne! It was a vintage find 🙂
Very lovely????
Ughh, everything looks so good! Thanks for the tour – so inspiring! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Your home looks amazing and Your renovation process and all your ideas are so inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️❤️
You’ve done such a great job!!
Laura
Thank you! Love you!!