THE BEFORE.

I'M BACK.

And all because we finally got the internet company over to our new house. Who knew it took so long to get your appointment setup?! Anyhow...I know you thought I'd left you. I didn't. I've been swallowed by this new house...as busy as I've ever been trying to juggle work, moving, unpacking, painting, cleaning, finding furniture, deciding on decor, planting a garden before it gets hot, getting all the workers over to our house that need to do things...and...we've had company in town.

But it's fun. And amazing. And wonderful. I was so over living in tiny little apartments in other people's leftover filth (those old spaces with so much "character" just never really feel entirely clean). So here we are, in our very own house, doing our very own things, our very own way. It's slow-going, considering how busy we are. Maple and I both thought each project would go pretty quickly and smoothly. We're quickly realizing that's not the case. But that's okay--it's a work-in-progress, and I'm so excited to keep you updated with all the projects and ideas we have swirling around in our heads.

So, I'm going to be brave. I'm going to let you in on the before photos. Please be forgiving...because it needs work (and because these are the raw, unedited images straight from the camera). But it has such good bones. And it will *hopefully* be amazing. But for now,  here's a peak at what we have to work with:

 THE FRONT.

Our yard is giant. I'm standing about halfway to the street, here, and ohhh does it need work! Which, actually, we've pretty much done the initial phase of. See those leaves?! Gone. See those azaleas?! Trimmed. See that hideous carpet on the porch?! Still there. Yep...there's astrotruf underneath (of course there is). Oh, that will be a fun project. Anyway...I love the paint colors. She just needs a bit of landscaping and some porch love and she'll be great :)

 THE ENTRY.

Try to ignore that dark line etched into the gleaming hardwoods. Yes, it winds through the house and leads you all the way to the kitchen. So, that means some brilliant someone dragged a fridge through the house? Or maybe a keg? I mean, Frat House LLC did at one point own our place. Yes, that is real...and I am thankful for the invention of rugs.

 THE LIVING ROOM.

So, the entry/livingroom/dining room are essentially one big L-shaped space. This is the angle you see on your right as you make your way through the front door. Those apartment blinds were my worst nightmare (and the first thing to go), but that picture window is pretty much my dream.

 THE LIVING ROOM.

Looking back toward the entryway and the bedroom wing of the house. See that upside down sconce the precious owner hung right against the crown molding? Nice. Also...gone.

 THE DINING ROOM.

I didn't love how these rooms flowed together at first. I've decided I like boundaries, I guess. But this was only the second house we saw, so the more we checked off the list, the higher this one rose in stature. So, I have a solution. See that huge, bare wall on the right? Well, we're doing a built-in bench on it. Maple and I bought a huge barn door that's in really great shape, so we're in the process of making a base for it to serve as our dining table. That means no decisions will have to be made about how to walk around a table. It will be a cozy eating nook butted against the wall, giving me plenty of room for a sideboard on the opposite wall. 

THE DINING ROOM.

The window looks into the backyard. Someday it will be replaced with french doors *swoon.* The door on the left looks into our awesomely paneled den/4th bedroom. We're sticking a cozy couch and the TV in there. The perfect space to cuddle up in for a good movie (or...as begrudged by the hubs...some HGTV...which I finally have). Oh, and that door on the right leads to the kitchen/garage/laundry room. Oh, and that stunningly handsome thing at the window is my hubs :)

THE KITCHEN.

Huge. Awesome. Amazing. Glorious. I obviously love it. Just look at that huge picture window. There are actually three more of them in here (not quite that big, but still...). Just look at that tile--it's beautiful, rustic terra-cotta (I'm super picky about tile). Just look at those cabinets that extend all the way to the ceiling. They are simple, but I love them. And, there are two walls of cabinets. TWO. And room for our butcherblock as an island (which I am sitting at now with my coffee in hand). Do you see that weird little cabinet next to the window in the top photo? I used to hate it...now I love it. So entirely strange...but so entirely cool. That's what I love about this house...character. Anyhow, we have big plans for the kitchen. I want to work with what we have and the character of the space. But it's pretty much my dream.

 THE LAUNDRY ROOM.

The laundry used to be on the other side of that wall, in a dingy, cobweb-filled room off the garage. No more, friends. Hubby and dad drilled through the wall for the hoses and the electrician installed a dryer hookup. This room is dreadful now, but it will be painted white and hubby is building me a butcher block top for the W/D to make it more of a built-in look. There's two huge windows on the opposite wall, and they will have a bench with storage underneath. I see it all being very simple and industrial in feel. Anyhow, welcome to our mudroom/laundry room that's just off the kitchen.

THE BACKYARD.

Is giant. 

And one day it will have a patio, raised garden beds, an outdoor fire place, eating area,
trellises with vines spilling over, and a man hut. 'Nuf said.

 THE FOURTH BEDROOM.

Which we're turning into our den.

I kind of like the wood panelling...

hmm...

is that a faux pas?

 The Master Bath.

Can you even call it that if it 's maybe the smallest bathroom of all time?

It's cute. And perfect for Maple. I've already painted the vanity and mirror. We're building some rustic shelves for a wall you can't see. Oh, and that horrible light fixture is gone.
And the little shower is actually pretty cool.

The Master.

That high gloss black trim against dingy white walls is my worst nightmare. It's all been primed and is ready to be painted (this weekend) the perfect shade of gray. We installed a modern, white ceiling lamp and I'm building a headboard and installing linen roman shades on the windows. Can't wait.

 THE HALLWAY.

And the dog :)

 THE GUEST ROOM.

A cozy little space well-suited for our antique brass bed and friends and family staying over.
It's a bright little space that's draped in sunshine most of the day.

 THE OFFICE.

Or, what will be at least. Love the two huge windows and how bright and airy it is. Sadly it falls to the bottom of our priority list, but I guess there's always that one room. It's pretty decent how it is, though. 

MY BATHROOM.

Oh...yes...complete with a pink and gray tile floor and a gray bathtub. Okay, I actually really love the tub. She needs some work, but all-in-all she's a pretty great space with lots of potential. Can't wait to show you the simple fixes I have up my sleeve!

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So there you have it, friends...our house: the project that's swallowing our time (and hopefully not our money). What do you think? Are we crazy? 

We think it's pretty wonderful, and perfectly well-suited for me and Maple...and our little pup. Maple and I have so many ideas for the space--most of them consisting of simple, inexpensive DIY projects. I hope you don't mind, but they're sure to be making an appearance on the blog. 

Again, so sorry I've been MIA for such a long time. And thank you to the internet for finally gracing our lives again and connecting me back to you :)

HAPPY FRIDAY.

See you Monday (yes, really...I promise).