IHeart My Home - Home Tour!

Welcome to our happy and humble abode!  Feel free to leave your shoes at the door, and make yourself at home!

Oh, and of course the disclaimer!  Our house is ALWAYS "under construction" as many would say.  And our "To Do" list never shrinks; it's just keeps growing and growing.  So please give my hubs a great big old sympathy hug the next time you see him, because he is always seen toting around his tool box and tape measure and I always have a project for that "honey do list".

We built our home back in 2001.  We had just gotten married, and were due with our first baby.  We were VERY young, and budget was small, to say the least.  We went with a three bedroom and two bathroom ranch, and dug out some of the front yard to put in two egress windows, for future basement finishing.  

Considering we had no budget to work with, unfortunately, that meant going with the basic finishes throughout the home.  Formica counters?  Yep!  Berber carpeting?  Sure did.  Boob lights galore?  You bet!  Little did we know then, that this would cause future costs in upgrades, which is what we have been doing slowly ever since.

You begin the tour by entering into our main floor living room.  It's currently on its 4th color since we moved in {if white primer counts as one}, which is far better than a rag treatment gone way way bad....

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Wall Color: Behr's Grape Leaves
{sources: gallery wall frames, blue throw pillows, glass coffee table, coffee table basket, white slipcovered chair, curtain panels, lamps, built in bookcases, media storage, sunburst mirror, trellis throw pillow, blue lumbar pillow, area rug}

We started out by removing the old berber carpet and putting in an oak laminate floor.  That instantly made the room feel larger!  We added a glass coffee table and switched up the furnishings to open up the space even more.  And the gallery wall was my solution the the huge vaulted ceiling and since I believe a home is really all about those who live in it, I decided to give an entire wall to their smiling mugs.  We have recently finished the long process of painting all of our trim white, which I LOVE and DIY'd the built in bookcases on the back wall.

Looking back at the entrance...

 BEFORE:

AFTER:

Wall Color: Behr's Grape Leaves
{sources: shoe cabinet, wall mirror, pendant light, console cabinet, lamp}

To the right of the front door is a shoe cabinet to keep all that footwear at bay.  I also can pop a laptop at a console table to create a workspace where I can still be near my family, or the kids can get cozy there to do their homework!  It works just perfectly!

The living room, entry and dining room are all fairly open to one another.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Wall Color: Behr's Brown Teepee and Behr's Belgian Sweet
{sources: dining table, white dining chairs, tufted bench, cutout picture frames {painted}, curtain panels, chandelier}

Wall Color: Behr's Brown Teepee and Behr's Belgian Sweet
{sources: buffet/sideboard, floating shelf, wine glass holders, sunburst mirror-DIY}

Some wall paint, a sideboard for storage along with some floating shelves gave the dining room a more finished and cozy feeling.

The dining room is open to the kitchen {which lives just on the other side of the living room gallery wall}

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Wall Color: Behr's Belgian Sweet
{sources: barstools, toaster, fruit basket, white vases, pendant lights}

We have been working on the kitchen since we moved in.  We started by adding hardware to the cabinets, updating the faucet and adding a tile back splash.  Then, the biggest change that totally made the difference in the room, We painted the once stock oak cabinetry, which made the room feel so much more grand and warm!  We installed wainscoting to the cabinet sides and backs at that time as well.  More recently we added crown molding to the tops of the cabinets which was the icing on the cake!  All of these solutions were quick, inexpensive updates until we can really move forward with a larger kitchen reno project that we have been itching to get started with {new counters, backsplash, floors, oh my!}

From the dining room/kitchen, you walk down a hall space, and the first room you will come to is our main bathroom.

 BEFORE:

AFTER:

Wall Color: Behr's Verdigris
{sources: glass shelf, mirror, drawer pulls, wall storage box}

In here, I painted the walls a pretty gray blue color.  We also installed an updated vanity top, faucet, shelf and mirror.  I painted the oak vanity cabinet the same color as the cabinets in our kitchen to create some unity between the two spaces and added some pulls to the drawers.  Chock this up to another space that needs some major renovation love.

Continuing down the hall you will find the three original bedrooms.

The first, was actually a home office before baby number two came along!  That's when it was transformed into a nursery, and then eventually the bedroom for both the older boys to share.  Now, it is the home of our oldest son, who recently celebrated his eleventh birthday!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Wall Color: Behr's Cayman Bay and Behr's Burnished Metal
{sources: lamp, stripe pillow, side table/drawers, clocks, framed map, dresser}

Wall Color: Behr's Cayman Bay and Behr's Burnished Metal
{sources: wall shelves, green baskets, swing arm lamp, pegboard, clipboard, charging station, chair}

The bedroom got a fresh coat of paint, a blue with a tint of gray to it on the lower level, and a lighter gray blue color on top.  And to divide the two colors, chocolate brown painted molding.  Since he keeps his clothing in a dresser, we were able to snag up his closet space to create a cozy homework nook.  Now, the room is fit for a growing boy!

Further down the hall is the next bedroom, which was originally our oldest son's room, now it belongs to our youngest two.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Wall Color: Behr's Windsurt and Pittsburgh Paints Cityscape
{sources: map-DIY, pouf, curtain panels, wire airplane, stripe sheets, dwell studio throw pillows, red duvet covers, headboard fabric, wall sconces, storage cabinet}

We removed the wallpaper border, and updated the walls to be fully encompassed in stripes.  Some DIY map art and upholstered headboards really made it feel like home to two little guys! 

The last room on the main floor, was originally the master bedroom, but since we recently finished the lower level, it's now a guest room.

BEFORE:  

 

AFTER: 

Wall Color: Behr's Burnished Metal
{sources: sidetable, rope basket-DIY, frame, lamp {thrift store}, headboard-DIY, white quilt, duvet, sunburst mirror}

Wall Color: Behr's Burnished Metal
{sources: wall shelf, cork board frame, pencil cups, swing arm lamp, wallpaper, desk chair, craft storage}

We painted out the trim and walls, installed a desk in one of the two closets, and updated the light fixture to a capiz shell chandelier. 

As I mentioned, we recently renovated our lower level.  It was finished, then we had a lower level flood, so now we are in the process of finishing it again.

Before we finished our lower level, our laundry room was originally just framed out and carpeted with scraps from the original living room flooring:

BEFORE: 

The walls were sheet rocked and painted a fresh gray blue color.  We updated to an energy efficient front loading washer and dryer {one of my most favorite purchases ever!} and installed some floating shelves and waterproof floors!

AFTER: 

Wall Color: Behr's Light French Gray
{sources: floating shelves, corbels {painted}, white baskets, beverage tub, hand towel, rug}

Wall Color: Behr's Light French Gray
{sources: storage shelves, storage boxes, wire baskets, tool caddy, orchid art, locker bins, laundry hampers, linen cabinet}

   

The rest of the lower level is a giant blank canvas that we are slowly chipping away at.  Because I am now a full-time blogger and have dreams of doing more to expand my Etsy shop, we thought a good workspace was in order.

Wall Color: Behr's Reflecting  Pool

{sources: desk-DIY from bookcases}, paper organizers, white slipcovered chair, cabinet hardware}

Wall Color: Behr's Reflecting Pool
{sources: dresser-craigslist, lamp, lampshade, charging station, sunburst mirror, drawer hardware, rug}

The family room is about as blank of a slate as it gets.  It was the most recent room completed in the lower level renovation, so it really just contains a couch and ottoman...

Wall Color: Behr's Prelude
{sources: couch, ottoman, rattan tray, floor lamp, side table, table lamp}

I adore our playroom.  We are so fortunate to have a home with enough space to give the kids a dedicated area for playing, sleepovers, cuddling, reading and playing games.  And it's one of the only areas in the lower level with great natural light!

Wall Color: Behr's Reflecting Pool and Behr's Seven Seas
{sources: benches, bench fabric, green lumbar pillow, red lumbar pillow, large floral pillow, blue floral lumbar pillow, baskets, floor poof, chalkboard table-DIY, pendant light, wall stencil, carpet tiles}

Wall Color: Behr's Reflecting Pool
{sources: utility basket, entertainment center-craigslist, "TOY" letters, white lace basket, crate bookshelves-DIY}

Wall Color: Behr's Reflecting Pool
{sources: lego buckets, coloring book bin, art caddy}

Wall Color: Behr's Reflecting Pool
{sources: wall shelves, clock, blue storage boxes, lego storage}

The lower level has one shared bathroom.  It's actually one of my favorite rooms in the whole house.  I adore the colors like crazy!

Wall Color: Behr's Windsurf
{sources: wall shelf, art, mirror, sink, vanity, cabinet, rug}

Wall Color: Behr's Windsurf
{sources: hamper, towel holder, towels, stool - thrift store}

When we finished the lower level, we made a choice to create a new master bedroom, since we had a lot more room to play with.

Wall Color: Behr's Frozen Pond
{sources: headboard, stripe duvet, lumbar pillow, mirror {spray painted}, lamps, nightstands, chandelier}

I know what you are probably thinking.  Dressing room?  Seriously?  I agree.  We are spoiled.  We just had this giant section of unused space, and because there are no windows, we were really limited with what we could do with it {code says no bedroom allowed}.

Wall Color: Behr's Frozen Pond
{sources: wall stencil, wardrobes, benches, dresser {with overlays}, jewelry display-DIY, chandeliers}

Wall Color: Behr's Frozen Pond
{sources: vanity, knobs, mirror, chair, lamp}

How much fun is that stenciled wall?  One of my favorite painting projects ever!

I also love having "his" and "hers" wardrobes so much more than sharing a cramped walk in closet.  It's been a fantastic solution for us.

This blog has made it really fun to keep track of home improvements and watch how our style has evolved over the years.  

As I mentioned, there is so much more to come and a lot of plans and changes up our sleeves.  Stay tuned as we continue to make this sweet little house of ours, our forever home!

A special "Thank You" goes out to my father-in-law, who is always there to help answer questions and lend a DIY hand.  This house wouldn't be the home it is without him. 

Posted in: IHeart My Home, Our Abode