before and after

Gosh, it was what--about 2 years ago? --that I said I would post before and after shots of the remodeling projects of our house? Well, here they are...in part at least. Three rooms for now anyway. And, yes, I could pick apart each and every detail in every "after" shot since I'm never fully done, nor ever fully satisfied (in a my-tastes-change sort of way, not a spoiled-with-more-money-than-I-know-what-to-do-with sort of way. I wish). But regardless of a little trim here and a little touch up there, I think we've come a long way. Bear in mind that we lived in our basement for six months while we worked on the upstairs, and for the better part of a year lived among our construction in the basic elements of shelter, much like a This Old House episode (my favorite show).

That said the *after* effect has been done for, like, 5 years now with exception to the kitchen which was just semi-completed last May! Ugh! But, hey, I'm not willing to go into tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt just to have it be perfect right now at the same time (and thank goodness for that --what with the financial nightmare that lenders and greedy home owners have gotten us into, but that's another. livid. post).

THE FRONT ROOM

BEFORE: what this photo doesn't show is the textured wallpaper on every surface that doesn't have a mirror attached to it, and also the single-paned, cracked window to the left. The lovely carpet was grease stained and pulling up.

AFTER: replaced the ceiling fan with canister lighting, the window, added crown moulding, the wallpaper with paint and, of course, the carpet. (We also replaced the front door and outlined an entry way with wooden floor instead of continuing the carpet, but that's another photo another day.)

THE UPSTAIRS BATHROOM

BEFORE: more lovely mirror tiles to the right, and a light-blocking half wall to the left. Maybe they thought black would be slimming?

AFTER: We knocked out the half wall to open the space up to light, replaced the mirror tile look with wainscotting and maple flooring to give it a seaside/Cape Cod sort of look. Also replaced the toilet and sink/cabinet, of course. This photo doesn't show the white framed mirror and glass door medicine cabinet to the left.

And the coupe de grace...

THE KITCHEN (FOR NOW)

BEFORE: Oh where to begin?! Aside from every surface being black & white checkered, there was textured wall paper on one wall and a lovely hand *markered* mural of none other than Winnie the Pooh on the other wall. Yes, in the kitchen. And peach? At least try for a 50's retro look with some true pink or red and chrome. Hideous!

(no offense if any reader out there has this look and likes it. sorry.)

AFTER: It was a long time coming but, we replaced the floor, two cupboards, the dishwasher, painted our butts off and installed hardware! However, there will be future kitchen photos as progress is made, when we get our new kitchen table, etc.

Hope you've enjoyed your tour. :)

Next time: The outside facade, downstairs, and master bedroom