Blog, Home, Renovation, Uncategorized

Before and After in less than 22 minutes

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The After. Lucious living space

Growing up I loved Saved by the Bell. There would usually be some sort of drama (Gasp, Jesse is on pills and we have an aerobics video to record). But then it always returned to happy perfection when Slater and Zach saved the day. Remove the commercials and, if you’re like me, you realize you can solve most of life’s problems in less than 22 minutes. (Even Screech occasionally found his coordination and had a few ‘special’ moments with Lisa within those 22 minutes. I’m telling you…I thought anything could happen in less than 22 minutes). 

And I’m certain most of you reading this have also seen the magical home renovations on HGTV that occur in the same time frame. Well guess what my friends?! Our latest project is overdue on our own magical home reveal. Sure we did a reveal party but someone (me) was hitting the cheese platter too hard to remember to take any photos. And now that we’ve also hosted a few Christmas soiree’s, I want to do a proper BEFORE and AFTER photo share.

The actual renovation for our Pied-a-Terre (read more about it here and here) took a full 13 weeks. But today I’m giving you the pretty ‘tied with a big bow’ finished version. And in less time than our coveted 22 minute sitcoms. (Although please do let me know in the comments which project you want to hear more about). If I can add humor and helpful information to it then I promise to do a write up to share details. And when are vaulted ceilings and updated tile never not funny!?.

Just like I couldn’t wait to see Lisa Turtle find a soft spot for Screech each episode, I hope you too can see that this house was wonderful to begin with.  It just felt dated and we love to find and restore some updated charm.

Oh…and because you know my family likes to keep things interesting. Our whole family fled to Mexico for a week in the middle of this 13 week project. What HGTV never shows you in those 22 minutes is the insane mental exhaustion of a renovation. Spoiler: beach cocktails help cure this ailment. We came back ready to finish. She is a beauty! Take a look!

Before with zero curb appeal
THE BEFORE. Forget about curb appeal. You could barely see the house driving by!
After. Sherwin Williams Shoji White.
THE AFTER. Ahhhh! There she is! Bushes be gone and show us your bright white!
(more specifically Sherwin Williams Shoji White). You actually notice the big sprawling tree now as well.
BEFORE. Come inside and look around!
THE BEFORE. Come on in and let us show you around.
THE AFTER: Even the models seem cuter in their raingear! 35* and rainy on reveal day. But for a family that ‘loves a rainy night’ these 8 foot glass front doors ‘are a beautiful sight’. Thank you Eddie Rabbit for my lyrical door description.
Split level with a split personality. Bold and confusing.
THE BEFORE. Split level with a split-second decision on which staircase to use. There were TWO staircases within 4 feet of walking in the door. If you’re indecisive like me, you’ll appreciate that we gave you one solid grand entry.
The After. Entry way
THE AFTER. The largest doors I’ve seen in person with my actual eyeballs. A bright and elegant light with just a few grand easy stairs taking you into your cozy living area.
Before Family Room colored in all brown
THE BEFORE. A solid dark palette and turns out the fireplace brick was poorly assembled. One swing of the hammer and it all came down!!!
The After with vaulted ceilings! Hooray!
THE AFTER. Why yes we did vault the ceilings! Installed real hardwoods, updated the fireplace that turns on with the flick of a switch (or by asking my 3 year old to do it)! And of course we gave her fresh paint – Sherwin Williams Front Porch.Speaking of paint – that painting you are all going to ask me about is by Legendary Katie Murray.
Before Laundry and Storage
THE BEFORE. The laundry room and storage was all one space. We redesigned the entire downstairs and think it’s much more user friendly. (do you spy one of the staircases that formerly led to the entryway?)
The After. Spacious and Stylish Laundry Room.
THE AFTER: A sizable (and stylish) Laundry Room. Large enough to host a gathering and pretty enough that you might actually run a load of laundry too!
Before Bonus living area
THE BEFORE. This was the large living space off of the laundry and storage area. They gave us a great space to work with. We just knew we could make it more functional.
THE AFTER. Smooth ceilings, reinforced header (au revior columns), and lots of places to stash the toys before company arrives!
Before half bathroom
THE BEFORE. This half bath was showing it’s age with a few dated design aspects.
The After. Downstairs Bathroom
THE AFTER: Downstairs bathroom. A few easy, inexpensive and simple updates!
So fresh and so clean!
Before Master Bedroom
THE BEFORE. Master Bedroom had a large layout with an area that we felt would be better used and appreciated in the Master Bathroom
The After Master bedroom with a fresh design.
THE AFTER. The Master Bedroom is still spacious with a seating area (out of view from photo). We think you’ll agree on stealing space for the Master Bath…..
Before Master Bathroom.
THE BEFORE. A tiny Master bathroom considering the overall size of the house. Itsy-bitsy shower and just the one shell-shaped sink!
After Master Bathroom. Saving marriages with double sink vanities.
THE AFTER. There’s room in here for two! Larger shower and a double sink vanity (because we believe in the sanctity of marriage). 
Before Master Closet.
THE BEFORE. Previously the Master closet was accessed thru the bedroom. Our renovations allowed for a proper en suite.
After Master Closet and En Suite
THE AFTER. Master Closet (En Suite) has an updated layout and is now accessed thru the bathroom. I love this because it means if you sleep in later than your partner, he can shower and get ready in one area without opening and closing doors and turning on various lights. (I might be speaking from personal experience here ‘5am Heath’).
Before Leigh Ann's bedroom
THE BEFORE. Leigh-Ann’s bedroom. I’m not sure who Leigh Ann was but she had 3 layers of wall paper and I was digging her ever-changing design ideas! As we did with all the bedrooms, we just freshened it up and made it move-in ready for anyone’s design to take shape!
Before single panel doors
THE BEFORE. We replaced all 16 single panel doors. RIP Leigh-Ann’s room.
The After. One of the bedrooms, now a girls dream.
THE AFTER: ‘Leigh-Ann’s Bedroom’.
Now Greenley’s bedroom and she loves having her own ballet barre along with two closets. #girlsdream
Before Hall Bathroom
THE BEFORE. Layout was already large so we just updated with some of our favorite design ideas at the time!
The After Hall bathroom. Floor to ceiling tile and a shiny vanity!
THE AFTER. The most commented thing on this Hall Bathroom thus far has been regarding the shiny finish on the vanity. It’s hard to see in the photo but just know it has serious luster and we love the way it pops with the gold accents and white tiled wall.
BEFORE backyard deck
THE BEFORE. Most of you have seen the backyard from the pool here. But we also wanted to update this side of the yard.
After backyard deck
THE AFTER. Again we simplified things by reducing the stairs and opening up the area to better entertain your friends and family.
Before the kitchen
THE BEFORE. I will end this post with the most requested room in the house….the Kitchen! I coined the wall to the left as the ‘isolation wall’ because the cook was literally cut off from the rest of the house. The space was too small to let others into the kitchen with you, yet being fully walled off, you couldn’t even pretend to be a part of the group.
The After. Kitchen looking out to the spacious and inviting living area.
THE AFTER. The kitchen now opens up to the main living area. The high ceilings make it feel more spacious and you still have easy access to the living area downstairs. You should have seen the 10 guys hauling in this massive marble island countertop.
After. Another incredible view of the kitchen with a pretty pop of color in the backsplash.
THE AFTER. Casing out the kitchen sink window instantly made it feel larger and we added the largest window we could find within our time constraints. Now this is a kitchen I can really spend some time in (I probably still won’t cook, but I will spend more time here).

Y’all this house (our Pied-a-Terre) is FOR SALE! We have moved our little family here until the next owners find it and I can whole-heartedly tell you that it’s wonderful! Will you stop by for a drink if you’re ever in Fort Worth? It’s seriously the perfect home for hosting. Tell me the details of this project you want to hear more about. You know I love to share!

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10 Comments

  2. Such an awesome house! I’m glad to see more of the before pictures because it is quite the transformation.

  3. Thanks for the shout out!! Another beautiful project completed by the Todd’s. Can’t wait for wine night!

    1. Katie!! This home would be naked without your art. Seriously. I hope I linked to you correctly because it’s the most asked about item here. Wine night after party too……hahahahaha

  4. Y’all did an AMAZING job!! So impressed with your craftsmanship, attention to detail, decor, and overall vision!

  5. The transformation is incredible! You both did such an amazing job! Your vision, the construction and the staging is perfect! Your writings about these renovations, your family and your travels are so creative and so hysterical! Keep on keeping on, lady! So excited to see what God has in store for you both with this endeavor!

    1. Your messages mean SO much to me! I know the time it takes to read what I’ve created and then figure out how to leave a comment (lol!) so Thank you SO much! You know how much I love creating and your encouragement is so precious! Love you too…and I am equally excited to see how 2019 and beyond unfolds for you!