These photos are SO dated! But you never forget your first and the incredible transformation is still visible!
When I found the 3 bed/2 bath orange carpet loving home Dakar Road I knew I was ready for a project. Actually, let’s be honest – I wasn’t ready. I was just naive,young and a little dumb.
I had never owned a home before. And 4 years leading up to this investment I lived life on the road where luxury hotels provided me with room service and fresh laundry daily. My meals were cooked for me. My bed was made for me. I even had cappuccino’s brought to my room as a ‘wake up call’.
Why did I think I was ‘ready for a project’?! Especially a full gut job of a 2,000 sq. ft home.
Nothing about the 5 years leading up to buying this home made me ‘ready’. Except that I was eager to establish roots somewhere. And therefore I was just excited about a project. Praise the Lord for my parents and cute new boyfriend (I can still talk about that boyfriend because he’s currently my husband). Without that group the Dakar Dreamer would still be in shambles looking more like the Dakar Debacle.
ENTRYWAY BEFORE
70’s flooring and so narrow. We pushed back the wall on the right by 6 inches to allow for a more welcoming entry (and a table that I would later decorate like Pinterest, but end up just cluttering with my keys and unread mail).
ENTRYWAY AFTER
Widened entryway! Updated lighting and soft paint colors. (I didn’t love the stained glass door but so many others did. To update the look I stained the door and added new hardware).
KITCHEN BEFORE
Snot colored countertops and wood panelling. In the worst possible way. There was also that conversation divider (the cabinet that drops down from ceiling to trap the cook in the kitchen away from his guests). I was all too eager to rip that down that I did it the moment I was given the keys. Pre-photo! But if you have a grandparent in your life, I’m certain that you know what cabinet I’m talking about. All the houses had that. The 1950’s mantra was “More Storage! Less Conversation”. (Just a guess).
KITCHEN AFTER
Custom cabinets, new backsplash, concrete countertops and I loved the paint colors in this space! The cute little pendant, undermount lighting and lighting within the glass cabinets made for sweet ambience at sunset.I maximized counter space with cooking habits in mind (I don’t cook but my boyfriend and sister did!) I allowed for plenty of wine storage. And the mini-ceiling fan. I was conflicted on this putting the worlds tiniest ceiling fan/light fixture in this space. And I would not do this again. But fixtures are easy to change and it is fun to experiment with new ideas.
FAMILY ROOM BEFORE
Wood panelling and a fireplace you barely notice (do you see it behind our fancy plastic furniture?) There were icky sliders that didn’t lock, with the exception of placing a rod in a slot when they were closed, And this family room was so narrow. Also a man ready to help me knock it all down. (but first, beer).
FAMILY ROOM AFTER
Updated fireplace with custom mantel. Also notice the hardwood flooring throughout! Debates, arguments and a lot of quitting went into these ‘special’ floors.
FAMILY ROOM/KITCHEN BEFORE
If you could ignore the wood panels (but who could?), didn’t notice the popcorn ceilings (are you blind?), and paid no attention to the cat stained orange carpet (because you lost your sense of smell), surely it would be the narrow layout that finally had you asking for a hammer to demo. This common 1950’s layout made it difficult to entertain
FAMILY ROOM/KITCHEN AFTER
Made a proper ‘breakfast nook’ with its own pendant light. That little owl kept all the predators away and hid plenty of Girl Scout cookies!
LIVING ROOM BEFORE
The furniture outlines were still on the orange-tinted carpet. My mom might have been the first person allowed to walk into that space in over 20 years. That light fixture though!
LIVING ROOM AFTER
It opens up to the entire room now! The wall on this side was utilized for a bar area. And loved this affordable (yet updated) light fixture.
GUEST BATH BEFORE
I saved and used this wallpaper for my Reno Reveal party invitations! This bathroom was divided into a ‘vanity’ area and a teeney-tiny sink/shower area. Oh, and the orange carpet was in here too. How and why was the carpet in bathroom trend started? Surely with all we know about mold, this is a trend that won’t ever return.
GUEST BATH AFTER
Custom vanity to offer more counter space for this bathroom!Woah! Who let me paint this bright color?! But I remember loving the fun color, especially paired with the new backsplash! Live a little friends, it is just paint!
