Our Flip: Before & After

Now that our flip has been fully renovated from head to toe and put on the market, wanna take a peak at all the finishing touches?  Grab a cup of coffee and get ready for an all-access home tour that will knock your socks off!

Here’s what our flip looked like when we first saw it way back in April.  Dreary, dated, and totally hidden are a few of the descriptors that come to mind.  The drab peachy brick and the baby blue shutters were doing absolutely nothing for this diamond in the rough – not that you could even see the house due to the low-hanging magnolias that blocked out so much sun that grass refused to grow over most of the yard.

We're Flipping Out

And here’s how the flip greets you today!!  As you can see, new landscaping (more on that soon!) and a snazzy paint job instantly yanked this house out of the 1960s and into this century.  We also removed the outdoor carpeting, ripped out the old ironwork on the porch and replaced it with a simple wood pillar, which immediately shaved about 3 decades off the appearance of the house.  Now, the light cream paint really pops against the lush lawn, and the cheery red door welcomes you right in.  The simple black accents on the shutters and pillar ground the color scheme, while the nickel finishes on the hardware, mailbox and lighting add a much-needed update to the front porch.

Pick The Perfect Exterior Paint Colors In A Snap

Through the front door, you walk immediately into the entryway.  From that point, you can turn left down a hallway to reach three of the bedrooms and the jack ‘n jill bath, you could go to the right to enter the formal living and dining rooms, or you could continue straight into the den (which leads to the study, kitchen, and guest bedroom and bath).

Forgive me for these next few pictures – I know they leave a little something to be desired!  Here’s how the entryway used to look.  The tacky wallpaper and elaborately swagged crystal chandelier just weren’t working for me.  The standard doorway into the den also left a little something to be desired, as it made the entryway feel cramped and closed off.

Our Flip: Day 1

By simply removing the dated elements and expanding the doorways to the den and the formal living/dining, the entryway became a light, airy and beautiful way to welcome visitors into the home.  (And do you recognize that capiz ceiling light from the hallway in our home??)

Our Flip: Before & After

Our Flip: Before & After

Immediately to the right of the entryway was the dingy formal living and dining rooms, complete with a metallic focal wall – what’s not to love, right?

Our Flip: Before & After Our Flip: Day 1

By replacing the dirty carpeting with gleaming hardwoods, switching out the chandelier, and ripping down the curtains to let in the sunlight, the living and dining rooms now feel current and rich, just as they should.

After - Formal Living & Dining

Through those double doors at the end of the dining room, you immediately walk into what used to be a dark relic from the 60s:

Our Flip: Day 1

With clean new custom cabinetry, granite countertops, hardwood floors and a functional new layout, the new kitchen is practically unrecognizable:

After - Open Kitchen & Breakfast Nook

Like most homes built in the 60s, our flip used to have a closed-in galley kitchen that removed the kitchen from the rest of the house.

Our Flip: Day 1 Our Flip: Some Serious Progress!!

By removing half of the wall between the kitchen and the den, the kitchen is instantly open and airy, perfect for entertaining or feeding the kids meals at the new breakfast bar.  And best of all, now that stunning glass and marble backsplash can be seen throughout the house!

After - Open Kitchen

A great feature of this house is the breakfast nook at the end of the kitchen – who couldn’t use another place to hang out and enjoy a meal?  Unfortunately, the original breakfast nook was . . . um . . . a bit dated.

Our Flip: Before & After

We simply removed the floral chandelier and replaced the existing hutch with a floor-to-ceiling custom pantry, which added ridiculous amounts of storage and upped the attractiveness factor of this little nook.  And check out that snazzy hardware!!

Our Flip: Before & After

And I can’t resist pointing out a few fun features of the new kitchen – check out the trash pullout, the recess for an undercounter microwave, and the vertical base cabinet (on the far right) for cookie sheets!  Ooh, and here’s a little tip for those of you that are having new countertops installed – ask the fabricator to make you a custom cutting board out of the countertop remnants, like the portions cut out for the stove and sink.  You’ll have a gorgeous (and indestructible) cutting board that will blend in so perfectly with your countertops that you can leave it out all the time!

Our Flip: Before & After Our Flip: Before & After

So you may be wondering what was on the other side of that galley kitchen.  Well, here it is.

Our Flip: Day 1

Kind of a letdown, right?  I mean, I love that it has a fireplace, but the room just looked sad – dark paneling, a peachy-pink fireplace, scalloped bookcases and dingy carpeting just weren’t awesome enough.

So we changed it.  A bunch.  New bookcases and hardwood floors, drywall instead of paneling, recessed lighting and a fresh coat of white paint on the fireplace suddenly transformed the cave-like den into a family room just begging for a family.

After - Den

And it has a rockin’ view of the kitchen, so nobody gets left out.

Our Flip: Before & After

Past the breakfast nook (on the way to the garage), is a bathroom and a fourth bedroom.  The bathroom originally housed a toilet, sink . . . and the washer and dryer.

Our Flip: Day 1

The first step was 2009′ing the bathroom with all the fixins from a new toilet to a classic pedestal sink.

Our Flip: Before & After

And then we desperately needed to address the laundry area.  It was just sad.

Our Flip: Before & After

So we got rid of it.  Or moved it, actually – more about that later.  In its place, we added a gorgeous tiled shower/bath – I think the glass diamond accents are my fave!  And it’s awesome that this is now a full bath because . . . the fourth bedroom is right across the hall!!  Now it’s the perfect little guest wing, and guests won’t have to trek across the entire house in their bathrobe – definitely a necessary change (and one that adds value to boot!).

Our Flip: Before & After

So now onto that fourth bedroom.  The built-in desk is a great feature, but the whole room just looked a little dated.

Our Flip: Before & After

A fresh coat of white paint on the built-ins and some new carpet instantly freshened this room into a space perfect for guests, a workspace, or whatev.

Our Flip: Before & After

Through the doorway to the right of the den was this sad little enclosed patio.  Luckily, it was heated and cooled so it added some awesome square footage to the home.  But it was kinda gross, with the original brick walls (and random paneling), creaky sliding doors, and funky blue carpeting.

Our Flip: Before & After

By floating a new floor over the existing slab, we were able to continue the gorgeous hardwoods straight into the study (formerly enclosed patio) for a seamless transition to the rest of the house, which totally increased the open feeling of the entire home.  We also drywalled over the brick walls, added recessed lighting, and replaced the sliding doors with updated French doors to take in the beautiful new view.

Our Flip: Before & After

But the view wasn’t always so lovely.  The slab patio used to be confined and depressing, with a plastic sheeting roof, tired outdoor carpeting, and a brick wall that closed off the patio from the rest of the backyard.

Before - Back Patio

So we tore it all down, all the way to the concrete slab.  Then we added a rustic flagstone patio (to match the new pool coping that you’ll see in a minute), and topped it off with a fun and functional cedar pergola that defines the space and adds a little shade from that Texas sun (and the new homeowners can easily increase the amount of shade if they want by adding canvas right over the top of the pergola, or weaving it in between the cedar slats for a unique effect).

Our Flip: Raise the Flag

The backyard used to be completely overrun by the swampy pool and cracked concrete decking.  And that lone palm tree was just weird.

Our Flip: Backyard Oasis

We totally revamped the pool by adding new 3M quartz plaster in an island blue, fun mosaic tiles in a cobalt blue and earthy brown, and awesome flagstone coping that perfectly coordinates with the new tile.  Chipping up the old concrete decking allowed us to add tropical plantings and lay a grassy lawn that gives the pool a pond-like effect, and will also give the new homeowners a place to play with their kids and pets.

Our Flip: They Can Take the Heat

Back inside, a jack ‘n jill bath is down a short hallway to the left of the entryway.  This bathroom is shared with the second bedroom, and was also intended to be used by guests.  While it was big and spacious with lots of storage and double sinks, in its original condition guests were sure to run screaming for the hills.

Our Flip: Before & After Our Flip: Day 1

We were able to totally transform the bathroom by simply switching out the flooring and adding a new countertop and fixtures.  The existing cabinetry looks amazing with a new coat of crisp white paint, and the new travertine flooring, laid in a brick pattern, is totally gorgeous and makes the bathroom feel even more spacious.

After - Jack 'n Jill Bath

Even though the second bedroom just off the jack ‘n jill bath was spacious, it was a little dingy.

Our Flip: Day 1

With new carpeting and paint, an efficient ceiling fan and lovely crown molding, the second bedroom is now totally inviting.

Our Flip: Before & After

The third bedroom was almost as spacious, but the bright blue carpeting was a huge distraction from its potential.

Our Flip: Day 1

It got the same treatment as the second bedroom, and was spiffed up in a jiffy.

Our Flip: Before & After

This house was simply brimming with storage, like the two large closets on the right-hand side of this hallway that connects three of the bedrooms.

Our Flip: Before & After

Turns out those two closets were the perfect place to add a laundry area for a full-size washer and dryer (and with room left over for a separate linen closet!).  Now the new homeowners will be able to easily wash and dry their clothes without hauling their dirty laundry across the entire house – score!

Our Flip: Before & After

Just past the new laundry area is the master bedroom.  But there was nothing masterful about it in the beginning.

Our Flip: Day 1

So we swanked it up by continuing the beautiful hardwood floors right into the master bedroom.  And as an added bonus, it has a killer view of the pool and all of the gorgeous landscaping.

After - Master Bedroom

Perhaps the biggest eyesore in the entire house was the master bathroom.  It had blinding wallpaper, scallops, paneling, formica, and just about the worst shower I’ve ever seen.  It was going to be a huge challenge.

Our Flip: Day 1

Luckily, we conquered it!!  We ripped out the old cabinets to make room for dual sinks, doubled the visual space of the room with a fab beveled mirror, and added custom cabinets with tons of storage.

After - Master Bath

Like I said before, the shower was pitiful – I’ll spare you a view of the inside, but it felt cramped and was definitely not a place that you’d want to stand around in naked.  I’m just saying.

Homebody Query: Big Bath or Closet Space? Homebody Query: Big Bath or Closet Space?

But with the addition of a frameless glass shower enclosure and oodles of marble tile, the shower is now the showpiece of the master bathroom!  Bright and airy, the glass enclosure adds to the spacious feeling of this gorgeous shower.

Our Flip: Showered with Awesomeness

Our Flip: Before & After

So there you have it!!  How’d you like poking around our flip?  Got any questions about what we did or how we did it?  Ask away!!

For even more behind-the-scenes peeks into our flip, just click here.

This post is shared with Hooked on Houses.

It’s All In The Details

If you’re making your way over here from Sherry and John’s fabola blog at Young House Love (formerly This Young House) – welcome!!  Take a look around, and I hope you stay awhile.  And for all you regulars, thanks for stopping by!!

Oh happy day!  I must admit, I’m pleased as punch to be featured on Young House Love today – they’re pretty much like the Holy Grail of home-inspired blogs.  So, thanks guys – you rock!

As you can see from the before and after pictures of our den and kitchen that are posted today on This Young House, we did a pretty massive renovation last year – I’m talking down to the studs in almost every room of the house, and even taking down a few walls – in some places we had to remove rotted flooring, so you could literally see the dirt under our house from our kitchen and den (and a few other rooms).  We knew that the house needed a lot of work, so communication with our contractor was going to be key.

Here are a few tips on making sure that you and your contractor are on the same page from the very beginning of your renovation.

1. Know what you want. Your contractor wants you to be happy with his work – after all, he’s counting on getting a good referral from you.  But there’s no way for your contractor to get it right if you don’t know exactly what it is that you want from him.

The first decision that you should make is what you and your family need from the house.  Do you have lots of kids?  If so, then you may need to add an extra bedroom and a family room.  Do you entertain every weekend?  Then an open concept kitchen and living area is ideal for you.  The function of your home should always be the jumping off point, as it will influence every decision that you make in your remodel.  Do you like the layout of your house?  Does the backyard function like you need it to?  Do you need both a tub and a shower – do you have enough bathrooms?  These are all questions that you should ask yourself right off the bat.  In our case, we knew that some slight changes needed to be made to the floor plan of our house – for example, the house had a great layout but  the kitchen was totally cut off from the rest of the house, so we knew the wall between the kitchen and the den had to come down.

Next you should decide what “feel” you want your house to have.  Do you want it to be modern?  If so, then you know that you will want all of your fixtures to be sleek, with minimal ornamentation like crown molding.  Or are you more traditional?  Then crown molding will be important to you.  If you don’t know what style or feel you want your home to have, don’t fret – there are millions of magazines, websites and design blogs that you can look at to gradually get a feel for your own style.  Take advantage of all of these resources!  Pull pictures out of magazines, save pics from websites, and create your own file of inspiration photos for your home.  In our case, I flipped through tons of magazines to find inspiration for how to deal with our frightening fireplace – I fell in love with this photo of a rustic yet composed stone fireplace:

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We kept this photo in mind when we picked out our stone for the fireplace, and gave it to our mason when the time came to rebuild the fireplace.  The mason actually pinned this photo to the wall and used it as a reference the entire time he was constructing the new facade of the fireplace – we couldn’t be happier with the results:

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Remember that it’s just as important to figure out what you don’t like – know your likes and dislikes exactly so that you can feel secure in each design decision that you make for your home – that way you’ll ensure that you absolutely love the finished product.

2. Learn every square inch of your house.  This may sound silly – of course you know your house!   And you do know your house, but not in the way that you need to be familiar with it to tackle a renovation.  When you get into a renovation, you will suddenly be bombarded with questions from your contractor that you never expected – how many light switches do you need for this room?  Where do you want those light switches?  Exactly how many inches are we moving back that wall?  What are we doing with this floor vent in the middle of the dining room floor?  Or worse, your contractor won’t ask you questions and will just assume that you want to leave that funky floor vent in the middle of your dining room floor.

Now that you know what you need and what you want, you can easily tackle each of these issues as they come up by just familiarizing yourself with all of the ins and outs and quirks of your house.  Once you take a closer look at your house, you may be shocked to discover that your main bathroom doesn’t have any outlets, or that you won’t be able to open the back door if you place your furniture in the arrangement that you’ve envisioned.  This is the time to take measurements of your home and furnishings to make sure that it all works together.  Take note of where the light switches are in each room, and if they’re in a location that’s functional for you.  Do you need more light switches?  Do you want the lights to be dimmable?  It may sound like I’m telling you to get down to the tiniest of details, and you’re right – no detail is too small when it comes to a renovation because in the end, it’s the details that really matter.  Little details that are overlooked will add up and result in a home that either doesn’t look right or that isn’t functional for your and your family.

When you’re taking notes about your house, be honest with yourself – does your house have any structural issues that need to be addressed?  Is the foundation sinking, do you need new cross-vents to keep the joists under your house dry, do you need a new roof, do you have adequate insulation?  These are all the details that aren’t sexy but they will impact the integrity and resale value of your home, so they need to be addressed.

3. Put it in writing.  Now that you know what you need, what you want, and how to put it into action, it’s time to communicate this plethora of information to your contractor.  Just telling him your plans while you’re walking through each room is not going to cut it.  You want and need an accurate bid on your project and you want the end result to be just as you envisioned, so take the time to make a detailed, written “renovation plan” of every change that you want your contractor to make to your home.  Yes, it’s time consuming but it will save you a lot of headaches and heartache in the long run.  And if you’re using a construction loan to finance your project your lender will require this detailed information anyway, so you might as well do it right off the bat.

I recommend breaking your renovation down room by room.  This makes the task of communicating what you want a little less daunting for both you and your contractor.  In our case, we made categories for each room, the patio and the exterior, as well as categories for structural changes and renovations that were to be made throughout the house.  Below is the exact renovation plan that we gave to our contractor:

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Of course, it is to be expected that some changes will need to be made to your renovation plan – random, unexpected things may come up, you might change your mind about some projects, or certain “wants” may need to be cut for budget concerns.  In our case, the renovation plan definitely evolved over time, but having a written renovation plan to give to our contractor right off the bat enabled us to get the most accurate bid possible, and it made sure that we were on the same page with our contractor from the very beginning.  All of our preparation was definitely worth it, and resulted in a home that we absolutely love.

These are easy steps that you can follow to make sure that your communication with your contractor is as open and honest as it can be.  What steps did you take to make sure things got off on the right foot with your contractor?  Any great stories that you want to share??  Let’s hear it!

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