After living in a condo for seven years, Matt and I purchased our fixer upper in August 2013. After we purchased the house, I spent some time removing all of the old carpet, removing a built-in closet that wasn’t original to the house, and refinishing all of the original hardwood floors before we actually moved into the house in October 2013.
Keep scrolling to see before pictures, current pictures, DIY projects, and related posts for each room of our house, as well as the front and back exterior and yards.
Floor Plan
Front Exterior & Front Yard
Here’s how the front exterior looked when we bought the house…
The garage has now been converted into my studio (still a work in progress), the old vinyl siding has been replaced with new HardiPlank siding, the front door and some of the windows have been replaced, and the house has been painted.
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for the front exterior and front yard:
Below are the most recent posts about the front exterior/yard:
- DIY Board and Batten Shutters (Decorative Non-Functioning Shutters Made From PVC Boards)
- Slow Week, Slow Progress
- Exterior Shutters – Decisions, Sticker Shock and Why You Should Make Your Own
- March Progress & April Goals (Readers’ Choice — Exterior Projects or Pantry?)
- Friday Randomness — Shutters, a Proper Introduction, and a PSA
- The Finished Studio Door Portico (Plus, One More Coral Door)
- My Mom’s Brilliant Front Porch Idea (Is It Worth The Cost And Effort?)
- Finished Front Porch Columns (And A Few New Photos Of The Front Exterior)
- My Big Porch Column Mistake, How I Fixed It, and What I’d Do Differently If I Were Starting From Scratch
- Porch Skirting Options – Paint, Lattice or Stone?
Click here to see all of the posts about the front exterior and yard.
Entryway
Here’s how the entryway looked when we bought our house…
It’s not quite finished, but it’s getting there!
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our entryway:
Living Room
Here’s how the front living room looked when we bought the house…
It still needs to be decorated, but the big construction projects are finished…
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our living room:
Below are the most recent posts about our living room:
- Slow Week, Slow Progress
- DIY Greek Key Trim Curtains (Video: Create A Greek Key Design With Twill Tape Or Ribbon)
- A Living Room Drapery Sneak Peek + A Cooper Update (Some Mystery Behavioral Issues)
- March Progress & April Goals (Readers’ Choice — Exterior Projects or Pantry?)
- How To Make A Simple DIY Shadow Box Frame For Large Artwork
- Colorful 3D Rainbow Gradient Pinwheel Artwork
- January House Goals Progress
- Fireplace Makeover (Plus My Paint Color Trial and Error)
- Living Room Fireplace Color — White Or Gray?
- Second-Guessing My Living Room Drapery Fabric Decision
Music Room
Here’s how the music room looked when we bought the house…
I’ve finished all of the major remodeling projects, and now just need to furnish and decorate…
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our music room:
Below are the most recent posts about our music room:
- January House Goals Progress
- Music Room Stenciled Walls Update
- My Completely Refinished Spinet Piano
- Winding Things Down
- My Little Spinet Piano – Completely Stripped And Restained
- Piano Progress
- Another Piano, Another Color Decision
- Music Room Walls With Stenciled Trellis Design
- Music Room Walls Progress – Stenciled Trellis Design
- Music Room Walls – Trellis Or Zebra? (You Decide, I Paint)
Kitchen
Here’s how the kitchen looked when we bought the house…
And here’s how it looks now…FINISHED…
Click here to see the before and after of the original remodel..
Click here for sources and cost breakdown for this kitchen remodel.
Click here to see more pictures of the teal kitchen.
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our kitchen:
Below are the most recent posts about our kitchen:
- Three Past Projects Revisited — How Have They Held Up Over Time? (Concrete Kitchen Countertops, Wood Bathroom Countertop & Wood Bathtub Skirt)
- June Progress & July Goals
- My Finished-For-Now Kitchen: From Kelly Green To Teal (Before & After)
- DIY Range Hood Cover – Finished!
- My Kitchen & Pantry Appliance Conundrum Solved (For The Most Part)
- April Progress & May Goals
- My Freshly Painted Teal Kitchen Cabinets
- Kitchen Cabinet Progress — So Close To Being Finished!
- Doing Things Right The First Time (Plus, My New Favorite Water-Based Polyurethane)
- Teal Kitchen Cabinet Progress (Plus, Cabinet Hardware – Black or Brass?)
Breakfast Room
The people we bough the house from called this room a den, but since it’s a very long room, I decided to turn the front 3/4 of the room into a breakfast room, and the back 1/4 of the room into a walk-in pantry. Here’s how the front part (i.e., the breakfast room portion) of the room looked when we bought the house…
And this room is now FINISHED! Here’s how it looks now…
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our breakfast room:
Below are the most recent posts about our breakfast room:
- Double Pedestal Dining Tables (That I Actually Like!)
- Which Dining Table Should I Use?
- Final Dining Table Decision (Plus, The Worst Product I’ve Ever Used)
- Rethinking Area Rugs For Dining Rooms
- DIY Upholstered Wingback Dining Chair – Finished! (How To Upholster The Frame, Part 2)
- DIY Wingback Dining Chair – How To Upholster The Frame (Part 1)
- DIY Wingback Dining Chair – How To Build The Chair Frame
- Back To The Dining Table…Again
- Fluid Acrylic Abstract Painting + Simple Modern DIY Frame
- Finished Roman Shade and Finished Hardwood Floor Refresh
Click here to see all of the posts about our breakfast room.
Pantry
The house didn’t have a pantry when we bought it (and technically still doesn’t…it’s coming soon!), so I decided to add one to the back of the long room that the previous owners called a den. Here’s how the back of the den looked when we bought the house…
And while the inside of the pantry hasn’t been finished, here’s how the entrance into the pantry looks…
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our breakfast room:
Below are the most recent posts about our pantry:
- March Progress & April Goals (Readers’ Choice — Exterior Projects or Pantry?)
- Pantry Details – My Solution For Blind Corners In Lower Cabinets
- Finalized Pantry Plans
- My Kitchen & Pantry Appliance Conundrum Solved (For The Most Part)
- April Progress & May Goals
- Pantry Doors Finished – Bifold Closet Doors Installed As French Doors
- More Green Cabinets In My Future
- Pantry Lighting (Plus, Adapting A Flush Mount Light For A Slanted Ceiling)
- Random Decorating Decisions
- Breakfast Room & Pantry Progress – Electrical & Drywall
Click here to see all of the posts about our breakfast room.
Hallway
The hallway was cramped, with two separate closets, when we bought the house…
The hallway is finished!
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our hallway:
Below are the most recent posts about our hallway:
- The Finished Hallway Remodel – Before & After
- January House Goals Progress
- My Hallway Cabinet Is FINISHED!!
- Hallway Artwork Framed & Hung (Watercolor Chapel & Colorful Geodes)
- Winding Things Down
- Custom Watercolor Artwork For My Hallway (Without Any Actual Watercolor)
- Very Simple DIY Console Table With Turned Wood Columns
- Stripes In The Hallway! (Plus, How To Paint Perfect Stripes On The Wall)
- A Quick Hallway Update
- Hallway Trimmed Out & New Bathroom Vanity Color Options
Hallway Bathroom
Here’s how the hallway bathroom looked when we bought the house…
And here’s how it looks now…FINISHED!!
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our living room:
Below are the most recent posts about our hallway bathroom:
- Three Past Projects Revisited — How Have They Held Up Over Time? (Concrete Kitchen Countertops, Wood Bathroom Countertop & Wood Bathtub Skirt)
- January House Goals Progress
- New Hallway Bathroom Vanity Paint Color
- Hallway Trimmed Out & New Bathroom Vanity Color Options
- Hallway Bathroom Remodel: Before & After
- The Penultimate Bathroom Remodel Post
- Finished Bathroom Artwork & Dining Room Rug Indecision
- Bathroom Remodel Progress – Tiled Tub/Shower Ceiling & More
- Forward Momentum (Dining Room Rug Purchase, and More!)
- How My Whole House Design Plan Came Together In Literally One Night
Click here to see all of the posts about our hallway bathroom.
Master Bedroom
Here’s how the master bedroom looked when we bought the house…
And since we’ll be converting this room into a master bathroom when we add onto the back of the house, I really don’t plan on doing anything in this room…
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for our master bedroom:
Below are the most recent posts about our master bedroom:
- Moving Forward On The Breakfast Room, Pantry, and More!
- DIY Faux Capiz Shell Flower Pendant Light
- DIY Wood Framed Upholstered Headboard With Nailhead Trim – Finished & Installed!
- DIY Wood Framed Upholstered Headboard With Nailhead Trim – Part 1
- A DIY Priority — Make A Headboard For Our Bedroom
- Random Updates: My Stupid DIY Mistake, Front Porch Results & Reader Hallway Suggestion
- Bedside Tables – Two Options For My IKEA Rast Hack (Your Vote Decides!)
- Window Treatment Indecision
- Our New Bedside Tables…With A Thousand Possiblities (IKEA Rast Hack Ideas)
- My Turkish Kilim (a.k.a., My Soon-To-Be Ottoman or Headboard)
Click here to see all of the posts about our master bedroom.
Master Bathroom
Here’s how the master bathroom looked when we bought the house…
And since this room will be torn down when we build the addition onto the back of the house, I just keep the door closed and forget that this room even exists…
Below are the most recent posts about our master bathroom:
Click here to see all of the posts about our master bathroom.
Guest Bedroom (formerly Matt’s Game Room)
Here’s how the guest bedroom looked when we bought the house…
And it looks pretty much the same today, except it has furniture in it now (all utilitarian, nothing pretty yet, so no pics yet)…
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for the guest bedroom:
Oops! I don’t have any DIY projects for the guest bedroom yet, but as soon as I do, they’ll show up here.
Below are the most recent posts about the guest bedroom:
Click here to see all of the posts about the guest bedroom .
Matt’s Game Room (formerly Kristi’s Office)
Here’s how Matt’s game room looked when we bought the house…
And the only thing I’ve done is remove the carpet and refinish the floor…
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for Matt’s game room:
Below are the most recent posts about Matt’s game room:
Sunroom
Here’s how the sunroom looked when we bought the house…
And it still looks the same. This room won’t actually get a makeover. It’s also going to be completely torn down and rebuilt as part of a large addition we’ll be adding to the back of the house.
Below are the most recent posts about our sunroom:
Kristi’s Studio (Garage Conversion)
This is what the garage looked like when we bought the house…
In the summer of 2017, we began converting the garage into my studio. We got all of the framing finished, but there’s still so much to be done.
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for Kristi’s studio:
Oops! I don’t have any DIY projects for my studio yet, but as soon as I do, they’ll show up here.
Below are the most recent posts about my studio:
- The Finished Studio Door Portico (Plus, One More Coral Door)
- Vaulted Ceiling Options
- Devising An Electrical Plan – My Step-By-Step Process
- Garage-To-Studio Conversion & Siding: How Much Has It Cost So Far?
- DIY Portico – Part 2 – Finishing The Ceiling & The Roof
- New Studio HVAC — What I Chose And Why (And The New Design Challenges It Brings)
- How To Build A Small Portico Above A Door – Part 1 – The Basic Frame
- New Windows and a Slight Change In Plans
- The Framing Is Finished! (Studio “Before” and “Now” Comparison Pictures)
- Studio HVAC Options – Central Heat & Air vs. Ductless Mini Split
Back Exterior & Back Yard
Here’s how the back patio and yard looked when we bought the house…
And nothing has changed. I have huge plans, though!
Click on the thumbnails below to see the project tutorials for the back exterior and back yard:
Oops! I don’t have any DIY projects for the back exterior and yard yet, but as soon as I do, they’ll show up here.
Below are the most recent posts about the back exterior & yard:
Click here to see all of the posts about the back exterior and yard.
CBMacDuff says
Your house is turning out BEAUTIFUL! And coming from such a small 850sft condo, your huge house must seem daunting at times!
That being said, since it is your “forever house”, taking your time and doing it right really is the way to go! You’ve got all the know how and talent to transform it the way that it needs to be to become spectacular!
I’ve been following you for a while now, and it really is a journey that I’m totally enjoying watching, as it unfolds! It really is something to behold! Keep up the great work!!! 🙂
Lynn McManaway says
Hi I was googling remodeling ideas and found your website. LOVE it! Thank you for your ideas. Please keep us updated on your house. Cant wait to see the whole thing finished. You have brought back my spark for decorating and remodeling.
Lynn in VA
Kathy says
Your progress is amazing. Your blog is the only one I read! Can’t wait to see each project.
DEBRA KASZULA says
I am enjoying your website. The remodeling and projects are very informative and gorgeous. What you have done at the condo and in your home thus far is outstanding, and am eager for each posting.
I have learned that what I was proposing to do would not be easy as you have just demonstrated (LOL). On top of that, I do not have your vision, skill or stamina in order to do the work.
Anyway, I find one problem with the current and ultimate floor plan is access to the dining room from the living room. If you have formal guests and entertain in the living room, and will serve dinner in the dining room, you must access by going back through the entry, then the music room, into the kitchen and then into the dining area; or alternatively back through the entry, then the music room and through the den (in order to avoid the dinner-in-progress kitchen space), and then enter the dining room. Of course, I could be blowing the dining room access from the living room out of proportion. What do you think?
Lorri says
This was wonderful! Thanks for putting this together. It makes so much more sense to me now. Comparing the befores and afters reinforces my belief that you are indeed a force of nature! Whoa. 😉
Beth Smith says
The front of your house is going to be delicious! And what you have accomplished so far is wonderful…very impressed with your vision and skill!
Looking forward to more from you…like a gal above, your blog is the only one I read.
Plus you are not a hoarder…let me show you MY garage..lol..you are far from it sweetie.
Heather says
I think this whole page is GENIUS!! (caps necessary for this level of awesomeness!)
Paola says
I absolutely love that you have the patience to live in a house that needs so much work in order to get things done in your own special way. It makes the process interesting and reading your blog great.
Kathy says
Just amazing – your talent, your vision and hard work.
Thank you for sharing so much.
You do inspire me to try.
Mary says
WOW. Just found your blog and I have to say, the title of it is SO misleading. You are SO MUCH more than just a “decorator”! Great great work. 😉
Traci says
Agreed!
Jan says
Kristi, do you ever scroll through your before and after photos when you feel a little despondent at how long this is taking. I’ve just done that and my goodness you’ve done so much and so beautifully. When I look at the before photos I think what made them fall in love with this place, and then I look at what you have done to it, and it is simply amazing. You really are a remarkable woman and an inspiration to many.
Jewell Valdery says
I do not know if you share information on where products were purchased, but I recently purchased a townhome that was built in the 80’s. I would love to duplicate the doors you have in your “home” on the sliding doors. I would love to replace mine with something that has impact and durability.
Also, is it difficult to do a paneled ceiling, or what material is used on the ceiling especially in the bathrooms.
Would you be so kind to share the door and ceiling information. If not, keep up the great work, I stumbled on your website and have enjoyed your before and after pictures.
Thanks —-Jewell
Kristi Linauer says
If you click on the “DIY Projects” tab for each room, you’ll see links to all of the DIY projects that I’ve done for each room. Under Music Room, you’ll find the rolling doors, and under Hallway Bathroom, you’ll find the wood ceiling. Click on those links and you’ll find all of the detailed info for those projects.
Karen @ The Decorated Nest says
Looking amazing! I cannot believe how much you can do and how beautifully you do it. You are an inspiration girl!
Jean Korcz says
Wow! You are so talented! Living room, bathrooms and kitchen are just beautiful. LOVE the green kitchen, it’s the perfect green and the cabinet lighting is inspired. Now I’m feeling inspired.
Thanks for sharing your talent and ideas, just great.
martha railton says
wow! your work is just beautiful.
nichola o hanlon says
You’ve such talent.I have been following you a while now.it’s so refreshing that the house isn’t finished..it just makes you human.I find that encouraging.
Best of luck with it Im so lookig forward to meeting all the finished rooms.keepd doing what you do as you do it so well.
Carol says
You go girl! I have found a kindred spirit. Just like you, doing it myself is a beautiful journey that I must take. I have been looking for a sight just like yours to follow. Thank you for sharing.
Cynthia says
Wow you are doing an amazing job! I can’t decorate to save my life. Did you go to school for design? I read that you wanted to. Looks like you did. ?? I lived in Turkey 33 years ago. I love your web site!!!!
Kristi Linauer says
I didn’t go to design school. 🙂
Reyna says
I am so impressed. Wow! I especially like the tufted ottoman coffee table and will try to tackle that project. Can you tell me how much extra fabric you measured based on size of board. You have an awesome talent. God Bless
Kristi says
I like to add about 18-20 extra inches on the length and width to allow for the tufting.
Erin A. says
Hi, Kristi. I just found your blog and have really enjoyed reading about all of your projects! Your bathroom is beautiful, and I love your kitchen too! We used to live in Waco, and I certainly never saw a kitchen like yours- very European feeling, stylish, and unique. I also appreciate how honest you are about your design process and life in general. It’s so nice to hear the perspective of someone who’s extremely practical, yet loves a beautiful home. I look forward to reading about more of your ideas and accomplishments, and I wish you the best!
Chelle Ellis says
The sunroom could be a beautiful greenhouse/3 seasons room.
Tracy says
I think you might just be the coolest person I have never met,lol. Wow, just wow. You have amazing taste, imagination, and vision. Wow….I keep looking at oyur pictures thinking,”I would never have thought of that.”
Thanks for brightening my day today by sharing your home and your journey.
Tara says
Wow. It gives me hope for my own house and what I might try to tackle once we finally get possession of it! You are really inspiring me! Greetings from Canada!
Louis says
It’s a really cozy and nice home, that has a modern feel to it.
loyda coulombe says
Just started following you… You are amazing ! Such talent and creativity.. Okay now come on over and help me ! LOL PS: your kitchen cabinets were good enough to keep? our house was built in 1978 and even tho the faces look good still the insides are just horrible.. I need a match 🙁
steven winner says
What a great project! The house is coming along nicely! I hope you saved that cool antique TV that was sitting in the sunroom! The floors are turning out great, and I love the wainscot in the entryway. Living in an old house myself, you are giving me some ideas!
michelle says
What a great way to present your project! Love it 🙂 I look forward to seeing how it goes along.
Connie says
You are so awesome. Thank you for being so transparent with your readers.
Michelle (from Ohio) says
I really like how you illustrate renovation for real people. Most people have time and budget constraints and you show how to make it possible given those realities, unlike DIY Network, where a professional goes into a house and does a makeover in an hour – lol. I’ve often felt overwhelmed watching one of their shows, while I get inspired by your enjoyment of one project after the next.
Accomplishing one thing at a time makes the journey so much more fun and worthwhile, doesn’t it?
You have a seriously great eye for color and design!
Opal says
I don’t even remember how I cam upon your site few days ago. I kept looking at your bathroom and comparing the before and after pictures. It finally dawned on me thats my in-laws bathroom! Well, except with pink and purple tiles and minus the storage above the tub. It’s the same size same set up including the window, closet and tiny sink in the exact locations and it so needs to be remodeled. Can’t wait to show my mother-in-law. Hope it will motivate her when she sees it can be done. Thanks for sharing. You are awesome!
By the way I want to open my den into my living room with a french style doors. Any tips on cutting an opening in a wall? You think it can be completed in say 14 hrs while my spouse is at work?
Kristi says
Sorry for the late response! The main thing you have to know before cutting into a wall to create an opening is whether or not that wall is load-bearing. Do NOT cut into a wall without knowing for sure. If you cut into a load bearing wall and start removing studs without taking the necessary precautions, the consequences could be devastating. You could certainly open up a wall and get quite a bit done in 14 hours, but I think it would take longer to actually get it completely finished, especially if you’ve never done it before. I would also strongly suggest that you have a helper. You’ll definitely need one if you find that the wall is load-bearing and will require temporary support during the project.
ijensen says
First off….love your home and what you are doing to it. I am also a DIY gal who loves to see what I can create. Everything is coming along so beautiful. But I must say….your hall bathroom looks twice the size after your remodel. can’t wait to keep following and see everything finished.
molly says
I am in awe that you are able to take such a basic looking house and make it look historic and beautiful. It makes me jealous that you have such skills. Absolutely beautiful!
Hannah says
So lovely, I love how you’ve added panelling to the walls, I think it’s really maintained the character of the house, while the decor is so modern.
Bridget says
Oh my such talent; your ideas and results are gorgeous; I wish the right side of my brain was as creative as that. I just bought a house and have to finish the inside; I am so overwhelmed with the details and the only thing I have done yet is put pine on the ceiling.
julie says
Love your work and colour choices. We will be borrowing your trim idea for our 1970 bungalow reno coming up in 2017!
Julie from Ottawa
Carol says
Kristi,
Maybe I missed it, but did you ever consider moving the kitchen into the Breakfast Room space and turning the kitchen into a dining room? If so, I would love to hear your thinking about that.
Love your blog and anxiously look forward to each new post!
Debi says
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I bought a 1941 rambler about 3 1/2 years ago and have been steadily refurbishing it on a toddler-size shoestring budget. I’m finally working on my kitchen and hope to have it finished by the end of March. You’ve inspired me!
Susan L. says
You SHOULD be a general contractor. I’d hire you, that’s for sure. The areas you’ve finished are simply astounding. I LOVE that bathroom. So unique and classy!!
Shirley says
Absolutely LOVE your vision and design!!!!Can’t wait to see all the things you will be doing to the rest of your home!!! Just beautiful……and the Entry Way???? Knocked my socks off…love it!!
Elaine says
Love the way you put this remodel together old by new. I’ve clicked back and forth several times to try to capture how you got to new. Hope to see the project finished, it’s like watching a movie and can’t wait to see how it ends. I’ll be checking back!
Esri Allbritten says
You have such a great sense of line and composition. First decorating site I’ve subscribed to!
Holly says
I love your entry way mural! I stumbled on your site on how to make Euro shams and then read your other diy projects. I love diy (to saves $) and I deplore purchasing anything with “retail” mark ups. Your diy projects are so inspiring! I also hang my curtains as high as the ceiling too to add a drama, theatrical look. Looking forward to see more updates on the rest of the rooms in your house.
Nickie says
Hello! All I can say is OMG!!! I have become an “empty nester” recently. To improve my mood from missing my boys, I decided to spruce up the house. I found your website when I was looking for ideas and am so glad I did. I love seeing the transformation of your home. You have me hooked!
Keri Skousen says
You are quite the inspiration, young lady!
Thanks for the tour!!!
Charlotte says
Hi, Kristi. Having just found your site gives me more appreciation of what a lady (YOU) can do! I live in a small 1950 built house and am trying to come up with a solution for basement ceiling cover. Cannot use drop ceiling due to pipes lower than joists. Fabric tacking doesn’t appeal to me … all that trapping of dirt. Yuck. Is there a way that I could send pictures to you? Your other followers may get some
Kristi says
Sure! You can email me at [email protected]
Paulette says
Just found your site. Girl, you are so talented! Your vision is truly a gift and I don’t have it. Another amazing thing…your website is so easy to navigate. I appreciate the way you’ve set up your tours for each home and room (before, current, DIYs, etc.). So glad I found you. Thank you for sharing your abilities and progress with us!
Katy says
You did a great job. I was a lot of hard work but I’m sure it was worth every effort.