Ten Years In Our Home!
Last week, Matt and I quietly passed a milestone in our home. Ten years! It’s hard to believe that we’ve been here a whole decade, and even harder to believe that I’ve been working on this house for that long, and I’m still not finished! 😀
Why has it taken me so long? Well, the house in desperate need of a full down-to-the-studs renovation. There’s not a single room that hasn’t been torn down to studs and ceiling joists, and some of have even been torn down to floor joists. Every room has been rewired, and has gotten new insulation, new drywall, and new windows.
I’ve had help along the way, but if I had to estimate, I’d guess that I’ve done about 85% of the work by myself with my own two hands. I’ve not only done demolition, rebuilding, some of the drywall, refinishing floors, installing windows, and all of that kind of work myself, but I’ve also decorated each room, including painting, sewing, upholstering, building furniture, making artwork, etc. In other words, I’ve taken the last ten years turning a very rough canvas into a beautiful (to me) home that suits my decorating and design taste, and works functionally for my wheelchair-bound husband with M.S.
It has been quite the journey, with plenty of blood, sweat and tears along the way. I’ve had my share of trial and error, outright failures, but also plenty of victories. And in hindsight, I can tell you that it’s been well worth the effort.
And then there’s the learning along the way…OH MY GOODNESS, the learning! When I look back to where I was when we bought this house, I can’t help but to laugh. I was so excited to have my very own house that I could DIY my way through, and at the same time, I was so unbelievably naive. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into, or what I was committing myself to. Ignorance truly was bliss. Had I known that ten years later, I’d still be working my way through these rooms, I honestly don’t know if I would have taken on the challenge. So in a way, I’m thankful for my ignorance back then! Without it, I may not have my beautiful (to me) home today, and all of the rewards of knowing that it’s a result of my work with my own hands (with the help of many along the way).
So let’s take a look at how far the house has come since we bought it in August of 2013.
The first time I saw the house, the front porch alone was almost enough to make me turn away — the old concrete porch, the two front doors, the rotting wood support posts, the old windows that wouldn’t open, and the vinyl siding. It was almost too much. But I was determined to turn it into a welcoming front porch.
One of my biggest disappointments was that this house didn’t have a separate entryway. I had really wanted a separate entryway, so I tried my best to create the feel of an entryway in the long living room.
From the first time I saw it, I knew the living room needed a fireplace, so I built a fake one between the two side windows. And while it took me several tries to get this room right, I finally did it.
The music room was intended to be a dining room, but having a table and chairs in this room would have been a hindrance for Matt in his wheelchair. So I decided to turn this room into a music room so that the middle traffic area could be left open.
The hallway originally had a very narrow cased opening, and not one, but two closets in it. I removed both, widened the cased opening, and built a new cabinet.
The hallway bathroom is once again getting a little facelift, but the major remodel was done years ago. It was the second room I remodeled in this house, after the kitchen.
The guest bedroom is still being used as our main bedroom until we build our addition. In order to accomplish my vision for this room, I had an exterior door removed, a window removed, and then I built two new closets.
The second bedroom was originally wood everything. Wood ceiling, wood walls, wood floor. I decided to turn this into a home gym, completely sans wood.
The original master bedroom was completely repurposed and is now our master bathroom, complete with a huge curbless shower that is perfect for Matt.
The kitchen was the first room I remodeled in this house, and it was like jumping with both feet into the deep end of the pool. I had never done anything like this before, and I had to learn in a hurry and stretch my DIY skills further than they had ever been stretched before.
The room next to the kitchen was originally one big, open room. I turned the front part of the room into a breakfast room (which is currently and temporarily being used as a sitting room until we build our addition).
I walled off a 12′ x 7′ section of that room at the back and turned it into a walk-in pantry. This was my first time to build cabinets completely from scratch.
And finally, our original garage underwent probably the most dramatic change of any room in the house. What was a dark, dirty garage (pictured below after the garage doors had been removed) is now a work in progress, but is turning into the prettiest studio ever (in my humble opinion 😀 ).
There has been so much more — way more than I could ever put into one single blog post — that has transpired over the last ten years. What a decade it has been! And I’ll just keep plugging away on the house until it’s finished, which will probably be never. Are homes really ever “finished“? 😀 I think our hallway bathroom, now on its third makeover, is a pretty good indication that our home will never truly be finished. It will will always be evolving. I am, after all, addicted to decorating. 😀 The name of my blog is what you call truth in advertising, my friends!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I LOVE what you’ve done! What a great job, and I also love your style and colors and the cool things you’ve dreamed up! Well done!
And I’ve loved watching every bit of it! Thank you for including us.
Such amazing progress!
Vision, persistence, courage…all of this and more, much more, has created a beautiful, functional, blessed home for the two of you as well as your friends and family and blog audience. Quite the feat in only ten years.
I am always amazed at what you accomplish with your own hands. Your house is so beautiful and you have every reason to be proud. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Just Wow! You should be so proud of yourself. The transformation is priceless! Glad to have been following your posts and I have learned a lot! How you have used color and made it flow throughout your entire house is really special, looks fabulous!
I agree with Cornelia Pittsburgh. Every word.
Kristi……I’ve learned a lot through my years, and now I’ve seen what you do with colors and that has made me learn not to be afraid to put my color ideas to work. I wish I was 40 years younger so I could turn my house completely around like you have. You’re a pro. You are a genius. You have created a beautiful masterpiece to be proud of and live in. God Speed to you and Matt.
It’s so fun to watch your progress. Your house is gorgeous and you are amazing! I’m still trying to decide (after 18 years) what to do with the color of my 40 kitchen cabinet drawers and doors :/
You are an inspiration to me! I remember stumbling upon your website when you were living in the condo and how amazed I was that you did anything you put your mind to. You still amaze me. Beautiful work, as always!
I love the fact that you take us back to the beginning “canvas” and bring us forward. The changes have been so amazing.
I discovered your blog when you were getting ready to sell your condo. I remember the trouble you had with neighbors who didn’t like you building stuff outside!
And now you can make all the noise you (and Matt) can stand!
I’ve learned a lot from you!
Thank you for your faithfulness in regularly blogging even when you were hitting rough patches!
We’ve lived in our home 32 years and I keep coming up with brainstorms. I don’t think I’ll ever run out of projects and I don’t want to.
Beautiful! You’ve built a home with so much love.
Congratulations on 10 years in your own home. Thanks for bringing us along for all the fantastic changes. I look forward to the next 10 years. 😊
You are amazing! Your skills are extraordinary, you should be so proud of all that you have accomplished?
Gosh 10 years already? I remember when you were still in the condo and you were talking about possibly getting this house. It sure doesn’t seem like that long ago. You’ve done an unbelievable job with that house!
I can’t believe I’ve followed you for over a decade!! Read every single post straightaway.
One thing I’m still dreaming of is your YouTube channel!!! I’m a DIY baby & need my hand held. I bought a dremel & a paint sprayer same as you and they’re still in their boxes because I don’t know how to set them up. I need someone I trust to show me! 🙂 When you get your big remodel done, you should give some thought to it..
The other thing I’d love to see is going though a room and comment on what you’ve liked and what you regretted. What held up and what didn’t over the years, etc.
Love the blog and you!
Can’t believe I’ve followed you since your kitchen remodel! Wow…
I started following you right before you bought the house. What a wonderful walk down memory lane with all of your renovations! Thanks for bringing us along for the ride. I’m looking forward to the continuing journey.
Happy Home Anniversary Kristi & Matt! I’ve been following your blog since the apt. and look forward to every new installment. It’s been a fun ride…really glad it isn’t over.
Enjoy your home every day and in every way you can.
Peace
Marti
Happy Anniversary! The transformation of your house is miraculous!
My deepest congratulations for all you have accomplished and shared. You are the only decorating blog that has sustained my attention this long. It is a rare occasion when there is not some tidbit take away for me. Your authentic git’r dun approach gives you credibility, you make no secret of mistakes or changes. We all get to learn along with you. You put in the hard work to be polished, professional and personal. I enjoy experiencing your joy, success and pride as you journey through projects. It makes no difference if your choices or style might occasionally be different than my own, I find myself cheering you on, awaiting the big reveal and anchoring that in my own endeavors. Your tenacity galvanizes me to execute and follow through on projects. As I write I’m finishing decorating projects on a 4 season porch we built through covid. I am absolutely determined to see my vision fully expressed. No passing on unused beautiful fabric because a new phase has arrived!
Thanks for your inspiration. Kudos to Matt too!
When I think of the changes you’ve made to your exterior I immediately think of your gorgeous carport! I am envious!! You should be very proud of your hard work. Your home is gorgeous! Happy Anniversary to you and Matt.
You have truly turned an ‘ugly duckling’ into a beautiful swan that suits both you and Matt. What a journey and accomplishment for you – bravo – well done!!
seems to me that you’ve done 90% of the house yourself. true you left some big ticket items to pros but overall its been all you! you should be very proud, my friend.
Kristi, I started following you when you were in the condo or shortly after. You are incredibly inspirational & I eagerly follow all of your updates. Keep up the great work. Congratulations on 10 years. Your house in beautiful! Well done!
Congratulations Kristi!! I have been following you for all of that 10 years and am in awe of your skills and colour choices. I agree… I don’t think we will ever finish. We are into our third year of our renovation and no end in sight. Best wishes to you and Matt from the land Down Under (Australia) and I’m looking forward to seeing your studio completed. WELL DONE….
You’re amazing, and I’ve loved being on your journey. Your home is turning into your beautiful dream.
So many collective hours spent watching you every step of the way! and all of those hours very well spent! You’re amazing. thanks for sharing the journey and please keep posting – even the ‘boring’ days – nothing you ever post is boring for us – your avid followers.
we love you and love your work!
Claire xx
Congratulations on your 10 year home anniversary! I can’t believe it’s been that long. I’ve been following you since you were renovating your condo and the amazing work you did to it. Now you’re doing it again ten fold.
You are definitely turning this house into an incredibly stylish one of a kind amazing and beautiful home for you and Matt.
Well done Kristi, we are all so proud of you. Your skills never cease to amaze me and I have learnt so much from you. You truly are such an inspiration to us all. Congratulations again!
Love the pink cabinets.
Congratulations! I am in awe of your talents and ambition.
I’m so glad to have been around for the ride. When I first discovered your blog you had just bought the house and hadn’t sold the condo yet. All this time I thought you new all that stuff going in. I was envious of how you just went right out and learned to build cabinets (I have a kreg tool now, thanks to your recommendation, but I haven’t quite been brave enough to actually use it yet.).I have learned so much from you over the years. I thank you for that.
What a lovely trip down memory lane. I love your vision and all you’ve done. Carry on!
You are absolutely amazing, talented and and creative! All your workmanship looks so high-end custom. You can be so darn proud of all you have accomplished in remodeling your home. So fun to see each rooms transition.
I’ve been here from the beginning and I am in awe for all you have done. And I am always waiting for the end result for each room, always interested. That’s a testimony for you being genuine. I’m rooting for you, Kristi! You are doing wonderfully.
I cannot believe I have been watching your progress for 10 years! I am basically a neutral kinda decor gal but I LOVE what you do with colour – you must be thrilled with the progress, I know I am for you – you are the ONLY blog I have continually read, AND looked forward to your updates, others have come and gone over the years but yours truly is inspirational! Here’s to the next 10 years – very, very well done!
Congratulations on your home anniversary! What a journey it has been for you and Matt and I have enjoyed peeking in to this journey as well. You do indeed have a beautiful home.
You are some kind of visionary Kristi. I wouldn’t have tackle a project like that even if I had a full scale crew. The fact that you lived there the whole time is incredible. I love this post, seeing all the successes and how they beautiful blend together in a cohesive design. While you DIY skills are beyond impressive, it’s the beauty of your decorating that brings me back everyday. Your home is just so lovely.
Congratulations on a fantastic milestone! I would have run screaming from the house. That you could not only envision what it could be, but could actually make it all happen (and make it Matt friendly), is truly amazing. Absolutely beautiful throughout!
Congratulations on a job so well done! I bought my house 13 years ago and completely understand how much you’ve accomplished! You are still my main inspiration! I’ll be 74 soon and l still will try to do it myself! I need to varnish my kitchen cabinets and will try the water varnish you just suggested. I have lots of outside things to do but this heat is unreal and i have asthma! Love your post!!
Happy Anniversary! To have accomplished what you have, almost single-handed, is incredible. You have gone from a decorator/designer to a rehabber! Someday you should share your beginning again, for those who may be newer here. Or point them to a post, so they can know what a lot of us already do! You remind me of myself and my husband, self-taught and proud of what we’ve learned and done.
I echo all the kudos and accolades from others! Definitely well-deserved! Your progress over the years has been amazing, and that you have shared it all, winnings and hiccups, with us has been such a gift. I look forward to seeing and hearing more, and will be right there cheering you on as you go. Congratulations to you and Matt for 10 years in persisting in the transformation of your ugly duckling house into a stunningly beautiful home! Carry on!
Congratulations on such a milestone!! Your house is lovely!
Seeing all the heat registers in “before” shots that aren’t there in the “afters” made me wonder — how is your home heated and air conditioned? Did you job out changes and upgrades like HVAC and plumbing right from the start?
I am amazed at everything you have accomplished. You should also be proud of the career you have created for yourself during this process with your blog and social media posts.
I cannot remember how or when I found you, but I am still so happy I did! I look forward to your posts, and am always excited when I see a new one pop up. I think I saw a pin someone saved on Pinterest, of one of your many projects, and that was it! I know it has been at least 3-5 years, and I am so amazed and proud of how you work, get through issues, make changes when it doesn’t suit you, and admit mistakes/decisions that don’t make you happy. You are very relatable, and honest – that is why we all love following you. Thank you for all the inspiration! Looking forward to more!