Our 4-month renovation journey began
with an ambitious vision. The moment we walked into the home, we saw its potential through the blaring eyesores of fuzzy blue carpet, oddly placed windows,
foam tile ceiling, and a mountain of dust that we're certain accumulated undisturbed for decades. We saw the quirks as possibilities. Months of a touch of shiplap here, new flooring there, "Hey, let's knock down this wall," and "What if we moved the vanity into the bathroom cabinet alcove?" and our vision came to life. We got creative and found beauty in an 1890 home with a great deal of promise. The final result? Well, we're pretty pleased...
THE KITCHEN
Most designers start with the kitchen and Madeline's approach was no different. A departure from the classic white kitchen, we wanted this room to set the tone for the rest of the home: warm, tasteful and charming. While we took major inspiration from Pinterest, the primary muse was Madeline's favorite blogger, Julia Berolzheimer's kitchen. The butcher block countertops compliment the blue perfectly and add a touch of patina that enhances the lived-in effect we aimed for. We switched around the layout of the kitchen, moved appliances, added tall pantry cabinets (all of the cabinets are new, by the way!) and a farmhouse sink. Et voilà!
THE KITCHEN
THE KITCHEN
THE NOOK
An extension of the kitchen but also a room that holds its own, it was crucial that the nook coordinate with the blues in the kitchen but bring additional elements to separate the space. We went with a chinoiserie wallpaper that's equal parts elegant and whimsical. Throughout the kitchen and nook, we incorporated white bead board and trim to add texture and brighten up the space.
THE LOO
The bathroom (or the loo as we call it here!) underwent the most drastic transformation. What once was a dark, cramped room with a useless closet, a purposeless built-in box attached to the ceiling, and a door that opened into the toilet is now a fresh and, dare I say, spacious haven with an abundance of light. We knocked out that useless closet and moved the vanity in its place, freshly tiled the shower/bath, shiplapped the ceiling, added brass accents, swapped out the doors to french doors that open out of the room, installed more bead board and trim, new floors, and even moved the toilet half a foot further from the door. It's truly a remarkable transformation.
THE NOOK
THE LOO
THE LOO
THE DEN
The concept for this room can be summed up as bright, white, clean and fresh! Not only did we clear the fireplace of decades of cobwebs, dust and soot, but we also gave it a facelift with a fresh coat of white and navy. What used to be putty greige walls are now a crisp cream, brightening the space tenfold. The new dark wood flooring throughout matures the space. Plus a truly fantastic collection of books, DVDs and games make this room the entertainment hub of our dreams.
THE DEN
DARCY
As all of our bedrooms are named after Pride and Prejudice characters, it felt only right to make the master bedroom the Darcy room of Pemberley. Airy, traditional, and masculine, we went with French Blue drapes, a vintage solid wood bed, and peach accents with traditional wall decor. A fresh coat of paint, quality drapes, and a less-is-more attitude tallied up to a final product worthy of its namesake.
THE BEDROOMS
BENNET
So long geometric dizziness, hello soothing florals! To better highlight the existing white paneling we love, we swapped the dark blue wallpaper for a white-based spaced out pattern. Not only did this open up the room but it also brings character and personality to an otherwise plain second bedroom. We added curtains to incorporate more texture and keep the focus on the wallpaper. And of course, because this is the bedroom with twin beds, we had to name it after the Bennet sisters.
THE BEDROOMS
BINGLEY
The sunny Bingley room matches the pleasant and easygoing disposition of Mr. Bingley. We replaced the tile square ceiling with streamlined shiplap, the plaster walls with drywall, added wicker and brass accents to reflect the natural light, and best of all, swapped the 70s blue shag carpet for medium-light hardwood floors. Not only does the room feel more spacious, it feels brighter and invites the outside in.
THE BEDROOMS
WICKHAM
Talk about a major transformation! You may notice that this bedroom used to have an unexplained alcove and only one window on the far wall. When we knocked out the alcove, we learned it was boxing out a hidden window. Talk about a goldmine! We moved a wall, changed the doorway entry, shiplapped the ceiling, swapped the plaster walls for drywall, added a fresh coat of paint, said goodbye to the shaggy carpet in order to replace with medium-light hardwood, and the result is perfection. Different hues of wood, traditional wall art, and three beautiful windows bring an earthy, clean feel to this space. It's a fan favorite around here despite its namesake being an antagonist.
THE BEDROOMS