As I mentioned on Friday Mr. Décor and I spent all last week house hunting in the Fort Worth area. On average we saw between 10 and 15 houses a day. My mind was on house overload I tell you. (I guess I have a fear that I might miss something good. 🙂
Some houses were an immediate “NO” for me. Some houses were an immediate “NO” for the Mister. Thankfully, we have narrowed it down to three houses and I’ll be sharing all three with you very soon.
Of course while looking for a new home we couldn’t help but reminisce about our previous homes. Our first home was a foreclosure and was around 1,400 square feet. Our second home felt like a palace at over 2,000 square feet and was also a foreclosure in desperate need of love. Our current home is 1,900 square feet and is going on the market TODAY!
There is one thing that all three homes had in common~we think we left them all better off than when we found them.
In our current home we made mainly cosmetic changes. One of the first things we did was remove all the blinds. Many of the windows were covered with dusty fabric covered vertical blinds that were popular in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
When doing this we discovered that the previous owners just painted around the blinds…head scratcher.
They also opted to have various window coverings in the same room.
We went with all white plantation blinds and simple linen drapery panels.
Most recently the room received decorating touches of touches of red, white and blue.
The space went from dark and heavy…
![[home17%255B2%255D.jpg]](https://decortoadore.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/home1725255B225255D.jpg)
…to light and bright.
The house itself tended to be quite dark. The darker shades of paint the previous owners had selected only enhanced the feel.
This was the office “before” right at mid day.
Taking down the dark blind and giving the walls three coats of Dover White Sherwin Williams 6385 to cover the brown walls really lightened things up.
![[new%2520house%2520085%255B4%255D.jpg]](https://decortoadore.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/new252520house25252008525255B425255D.jpg)
The dark blind was replaced with a white plantation blind, I made some curtains and it became a happy space.
It was the same story in Sweet Guy’s room.
The dark walls received Sherwin Williams Retiring Blue 6763.
![[new%2520house%2520090%255B4%255D.jpg]](https://decortoadore.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/new252520house25252009025255B425255D.jpg)
It became a travel themed room you guys really loved.
We also updated most of the lighting. You may remember the UFO lights present in all the hallways. They too all had the “Let’s just go around it” paint job.
With Mr. Décor’s help, Sweet Guy installed new oil rubbed bronze sconces.
All of the bathrooms had this famous builders grade lighting option:
![[Change%2520is%2520good%2520014-002%255B3%255D.jpg]](https://decortoadore.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Change252520is252520good252520014-00225255B325255D.jpg)
I think that the update is much more attractive and it cost under $40 and a bit of time.
Sometimes it was just merely decorating accents that took a well used space from drab….
…to fab. Like our laundry room and the few touches created for pennies.
The master bathroom just needed a bit of paint and removal of vertical blinds.
I made the simple neutral valances.
In the yard there was an unloved side yard.
Mr. Décor customized a shed for some lovely storage space.
Yes, in researching this story I was sort of amazed at all we have accomplished in just two short years. Believe it or not I shared only about 1/2 of the projects we have done in the essence of time and the length of the post.
Of course there were projects that I never did get around too, like painting the kitchen cabinets. I have to leave something for the next owners to do right? 🙂
But I did create a darling island.
It did wonders to cozy up the space.
Although it was tiny and not exactly my dream kitchen, it hosted many a happy occasion and filled this home with joy.
Truly, that is what is most important.
Laura
You made a lot of changes that added style to your home. It's amazing how a lighter brighter room looks cleaner, too. I love all of the window coverings you added….what a difference! Enjoy your week! Can't wait to hear more about the houses you are thinking about! Hugs!
You've made the home so much happier and brighter. I think it will sell really fast.
Love the changes you made to your home. We always leave a home better than when we got it, too. One thing we always do is put up shelving in closets and storage areas. In touring homes for sale I often notice stacks of boxes and bins that are piled high and shoved into closets. Adding shelves allows us to organize our stuff so it's accessible and useful. Paint. Always fresh paint. Oh, Laura, you're going to have a wonderful time making your new house yours. I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll start with. Most of all, I'm glad your husband has a job.
Blessings to you as you are on a great adventure.
It's amazing what a likable light fixture, pretty window treatments, sweet pictures in room and desired colored walls can do to make a place a home!
Above all…enjoy your family and look for what God has for you,
d
You've got a good eye when it comes to freshening up a space! Well done. It will be fun to see what new space you choose…
We moved from house to house when I was little, 14 to be exact. Mom did not make any changes since they were rentals, but when she left the house was so clean. I remember helping her wash the walls down and moping the floors. The first house we lived in we did alot of things to it, but I left it clean like she did. I know this is not what you were posting about, but you brought back the many memories I have had in many houses.
I'm sure that your upgrades will be greatly appreciated by the new owners. They certainly did a lot for making your home lighter and . Can't wait to see the new home after a quick sell!!
Laura, isn't it nice to have journaled all the rich goodness you added to your home? So have you've narrowed your search, and I'm looking forward to which one you chose.
Rita
How nice to see all the “good” you did in the years you were there. Our house underwent 2-3 “renovations” in the 10 years we've lived here (basement, powder room and entire first floor flooring).I'd like to think ours is better now too. I know about heads spinning. We're in our 3rd home, waiting for word on number 4. When we moved from Philly to Kansas City I flew there and saw like 45 houses in three days. From that we picked our lovely home. From Kansas to Chicago we drove and stayed for three days (kids were 4,2 and 3 months old) while we looked. That's how we picked the house we're in. (I was breastfeeding and pumping in the car in between houses. Needless to say we did NOT drive with the realtor!) Looking forward to seeing your choices!
xo Kathleen
You've really made a lovely home there and you will again in your next. : )
I'm really excited for you with your upcoming move to Texas, hope you find the perfect spot! You're place there looks so fresh and pretty, it should sell fast!
I think you did a wonderful job in improving so many details in this home. I really like that you were ab;e to see exactly what would make a big impact without a lot of time and money.
Wishing you all the best in choosing your new home and selling this one!
Jane xx
Your sweet home will be sold soon I am sure! I love your style.
It is amazing what a can of paint can do, isn't it? You sure made things so much better fr sure. LOVE that island!!!! Have a great week!!!
Making a house a home is a labor of love. Wishing you all the best as you land in the state I call home. Happy house hunting!
What a transformation! That is just gorgeous. I think I'll come back here when I'm ready to purchase paint. This post is inspirational!
While it will be exciting to get to your new home and start making it another beautiful and gracious place like the others you have had remodeled and decorated over the years. If it looks half as amazing as the ones you have left behind, it will be a palace!
Best of luck with the houses and the move! So excited to go along with you on this new adventure 🙂
I absolutely find such joy visiting your blog; you have a sense of style that is timeless and a great way of expressing yourself through this blog. I think you have a marvelous home, I find that let's just paint around the fixtures to be quite um….well, it's different, and gave me a chuckle – what were they thinking??? You have left a beautiful home for the next owners and are going to soon be off on your next adventure. I can't wait to see what you make of it!
Oh, my goodness! I had forgotten how many projects you have gotten done! 🙂
~Liz
You did so much in so little time! I remember when you bought that place. We were praying with you that you would be able to find one before you had to move out of the previous one. My prayer this time is that this home sells in a snap. With all your improvements, I can't imagine that it will not.
Truly you have made this home more beautiful and loved Laura!
WOW, seeing all these changes put together in a post…..and learning it is only half what you did is absolutely amazing.
I love all your before and afters….such inspiration!
The best though is that darling son of yours – the happy pride in his face with completing a job well done, priceless. ♥
Your son is adorable! I should say “quite handsome” I guess. 🙂 Wow, the lighter paint, changing the window treatments and light fixtures made a huge impact. I love that island! I'm so anxious to see where you land here in the Lone Star State! 🙂 I do hope that we can meet in person one day.
xo
Pat
Your home is lovely- I'm sure it will sell quickly. The market seems to be great right now for sellers. Houses go so quickly here that we are having a hard time finding our next home.