Reflecting on Our Home Renovation after Two Years and Planning for the Future

It’s been two years since we traded our black Modern Cottage in Idaho for this North Carolinian Red Brick Modern Colonial. Two years in, and I'm amazed at how much we've accomplished. Renovating a home top to bottom takes time, and we're enjoying the process as much as we can. So, in honor of our two-year mark, I wanted to share a look at where we started and where we're at in every space in our home. Some spaces are "done" (are they ever really?), some are in progress, and some are completely untouched. Along with each space, I've listed out everything we've done and what's still to come. Let's take a look, starting with the outside.

Front Yard

Before

Now

Few of our projects are without controversy, and the front yard brought some feelings out for a few. It can be a hard thing for people to see "mature" landscaping ripped out for small shrubs and new plants. But this yard was overgrown and overshadowing the home and needed to be freshened up. We love being able to see the home itself better while still having it picture framed in the greenery (which will grow quickly in these Carolina rains - it'll just get better and better).

Backyard

Before

Now

Backyard Sources

The backyard is heaven. Another controversial move: taking out so many shrubs and trees. But we can honestly say we have zero regrets (which is also the number of snakes we've seen on our property since clearing out all the dense greenery).

Done:

• Installed a pool
• All about our diamond pavers and artificial grass
• Built an outdoor kitchen
• Installed an outdoor shower
• Exterior lighting
• Backyard landscaping plans
• Front yard landscaping
• "Planted" faux plants outside

To-do:

• Replace windows
• Maybe paint the trim?
• Replace roofing
• Vining diamond trellis on the red brick
• String lights through the whole backyard. I got 500 feet of string lights.

Front Entry

Before

Now

Entry Sources

The constant throughout the home is the flooring, but the entry also dons a new, beefy newel post, a closed stringer all along the side of the staircase, new balusters, and lighting. A lot of little tweaks that make a great first impression.

Done:

• Added the herringbone floor and upgraded the grand staircase
• Painted the balusters white
• Hung a new chandelier
• Painted the front door and balusters black
• Installed wall sconces
• Styled a mirror and bench moment

To-do:

• I'd love to install lots and lots of trim

Study

Before

Now

Study Sources

The door in the before photo led to the primary bedroom, which we had closed up before we even moved in. This room is right off the entry, so turning it into a study made the most sense, especially once we moved our business to an office down the street. This room has seen more iterations than any other, I think, but I couldn't be happier with where we've landed.

Done:

• Installed wainscoting
• Painting the study
• Installed the mural wallpaper
• Hung the bubble light
• Repainted the study
• Installed built-ins
• Installed pocket doors
• Painting the study a dark, glossy green

To-Do:

• It's 95% done! We're nearing the end of our painting dilemma, and then I'm anxious to get the shelves styled

Powder Bathroom

Before

Now

Powder Bathroom Sources

This little water closet honestly felt like something that should have belonged in our last home when we moved into it. The changes made here are so charming and fun, and any time we have guests over, they comment on this little room.

The powder bath was one of our very first projects in this house, and it's one of the projects in this house that's completely finished!

Primary Bedroom

Before

Now

Primary Bedroom Sources

There's that doorway. So odd to think that putting the bed on this wall wasn't even an option before! But now it feels like the only thing that makes sense! Every night when we retire to this room, it feels like a reward, and I'm so happy with it.

Done:

• Closed up the doorway that led into the study
• Installed beadboard on the ceiling
• Installed custom box trim
• Painted it a dark brown
• Found the perfect floor mirror
• Painted the windows black (the same way we did in the guest house)
• Hung art and picture lights

To-do:

• I'd love to swap out the curtains in here! Other than that, I really love where this room is at.

Primary Bathroom & Closets

We've done absolutely nothing with the bathroom, but in the coming months, we'll be redoing this entire space completely. New layout and all. We're working through the final design plans now and can't wait to share them with you all - it's really going to be special.

Living Room

Before

Now

Living Room Sources

If you follow us on Instagram, then you know the "Now" photo on this one is a little out-of-date already. Last week we rearranged some furniture and swapped out the rug. We considered removing the fireplace and adding a large window here, but we really love using the fireplace, so we're exploring the idea of some skylights instead. Time will tell.

Done:

• Painted the living room Pigeon
• The evolution after four months
• The 2-year transformation

To-do:

• Add skylights
• Add beams
• Add trim to the walls
• Contrast paint job
• Marble fireplace surround
• Possibly remove the door to the outside since we never use it
• New furniture

Dining Room

Before

Now

Dining Room Sources

When we did our kitchen, some of the entryways shifted around a bit, giving us a more dedicated "dining room," which I've loved playing with over the past couple of years. We're loving the feel of this room, but the light fixture is getting swapped out for sure. We love how it looks, but it doesn't quite give off enough light for a dining area. Chris keeps pushing for a new table as well, so we'll see what changes lay ahead.

Done:

• Added the cased opening from the kitchen and removed the opening into the hallway
• Hunt the lantern, plus some art
• Installed my favorite wallpaper

To-do:

• I would love an extendable oval table in here at some point
• As much as I love this lantern, it doesn't give off a lot of light, so I'd love to swap it for something from our new Shades of Light collection
• Can't wait to get a vintage art gallery wall hung in here

Kitchen

Before

Now

*swoon*
My heart, every time I'm in this kitchen. We love it every day. It's truly the central hub of our home, and we spend a lot of time with family and friends in this space. Once or twice a week, I hear Chris say, "This kitchen is such a joy to cook in." His having his dream kitchen has been a dream come true for all of us.

Kitchen Sources

As impossible as it once seemed, the kitchen is one of the spaces in our home that's done, which feels so good to say.

Mudroom / Cricket's Room

Before

Now

What once was our laundry is now Cricket's room and will most likely become a mudroom at some point. Right now, it's serving our family well, but we know we can be more. It will be more.

Done:

• Taken out the washer and dryer

To-do:

• Transform this space into a mudroom
• Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry
• A wall faucet for cricket's water
• A bench and hooks
• Built-in kennel
• Door to outside

Back Hallway

Before

Now

Back Hallway Wallpaper

Don't forget those hallways. The grasscloth back here is so charming, and you get the tiniest peek of it from the kitchen. I love little moments like that throughout a home - a hint of something more. Once we tackle the mudroom, we plan to put tile on the floors back here (and remedy that seasonal splitting we get in our floor each winter).

Done:

• Installed grasscloth wallpaper

To-do:

• Since this area gets a lot of foot traffic, I'd love to swap the wood flooring for some tile
• Contrast trim and doors are also on my mind

Stair Landing / Music Room

Before

Now

With the exception of flooring, this space has been untouched. But we do have a vision for it and hope to have this a dedicated music room by the end of the year.

Done:

• Installed hardwood floors
• Upgraded the balusters

To do:

• Transform this space into a music room with a cased opening
• Hang guitars
• Build-in some storage
• Put a cute little couch up there

Polly's Room

Before

Now

Polly's Room Sources

Polly's room is so... Polly. It's perfect for her, and she loves her room so much. She especially likes to point out the unicorns I drew on her wallpaper, and I smile knowing that this rug (from our line with Loloi Rugs) carries her name because I designed it for her.

Done:

• Installed wallpaper and crown light fixture
• Upgraded her bed
• Brought in a dresser

To-do:

• Polly's room is all but done, but I'd love to add some Roman shades
• She's also in need of a good closet system

Faye's Room

Before

Now

Faye's Room Sources

The "Now" here is also a little dated since we've taken out her closet and are working on her room right now. In the coming weeks, this room with be completely different, and Faye is loving helping me pick out all the finishes.

Done:

• New bed
• Demoed out her closet
• Patched the flooring

To-do:

• Install wallpaper (see what we chose)
• Build a new closet (see floorplan option 2)
• See the mood board here

Jack and Jill Bathroom

This is the bathroom between Faye and Polly's rooms, and it will be getting a full gut. Today? No. But someday.

Greta's Room

Before

Now

Greta's Room Sources

Greta loves her room. Maybe a little too much, since she's now at the age where she just likes to lock herself away in here, but I love knowing that she is reflected here so much. We still have some plans for this space, but with the closet, paint, curtains, and furniture, it's in a good place for her right now.

Done:

• Painted it pink
• Furnished
• Installed shelving in her closet

To-do:

• I really want to make her room special for her
• New light fixture
• I want to do built-in bookcases somewhere
• Window seat

Greta's Bathroom

Before

Now

Greta's Bathroom Sources

It feels so good to walk into these back hallways and see Greta's bathroom with the laundry across from it. Because I know what they used to be, and I know how much better they are now. This bathroom took a bit of work to get right, also not without its own controversies, but it turned out just how I envisioned, and it's perfect for Greta.

Greta's bathroom is totally done!

Laundry Room

Before

Now

Laundry Room Sources

We divided this room by putting a wall down the middle, turning this side into a laundry and the other side into storage for now. We've been involved in a few laundry projects in our day, and this is by far the most usable, functional, and beautiful laundry room we've done. It's trite to say, but it really does make doing laundry enjoyable.

The laundry room is totally done!

Storage Room

Before

Now

This storage area is on the other side of the room we partitioned. It doesn't have lights, and it's full of junk right now, but someday it will be perfectly organized and functional. Right?

Done:

• This storage closet is the other half of what got transformed into the laundry room, and it's going to remain a storage closet

To-do:

• Someday we'll install loads of shelves and cabinetry to keep everything nice and organized
• We'll also need to texture and paint that drywall at some point

Bonus Room

Before

Now

Bonus Room Sources

Probably our girls' favorite room. Here we do homework and studies, as well as play games, watch shows, and have family movie nights. Chris built the hidden door for the storage space, and we added the desk, lockers, and cabinets. On a rainy day, I love to sit in this room, curled up, watching the rain in the trees outside the window. It's just cozy in here.

Done:

• Added planking everywhere
• Upgraded the balusters
• New lighting everywhere
• Painted everything blue
• Added the hidden door
• Added the desk nook
• Built-in the lockers
• Built-in the window nook seating

To-do:

• Make window seat cushions, which feels like an impossible task
• I'd also love to do a runner going up the stairs with a gallery wall of family pics along the stairwell

Playroom / Rec Room

Before

Now

Basket | Fabric Tent | Humphrey Rug | Wooden Desk | Faux Fur Chair | Lamp | White Planter | Faux Tree

We originally planned to use this as the office for our team, but our city had other plans. But that's ok, because moving our team into an office allowed us to close off the stairs here and turn this into an amazing bonus room. It's nice when we have company over, being able to send the kids up here to play.

Done:

• Reconfigured the layout a bit by taking out the bar and wine cellar and adding a closet
• The purpose of the room transformed from a team office space to a rec room/playroom
• Upgraded the lighting
• Removed the staircase that led to the gym

To-do:

• Wood paneled trim everywhere
• I'd love to do built-in bunks, but Chris isn't so sure about that
• a nice big sectional and a gaming area, possibly with a ping-pong table or something
• Powder bath makeover

Gym

Before

Now

Gym Sources

This space was at the bottom of the stairs that came down from the bonus room. Now that the stairs are closed off, it's the perfect little workout area and looks great with our peel-and-stick floor tiles. Though we have plans for this space as well, though that will likely be a 2024 project.

Done:

• Here's what the gym looks like finished
• We removed the stairwell from the rec room, so now the only entrance is from the outside

To-do:

• Keep reading about the guest house to find out what the future of the gym entails 😬

Guest House

Before

Now

Guest House Sources

Painting the waterlogged, warped flooring in here was one of my best ideas, and I don't care who hears it. This entire guest house will eventually get a makeover, but for now, we love knowing we have it for when family or friends come to visit. Everyone comments on how they feel like they're staying at a boutique hotel. It's fun having a space dedicated for our guests.

Done:

• Painted the floors
• Gave it a little phase-one makeover

To-do:

We actually have big plans for the guest house, which include taking out the gym to add more square footage to what we envision to be a whole guest apartment! Right now, it's an open floorplan concept, but we envision a bedroom with a door, a living area, and a kitchen, and we'll be transforming the bathroom into the official pool bathroom! We can hardly wait to make better use of this space.

So how many spaces have you been here for? Anything you see that you missed? Anything you saw that isn't mentioned? It's hard to believe we've been working on this home for as long as we lived in our last home, but it feels so good knowing we aren't going anywhere, and we get to continue uncovering the full potential of every room, bit by bit.