Last week, we shared a quick 6 minute house tour, with no talking. Just smooth camera work gliding in and out of every room in our new home. But! So many of you asked to hear more about our initial plans for each space (just off the cuff kind of stuff) so Chris and I walked through each room in our new house and shared our thoughts on where we'd like to take it. Including the room that stumped us so hard initially, we almost didn't buy this house!
After living in the home just under a week, we have really felt this home to be more of a cottage style and we're excited to bring that influence throughout the interior and exterior. We're sharing the first projects we'll be tackling tomorrow! Can't wait!
You can see more of my inspiration pictures on my Pinterest board here.
Ps. To get outfit inquiries out of the way, here are my Sunglasses, Striped Button Down, Jeans, Sandals.
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Thank you so much for sharing! Loved the tour and your thoughts along the way.
You said for the new playroom you would add a doorway, would that include a door or just an opening? What about double pocket doors that meet in the middle? It could be closed for noise and privacy or open to let natural light into the hallway and into the double story entrance?
Thanks again for sharing.
That's a fun idea!
So beautiful. I can’t wait to see the changes you make for your family.
You said for the new playroom upstairs you would put a doorway. Does that mean with a door? What about a double pocket door where the doors meet in the middle. You can close off the room for noise and privacy but also keep them open for natural light in the walkway and double story entrance.
Thank you for sharing!
Am I too late to have a question answered? If you are putting a pool in the backyard, will you add some kind of
batroom closer to it? It seems like quite the trek for wet feet to make through the house to the powder room by the kitchen. Just a thought.
What an exciting adventure! Thanks for all the design ideas!
Wow! so many amazing features!!! totally livable while you renovate little by little...can hardly wait.
I’m so excited to follow along and see what changes you make. What a beautiful property! I love the photo thumbnail at the beginning of the video. It would be fun to recreate the photo in 5 or 10 years to see the changes you’ve made! Congratulations on finding your forever home!
So fun to see a new space and see what you’ll do to it. I do love that backyard. I am also in awe about the height of some rooms and the doors given that you guys are tall as well.
So glad you did a walking tour of your new home. I'm so excited to see all the new projects to come...and the inspiration I'm sure to get! Congrats on your new journey!
GORGEOUS HOME!!!! Maybe consider relocating/expanding the kitchen in the future? For such a big home, its pretty small in size/space in comparison and when your girls become teens and have friends over, (let alone family/friend dinner parties) you will be shocked at the lack of space that kitchen will have! Spoken from a Mom of teens :)
Maybe we'll expand it into the breakfast nook when we redo it!
Beautiful property! Looking forward to the transformation!
Just my two cents on the master closet situation...
I would take the window out of the closet so that you can give yourself an uninterrupted floor to ceiling storage space. I know you said you like the natural light, but you could regain it by putting a window into the bathroom itself.
You have such an amazingly beautiful, fresh slate to start with all of your amazing plans for this home! I will be so much fun and so exciting to follow along and see what you do in each area!
Thanks for letting us see hear your initial thoughts!!! It looks like you have to walk through the living room to get to the big dining room. I'm curious (because I am currently trying to decide which room to use in my new apartment as the living and which as the dining) how did you decide which room should be which?
The big dining room will be used likely 1-2 times a week so having it an off shoot of a main living space we use daily makes the most sense to us
I am a new follower and am in awe of your vision!! I am a proclaimed homebody, so that property speaks to my soul!! Just so many places to walk and sit. A permanent staycation destination. Animals are a lot of work, but how could you not eventually get “something”?! What a beautiful set up. Wishing you happiness and hope that they planted a money tree somewhere on the property too! Lol! You have grand plans!!! Love it!! (Hope you aren’t offended by the money tree joke. It was my envy talking ????)
I can’t wait to see where you take this! It’s a beautiful piece of property!
Hello!! This house is beautiful! You may have addressed this (I tried watching with two toddlers), but are you replacing the windows in the whole house? And will you be keeping the wood trim and doors throughout ? We bought a house with all wood about 5 months ago. We are debating how to address it. It looks nice but I am not sure it’s what I want. Thanks!!
We are replacing all the windows and painting the trim!
Yay!!! I think I am the most excited about the dining room and the kitchen (obviously) and the living room with full windows... anddd the master bedroom fireplace makeover. and the kids rooms, of course... and the exterior. But if you do a pool, that goes to the top of my list... haha- it's all wonderful! So happy for you!
One thing though- PLEASE GET LLAMAS + ALPACAS.
Sometimes you just have to scratch your head and wonder—what were those architects thinking in 2000?! Did they blow their entire window budget on the downstairs and thus just skipped windows on the second floor?! Tiny bedroom windows on those giant walls. Master bedroom—move the bed (facing the fireplace) and have a wall of windows! Or at least a really big window!
I was so confused when you said you were doing windows first—thanks to the tour, I now see why windows are on the brain.
It makes sense if you are overwhelmed—and deep breaths, you’ve got this!
It looks amazing!! I am so happy for you guys and cannot wait to see the vision slowly taking shape.
One thing I'd do in the master bathroom is eliminating the big tub to create a massive double shower there. I think the closet could use the extra space that is now assigned to the current shower. Just a thought! Have fun!! :)
If the dining room area has a flat roof it could be fun to do another outdoor entertaining area on top that would have a door into the upstairs. Idk if that’s cottage style or not- and there’s definitely no shortage of existing space. But hey why not add more ????
I love this and can’t wait to see your future projects!
Totally random question, do you always wear your shoes in the house? Are they inside shoes? Everyone I know (in Canada) takes their shoes off inside!
I don't always wear shoes in the house but I usually have house slippers or something on. It helps me be more productive!
Melkorka and I must be on the same wavelength about the master closet and using some of the bonus room to reconfigure it. I was thinking the same thing. It would also allow you to expand the bathroom. Loved the house tour and hearing your ideas!
I am totally laughing at how Chris loves the toilet! This is totally my husband. It will be so much fun to follow along with you! Thanks for sharing!
I had been looking forward to this tour; curious to hear your vision for the home. Maybe when you create the upstairs bonus room, you could borrow a few feet of space from that room to give you room in the master to place your bed facing the fireplace. Just a thought!
It's more width of we move our bed to that wall but we could possibly borrow some get for a larger closet!
Congratulations, again! Can´t wait for your final plans!
Are you keeping the water features - are they wasting a lot of water?
They work off a recirculating pump, so the water just circulates through and it really doesn't take much to fill it up.
Such a fun tour - so interesting to see you analyze a house that while very well maintained, and luxuriously done has a very dated look.
Two notes:
Could you steal space from the bonus room to make a chunk of master closet either on the wall of the bonus room or on the fireplace wall? The master closet seems so tiny and remote to me for a house of that size.
Also I recommend the book "What NOT to Build" by Sandra Edelman if you are looking to rework the exterior and replace some of the windows. It is a great primer on how to re-work Mc-Mansion style design elements, and also "Get Your House right" by Marianne Cusato & Ben Pentreath which really break down classical design elements (if you are going for that english cottage look). Both really break down how to achieve balanced exteriors - and identify elements that feel "off" and why. Good luck very excited to see you tackle this project!
Thank you so much!
Loved seeing this and cannot wait to see what you're going to do with it all.
Do you think you'll include a floor plan at some point? It might help to make more sense of the space (for me at least!)
I was a little disappointed after your Tudor teases that this house wasn't actually of that style, to start at least. I can see how and why you want a cottage vibe to it. I hope that you can do and share some research on some elements of Tudor architecture and how you might implement it in a newer house!
Beautiful! Can't wait to see you all make it your own!
I wonder how the entry would look with two lights? One in the existing location and a second equidistant from the other side. Seems like at would maintain symmetry outside and add it inside. I'm sure your result will be excellent whatever you decide. Congrats!
Wow! What a FABULOUS property! And so many fun plans. Can't wait to see.
I loved the tour! I especially loved hearing from both of you. Getting Chris’ perspective and thoughts is so fun. I am so excited for your family!
A BABY BISON?! I did not know that was a thing people could own.
Hahaha me either!
I'm so glad you addressed the columns haha. It just didn't seem like your style to keep them. I can't wait to see you guys move forward with this house. You have us all waiting on pins and needles
This was better than watching Big Little Lies :) I'm so excited to follow along.
I've gotta ask - who is going to mow the lawn?? Will you be hiring that out?
Yes! There was a lawn crew the previous owners used and we're keeping them on
So exciting! Thanks for such a detailed tour, what a beautiful space to add your personal touch.
My favorite was, "I'd love to take this fireplace down a few notches." Haha! I agree. :)
What about Chris' outfit? :)
I know this may sound weird - would you consider repainting the walls one neutral color so that it becomes a blank page to think about changes? Also, change out the light fixtures to be more consistent with your style. Sometimes, small & fast changes can help with making the house to be more of your home while you plan out all of the other changes.
I like your mom's idea of writing down the "why" something works or doesn't work in an area so you don't forget. ANd, I am looking forward to your journey.
So glad I'm a SAHM and could spend my morning watching this in chunks! LOL. What a grand place you have - 90's stylistic flairs notwithstanding, it has the makings of a timeless English style home in its bones. The wood and stone everywhere is so substantial! Also, seeing people and beds in it really adjusted my sense of scale more accurately and everything is massive! Totally on board with your idea for the double height room. My cousins had one in their home and it was impressive for the first five minutes then totally uncomfortable (not to mention cold and echo-y) to be in as a human being. Your new place may not have as much overall inspo for me as the last home, since I live in a simple contemporary ranch, but I know there will be individual project ideas that transfer, and really I can't wait to see what you do with this place's massive potential! Can someone please give you a million dollars so it can get done in half the time? :-D
love love love ❤️
do the former owners know you are bloggers who will be sharing the reno adventures on the internet ? i’ve always been curious when i’ve moved from a home i’ve loved ,to know how the new owners have changed it !! how fun for them to watch your transformations unfold !!
i know i’m buckled up and ready ❤️ !!
They know we're bloggers but I'm not sure if they will follow along.
I LOVE the potential of this home, I can see why you fell in love with it! SO excited to see where it goes.
Quick question - have you considered using stone on the entire exterior facade? That would really help the cottage feel and definitely reduce the late '90s / early 2000's look (where you tend to see a lot of stucco). Just a suggestion :)
Yes! We'd love to clad the entire exterior with stone
This is where I'm getting hung up on with the "cottage' description - the exterior elements of the home. Definitely stone for a cottage and if it's possible cut down on some of the dimension to flatten/simplify it a bit.
I am SO EXCITED. Thanks for doing this video; super interesting and helpful!
It is so fun to see the wheels turning! The potential of this stunning house is in the rights hands. I can not wait to follow along. Also, I am finally not feeling like a old person on Instagram when Chris referenced "come into my crib". #mtvcribs. Half the people I follow on Instagram won't even understand what he was referencing. Although I am sad we didn't see inside the fridge, haha!
Can't wait to see you guys transform this house! I love everything you do. Curious about the master bath- why do you want to keep this tub instead of removing it and expanding the shower like the last house? If you got rid of the tub it seems like you'd have plenty of room for a large shower, but could also possibly expand the closet? I'm sure it will be gorgeous no matter what!
This bathroom is large enough for both really. But we'd love to expand our closet!
Holy Moly that is a lot of property. It is a stunning property with so much potential. Do you find it overwhelming that you can potentially do anything you want? I often find that I am so much more creative when I have a constraint, but when there are no constraints I get stuck in analysis paralysis and struggle to make the first move.
I can't wait to see how this house evolves for you guys.
ps. love this video... It made me miss your podcast!
I think it feels a little overwhelming now because we haven't started at all, but we have no time frame which helps!
I miss the podcast too! Hazy sky tacos forever!
That was so much fun! I can’t wait to see your ideas come to life.
Loved the video! The dining room plan sounds amazing, I think it will do so much to unify that space and the backyard. With planning to add more stone, will you be able to source the original stone used? Or replace it all for uniformity?
Im so excited to see your phase one! We also just bought a place with wood trim and stained wood doors (not historic or anything) but I am dreading painting it all! Its too dark looking for me to see it all. We are going to paint out the wall color and the doors first but ugh.... not sure about keeping the trim wood. Im excited and so interested to see what you choose to do with that and paint! Love the tips about writing down first impressions too!
I CANNOT WAIT to watch this, it is going to be so so good, a magical place for your girls! This city girl is so envious, I would love to have that land for my twins!
I'm surprised you guys want to close in that front area and the top! The high ceilings are great! I feel like the piano would fit great there and just be a little intro area into the living room. Do you worry that front area won't feel very open and flow well?
I think those odd double height rooms in mc mansions should always be the first to go. The proportions of rooms like that always feel ridiculous to me. I think this will make so much more sense once it's better proportioned.
I have these double height rooms split into two floors and wow does it makes a house so much COZIER! I think it's a great idea and really helps with the flow. I will say that closing it off or at least having pocket doors is helpful if that's going to be the tv area. Sound travels a lot in those exposed balconies.
I agree with Lindsey. I’m worried it will make that room feel dark. I love the tall ceiling! Also, seems like a really really weird flow once you change it. I also like the “bridge” over the foyer that will disappear. Love the rest of the house and all it’s potential tho. Best wishes!
Watched the whole thing...I can practically smell the gears burning in your head as you speak about your future plans for this home! I know you said it will probably be on a 10 year timeline. Will you consider outsourcing some of the work/labour in order to expedite the process? Just thinking about this house and the additional big project of re-building the cabin.
We definitely will outsource some of it but love to connect with our home by workout on it too
What an incredible home! I love your former home and thought there is no way I could love another space as much. This video has changed my mind. Looking forward to seeing the transformation!