NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Renovation progress report – week 52

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It’s been a year since we closed on our new-to-us house (yesterday). Hard to believe. Time has flown.

You can read about this HUD house here. On the day we closed. Kinda looked like a murder scene. Ick.

But it had lots of potential. Underneath there somewhere. It’s beginning to come out. It just took lots of money, tons of time and a boatload (or Ryanload) of work. Lots of work.

We did make some progress this week, but I didn’t get any photos. I’ll catch up soon. But, for the next few weeks, I’d like to share the year’s worth of progress that we’ve made.

Indulge me, will you?

Because sometimes you just need to pat yourself on the back. Renovating houses is kind of a crazy thing that we took on. We did it once for ourselves. Then we did it on a rental. And now we’re doing it again for ourselves.

It’s kind of a special thing, to love a house that’s been neglected. That’s been forgotten. That’s been traded in for something newer and bigger and “better.” It’s really time to bring a little beauty to the world. I know you get it. You all bring beauty to your corners of the world, too.

Ryan and I often look around and think, “Wow. We really did this. Ourselves.” It’s a pretty cool thing. It hasn’t been fast. Or easy. Or even always fun. But it’s ours.

So here’s where we’re at. Not done, but moving in the right direction. One year in. I’ll cover the downstairs this week and upstairs next week.

And here’s the master list. I love seeing all that red. Who would have thought? The NewlyWoodwards are almost there.
House List


What do you think?

Comments

  1. Wow, your kitchen is a sight to senses. Kudos to you, for having such patience and constant persistence. Although, the same is not true for us, that is why we had to take professional help

  2. I think the stairway is my favorite. Not the first thing guests will notice, maybe, but I think the difference is amazing in that subtle, clean way. Gorgeous.

    Oh, and the kitchen… *sigh* That kitchen is lovely…

  3. Congratulations! What a milestone. I’ve been following along all year and the transformation is really impressive. I’m looking forward to a recap of all the before and after shots, and then seeing how you’ll decorate once you move in!

  4. If I was just looking at those photos for the first time, I wouldn’t believe it was the same house (and done by 2 people in 1 year).

  5. awww! happy houseiversary! you really SHOULD be proud of yourselves! i think there must be so much more satisfaction in what you all have done than if you had run out and bought some fancy new house that needs nothing.

  6. Wow! Your house is adorable! You guys definitely deserve a pat on the back. I love the plate rail in the dining room and the kitchen looks great! I can’t wait to get my house fixed up.

  8. Wow! You guys had quite the “to do” list. It must feel so good to be thisclose to the end. You guys give me inspiration that someday our house will be looking as good as yours.

  10. If anyone deserves to pat themselves on the back for a good job, it’s you guys! The house is looking SO GOOD! And I am still blown away by your staircase transformation!

  11. It’s looking beautiful! How gratifying to be able to look back and watch your new house come to life!! Can’t wait to see you finish it!! 🙂

  13. Wow, after looking at that list I’d say you deserve a big drink! Congratulations on all that you’ve finished in a year. It is VERY impressive.

  14. I have been following this reno since you had purchased it. I cannot get over everything you two have done! It looks amazing! Way better than a mcmansion! You brought life back into it!

  15. Wow…just got finished looking at your flickr and you guys are AMAZING. The house is looking terrific…and I have to ask…where did you get the coffee table with the built in magazine rack? Love it!!! Also, I was wondering…any plans in the future to paint your fireplace?

  16. What a transformation! It’s so cool to see before and after pictures.

    What program did you use to create your house list? I’ve been looking for a to-do list template that I can check items off like that.

  18. Wow! Way to go! I find it’s healthy and keeps myself sane when we’re in the middle of a project-gone-wrong to go back occasionally and look upon our own progress. It makes you feel accomplished – even if you aren’t accomplishing much at that immediate moment in time. 😉

    Keep it up,
    ~Chelsea

  20. Wow!You’ve done incredibly well in such a small timeframe! Congratulations! Definitely time for a pat on the back! And your house is absolutely adorable from the front! Don’t even get me started on that gorgeous red barn, either!

  22. Seriously, you guys knock my socks off!! I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that y’all have done all of this BY YOURSELVES. I bow down, just amazing. There is no way I could ever do this!

  25. What do we say? We say that you two are an inspiration to any DIY’r. We say that no parents could ever be prouder. We say that our prayers were answered when God gave you both to us. We are so proud Kimberly… you’ll just never know. We love you both so much! Congraulations on a job WELL DONE!

  27. Inspiring!
    You have made a house a home and it’s absolutely splendid!
    Enjoy checking those last few things off your list…
    Biz