Monday, September 20, 2010

The Great Love Shack Adventure

When the newlywed niece was offered the chance to manage the bank in her home town, she was tempted. Not only is she a farm girl at heart, but the rural cost of living was a strong incentive. Then her father sweetened the pot by offering an old farmhouse to nest on the cheap as well…

They took the bait.

Now, the niece is a finance major who apparently inherited the family tightwad gene. Since the entire purpose of moving back to the farm was to save money, they were determined to do it by themselves and pay with cash as they did so.

I’m even more pleased with that process than I am the finished product, by the way…

Tackling the farm house was no small task.
Living in it while tackling is
an adventure.



We’re not quite sure of the age or original design of the house. It’s old enough to have a dirt floor in the fireplace and no insulation in some outer walls. It has been modernized enough to have a heat pump and a mishmash of oddball cosmetic changes, each indicative of the era in which they were done.


And each needing to be undone
before they could be redone.
Vintage dishware and linens are lovely.
Vintage cabinets and paneling…
 notsomuch.

The paneling was everywhere
so the groom put down the bride
and picked up the crow bar.
That part seemed to make him very happy.

That’s not white paint there, folks.
It’s birch paneled pretender from the 1960s.
He removed it.


And discovered another layer of paneling.

A lesser man might have given up,
 but he kept demolishing until he found the bare wood.


It might have been  nice if that lower wall, the outside of the orignal house, had gone all of the way around the breakfast room.

It didn't.

However, that oddball ruffled soffit did. 
It bordered the entire kitchen and eating area.

It had to go,
especially the superfluous dangler
between the rooms.


It was just about to come down when the new husband headed to California for a month of training.

Not to worry... 
Her grandmother, the Duchess
 donned safety goggles and shower cap
and picked up the Sawzall
to make the ruffled eyesore a bad memory.

I would have snapped a picture but I was threatened. Plus, I was too busy being a human support beam to pick up a shiny red Kodak.


What a difference it made.

They added bead board panels to the lower half of the eating area. Then, her husband cut leftover bead board and attached it to the back of every cabinet for a clean, uniform look. For whatever reason, that’s one of my favorite parts.

They left the white countertops as is for now
 since they didn’t clash at all,
 but they added a pressed tin backsplash behind them. 
I think it adds a perfect farmhouse look.
They painted and glazed the cabinets
for a fun, youthful, look.


They laid a new floor.
And changed the hardware.
And the lighting.
A little sewing for the curtains and table runner.


And there ya go.
A newly nested kitchen.
Before…

 
And After
 

The lighting is pretty bad in these shots.
 
 
I didn't realize it until the 30 country mile commute home...
 
 
They used that existing nook to
display glasses.
 
 
Here's a view with a peek
into the living room in progress...
 
With her permission, I plan to yak all about that in the future.
And maybe the little guest room...
And her awesome master bedroom.
And a few other nested spaces with it.
 
Some friends have asked them if it’s all worth it.
Let’s see…
A nest of their own.
Without a debt…
With this view


You can be the judge

****
Sharing this on Susan's Porch
for
Metamorphosis Monday

41 comments:

Denise said...

I was present and participating for the entire event and I'm still amazed at the transformation. It is neat to see the before and after together to get a real feel for all their hard work. And I'm a bit prejudiced about the view...it belongs to me and I love it. (Glad it was good incentive to have her move close to home...and me). Thanks so much for showcasing her little cottage kitchen. Now, if we could just come up with a name for the place....

Ann said...

What a gorgeous little home! What talent in all your hands, too! I would have LOVED a kitchen like that in most of the places I've lived!

I'm looking forward to seeing it all done.

Scribbler said...

Love this! What kind of glaze is that on the cabinets?

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

Wow, what great work!!! It is beautiful.
Blessings,
Bren

Melissa @ Honeybee Vintage said...

I am in awe of this!! Such a great transformation!!! Thanks for the love over at my blog...and I am saving this post because I just want to live in your kitchen! Ha!

Linda W said...

Absolutely beautiful! I love-love-love the kitchen and agree about the beadboard and the tin splash back!! Keep the pictures coming!

And, Denise, I'm so happy for you to have your sweet daughter so close!

Debbie said...

Scribbler, as I recall, she used a base which was almost white with a greenish pearly tint. Then, she rubbed some glaze on it mixed with a slightly darker mint green.

Angel said...

This is an impressive transformation! I've been dwelling on that subject - the life and heart kind - all weekend and posted about it today. And suddenly I feel like making some changes in my home too. Hmmm...maybe a little painting?

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The kitchen looks fabulous. What a huge transformation. These two are fabulous. Hugs, Marty

Renée said...

WOW...what talent! Imagine, with some hard work, saving for your kid's college tuition before you ever have them. Congrats to all the fam on the transformation while having fun,(kicking summer in the can), having them close enough to have the cows mooing over a fabulous dinner table, and please reenact the Dutchess in a shower cap. If you want The Book to sell, this is a must-have!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

What a charming kitchen! So worth it!!

Lynn said...

Very nice! I'm sure they are very proud of their accomplishments! Cute house, great view:@)

Merana Leigh said...

Fan-tab-u-lous!!!! LOVE it! Thanks so much for sharing this!!!!

Unknown said...

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! Good for them for being smart enough to take this on. What a lovely reward for such smarts :)

Blessings!
Gail

Melanie {The Tiny Tudor} said...

Hello- I'm a new visitor from Met Monday. Your kitchen looks great! I really love that nook filled with glassware.

Jane said...

Boy, that's a lot of work you undertook, but what a fantastic turn out! It's interesting what you find when you peel away the layers of an old house.

Jane

Ocean said...

Looks great!!! Thanks for visiting my site! I am now following you!

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

HOW CUTE!!!
What a darling first love nest!
I have the beadboard paper in my cabinets and love it, too!
I also have a wall niche like theirs that I got out of an old house and it now hangs in my basement cafe' and holds glasses, too!
Thank you for sharing their sweet home!
Blessings to you!
~me

FrouFrouBritches said...

WOW! That looks AMAZING! I'm so super impressed. I wish someone would give me a farmhouse with that view! I'd love to have no house payment!!!! Man, I'm jealous! Y'all did a great job!!! I adore the beadboard and I've been eyeing the exact backsplash for months! Love it!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a lot of work but the end result looks like it was well worth it. :-)

~Ron
*****

Vanessa said...

Wow! It is so refreshing to hear about a newlywed couple who are actually making GOOD choices right out of the starting gate. Not just wanting to instantly have everything! And I can think of no better way to test to see if your marriage has what it takes than to do a home renovation together! :-) It looks great!
Vanessa

Entertaining Women said...

I'm so excited for your sweet niece. Everything looks professionally done! I wish that I could have seen the Duchess with that saw! Everything is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by my post. Glad that the electrical conduit idea will come in handy. I'm so proud of both of our your ladies. Stop to visit any time. Cherry Kay

Entertaining Women said...

I meant our young ladies...somehow got lost in the translation. Cherry Kay

Sharon said...

Oh my goodness!! I am IMPRESSED! What a beautiful transformation! I am completely in love with the color palette, too - so soothing! Maybe you could call it "The Butterfly Farm House" - because it sure emerged from its cocoon into a thing of beauty!!

I would have paid good money to see a picture of the Duchess with her Sawzall - I've even provided a few possible captions: "Chain Saw Nightmares" or maybe "A Cut Above" or perhaps "Slice 'em, Dice 'em - These Ruffles Have Got to Go!" or maybe "Deb-or-ah, if you take a picture of this, I'm gonna..."

Congrats to the newlyweds on their new abode - may they have many happy days there!

(p.s. I'm leaving responses for you and Denise re: my post, "I've Fallen..." over on my blog later tonight. The hilarity continues... :)

Amy Kinser said...

How great for them! I love the debt free part for a couple their age. The kitchen looks great and can't wait to see the rest.

Okay, I love the way you say the Duchess, the newlywed neice...I want to be the Tennessee friend.

Anonymous said...

OK, first, I literally gasped at the AFTER photo. It's amazing, the transformation. Beautiful and amazing. What an incredibly awesome kitchen remodel and the photo just took my breath away!! I can't wait to see all the rest of the work.

Mevely317 said...

WOW!!!! What love and a little ingenuity won't accomplish? HGTV, eat your heart's out!

Gayle said...

Great work, and I love the color!

Kelli said...

The AFTER is to die for!! It has my name written all over it! Seriously, it is gorgeous and I know you're proud of them!

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
All I can say is WOW! That is one neat kichen makeover - would never know it was the same room! May they share many happy meals together!


~Jean

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Just amazing and beautiful! Love the pressed tin backsplash (used that in my kitchen too)! Without debt and that view - I would have done it too! They did a fabulous job!

Manuela

CAL said...

Oh my that is an amazing and gorgeous transformation. I too love the beadboard, so glad that they kept the warmth and charm of the home.

Truly the kitchen is the heart of every home and it is now a reflection of their love for each other and the home.

I can't wait to see more - the farmhouse and the view - AWESOME!

By the way Debbie, I'm kinda likin the Love Shack name for the farm. Love Shack Acres has a great ring to it!

A very blessed lady! said...

That looks amazing, I have been there and done that twice! i only wish i could say with zero debt, good for them. What a way to start out. Thanks for sharing ;)

Anonymous said...

WOW!!!!..OMGoodness the pictures are worth a million, the tranformation.PRICELESS!..thanks for sharing.
~JO
~LazyonLoblolly

Manda said...

WOW... what a trasformation. The sweat that must have gone into such a drastic change. Looks fabulous!

Unknown said...

What a stunning transformation. I bet it's a home that makes you feel welcome the moment that you step into it.
I just wish I had seen your mom with a sawzall...what IS that?????
xoxo
lynn

Sarah said...

What an incredible transformation. No doubt it is worth every second of time and engry. The fact that they are doing the work themselves will make this home very special to them over the years. I speak from experience! ~ sarah

BECKY said...

WOW Debbie! What an incredible transformation! And I sure do admire their tenacity in accomplishing all they did! What a gratifying experience, huh? And it is gorgeous!! Can't wait to see more, gal! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Have a joyful wednesday!!
HUGS,
Becky

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

A great way to start off ... oh to be debt free:)) Love the transformation. ... your comment about my email hijack cracked me up.
(())
Francie

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Wow, I wish I had gotten the same offer at her age! What fun, you have to keep showing us pictures...the view ...priceless. Thank you for stopping by.

Carol

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Absolutely adorable. The kitchen has so much personality. I even liked it 'before,' lol.

So proud of them. Great work and a testament to the future of their marriage.

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