Sharing water

Bathroom, so far

One of the top priorities before we could move in was a clean and functioning bathroom. We had a horrible time getting this wallpaper off, and really did a number on the walls. So we ended up having to skim all of the walls, but the fresh start really made a huge difference. We lucked out with the original black and white tile. It could have easily been pastel pink and green, considering the time period it was done in. So we, of course, painted the walls white and cleaned everything up a bit. We painted the cabinet a dark grey ("muted ebony") and left the doors of for functionality.  I love the nice-sized window in here, although we still have a temporary shade on it because we haven't gotten to our window project yet. But the window allows so much light in, with the white walls and massive wall mirror, the bathroom is very light and bright and pretty spacious feeling. 

Taking out a wall

Within days of the house being cleared out, we ripped up the carpet and gutted the kitchen. Then our first big project began, removing the load-bearing wall between the living room and kitchen. So we built a beam to replace the wall and eventually, patched the hole in our ceiling, replaced the sheetrock on the walls and painted it all white.

House [before]

Bryon and I bought a house in November, and this is what it looked like. Beaming with potential. Two bedroom, two bathroom, one "garage". About a month after we closed, we received the original blueprints in the mail. Turns out the house was built by a well known local architect, Frederick Kershner.

Original blueprints...from a house built in 1939, just showed up in the mail.

Looking at living room and front door from kitchen doorway.

Kitchen, all counters were wheelchair height.

Garage, except the garage door has been replaced with a wall, so it is not functionally a garage.

Looking at the fireplace/planter combo that divides the hearth of the house. Living room on left and dining room is on the right but it is blocked by an upright Steinway piano (which we worked into the agreement).

Living room, great windows.

From the front door looking into living room.

Main bathroom.

Master bedroom, wall of closets.

Guest bedroom.

Guest bedroom, wall of closets.

From the backdoor, looking at the front door.

From dining room, looking into kitchen.

Back of the house from backyard.

Backyard.

And the backyard goes back for 3/4 of an acre. Overgrown. Hasn't been touched in at least 40 years. So, we began.