This blog simply wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for this house. It was truly our first baby. And documenting it’s progress was the only reason I started this blog back in 2008.
Can you believe we purchased our first home looking a mess? This was the day we closed. It was rough.
To say it needed TLC was the understatement of the century. It needed a makeover from top to bottom. It also needed to be soaked in bleach.
We truly believed this would be our forever home. Instead, it was the first of many homes we loved, fixed up and left. All on the road to our forever home. It was a sweet gift to live here.
I think renovating homes is truly one of the best experiences. It’s also one of the hardest experiences. It’s tough on your body, your sanity, your marriage and your other relationships. But it’s worth it. Because breathing life into a home is something special that can’t be replicated.
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The Wilsons says
WOW! You guys have done an amazing job on your house!!! I love the paint colors you have on the outside. Very warm and inviting.
Amanda says
Found your blog linked from another renovation/project blog. You have a lovely home. Nice work!
Carrie says
I’m so friggin jealous! We bought our reno in 2005… and… all I have to show for it so far are “before” and “during”! Ugh! You guys did a GREAT job! 🙂
Emily Kate says
Great improvement! I especially love how the garage matches the house.
Kristi says
Thanks for sharing this with those of us newbies to your blog! You guys have done an awesome job on your house. Your hardwork really shows!!
Shalay says
I am beyond impressed! You guys have done an amazing job fixing up your house. So much to be proud about!
Katherine @ Grass Stains says
What an incredible transformation the entire house is! And it’s funny … the back of a house is usually plain and unremarkable … but yours is as beautiful as the front. Great job!
Brighton says
Beautiful! Love the bedroom to bathroom conversion!!
Danielle and Clint says
WOW! You guys did a great job! Love the green with the red doors outside. Great job!!
Oonafey says
Wow – You guys are so amazing! I cannot believe you got all that done this year!
Kim.Gos says
You did a fantastic job! Give’s me lots of hope as we venture out looking for a home!
Mrs. Adventure says
Wow… WOW, WOW! I Love it, I love your paint colors on the outside.
Jenny @ Words on Wendhurst says
Thank you for posting this. I am frustrated with our basement renovation, and this was really encouraging! Someday soon we’ll be able to look back at everything and be happy too! Your house is beautiful, and you guys have mad skills! Oh, and FYI, your office link goes to your kitchen revamp.
carrie says
You guys have done an amazing job with everything!! So much work; so much to be proud of.
I like the {relatively} new layout too!
christi says
you and ryan have done such a great job on the house!!
Kristen @ Miss Prissy Paige says
What a transformation you’ve done. I’d say 2009 was busy! Can’t wait to read all the back stories. Take it easy in 2010! You’re making my lazy but look bad 🙂
Leigh @ Kesler Expressler says
I can’t get over how nasty that bathroom was when you bought the place. Such an amazing transformation. Awesome job, Kim & Ryan!
Leigh says
You guys have done an amazing amount of work. You should be on hgtv!
Joi says
Can I just say first that I love your mom’s comment! How sweet! And I agree with her, you have a lot to be proud of!
Delightful Dwelling says
It’s so amazing all the changes you have made! I think I would have run the other way if I saw the house how it looked to start with. I really love your dining room and the bedroom you turned into a bathroom. Everything looks so gorgeous now!
Kelly says
WOW!
longbrakeliving says
*waves back*
I love it! I still cannot BELIEVE that downstairs bath before and after!
Wendy says
Wow…you have been very busy! It looks great!
Karrie says
Oh my goodness, that is amazing! It’s so nice that you gave your neglected old house some much needed love. I think I’m going to have too much fun digging through your archives. I love the flower pots on your fence~we’ve been looking for a way to make our house look more inviting from the street (we have a fence in our front yard) and I think this would do it!
KatherineAnne says
It looks amazing! I left you something on my blog 🙂 I hope you are having a great day!
xo
http://medicalschoolmrs.blogspot.com/
Nick and Cindy says
I would love love love to pick your brain sometime on rentals. We’re dreaming of flipping a rental property in the next year or two, so any lessons learned would be so appreciated!!
Adge says
your house is so cute. I love the island in the kitchen
Kristen says
Wow you guys have put alot of work into your home and it looks amazing!!
Emily says
There’s absolutely no doubt that you’ve made your little house fabulous. The curb appeal alone speaks volumes!
ashley morgan says
I’ve loved seeing your renos. It’s such hard work, but so great when it’s done. I also really love the house color.
Jordan says
Wow, the transformations are amazing. I would have felt so overwhelmed if I bought a place that looked like that.
Your neighbors must be so happy to have you guys living next to them instead of whoever used to live there, I’m sure.
Awesome job, you’re a true inspiration!
Stephanie says
Very cool, Kim! I think it’s a pretty sweet gift you have- to be able to have visions for something like that. I seem to look at a room and not be able to look past what it is. Im not making sense.
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
My goodness, Kim! You two are clearly quite the reno team! I’m so glad you posted this because I haven’t made it through all of your archives yet. Can’t wait to dig in more later at home!
Centsational Girl says
It’s so rewarding to see what you’ve accomplished after all that hard work and effort ! Great transformations, well done my friend !
Amanda says
That transformation is amazing! Thanks for the recap for your new friends!
Shanade says
Wow, you did an amazing job! I absolutely love the colors you used outside and I love the white picket fence. Great job!
Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds says
Wow, what an amazing transformation! Looks like your hard work really paid off. Great job!
Mom & Dad says
What a change you and Ryan have made to that corner in Rock Island! And what a wonderful job you’ve both done. It was hard work but sure worth it, wasn’t it? And all of your neighbors think you guys are the greatest. I bet they don’t even miss that dump that used to be there! We are VERY proud of you both!
Mom & Dad says
What a change you and Ryan have made to that corner in Rock Island! And what a wonderful job you’ve both done. It was hard work but sure worth it, wasn’t it? And all of your neighbors think you guys are the greatest. I bet they don’t even miss that dump that used to be there! We are VERY proud of you both!
Mom & Dad says
What a change you and Ryan have made to that corner in Rock Island! And what a wonderful job you’ve both done. It was hard work but sure worth it, wasn’t it? And all of your neighbors think you guys are the greatest. I bet they don’t even miss that dump that used to be there! We are VERY proud of you both!