I know some people don’t get along with their in-laws, but I have to say that I really lucked out in the in-law department. They are pretty awesome. Funny, kind, thoughtful…
And did I mention that they have really good taste? (Not a necessity, but kinda cool.) And not just great taste in the daughter-in-law department…
I’ve given you a little tour of some of their home (which is fabulous and magazine-worthy.
(And hilarious enough, all those curtains and the light fixture in the photos above are now living with us.)
But, I’ve been holding out on you on one of the greatest projects ever.
They are renovating their walk-out basement. And while it isn’t done yet, I had to share some of my favorite details. You better believe I’ll be taking photos of the finished room. And in true awesome in-laws fashion, they were totally cool with me snapping pictures (and actually read our blog, too).
It all began with this fabulous fireplace re-do.
They had it redone with stone and an amazing real barn beam.
I love it, because it’s kinda Northwoodsy, but also has a modern cottage feel. Don’t you think? Then they added the floor-to-ceiling beadboard and a new ceiling with tons of can lights. (Doesn’t even feel like a basement anymore.)
Then they thought, why not blow Kim’s world and make some barn doors?
Dy-ing.
They spotted this awesome television console at American, which is perfect in the space.
Are you loving where this is going? I am. And not just because this basement re-do meant that we got to fill up a few vehicles of hand-me-downs. (But that certainly didn’t hurt.) I’ve addressed the fact that Ryan and I snap up hand-me-downs faster than someone can get the entire question out. (Ask my mother-in-law, she’ll tell you.)
So, it should come as no surprise that – oops, we did it again.
Since Ryan’s folks are getting some new furniture for the basement and had been holding some curtains/furniture/accessories for us, we went out to their house to load up a vehicle or two (or maybe three). They let us snoop through their “staging area,” as I like to call it. They have an area in their basement that I think some people would be jealous. *Raising my hand.*
Here are a few of our scores.
We also scooped up a rug, a couple bags of curtains and accessories and a couple foot stools. Ryan thinks I’m a hoarder, but I just know an awesome offer when I see it.
And he is pretty darn excited about his new addition. No, not the Neil Diamond record (although that’s pretty awesome, too).
It’s a stereo/record player that his grandpa built years ago (60s/70s?). My husband is downright giddy about this. He’ll be listening to his Cubs on this puppy, just like his grandpa did. Some habits die hard.
And in case you are wondering (Papa Bear), Ryan has informed me that I cannot paint it.
I’ll share more of what we brought home on Thursday. We already set up some of the furniture in the living room of the new house. I think it’s going to look great. Much better suited to our new home.
What do you think?
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Katie says
I recently lugged home a barn beam to use as or our mantle. It seems really heavy and I’m not sure how to securely install it to the fireplace. Any advice would be helpful.
Kim Woodward says
There are a variety of ways I’ve seen it done. In our case, we drilled a hole all the way through the beam and used giant screws to secure it directly into several studs. Then, my father-in-law created old-school plugs from another piece of matching barn wood to fill the holes. It looks great (You can see it here.) – https://newlywoodwards.com/2016/04/a-barn-beam-mantel.html
My friend Michelle also shared how she installed a barn beam mantel on her blog – http://decorandthedog.net/decorandthedog/2014/10/5/how-install-a-barn-beam-mantel
I’m actually not 10o percent sure how the beam in my parents’ basement was installed – it was done by their stone fabricator/installer.
Leigh says
OH MY GOODNESS!! I’m stuck between the stone fireplace and barn doors. I’d be overjoyed if I was (ever in my life) lucky enough to have one of those. That record player is pretty awesome, even if you can’t paint it. What about a Cubbies diy pendent across or above it? Oh, I get the furniture thing now.
Shannon says
Hmmm, maybe I should sneak some photos next time I’m at my inlaws’ house. My inlaws are on the older side and even act older then they actually are. They are still rocking the first scratchy floral couch they bought in 1967 with matching orange scratchy rocking chairs. THey are accompanied by a coffee table covered with so many chotchkes, you could open a souvenir stand in their living room. Rocks from Arizona, a ceramic lobster from main, a mini jar of sand from Florida. Hideous and tacky.
btw, um, can I move into Mom and Pops Woodward’s basement? I’ll teach Gabe not to slam the freaking gorgeous barn doors shut when he storms out.
Paula says
That fireplace and sliding barn doors are to die for! I love them.
You are lucky to have great in-laws. I couldn’t have asked for nicer in-laws. My MIL died a few years back but my FIL now lives down the street so we see them all of the time.
Tanya Anurag says
I love that huge round carpet under their dining table. Your in-laws sure have a good choice ( yeah.. not ONLY in DIL department).
I totally understand the feeling of having wonderful in-laws. It makes life beautiful 🙂
Read your post on Serenity Now. The potatoes looks so delicious that I am tempted to give up my salad diet 😉
-Tanya
http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
Hello barn doors. Please come home with me and tell me all your secrets so that I can clone you.
vanessa says
Their basement reno is amazing! I would love for my house to be that nice, much less my basement.
Farming Mama says
Oh man! You are so right, I wish I was related to your in-laws – so I could hope that one day they would pass that old-barn-beam mantle down to me! It’s gorgeous! I guess I’d better go find myself an old barn to tear down 🙂
Katy
DecorandtheDog says
Love the basement remodel! Is there “store” open to the public? 😉
Leah says
i love my in-laws as well, but DANG GIRL. nice hand me downs!!
Katie says
Your in-laws have a great house. Among other things, I loved their plate rail trim in the living room. Tell them I loved it so much I even ‘pinned’ it for future reference in our home!
the cape on the corner says
wow, that’s a bunch of amazing stuff. love the living room, but that basement is already fantastic! amazing fireplace. do they have their own blog or what?! maybe they should!!
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
Oh my goodness, you DID win the in-law lottery! Their basement is going to be so gorgeous – everything about that fireplace has me swooning, and how hip are they with the barn doors? That’s so fun that Ryan got the radio, especially since it has good memories associated with it.
Breen says
I have amazing in-laws too! Sometimes I like them more than my own parents lol! It’s nice to have great in-laws, because I have heard some horror stories.
Lisa @ Cozy Condo Living says
No paint on the record player? Bummer! How fun to have cool in-laws give your their cool stuff. You don’t have to go to garage sales or the goodwill. You’re right about your m-i-l, she does have good taste.
Lucky Girl says
What a great looking fireplace! *iwantone*
Mrs. Adventure says
Swooning you sure are lucky :o)
KatiePerk says
Must.have.those.barn.doors.
Swoon!!!!!
Danielle and Clint says
That is so sweet! I have always wanted in laws I could be that close with. You are a lucky lady. The window bench in their dining room is my dream!! Also, the barn beam…amazing!
Emily says
OMG that fireplace and those barn doors. I LOVE them. Your in-laws do have great taste – I love their family room (and their DIL).