Pre-Renovation Home Tour + Tips to Renovating on a Budget

I’m so excited to share that my husband and I (Shelby) bought a new home. It checked off so many things on our wish list so when a client told us she was selling we pulled the trigger fast. I thought it would be fun to share a home tour before we renovate sharing our plans and tips to renovating on a budget. We have 30 days before we have to move out of our current home so we are trying to break a record with how fast we can knock this renovation out. Do you think we can pull it off?

In the blog post, I’m breaking down the spaces that will have the most dramatic changes and more investment than the others. Every inspiration photo I share is linked to its source and you’ll find 3 polls to help us design the home QUICKLY! It’s going to be a fun one.

✨SCROLL TO VOTE HOW WE DESIGN✨

DESIGN WITH US! IN EACH SECTION YOU’LL FIND A DESIGN DECISION POLL WHERE YOU CAN HELP US CHOOSE

LIVING ROOM

Let’s start with the living room.

DESIGN DECISION 1: TYPICAL TEXTURED DRYWALL OR MILLWORK ON THE WALL

The first design decision I made in the living room was to take down the paneling and add board & batten. In past projects, we’ve painted paneling and it looks great, but this paneling wasn’t in very good shape. Also, there is one pony wall in the living room and one going into the dining room from the living room. When removing these pony walls it would leave a big gap in the paneling in both areas. I strongly believe all pony walls should be removed 😋

I decided to add board and batten rather than adding mud and texture to the drywall under the paneling because I love the look. I also think it draws your eye up to the vaulted ceilings and the beams which I want to feature.

DESIGN DECISION 2: REMOVE BUILT-IN

I love built-in’s. They add so much character to a home, but the existing one in this home has no character. It also has no function with no place for a TV or even a plug on that wall. We’ll remove the built-in and I’ll find a really cool antique piece to add character as a media console.

DESIGN DECISION 3: ADD A FIREPLACE

This addition probably won’t be in the first round of updates because I have lots of research to do. The home doesn’t have gas currently, but I’m interested in getting a quote on adding natural gas or propane. I’ve also been looking into ventless fireplaces and I love the look of the Hearth Cabinet options. I’ve also looked into electric options, but haven’t seen any that make my heart pitter-patter yet. I love the idea of having the fireplace go all the way up to the ceiling where that vault would add a little drama to the look.

✨ INSPIRATION ✨

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KITCHEN

The kitchen is going to be fun to share because I had it mocked up for you to envision.

This isn’t sponsored, but I got it done on Fiverr. I use this service quite a bit when I’m making larger investments that I want to be very confident in, specifically kitchens and bathrooms. The cost to have a rendering made ranges from $40-$200 depending on which seller you use and what you’re needing to be done. I feel like this investment ends up saving me tons because I can confidently shop and get bids from contractors with my design.

DESIGN DECISION 1: KEEP EXISTING LAYOUT

This kitchen doesn’t have an island and is walled off from the living room. This would not typically be something I’d keep if I was renovating, but the previous home buyer added gorgeous quartzite countertops saving me so much money so this is how I made the decision to stretch my creativity and work with the layout.

As you see in the design plan, we will be removing the upper cabinets on the left side and add opening shelving. We’ll also be opening up the peninsula to give a little bit of an island feel with the addition of a couple of bar stools.

RENOVATION BUDGET TIP: If you’re keeping the layout in your kitchen, but want it to look fully remodeled, swap the cabinet doors out rather than getting completely new cabinets. Our cabinet boxes were in great shape so this was a no brainer for us. We also had cabinets built on top of the existing cabinets on the right side so the cabinets went all the way to the ceiling.

DESIGN DECISION 2: ADD CHARACTER

One new addition to this kitchen will be a vent hood. I love a beautiful custom hood. They add so much character to a kitchen and are a really fun way to get creative. I wanted mine to have a European flair, so I’m having my cabinet guy make a stove alcove. It will have a wooden trim piece with the same type of wood that the open shelves will be made with.

Another place I’m adding character is with my coffee/wine bar. I feel like when you’re kitchen isn’t large you need to pack it full of unique character and this does just that. I’m going to have wine storage on the top and a pot filler on the bottom where the coffee maker sits. That may seem over the top, but it’s actually a pretty cheap addition since the water line is already ran to the fridge. Just look how amazing this inspiration for the coffee bar is. It’s honestly the little things in a home that make it so special and this does it for me.

 

✨ INSPIRATION ✨

I’d love to know what you think. Vote on what finishes you think wouldn’t look best in our new kitchen. If you have more to share I’d love to know in the comments.

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QUINN’S BATHROOM

Next, let’s talk about the bathroom for my daughter and guests. This bathroom is super long and the updates made for accessibility are not the most aesthetic ones.

DESIGN DECISION 1: TILE

I love chosing tile! There are so many options to get creative. I really want this bathroom to feel playful, but also sophisticated. You might feel like those are antonyms, but where there’s a will there’s a way. One combination I’m thinking is porcelian marble in a hex shape on the floors and classic subway on shower walls. The hex adds that playful touch I’m looking for.

DESIGN DECISION 2: LINEN CABINET

As mom states in the video tour, there is a built in past the vanity that looks like it was borrowed from a gas station bathroom 😂 Mom had the great idea to add linen cabinet built in. It will add so much character, but also be super functional.

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MASTER BATHROOM

On to the master. This bathroom currently has an entry from the hallway and the master bedroom. This layout plus the finishes in this bathroom don’t make it feel like a true master.

DESIGN DECISION 1: Close off hall entry

The first thing we’ll do is close off the hallway entry to make this bathroom dedicated to the master. This will also allow us to make the shower slightly larger. This was one of the easiest design decisions to make in the entire house.

DESIGN DECISION 2: TILE

Like I said with the last bathroom I love choosing tile. It’s such a fun way to set the tone for a room. My goal is for the smaller master ensuite to feel like a master. I’ve been a huge fan of Bedrosian’s Cloe tile for a while. One of my favorite inspiration photos used the square in the shower and even on the ceiling so I quickly committed to this element in the design. I knew the Cloe tile paired with gold fixtures would make the impact I was looking for.

The floor was the part that I had more trouble deciding. I loved this inspiration photo from Amber Interiors where she used tile similar to the Cloe paired with a slate type tile. I love that it looks sophisticated, but not too glam. I found a tile that I love that gives this look from Bedrosians, but I’d love to know which color you think would be best of the three in the line. Share what you think in the poll below.

✨ INSPIRATION ✨

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I’m so excited to take you along the journey of our new home. It will take some time, but I know it’s going to be an amazing home sweet home. My goal in this home tour is to show you the potential a dated home can have and to help you plan your own home updates. What do you think of the new house? Do you have any fun design ideas? Make sure to watch the video tour and vote on the polls!