The main floor which is street level from the front has the living room and a study on it. You must go down stairs to be in the kitchen, dining, sm. bath, utility, and family room (with another full bathroom).
The way the stairs had been before it felt rather unwelcoming to go down into the dining. Now that has changed.
Here's what it looked like before....
Lovely wallpaper with green shag carpet!
We had just gotten our keys and were the official owners.
We had not intended to do anything other than enjoy the fact that it was ours.
Before we left that evening the carpet and first layer (yes, there were many) of wallpaper was gone!
The fogged up windows off the back.
The new french doors and patio in their place!
What? You don't see the same potential?!
Well, it does come with a lot of work!!!!
We replaced the floor with something similar to what was under the carpeting. Before it was black and cream (smaller checks) and now they are a dk. gray with white. The windows were replaced with the french doors and, though you can't see it in the picture, we paneled around the windows with wood. A opening was cut into the kitchen area which made a huge difference in making it feel more open. There was also an opening made beside the stairs which brought in even more light from the upstairs and took away the "dungeon" feel. Wallpaper was bought at a second hand store. Table was made by Warren (it is 8 1/2' long!) with barn wood for the top, table legs that we already had and old molding from a house for the skirt edge. I LOVE IT!
Wood chairs were purchased for $10 each and upholstered chairs were from TJ Maxx at 1/2 price clearance! Bakers rack came from a shop in rusty, shelf missing condition. Warren once again used old wood that we had for the shelves. Chalk board is a huge mirror frame that I got for $25 because the mirror was broken out of it. Piece of plywood and chalk board paint and we love it.
Found the stained clock used and painted it. Light fixture looked broken so it was less than 1/4 of the original price. Took it home and Warren tightened a screw and I painted it. Better than new!
We spend a lot of time in this room now. Probably more than any other. We love having it so open to the back yard and during the day it is always light and bright.
Really, very little money was spent on this room. Just how we like it :)
I love the transformation!! Shows a lot of love and elbow grease went into it. :) It is always encouraging to see when a room can be beautifully transformed on a dime. You two make a great team in so many ways. Love ya!
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