Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Gluttons for Punishment...

Yep, that's us; Gluttons for punishment. At least that's what my Brother-in-law Ryan kindly pointed out to us when he saw our new home sweet home. Okay, Ryan's not the only one to tactfully tell us our house is a fixer upper. Other phrases I've heard people utter are are:
"loaded with potential" (a nicer way of pointing out all the hard work.)
"Oh Boy." (a noncommittal response.)
Or just plain silence. (If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.)

To be fair, most of these I heard coming from Shane or myself.

Yea, Shane and I weren't oblivious to the shape of the house when we bought. We decided we were up to the challenge because we're hoping to add a lot of equity with our reno projects. Speaking of our reno projects, would you like to see our to-do list?

Total kitchen gut
Major landscaping projects that will require the use of a bulldozer
Refinishing hardwood floors
Adding two bedrooms, a bathroom and a family room to the unfinished basement .
Carport conversion
New windows throughout the whole house

Oh look at the happy family. Will they still be smiling in a few months? Who can say.





The silver lining to the house is that the existing 1.5 baths are REALLY beautiful. I love them. Here is the .5 bath in the master bedroom.




And here's the full bath. I love this slate tile!




We also love that there is not a stitch of carpet in this house. It has the original hardwood floors throughout the home. The back room in this picture is an addition. It will be impossible to exactly match the hardwood floors without spending a small fortune, so we will be putting down travertine tiles in that room.



This kitchen no longer exists. All the cabinets have been ripped out (and saved for the laundry and storage rooms.) They needed to go; it was the right thing to do. Our new cabinets should be arriving any day now!

As you can see, the exterior could use some major curb appeal.

Oh boy, we are gluttons for punishment. At least the house has potential. Right....right? Anybody there?

15 comments:

Alisha Oldroyd said...

I'm actually jealous. I know that would be a big undertaking & one that Sam & I would not be up for. We're just not project people. But I really wish I were! I can't wait to see the progress & the final product. It'll be a house you LOVE! (hopefully) :)

Charity said...

Carrie, You guys will do great. You did such wonders with your last place. Its a lot of work, but hey you two are amazing! So where is this house anyway?

Chandi said...

You guys will make it look beautiful! Just think of all the possibilities.

Jade said...

Cool, I am excited to see it. I know you guys will do such a good job on it. Where is it?

Jaclyn B. said...

You do have ambition when it comes to fixer uppers. With your decorating skills I'm sure it will sparkle and stun, however long that may take.

I don't even know what travertine tials are.

Jeffrey Stott said...

When I'm down for Thanksgiving, I'd love to help. My experience in "fixer-uppering" is limited to, I mean encompasses, turning the old spider web tree house behind our Farmington home into a playable area...

Unknown said...

Yay your very own house! Fixing up a house into a home is part of the fun isn't it? Making it truely yours! I am so excited for you guys! Where is it?

bigskyboys said...

Thanks for the pics Carrie. Things will certainly be easier this time around with all the "skills" that were acquired in Taylorsville. Even another fireplace to update!

Sariah said...

Yea for pictures! We're glad that you guys were able to find a place fairly quickly. And fixer-uppers aren't a bad thing!

malmfamily said...

We are so jealous!!! A house like that would be a dream come true for us. Chris so wants a fixer-upper. There's something about men and renovating and building up their castles from scratch that make them feel more of a man, you know?! Hope you guys have fun with it and love it at the end.

wispy willow said...

Take so many more BEFORE pictures than you want to. It'll really make you feel good when you compare them to the finished product down the road.

Hey! In my business... I've seen miracles happen. Very lucrative miracles come to think of it.

I only wish reno projects happened faster. Patience is not one of my greater virtues, and I'm always so anxious to see the result of somebodys imagination and hard work.

I think it'll be the most frustrating fun you've had in years!

Erin said...

oh i love house projects. thats all this house we live in now has been since we bought two years ago. But its so cool to see the transformation. you'll still be smiling it may be after a couple disagreements but you'll still be smiling.

JonandLo said...

I can't wait to see the pics as they slowly come. I'm sure it will be beautiful when you are done!

Lynley said...

ya know, it's not as bad as I had imagined. I actually like the retro feel to the exterior- the cool white brick (though add a new roof to your to-do list).
What's up with the fireplace? Is that cinderblock?
Fabulous wood floors- are you going to refinish a little darker? (hope so).
I think it is gonna really turn out! I'm excited for you guys. Looking forward to seeing it at Christmas.

Elise said...

How exciting Carrie! Did you say this was in Reno? My sister lives there, she loves it! Oh, congrats on the 5k, what a score with that goody bag! I think Shane's right...10k here you come!
Hey, will you send me your new address? Good luck with the projects!