This one almost killed me.  Actually, that’s an exaggeration.  The two times I’ve done this,  98% of the process is relatively pain free, save for writing the checks, and then the last two weeks feel like my skin is being peeled off with tweezers.  Tip #1 for folks rehabbing a house for sale:  Set a deadline that seems slightly unrealistic and know that you will survive the final push.  It wouldn’t hurt to book some spa appointments while you’re at it.

But, it’s over and it’s been handed to the universe of realtors and potential buyers, so it’s time to show off the before and afters.

First, though, I need to address my idea for staging this one. 

As you might know, I staged Starnes and the feedback could not have been more positive.  I do believe, however, that I would be on a bullet train to Broughton (our own state mental institution) if I had tried to ACTUALLY stage this one.

Here’s where my idea of VIRTUAL staging comes in.  I have this big money computer drafting system that does a pretty good job of giving a 3D rendering of a room.

There are only two problems:  the selection of furnishings is a little limited, and in some cases  bizarre, and, the default view out of the windows appears to be of the Swiss countryside.  So, don’t exactly hold me accountable for the furnishings and finishes ….. the idea is to provide some space planning.  Also know that the reason you’re not seeing windows in these pics is because I couldn’t figure out how to get rid of the views of cows grazing in the countryside.  I know there’s a way to change it, I just didn’t quite get there this time.

So, in lieu of staging, I’m including potential floorplans and renderings of all bedrooms and other common rooms.  This is the poor woman’s version of staging….I think it will spread like wildfire. (note…I will be sharing these in a later blog post.  After having finished loading all the before and after pics, this post is already on the freakishly long side)

On to the parade of before and after:

Front of House

Cue atmospheric drama:

Kitchen

Downstairs powder room magically transforms into full bath:

There will be a clear glass shower door…it didn’t make it in time for the photographer.  Extra points if you can recognize a remnant from Starnes in here.

Back Room 

Living Room (this is the best Before I have; you have to admit, it’s pretty entertaining!)

Upstairs Bathroom

           b        

Front Bedroom

Middle Bedroom

Back Bedroom

Master Suite Area (in Befores, this was the dining room and small office/bedroom)

This area now holds a bedroom with double closet and hallway with laundry room to the left and extra closet to the left.

And bringing up the rear, the back of the house:

So, there you have it!

If interested, and I know you are, and you want a home in Montford, contact Jackie at Dawn Wilson Realty.  If you’d like to see the MLS, here’s that too!

Coming tomorrow….floorplans and renderings.

I have always suspected that the above expression was a load of hooey. 

After all, I’d rather spend my time on the beach in Costa Rica than on the plane on the way there.  Although I’m not a mom, I’m guessing holding a baby is more edifying that the swollen ankles and nausea of pregnancy and having gone back to school for interior design, I’d rather be standing here holding my diploma (figuratively…I don’t actually have any idea where the literal paper is) than cutting out foam core for hypothetical house models and driving two hours round trip to Cullowhee everyday.  

What got me out on the wrong side of the bed today? 

I’m ready to be DONE with this house!!!!  We’re at the point where we’re ALMOST THERE, but every time I turn, I see a thousand things that still need to be done….it’s sort of the point in the house move when you want to start dumping whole drawers into boxes rather than wrapping everything individually in cellophane.  Kidding really….I am not cutting corners during the final phases….y’all already know I’m not actually DOING anything – just telling other people what to do.  I just wish they’d do it faster!

So…here are some progress shots of actual tile and cabinets going in!  They are coming to refinish the wood floors on Monday so truly, measurable progress is taking place….just ignore my bitching and moaning.

View from back room - suffused with light and a man named Eddie who clearly thinks highly of himself.

Kitchen and Dale

More Kitchen More Dale

Looking through to back room…kitchen is on your right.  There will be a raised bar on the wall where that tool belt is resting.

Blue pennyround tile in upstairs bathroom that is so cute I want to marry it.  The tile, not the bathroom because that would be weird.

Big shower waiting for some snazzy tile work…you will see a guest starring appearance from the carrera subway tile that was such a hit at Starnes.  Note marble tile on floor.

Nice sunny window beneath which to sit and ponder the mysteries of the universe….on a toilet.

OK folks….that’s all I have for you at this point.  

And just to clarify….I get the whole metaphorical resonance of the “journey”….I embrace it and journal about it daily on my yoga mat while in lotus position.  I’m just ready to get my St. Christopher statue and bury it upside down in the front yard under a “for sale” sign.  Enough already!

What on earth does this super funky duo have to do with my latest “before and after”?  I’ll admit, the connection is tenuous, but let me explain.

Unable to resist the latest bit of facebook navel gazing that prompts us to post fascinating things about ourselves, I found that my mother earned my undying gratitude by refraining from bringing me into the world the week Donny Osmond’s “Go Away Little Girl” ascended to number 1 on the charts. 

Rod Stewart’s “Maggie Mae” and I are sandwiched comfortably between the aforementioned and Cher’s classic, “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.”

One thing that I find interesting about this….has anyone else spotted it?….although the three artists could not be more different, all three penned songs that were pretty much paeans to creepy illicit love and apparently America liked it. 

Now, I can totally imagine Rod Stewart lounging spent and naked in a hashish den with his Mrs. Robinson kicking him in the head and Cher, popping out illegitimate kids in the back of her dad’s gypsy caravan, but Donny Osmond?!?!?  Quelle horreur!  Go away little girl indeed!

Alright….time to reign it back in here and connect the dots….The whole birthday thing put me in a Donny Osmond frame of mind, yeesh!, AND, more relevant, this “before and after” features a more traditional look than my previous projects.  Although I will hasten to add, I do not consider this kitchen, or client, to be country and I don’t think anyone would describe me as rock n roll.

On to the “befores”!

This kitchen and dining room belong to Diane and John Hanberry, recent transplants from Macon, GA.  They came armed with a load of beautiful antiques and bought a home on a hill with a lovely view, but unfortunately, the actual home left a lot to be desired. 

It was basically just old, ugly, and cheaply done.  The laminate countertop wasn’t even attached to the cabinets.  Guess the previous owners wanted to keep things portable…unfortunately, they forgot to take it with them.

So, while Diane CLAIMED to like my previous work, she made it clear that she was a more traditional kind of girl, and I was glad to stretch my wings and comply.  I am not a one-note-sally after all!

After:

We gutted and snazzed up the kitchen, replaced the faux wood floors with the real deal, took out a wall between the kitchen and living room, reupholstered and reconfigured the antiques, put up a cool stone wall, reframed Mr. Scary Owl, and jujjjed the whole thing when done. 

OK, there was some other stuff in between, but I think you can tell from the pics….we did a lot!

And because this project made me feel really really good….I want to leave you with this:

I hate to disagree with Marie, but I think they are 100% rock and roll.  ’Nuff said.