Author Archives: Ivy
Fatigue is the Best Pillow
Fatigue is the best pillow. – Benjamin Franklin We are in the midst of remodeling 4 different properties. Here’s a sneak peek. We’re doing a Ronald Reagan (“Tear Down That Wall”) in the first property: We are still in the … Continue reading
Nancy Drew is a Verb
Craig and I thoroughly enjoy remodeling homes for resale. The properties we choose are loaded with potential especially if they have been neglected. It is tempting to pull out all the stops and transform each home into a dream house. … Continue reading
The Power of (Proper) Paint
Paint can be a valuable tool for restoring a room. This attic loft we remodeled last summer had nicotine stained walls. Here’s what a fresh coat of paint can do… Paint, however, can be quite fickle. Many people have found … Continue reading
New Beginings
There is something magical about a fresh start. New Year’s Day, Sundays, and mornings. Love them all. There’s a reason why I get chills when Annie belts out “Tomorrow.” Hope may be part of my infatuation with Before & After … Continue reading
Angled Wall Storage
Here’s more Before & After pictures of one of the previously unheated bedrooms: Note: Can you believe how beautiful those floors are? Just sanded them and put on three coats of polyurethane. I love uncovering beauty.
I Can See My Breath
When I saw this bedroom for the first time… I pictured Laura and Mary Ingalls… nightcaps on and snuggled under heavy quilts. This is Minnesota. It gets cold here in the winter, and this rehab project house had no heat … Continue reading
Bath, Beadboard & Brian
A bathroom is one of my favorite rooms to rehab. The goal is to create a cheerful, relaxing space, often on a strict budget. Julia, at Hooked On Houses.com, has a post today correlating the “happiness” of a home to … Continue reading
Closet Switcheroo
Inexpensive tweaks here and there can improve the use of space in a house. This upstairs hallway had a closet. The bedroom next to the hall closet did not have its own closet. While you can use a wardrobe for … Continue reading
Peek at the Stairs
We prefer to take pictures before any of the contractors get their hands on a new rehab project. In the case of our new brick home project, however, I had two sick kids strewn on the couch and needing extra … Continue reading
Multicolor Brick Project
We have a new project, and it’s going to be fun… It is an older home built in 1946. Even the exterior has character… It needs a lot of work, but that’s what we love to do!
