Saturday, September 26, 2009

OUR SUMMER PROJECT


Thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
for once again hosting Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to check out her blog for a list of the participants this week.

FINALLY, I have a metamorphosis to post about. All summer we have been working on a project to make the flow better from our front door, through the entryway, and into the dining room. Phase I of the project included adding a mudroom in our garage with a large closet. You can read about that part of the project here, if you are interested.

Phase II included demolishing the coat closet in the entryway to make more room, then tearing down the wall between the entryway and our dining room.

In the past, when you entered through the front door this is what you would see. The front door opened the wrong direction, and guests were left trying to decide which way to go. There was a tendency to want to go down the hall to the bedrooms and not into the living room or the dining room.

In this before picture, the closet is on the right with the doorway on the wall into the dining room.

Now, this is what you see when you enter the front door and are standing in the entryway.

In this before picture, this is what you saw from the dining room looking into the entryway. That is the former closet on the left that was demolished.

In this after picture, this is the view of the entryway and front door from the dining room. The old wall and closet were where the little desk now sits. The front door has been switched around and now opens into the entry.


Bob did all of the demolition work, redid the hardwood floor, and redid all of the crown moldings and baseboards plus repainted the hall, entryway, dining room and kitchen. We did hire out the electrical work and had a friend who used to do high-end wall finishing work heal up and finish the walls. He did a wonderful job, and you cannot tell where the closet and wall were.

Then, we did a couple of small metamorphosis projects for the dining room. Years ago Bob made this plate rack for me when I was more into the shabby chic look. It has been up in the attic for a couple of years.

He put a stained bead board back on it and painted it black.

The second mini-met project was the painting of this wardrobe which over the years has stored linens, then displayed my collection of German Lustre dishes.

My collection has gotten out of hand, and I needed space to store dishes, not just display a few. So, the cupboard now has lace curtains on the inside of the glass doors to hide my addiction.

There you have it! Our house is quite small, and this remodeling project has really opened it up and it flows so much better. It took me 6 1/2 days of solid cleaning to get everything back to being livable. Now, we are decked out for Fall and ready to celebrate birthdays and the upcoming Holidays.

19 comments:

Sue said...

Welcome Back!!! I missed you...the house looks great..Bob did a terrific job...I love the bead board backed shelf unit...it looks much better then in white...Don't be gone so long next time...

Anonymous said...

Oh Sally what a transformation!! I would never have thought to take out the closet for better flow- such a wonderful idea!! Everything looks absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to see it in person!! Speaking of that- I am terribly sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet. We have a few people who mentioned they would be coming in Oct to stay a weekend and I am trying to get them to firm up the dates(one being my sis- Guess I'll have to bug her again tomorrow!)

It finally warmed up today- was nice to have the sunshine!!

blessings
mary

onlymehere said...

This is fabulous! That rack/shelf that your husband made and then redid turned out fabulous. How lucky you are to have a husband who can do this demo and create such beautiful things. I love it all. I like the idea of hanging the curtains in the cabinet too. Cindy

Anonymous said...

Hi Dear Sally, I've missed you and now I know what you've been doing! You've been getting your lovely home back together! Oh, what a makeover. Everything looks wonderful! I like the new openness of your rooms. That cabinet for your dishes is so wonderful. I know you're enjoying all of the storage and display space it's giving you! Oh, how I wish I could come over for a personal tour. I'm so proud for you and a little jealous that your hubby can do all of this himself!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

xinex said...

I love the openness, Sally. Lovely room!...Christine

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello Dearheart...

Just read your sweet note...so happy that you stopped by today, my friend! By the way...welcome back to the land of blog! I know that you've hand your hands full with your remodeling projects and then all the clean up...bless your heart! Ohhhh...but it was all soooo very worth it, wasn't it? This is fabulous...what a transformation! I just can't believe how different your dining room looks now...not to mention the front entry! I love it, Sally...it really did open everything up!!! Your honey did a fabulous job doing all the construction work himself...he's a talented man! Your home is beautiful...love that big ol' wood dining room table...awesome! I also really like the mix-match of chairs...love the black chairs and now that you've redone your wardrobe in black...really pretty!!! Girl, I need a wardrobe to store more dishes...hmmm, but then where would I put the wardrobe? hehe!

Well Darlin', I love all the changes...it turned out fabulous and I see that you've been busy decorating for autumn now! I know that you've been having the time of your life with your home redo!!! I'm so very happy for you, honey!!! Thank you so much for sharing your home...the photos: before, during, and after the remodel! I always find this process so interesting! I was anxious to see the long awaited results! Fabulous with a capital "F"!!!

Love ya,
Chari
PS...oh yes, we have had some really cold temps here as well! Our heater has been kicking on too! I do enjoy the cooler weather but sure would like it to stay nice enough for awhile to at least open the windows and doors! Love all that fresh air flowing through the house!

SmilingSally said...

You and your husband are a Dynamite Duo! Your house is beautiful!

(I know what you mean by a week of cleaning.)

Tootsie said...

now this is a job done well and very worth all of us waiting for!!! I was happy to see your name in my comments. I love the results of this makeover! A+!

santamaker said...

Sally, wow.....you must be so proud and thrilled ! Amazing makeover and I looooove that hutch with the lace curtains!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Wow, What a wonderful change. The redo really opened up the house. I have to admit that the first thing I noticed was your lovely dining table, It's beautiful! The plate rack looks great painted black and the lace doors on the cabinet, love lace. I did a diningroom redo this week too but it's a little simpler. Isn't it a job to get all that plaster dirt cleaned up?
Enjoy your New Home.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

bj said...

So glad you are back with us, Sally.
Your home is just beautiful and I love the transformation! Great job!!
The plate rack turned out so pretty.
xo bj

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Sally I so glad to see you back...Oh girl what an asesome job you guys did here...It really opened up the whole space...love that cabinet with the lace curtains...WOW!! BRAVO!! you guys did great...Thanks for sharing this great Met with us...May you have a great day my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Michelle said...

Love your tranformation! Love the color! Stop by for a visit sometime!
Michelle

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Wow! That's impressive! I love how it flows now! You guys did such an wonderful job! Also love the plate rack painted black and the cabinet! I need a cabinet like that to stash all my plates too!

Good job - it really looks great!

Manuela

Brenda Pruitt said...

I wish I had that cupboard and plate rack! I could sure use those! Great transformations.
Brenda

Kammy said...

Super cool ! I am loving that furniture and your skinny long table !
Kammy

cherry said...

LOVE everyone of your projects....that shelf with beadboard is wonderful. cherry

Peggy said...

Looks great! We are in a tiny house too and I am luckily married to a carpenter so I decide which walls I want down and he does it for me. I only have a few more small walls to get rid of and I think we'll be done...maybe.
Peggy

Susie Q said...

I have missed you so!
This al llooks just so lovely! You rhome is so pretty, so warm. I would instantly feel comfortable...it has your soul and spirit there.
You and Bob make a great team! Now that this project it done. you can come stay with us for a month or two 'cause I have all sorts of projects!! *grin*

Love,
Sue