Right this moment I’m going to share some new earlier than and after (progress) pictures that includes initiatives we’ve labored on in our entry and lounge space! The earlier than pictures are from once we moved in not fairly three years in the past (we purchased this home furnished!)
We made just a few updates throughout the renovation final 12 months and a few I haven’t proven you but, together with enlarging and casing in openings between the rooms, altering flooring and changing carpet on steps, shifting a doorbell and changing a not-cute return air vent. I’ll share them at present!
After all evidently we are going to proceed to work on particulars and furnishings over time so this isn’t actually “after” …. however I hope you all get pleasure from seeing the progress we’ve made thus far!


One of many issues I cherished about this seashore cottage once we first noticed it three summers in the past was the way it felt to be in it. At the same time as we walked contained in the small entry and lounge for the very first time it felt immediately welcoming and comfy. We knew inside minutes and a fast walkthrough it was a spot we may make our residence. It was the sort of seashore home you’d wish to come hand around in and never depart. And that it’s! We’re so grateful that it’s now our residence.


I cherished that this home was in-built a basic model and that the earlier house owners had added extra character to it! That’s simply the sort of residence we had been in search of — one which felt like residence to start with however one which we may proceed to work on and make our personal.
Whereas we didn’t truly plan to do a lot straight away, we knew we might ultimately take out carpet and substitute flooring. After all, we did somewhat greater than that :). That’s simply what I do, I assume ha.
Listed here are among the earlier than and after transformations we’ve accomplished thus far on this space of our residence!




A cased in opening
One of many issues we determined to do in our renovation was to case within the “opening” between the entry and lounge (which we additionally did within the different rooms on the primary ground, however that’s a submit and pictures for an additional day).
You possibly can see how earlier than it was simply drywall. This opening couldn’t be raised or made bigger. The truth is, we truly “narrowed” this opening barely to make room for the casing, however you don’t even discover that it’s smaller. It simply feels good to have all of it cased in now — it actually makes it look extra completed and stylish I feel!








New hardwood flooring and stair treads
We additionally had the staircase carpet eliminated and added hardwood treads. We’ve all the time eliminated the carpet from each staircase we’ve ever had, it’s such a pleasant recent feeling to have painted steps or hardwoods. We could add a runner in some unspecified time in the future, however we do prefer it as is!




Whereas we initially considered simply portray the steps, since we had been putting in the brand new European White Oak hardwood (engineered) flooring upstairs and down, it made sense to do all of it and simply make the staircase match the brand new hardwoods.
We selected this tone of flooring all through as a result of it’s a timeless model but in addition as a result of it ties into the colour of the seashore sand and driftwood! It provides gentle and feels informal and welcoming however nonetheless basic.


One factor we love about having a smaller house is we will deal with the smaller particulars, too. That’s actually what I like to do essentially the most. It’s good to have the opportunity make easy adjustments and see the influence!


Swapped the ceiling air register
A captivating replace we made final fall is hardly each seen in a photograph (it’s an ungainly angle to get into a photograph) however we see it on daily basis! We swapped out an everyday not-attractive return air vent for this lovable star burst pattered vent! I can’t even imagine what a distinction it made. It’s so cute (if an air vent might be cute?).


Modified the ground warmth registers
We used to have the everyday steel warmth registers however as soon as the wooden flooring was put in I knew instantly I might not wish to put the metals ones again on the primary ground (we’ll change the upstairs sooner or later). We purchased THESE from Amazon however our flooring contractor made some changes to make them match correctly. I like that they’re now wooden and mix in to the flooring. I can’t wait to have the ability to do the identical upstairs sometime.


Wired in sconce and moved the doorbell
We had added the brass wall sconce right here beforehand, however had been utilizing a battery operated bulb. Whereas the electricians had been right here we had them wire within the gentle so now we will flip it on with the flip of a swap! We additionally swapped the lampshade for this patterned one. Then we additionally had them transfer the doorbell. It was once above the bench the place the art work is. You may do not forget that we had added a cute sufficient cowl over the unique one, however the placement nonetheless restricted me from hanging sure artwork items. So “so long as” we had electricians right here for the renovation, we simply had the entire doorbell moved into the closet behind the wall. 🙂




The plan for the bench cushion
The earlier house owners had added the built-in bench in the lounge which we use as further seating on a regular basis when folks come over! It’s so useful! It takes up much less room than a chair (or two) and gives useful storage as nicely.
My plan is to have the cushion recovered however for now we simply wrap it on this reversible blanket and it really works simply tremendous. I wish to take my time and never really feel rushed to decide earlier than I’m prepared. I do know I’ll get better this one in a coordinating cloth once I’m able to have the official bench cushion cowl made for our eating room, which we additionally simply wrap in blankets for now. With grandkids and pets, simple to scrub blankets are the in all probability the best way to go anyway!




Recent Paint
We had the entire decrease degree inside painted throughout the renovation. Sadly there have been just a few conditions and mishaps (in each room) that have to be redone. It’s an extended story however I’m hoping it will likely be resolved this summer time. Not all the pieces goes easily or in keeping with plan, which might be irritating while you’re spending your hard-earned cash on huge initiatives, however we’re trusting that our contractor will have the ability to make it proper! I’ll share extra on that quickly.
An upcoming paint change we plan to make ourselves is to offer the within and outdoors of our entrance door a brand new coat of paint.
In the event you see the reflection within the mirror of a few of these pictures, you will notice the inside of the door is at present white with samples of darkish paint! Does that shock you? I like contrasts in small doses. I’m contemplating an inside door colour related in depth to the Dutch door in our final residence in a deep blue or a deep inexperienced blue. However the exterior will doubtless stay the identical or related colour as a result of I find it irresistible. We’ll see, you by no means know what may occur :).
Paint colours: Door is Wythe Blue Benjamin Moore, Front room is Seaside Glass Benjamin Moore, White partitions and trim are Traditional Gentle Buff Sherwin Williams, and Entry partitions are at present Impartial Floor Sherwin Williams.


Different upcoming concepts and adjustments:
We’ve a inventive concept for our entry, it’s one thing I’ve wished to do for a very long time. I discovered simply what I wanted at at nice deal by way of a good friend who was promoting that very merchandise on Instagram. I simply need to go get it subsequent time I’m in Portland after which I’ll share about it!
I’m additionally on the hunt for a brand new entry rug. Whereas I’ll say I like the look of no rugs in summer time for the simplicity of it, as a fast sweep takes care of any sand and it’s recent and clear once more, it’s good to have somewhat one thing for a splash of colour or texture. And as soon as we get into fall and winter once more a rug is sweet not just for the coziness however to catch the rain drops when folks and pets are available.
The demilune entry desk was right here once we moved in and it matches completely (right here’s the same desk). I’ll determine to offer it a brand new coat of paint, however I additionally may simply get one thing new in time. The desk has a teeny drawer that holds our doggie strolling luggage :), so it’s useful!
And as I’ve talked about, we’re enthusiastic about getting furnishings for our lounge, however we are going to take our time on that as nicely.




Modifications we made previous to the renovation:
The very first thing we did in our entry earlier than the renovation even started was to find out the general temper we wished to welcome our household and associates. I all the time love a mixture of basic conventional and recent informal coastal model and that model actually works nicely right here.




Earlier than we even knew we might do the renovation we acquired settled in and began making it our personal. We hung a number of of our authentic seascapes on this stair wall. Since we’ve been amassing artwork for a few years, this was a straightforward method for me to set the temper and add colour and character.
Then we put in this navy lantern! I like the basic character and assertion it makes within the entry. I might love to purchase one other for the highest of the steps! Saving my pennies.
Dwelling takes time! It’s enjoyable to see progress being made and we all the time have plans to look ahead to!
Wish to see extra earlier than and afters of our residence? Take a look at this submit: Our Kitchen Earlier than and After (with pictures of the kitchen and eating room swap!)
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Supply: The Impressed Room