Announcing Project House!

I love old houses.  There’s something about homes back when they made ’em like they used to.  They are often small, well-worn, and impractical, but with beauty you just can’t get any other way.  I love any chance I can get to restore an old home, bringing out that treasured character while making it more functional for the way we live today.  I’m really excited that with the big reveal weeks away, I can show you the before photos of our project house!

We are now putting the finishing touches on a gem of a home here in Austin.  I can’t wait to start sharing after photos, but this one will be a whole-house before and after since we are working on the entire house at the same time.

It’s a 1950’s traditional home located in central Austin.  It was in mostly original condition when we bought it.  We plan to sell it with much of the original features preserved and restored while making the home more useful to a family in 2015.  This isn’t a flip in many sense of the word.  We aren’t running through with cheap paint and landscaping.  We’ve spend the better part of the last year restoring everything beginning at the foundation.

And those original oak floors?  Your typical flipper would leave them or rip them out to be replaced with run-of-the-mill pre-finished floors that you’ll find in a new suburban track home.  We re-worked the layout of the bedrooms and added a true master suite.  That, along with foundation work, meant damage to the floors.  We carefully pulled up what we needed to and preserved the floors.  We had to mix in some new material, but the results are absolutely amazing and well worth the extra time and craftsmanship.  They are a total show-stopper.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen floors done this beautifully.  Can I have them in my house, please?  Seriously, you’ll want to pop back in to see the after photos!

Rule number one when we were buying this house was “no one touches my blue bathroom!”.  Well, we did have to touch it for some repairs and to remove the falling-down shower door, but those gorgeous, original tiles are preserved!  I’ll be posting more on how some spots were repaired.  You’ll see how this is a restoration and not a flip!  After the floors, this bathroom is what I’m next-most excited about revealing.  It’s amazing!

The kitchen was a great space for a 50’s home when we bought the property, but it will be a show-stopper when you see it next.  You won’t recognize it!  We were able to add-on to the kitchen and open it up to the dining and family rooms.

This powder bath is also being restored rather than re-done.  We will be leaving the floral wallpaper and water-guzzling commode in the past, but that original telework and solid wood cabinetry are here to stay.

What I haven’t shared photos of at all is the gorgeous new master suite.  It’s completely new but blends in beautifully with the original home.  You’d never have guessed that it was an addition.  You’ll see that and after photos soon.  I’ll be sad to see this one go when it’s time to sell.  It’s amazing!