Decorating a Home: The Before

Nov 21

I've heard it, you've heard it, we've all heard it: when trying to do anything to your home (repair, remodel, repaint...) expect it to take twice as long and cost twice as much. We moved into our dream house 13 months ago, and had hoped that our renovation project would be nearing its end by now, but as of this writing we have plans and permits... and not much else. It's a long, sordid story involving tight spaces, soil engineering, and neighbors who just don't understand, and it's totally boring to everyone except me. Suffice it to say, though, progress is just around the corner!

Since the remodeling process was taking so long, I decided to go ahead and start the interior design for our upstairs (which will be untouched). In the spirit of hiring an expert when you realize your own ineptitude, I'm working with my friend Liz Curtis of Table + Teaspoon again. We are SO excited about her designs, and can't wait for everything to come together!

And as luck would have it, carpet install, paint, and delivery of furniture is colliding headlong with Thanksgiving, houseguests, and the potential actual start of the renovation. It's the ultimate first world problem, so I'm not stressed - it's just an interesting challenge to organize our home and time so that we can properly enjoy the holiday season. For now, I've moved everything random (tools, cleaning products, spare lightbulbs and cords, still-unpacked boxes of silver and china) into our unfinished downstairs space. We haven't hung any art, so that's all hanging out in the living room, along with the piles of delivered boxes for the upstairs. And we've managed to totally clear out both of our future offices (don't peek in drawers, people, it's ugly) so that Liz and her team can get to work.

So for now, I'm going to leave you with the "before" pictures of the three upstairs rooms... stay tuned!

Upstairs Bedroom

This is currently the master bedroom, but will become our guest room when the renovation is finished. The rug, chair, ottoman, and side table (with a new coat of paint) will be staying, the rest (which was all hand-me-down from various generous family members) will be leaving.

Husband's Office

This was a little boy's room under the previous owners. My husband picked it because it's slightly larger and slightly darker, so better for a TV/gaming setup. Priorities!

My Office

This was a little girl's room, and I am so excited to make it mine (just WAIT until you see the wallpaper/curtain combo!). I have a feeling that a dedicated space will really help me take my business to the next level.