A super affordable kitchen update.  My favorite kind!  The budget is small when you're working with an investment property, and our new airbnb property is no exception.  We purchased this 100 year old beauty after someone had updated it to flip it, but the kitchen was an update from the late 90's.  Bad lighting from a ceiling fan that was too large, dark cabinets and tiled countertops were a dark khaki green. 

Chris installed the new school house style lights and it made a huge change!  I've used this style in other spaces, including our flip house.  They are a "vintage style" but look great in more modern spaces too.  An update to the little breakfast nook, adding bamboo shade and more open airy light made from hemp twine, make it  more casual and I think our Airbnb guests will enjoy eating there.

I think the changes are simple but make a big impact and now I"m on a mission to figure out where I can use that blue in my house.  There's got to be a wall somewhere! 

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I added the schoolhouse style lights to my Amazon Favorites shop, under "renovations/diy".  Just select "Amazon Faves" at the top of this page!

If you love the look of a sconce light but: A. can't hardwire one where you need it, or B. think it would be too expensive, then I think you're going to like this post!

I knew I wanted the look of expensive wall lighting for my bedroom makeover, however, I didn't have a big budget.  These lights also had to be plug in.  My end tables are small, so this would also free up space for all the things that accumulate next to my bed (which includes snacks!). 

Previously I posted a video of this process to my Instagram highlights, and I'll include some of those clips here in hopes it will explain things clearer than my rambling typing.

I purchased this one at Lowes, but you can find
them at any hardware store.  I prefer the style with
a sticky tape back and that are paintable.
 In most cases when there is no switch involved
(such as the cord from a mounted TV), I've painted
over them to match my walls so theydisappear,
and you can do that as well.  The look I wanted
here was of a brass rod going down the wall
​since I did have a switch visible.

I prefer the look of the rustoleum metallics.
 I've tried lots of different golds, silvers etc
over the years and this is my favorite
​ for the softer golds.

You can find this sconce and others here in ​​My Amazon Faves.

Well, we did it! We bought, renovated and listed!  We also argued, laughed, problem solved, sweat, designed, cleaned, hauled and yes, we plan to do it all again next year.  Chris and I are excited to share more of the journey and plenty of the not so fun details.

An exterior paint job in SW Dovetail, and a major facade change with the bedroom windows brought the flip house out of the 50's, but my favorite exterior project was the addition of the arbor over the garage.  This added some charm and interest to an otherwise simple ranch.  Some Clematis vines next summer would be the cherry on top!

​This first blog installment on the renovation is going to focus on the biggest change, the open floor plan and kitchen. It wasn't a bad layout to begin with, or at least the living room and dining room were already open to each other.  The kitchen, however, was very small and very closed off.  Opening that up was the plan from day one. Here is where we started and how we got to the end result...
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​We began here....
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This was definitely a tough part of the demo and remodel .  That 22ft beam was a four man job!​

The kitchen and dining are also where we ran into our first "life lesson of flipping" about what contractors you hire, how you pay them and who to trust.  An expensive lesson involving an electrician who us left hanging was finally resolved with the assistance of a different local electrician that stepped in to help us get it done.   I guess it's good we are learning as we go, but this was an expensive lesson.

I like doing tile, and after finishing the chevron tile kitchen backsplash, the plan was to create a shiplap on the back of the kitchen island that would mimic the chevron.  Turned out great! 

We selected a charcoal colored granite with a leathered finish, which gave it almost a concrete look.  Finishing touches of black hardware and lighting with both black and gold accents helped to pull everything together. 

The addition of the sliding door, where there was previously only a window, brought the open floor plan home.  Now there is even more natural light and a gorgeous view of the back yard and stone wall.

 As you can see, the difference is like night and day! More light, more kitchen and most of all a beautiful space to spend the days.

Let's go straight to the AFTER photos! If you're anything like me, you like to skip right to the good part.  The before look, details and cost friendly tips to follow.

Fresh. That's how I would describe this guest room makeover.  Even though many things in the space are vintage or vintage inspired, there are other touches that bring a more modern vibe along with the light colored walls that keep Fresh in the forefront.

The guest room has remained untouched since we moved in three years ago and I've been dying to take it on.  Starting out with  a 3D design program to see my vision come to life was fun to do (and can be addictive!).

The shiplap went up fast and was completely done in two days.  It's made of  6" planks of 1/4 plywood or underlayment.

If you haven't seen the blog post about my "faux chimney", you can see it here to get all the details about making this German Schmear architectural feature using brick paneling.

Next came the floor.  The carpet was pretty gross but underneath was some hardwood  just waiting to take center stage.  After sanding down lots of paint and the old finish  I added Special Walnut stain and two coats of polyeurathane.

The budget for the bedroom was small.  I'm re-posting some of the photos to show you where many of the pieces and decor came from in hopes it can inspire you to jump into something you've been putting off because of a limited budget.   Most things were found at flea markets, thrift stores  or discount stores and web sites.

Collecting things for a makeover takes time.  Write down your ideas for the space you want to freshen up so you can start a list of items you may need.  Visit local thrift stores for small decor items, search Craigslist or LetGo for larger pieces, and then fill in at discount shops or hit up Amazon for that one elusive splurge.  For me that was the ceiling fixture.  I knew what I wanted, it was just a matter of waiting it out to go on sale, and it finally did.
Now I just wait for a house guest!