Good morning everyone! It feels like a while since I’ve shared a renovation update, but I promise the silence doesn’t mean nothing is happening. In fact, quite the opposite. We’ve been in what I like to call the “less glamorous” stage — lots of roughing in, wires, pipes, and all the behind-the-walls work that isn’t very pretty but is so important.
On the exterior, things are starting to get exciting. All of the old siding has been removed, and they’ve just started adding the new wood siding, which you’ll see in a few of the photos below. All of the windows and dormers are in, which feels like a huge milestone and really gives us a sense of how the house will look and live.
Inside, nothing dramatic to show just yet, but the roughing in is well underway and I think they’re close to wrapping that up, which is very exciting. I’ve finally allowed myself to start thinking about the fun part — decorating and designing specific spaces. It’s a lot to process at once, so I’ve been creating online files and mood boards for each area as ideas come to me.
We’ve already been getting questions about the bathroom tile we’ll be using, so that’s been a big focus lately, along with finalizing vanity designs. Most of those are now close to completion, so yes, progress is definitely being made.
The biggest decision recently has been finalizing the details of the kitchen. This is the last kitchen I will ever design (yes, you heard it here first!), and God willing, it will be the kitchen I live with for a very long time. So it has to be just right. There have been a lot of ideas swirling in my head, and if that means taking a little extra time to get it perfect, then so be it. Now that those decisions have been made, I feel so good about where we’ve landed.
Below are some of the design details and recent photos of where things stand now… the “before” of what I hope will be a very special “after.”
________________________________________________
This is interesting (and first time I had been to the attic)! The entire thing was taken down the studs and new dormers/windows were added. It’s very large and there are so many thing I could see doing up there (not doing anything for now) however. But fun to see a 100 year old attic, our builder said he was so impressed by the quality of what was done that many years ago.
Siding!
Seeing the house even from a distance makes me realize how much the new dormers have enhanced the home. The reason the roof in the center is not completed is because we have made a dramatic change to the front, stay tuned..its exciting!
POWDER ROOM CONSIDERATIONS
So we have two powder rooms on on main floor. One off kitchen which I would say is more of a family room and the main powder room off foyer. It is small and all the more reason to make it jewelry like. It also has a window (bonus). I want it to feel special. My normal inclination would have been to use a chinoiserie paper there but I want to put that in the. living rooms so going a different route. Came up with both options below.
Somehow I am leaning towards choice 1.It encompasses everything I am looking for. Its bold, moody, elegant and very sophisticated. I love choice 2 but thinking its more appropriate for the other powder room (less dressy, not formal) but I always love and value your thoughts. The one thing I could pull the trigger on right this minute is either of these magnificent sinks….wow, talk about a statement piece! OK your turn to weigh in-
Then I narrowed it down to these two options for one of the powder rooms-
KITCHEN CHANGES We were ready to submit our approved kitchen design but in the end, something about the hood was not resonating, it just wasn’t sitting right with me, it was literally keeping me up at night. Only until I saw a picture of my very old kitchen (about 22 years ago) and subsequently many many more of other kitchens, did I realize I needed to go the hearth route vs the metal or hood route.
The minute we started laying it out on paper, it was like the final piece of the puzzle had been found, I almost cried with happiness. It was instant love at first sight and just feeling like it was the right choice all along. It offers real presence, and will make a grand statement in the kitchen. So…now we are ready and kitchen is about to go into production. I feel so good about this decision.
So we have one door opening on the left and the hearth and stove will take up a huge part of this wall (very hefty) so it allows for a cabinet to the right. We also toyed with the idea of putting two skinnier cabinets on either side but the full cabinet on right seems to make the most sense as the skinnier cabinets will be out of proportion to the breadth of the range/hearth
I tried to get the idea on AI and did a decent job, decent enough to where it helped me visualize and its a definite YES!
Small decision- but I have always loved squared old fashioned bin pulls and will do them in polished nickel, so tempted to use unlacquered brass (love it) but its a living finish and not sure how crazy the changing patina would make it, but its so pretty! Anyone have experience with it? I would love to hear about it if you do.
Here they are in an unlacquered brass as well as some pretty unlacquered brass faucets
And that’s the latest! Things will never feel like they are moving fast enough for me, but they are working 6 days a week and doing a fantastic job so I know I just need to be a bit more patient, and this is it..the very last house (sounds a bit bittersweet). But its the truth. Thanks anyway for stopping in and following along, the best and certainly the most exciting parts are yet to come! Until next time……..
Also today is Giving Tuesday, an annual global generosity movement to encourage people to give back to their communities and those in need. We have chosen Feeding America to donate to because few things are as heartbreaking as not having food or being able to feed your children. This is a win/win, your purchase helps this wonderful cause and you get something in return!
Oh my goodness its looking so good! I LOVE all. your ideas too. The bathrooms and kitchen will be sublime. I voted for #1 because its so rich and beautiful and feels “jewel like” which. is what you expressed you want to achieve. The other are also vert pretty but maybe better suited for the family powder room. The mockup of kitchen is incredible! Love it. What AI app do you use? It looks great.
ChatGPT.com does this. Ask it for an image of_______, or upload a picture you have (from photos or snap one) and tell the changes you would like to see. There is a box, when you go on the website, that you will type your request into and upload your picture. It’s very easy to use. It’s also a lot of fun!
We have a 170 year old home that looks similar in style to your renovation. Your renovation is lovely. Curious why you decided to use siding over the existing brick? Looks great.
You have changed my opinion of bin pulls. Never liked them until I saw your examples. The hearth stove is gorgeous. I believe you are right in putting a larger cabinet on the right side only. Definite kitchen envy. I am curious what color paint you have chosen for the cabinetry in the kitchen.
Tina, have you considered a transom over the door to mirror the cabinet door opposite in the kitchen? Take it up to the crown moulding. Even mirror it and make it a faux transom so as not to disturb the other doorways adjacent to it. I’m all about symmetry and balance even if you simply trick the eye.
Tina, I love following your renovations. You have such great taste. May I ask what color of white have you used for your kitchen cabinets and are using for current renovation?
O, that mural…I am mad for murals…we just put one up in our tv room…talk about a transformation!!! It us just giegeous…and, we use that room, particularly, nightly. franki
Your home is going to be amazing! Beautiful choices! I am looking at stoves right now. Who is the maker of the one you chose? The color blue is so pretty. . Thanks.
Love your aesthetic!!! Bit of a renegade here regarding “family” powder room-would the blue and green vertical wallpaper work with the green lighting? Personal preference but might tire of the lemons. It will be gorgeous whatever you end up choosing!!! Have fun!
Major progress, how exciting! It is such an elegant estate, like going back in time. I love the powder room options, mural 1 is my pick for the primary powder room, it is incredible and that sink! For other powder room like choice 1, think lemons though charming, may be a bit trendy. The kitchen is going to be a dream and good call on going with the hearth, a kitchen/home of that size needs that larger scale and agree about the one larger cabinet on the right, Will it go down to the counter or will you have counter space? Not sure how much space you will have within the hearth on each side of the range but I made a mistake with my own and its only about 9′, wish I had at least 12″. Besides that love my kitchen. Look forward to following along.
One of the many lovely architectural features of your house that strikes me as especially wonderful is the direct line between the front door and the beautiful view out of a back door. So lovely. I have seen pictures of houses that Gil Schafer designed with this feature and fell in love with the the feeling of it.
I much enjoy reading all of your posts, especially Renovation Diaries. From my observations you have a number of casement windows … do you plan to use brass, white, or another metal finish for the inside operator handles? The slate roof is stunning. Did the house require special structure renovation in order to support the new slate roof? Thanks
I love, love everything!! I’m so excited for you. The unlacquered finish is my favorite with its aging patina and old world feels. But, I consistently applaud your choices throughout the years so, whatever you decide will be perfect.
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Good morning everyone! It feels like a while since I’ve shared a renovation update, but I promise the silence doesn’t mean nothing is happening. In fact, quite the opposite. We’ve been in what I like to call the “less glamorous” stage — lots of roughing in, wires, pipes, and all the behind-the-walls work that isn’t very pretty but is so important.
On the exterior, things are starting to get exciting. All of the old siding has been removed, and they’ve just started adding the new wood siding, which you’ll see in a few of the photos below. All of the windows and dormers are in, which feels like a huge milestone and really gives us a sense of how the house will look and live.
Inside, nothing dramatic to show just yet, but the roughing in is well underway and I think they’re close to wrapping that up, which is very exciting. I’ve finally allowed myself to start thinking about the fun part — decorating and designing specific spaces. It’s a lot to process at once, so I’ve been creating online files and mood boards for each area as ideas come to me.
We’ve already been getting questions about the bathroom tile we’ll be using, so that’s been a big focus lately, along with finalizing vanity designs. Most of those are now close to completion, so yes, progress is definitely being made.
The biggest decision recently has been finalizing the details of the kitchen. This is the last kitchen I will ever design (yes, you heard it here first!), and God willing, it will be the kitchen I live with for a very long time. So it has to be just right. There have been a lot of ideas swirling in my head, and if that means taking a little extra time to get it perfect, then so be it. Now that those decisions have been made, I feel so good about where we’ve landed.
Below are some of the design details and recent photos of where things stand now… the “before” of what I hope will be a very special “after.”
________________________________________________
This is interesting (and first time I had been to the attic)! The entire thing was taken down the studs and new dormers/windows were added. It’s very large and there are so many thing I could see doing up there (not doing anything for now) however. But fun to see a 100 year old attic, our builder said he was so impressed by the quality of what was done that many years ago.
Siding!
Seeing the house even from a distance makes me realize how much the new dormers have enhanced the home. The reason the roof in the center is not completed is because we have made a dramatic change to the front, stay tuned..its exciting!
POWDER ROOM CONSIDERATIONS
So we have two powder rooms on on main floor. One off kitchen which I would say is more of a family room and the main powder room off foyer. It is small and all the more reason to make it jewelry like. It also has a window (bonus). I want it to feel special. My normal inclination would have been to use a chinoiserie paper there but I want to put that in the. living rooms so going a different route. Came up with both options below.
Somehow I am leaning towards choice 1.It encompasses everything I am looking for. Its bold, moody, elegant and very sophisticated. I love choice 2 but thinking its more appropriate for the other powder room (less dressy, not formal) but I always love and value your thoughts. The one thing I could pull the trigger on right this minute is either of these magnificent sinks….wow, talk about a statement piece! OK your turn to weigh in-
Then I narrowed it down to these two options for one of the powder rooms-
KITCHEN CHANGES We were ready to submit our approved kitchen design but in the end, something about the hood was not resonating, it just wasn’t sitting right with me, it was literally keeping me up at night. Only until I saw a picture of my very old kitchen (about 22 years ago) and subsequently many many more of other kitchens, did I realize I needed to go the hearth route vs the metal or hood route.
The minute we started laying it out on paper, it was like the final piece of the puzzle had been found, I almost cried with happiness. It was instant love at first sight and just feeling like it was the right choice all along. It offers real presence, and will make a grand statement in the kitchen. So…now we are ready and kitchen is about to go into production. I feel so good about this decision.
So we have one door opening on the left and the hearth and stove will take up a huge part of this wall (very hefty) so it allows for a cabinet to the right. We also toyed with the idea of putting two skinnier cabinets on either side but the full cabinet on right seems to make the most sense as the skinnier cabinets will be out of proportion to the breadth of the range/hearth
I tried to get the idea on AI and did a decent job, decent enough to where it helped me visualize and its a definite YES!
Small decision- but I have always loved squared old fashioned bin pulls and will do them in polished nickel, so tempted to use unlacquered brass (love it) but its a living finish and not sure how crazy the changing patina would make it, but its so pretty! Anyone have experience with it? I would love to hear about it if you do.
Here they are in an unlacquered brass as well as some pretty unlacquered brass faucets
Unlacquered brass faucets-
_________________________________________________________
And that’s the latest! Things will never feel like they are moving fast enough for me, but they are working 6 days a week and doing a fantastic job so I know I just need to be a bit more patient, and this is it..the very last house (sounds a bit bittersweet). But its the truth. Thanks anyway for stopping in and following along, the best and certainly the most exciting parts are yet to come! Until next time……..
Also today is Giving Tuesday, an annual global generosity movement to encourage people to give back to their communities and those in need. We have chosen Feeding America to donate to because few things are as heartbreaking as not having food or being able to feed your children. This is a win/win, your purchase helps this wonderful cause and you get something in return!
Click here to see our shop (all categories are on top)
Oh my goodness its looking so good! I LOVE all. your ideas too. The bathrooms and kitchen will be sublime. I voted for #1 because its so rich and beautiful and feels “jewel like” which. is what you expressed you want to achieve. The other are also vert pretty but maybe better suited for the family powder room. The mockup of kitchen is incredible! Love it. What AI app do you use? It looks great.
ChatGPT.com does this. Ask it for an image of_______, or upload a picture you have (from photos or snap one) and tell the changes you would like to see. There is a box, when you go on the website, that you will type your request into and upload your picture. It’s very easy to use. It’s also a lot of fun!
We have a 170 year old home that looks similar in style to your renovation. Your renovation is lovely. Curious why you decided to use siding over the existing brick? Looks great.
AMAZING 🤩
What a gorgeous house. You really must show us how you use AI to create your mock ups please!
You have changed my opinion of bin pulls. Never liked them until I saw your examples. The hearth stove is gorgeous. I believe you are right in putting a larger cabinet on the right side only. Definite kitchen envy. I am curious what color paint you have chosen for the cabinetry in the kitchen.
Tina, have you considered a transom over the door to mirror the cabinet door opposite in the kitchen? Take it up to the crown moulding. Even mirror it and make it a faux transom so as not to disturb the other doorways adjacent to it. I’m all about symmetry and balance even if you simply trick the eye.
Tina, I love following your renovations. You have such great taste. May I ask what color of white have you used for your kitchen cabinets and are using for current renovation?
O, that mural…I am mad for murals…we just put one up in our tv room…talk about a transformation!!! It us just giegeous…and, we use that room, particularly, nightly. franki
Your home is going to be amazing! Beautiful choices! I am looking at stoves right now. Who is the maker of the one you chose? The color blue is so pretty. . Thanks.
Love your aesthetic!!! Bit of a renegade here regarding “family” powder room-would the blue and green vertical wallpaper work with the green lighting? Personal preference but might tire of the lemons. It will be gorgeous whatever you end up choosing!!! Have fun!
We have used the unlaquered brass and it has been beautiful for 16 years. I don’t think you can go wrong with it—-it’s so warm and rich.
Major progress, how exciting! It is such an elegant estate, like going back in time. I love the powder room options, mural 1 is my pick for the primary powder room, it is incredible and that sink! For other powder room like choice 1, think lemons though charming, may be a bit trendy. The kitchen is going to be a dream and good call on going with the hearth, a kitchen/home of that size needs that larger scale and agree about the one larger cabinet on the right, Will it go down to the counter or will you have counter space? Not sure how much space you will have within the hearth on each side of the range but I made a mistake with my own and its only about 9′, wish I had at least 12″. Besides that love my kitchen. Look forward to following along.
One of the many lovely architectural features of your house that strikes me as especially wonderful is the direct line between the front door and the beautiful view out of a back door. So lovely. I have seen pictures of houses that Gil Schafer designed with this feature and fell in love with the the feeling of it.
I much enjoy reading all of your posts, especially Renovation Diaries. From my observations you have a number of casement windows … do you plan to use brass, white, or another metal finish for the inside operator handles? The slate roof is stunning. Did the house require special structure renovation in order to support the new slate roof? Thanks
I love, love everything!! I’m so excited for you. The unlacquered finish is my favorite with its aging patina and old world feels. But, I consistently applaud your choices throughout the years so, whatever you decide will be perfect.
Ps: when I saw your attic, the craftsmanship was the first thing I noticed, too. Such care given for even the unseen areas.