Fixer Upper Update : 1980’s House Remodel Week 2

Demo is in full swing at our fixer upper.  This 1980’s house remodel is moving at record pace and I can’t believe how much has been accomplished in the last week!  I wanted to share the entry way, living/dining room and office with you today so you can see the original space and how we are gearing up to change things. 🙂  As SOON as I walked in this house I just envisioned wall after wall being knocked down or opened up.  The space will feel so much more modern and will flow so much better once it is all open.  I am not a fan of the “great room” design that is so popular right now where the entire main floor is just one giant space, but I am a fan of great flow.  I want rooms to have some definition, but I also don’t want things to feel compartmentalized.  So, let’s get started with the before…

Here I am standing in the entry way, at the front door looking up the stairs. Everything in this space is getting a major makeover.  The stair railing is being replaced, all the flooring is being changed to wide plank wide oak with white risers on the stairs, woodwork is being put throughout the entry and up the stairs, paint, lighting, new doors and base/case throughout…you name it…nothing is being left untouched.

Here is some staircase inspiration  from Brooke Wagner DesignI am working with…

This view is standing in the office doorway, looking into the living room.  One day there will be a Christmas tree in that bay window.  There will also be a new front door.  That header into the living room is really low…so it’s getting opened up.

Standing in the living room, looking toward the entry way and office.  You can see just how small that office door opening was…

office before…

Dining Room before…

If I had to pick one thing that REALLY drives me nuts about this house…it has 8 ft ceilings and there was just no way to open them up.  We have made tremendous strides in making the ceiling look higher though by removing everything we possible could that made them seem lower like track lighting, 6’8″ headers over doors, light boxes in the kitchen, etc.  It actually feels very open.

And now the fun part…the afters (in progress) 😉  We knocked out that header and raised it up.  It is AMAZING how just a few inches can make such a huge difference in the overall feel!  I knew the second I walked in the house that this had to happen!

living room…moving old lights and adding new lights to make everything super light and bright.  Don’t worry, the ceiling texture is going bye-bye. 😉

I love this fireplace by Studio McGee, so I’m envisioning something similar in that spot…

See you later small opening into the dining room and french doors…

That dining room is HUGE!  I measured and can fit a table for 12 comfortably along with a buffet in there.  Woohoo!  There will be some epic dinner parties in that room!

I have to give a shout out to Uncle Dave.  This is an extra fun project because I imported the best contractor I know all the way from San Diego.

Well, there you have it!  The progress from this week.  If you think this is major progress, wait until you see the upstairs!  There are no walls left in the entire back of the house! 🙂  I even kicked one down myself…that was quite a thrill! 🙂

Do you have any questions for me about the process?  I am learning a ton taking on a huge project like this and I am happy to share!  I hope you are enjoying following along with our remodel as much as I am enjoying sharing it with you! 🙂

Have a wonderful day!
Tammy