Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Before and After... gulp

Loved Rhoda of Southern Hospitality's idea of a before and after
tour she is so smart that way!...Just click the emblem below to be swept away
to some amazing blogger accomplishments...



Okey Dokey, Grab your popcorn...
as for me...I came across a couple of pictures of our humble abode


BEFORE we bought it.
It was kinda sad... one friend could not understand
WHY we were buying it.
"It's not old (all our previous homes were from mid 1800's to 1920's)
It has no identifiable character (1970's spanish-ish rambler)
and mainly....drumroll...
It is ugly."
she ever so gently reminded us.

Let's take a peeksie, shall we...
at a part of the kitchen...Mod in it's heyday it had orange formica, yellow lino
a jennaire indoor grill and wacky orange and gold wallpaper.
Now THAT sounds like fun on a stick!
Wish I could have seen that...we uncovered those parts..they had since vanilla-ized it

This pic was lightened significantly so that you can see it...the black/brown
panelling from the family room cast a suitably dark pallor over the kitchen...





Now...No beauty queen awards...but injected a bit of personality.
I am allergic to upper cabinets ( yes. note from doc to prove it)...so they came down within a month.
But just last year we did this...
Backsplash, for those who asked before
was found at Habitat Homestore...$5 bucks. Tried to use it in bathroom re-do 1. No go. Tried again in bathroom 2. Still no go.
So by default it landed here. hated it at first...


There was a gate around the pool (gone).
pool was built to teach scuba diving so is extra big and deep
...and, oh dear, more uppers. (you know)
Wave to Alice...the lovely previous owner
they lovingly built the house.
And I have to say it is built like a tank...no expense spared in that dept.


Not a great pic...but, you get the drift...



Yet...Another part of the kitchen.

We ended up putting a glass cooktop (hate it...bucking for gas)

In the island...and turned this whole space into a butcher block

work area. (yep...uppers? Outta here)



works for us.

2008 added new cabs with a lot more
storage. Yippee. And tiled.
I know, I know...a red (??) hood!
I toyed with taking the paint off, and
underneath it is aluminum...like an old airplane's body.
Thought I could do that...for a bit more industrial vibe...
Or....(you tell me? Plaster over the metal with a molding ledge?...)

2009 may tell.


But this... this is my most fave part. The guest house.

Built as a boy scout lodge (He was a pack leader hmmm)...

The yard was mud...well a few trees and mud.

Wave to Ginny...Said friend who couldn't believe we would even think of this place

If you look closely...you can see the disgust on her face (hee) In her defense... I was having some major trepidation right then too!





Now a charming cottage (says I)...

engulfed by jungle and paths

that was significantly more charming until we realized we needed a machete in our gardening tool bag



So...some Before and Afters for ya...really before and middles. We have been

Tackling this sponge... err... project... for five years now,

everything seems to keep changing aound here

year to year.

What's up with that???




66 comments:

Anonymous said...

You put a lot of work into your lovely home and it was worth it - it's gorgeous!

Manuela

Meg said...

WOW...can I come live with you? It looks like you did an amazing job! Remodeling is such hard work, but YOUR end result was indeed FABULOUS!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, my gosh! I have always loved photos of your home, but I had no idea how far it had come! You are amazingly creative and talented, Linda. Wow. Loved this post!

My Decor Style said...

I love before and afters!!! You have great taste and a great eye on what to salvage and what to toss. Good job!

Rachel said...

oh WOW. I love the changes you have done...can't wait to see more! I love your style!

Katie said...

I am a huge fan of B&A and you did a fantastic job. Love that you posted it all here to share with us. Give yourself a huge pat on the back girl!

Tanya said...

Love everything you did! I like the red hood the way it is. Adds a bit of punch to the color scheme. Although I have the change bug also!

Beth at Aunties said...

Wow it looks so gorgeous...did you see all the snow in the post before Rhoda's party...we are buried cold white stuff and your home looks like you live in a paradise!

I love all the changes and adore the red hood:) you are doing a fantastic job!!!

vicki archer said...

Before and afters are the best - absolutely love your guest cottage and it is hard to believe the kitchen is the same, xv.

~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~ said...

I love how personal your home is. It has so much personality and seems to be a wonderful of expression of you and your own style. I love that you're not afraid of color and art and all kinds of details. It is so much fun to look at!

Mango Gal said...

Absolutely beautiful! I love the shelves you did instead of cabinets, so pretty! You have such an amazing home.

Mary said...

love everything you've done - you have the vision. I would never have known this home was so new .....and I'm thinkin' not so humble as you suggest...?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful job on your projects. Your kitchen is fabulous. I think I had the same cabinets as your old ones - did they crumble if you cleaned them? :)

sealaura said...

wow what an amazing accomplishment. It inspire me. my beach cottage in the land of red is slowly coming, so it is great to see all your work paying off.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Great job!

Sheila :-)

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

WOW! It is beautiful!!! And I love your red oven hood. Cool!

Velvet and Linen said...

Incredible before and afters!
Your house is beautiful. Great job.
Love the color you painted the outside.

xo
Brooke

Lamp Tramp said...

Awesome before and after pictures of your dreamy we-all-wish-we-were-there home! Love your blog.

Decor To Adore said...

Wow~amazing transformations! Thunderous applause coming from Phoenix. Well done.

for the love of a house said...

Wow, Wow, WOW!!! I love everything you've done to your now beautiful home! Love the red hood! And I love the color of your guest house- oh heck, I love that you "have" a guest house- how cool is that?!! Fabulous before and afters!
joan

Unknown said...

I enjoyed your blog, your style and wit! Happy New Year from Houston, Texas!

Leon1234 said...

Lovely banner.

Linda Merrill said...

What a fantastic cottage - you have VISION!

Lisa (aka) French said...

I have said many times before and I will easily say again I LOVE your home truly I do...it just oozes personality out of every corner;) Hugs French

Denise Punger MD IBCLC said...

You have a beautiful house. I know because I've been there. It's even more amazing seeing the work you have done and your eye for detail.

Oh BTW... who takes your photos? You are so talented!

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

i'm a beach girl...and i love your home. gorgeous! i esp. love your kitchen.

Anonymous said...

I love it!!!
Every project looks great:)
Thanks for sharing!

What a fun party Rhoda is hosting!

At first glance I thought you may live in Hawaii!Florida is great!!

Just lovely....from California,
KayEllen

Fifi Flowers said...

GREAT remodels! Love EVERYTHING!

Ms. Tee said...

Oh, gosh, Linda, how great! Love these photos!

You know, I never really thought about the upper cabinets before, but you are right. It really opens the space up! I just wonder what I'd do with all my junk if I didn't have the uppers... ;)

Thanks for sharing with us!

Joyce said...

Linda I love how you saw a diamond in the raw. I love what you did with the place. It looks like a piece of heaven!

My dear friend everytime I click here I want either a key lime pie or a pina colada depending on the time of day! LOL...

Thanks for sharing your home! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Aaaaaaah, Linda, a walk down memory lane. I still think you should have picked up some extra cash renting it to a movie production company making a "70's retro movie" before you worked your magic. And I do think people will agree that what you've done with this house IS magic.

YOU are a woman with vision!

cotedetexas said...

you know how much I love your home. all of it, even the red hood which I think is wonderful!

Anonymous said...

wow! great before and afters. everything looks wonderful. thank you for sharing!

Linda Lou said...

I love that your house has personality, the red hood on the stove is too cool, and the open shelving to display your kitchen stuff is fun to look at - how many years did it take for all your changes? I remember first coming to your blog when you posted a photo of your bathroom....so creative.

Amber Cargile said...

Your home is a dream house to me, Linda! You have such vision and such innate style! It's gorgeous.

Lauren said...

Oh my gosh!!!! Your house is just so beautiful!!! And, I have to say I honestly want to move to Florida after seeing your house.. The pool right oustide the kitchen... Kind of makes me sad becuase its so cold here right now & I know we'll never actually move
:(

But keep the pics coming- you guys did such a great job!! :)

Natalia said...

*swoon*

I love your house.

I know I've said it before...from way back at GW...but had to say it again.

Bridget said...

I love to see before and afters. Yours are stellar!!!!
Thank you for the birthday wish yesterday.
Hugs, Bridget

SeaWorthy said...

Totally delicious!!!

you rock linda, its absolutely gorgeous.
Lisa
out at the other beach...

sandra/tx said...

I heart your house, Linda. And guest house. Everything you do or change turns to gold.

Tamara Jansen said...

You guys did a FAB job on the reno!

Sharon said...

Hi Linda, thx for sharing these gorgeous make-overs. You have done a great job, love your kitchen!!And am sure 2009 will see lots more of creative things coming:)
ahh your fabulous garden: a tropical paradise!!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Man....You all are just TOO nice.
(and I love ya for it!)
Thank you so much...It sure feels like eating humble pie putting your stuff out there. Especially stuff that is kinda different...kinda homeade.

I am surpised by how many like the ed hood. Go figure. I liked it too...but then thought I was just used to it!

To answer a couple of questions...

Emily. YES they crumbled when you would wipe them down. Ewww.Yuck!

Denise (permission to Mother). I take my pics...very amatueishly, but learnin'!

Linda Lou. We've been here 5 years. Some changes happened off the bat, others just happened. Most of the kitchen happened last Christmas...installing granite Christmas eve if you can believe! But the whole thing was mainly done within the week.

Thanks again for all of your kind, over the top comments! You are all the Cat's Pajamas in my world!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Linda, you really are talented with the redos. I don't remember seeing your kitchen before either, but WOW at the changes. I love them all, including that red hood. your little guesthouse is to die for too. what an oasis you have there in FL. Thanks for playing!

Porchlight Interiors said...

Love all the changes you have made Linda! The open shelves in the kitchen instead of the upper cabinets is a huge improvement! I think it is fabulous to take an ordinary house and make it a gorgeous home - takes vision and talent so well done! Tracey x

Unknown said...

I LOVE looking at before and afters...YOUR afters, fantastic! You've created my dream environment...

Ours also brought my family and friends to their knees, 'what are you THINKING!!!??' I shared a couple of exterior shots here:
http://rodrigvitzstyle.typepad.com/rodrigvitz_style/2007/06/peonies_and_gar.html

x..x
s

AshleyL. said...

Impressive! Those remodels/fix-ups are pretty incredible! This is my first visit to your blog, its great (I especially like your header/title). Stop by mine sometime and say hello :)

Anonymous said...

Linda I am just now getting over here. I have always loved your home. The magic you've worked is truly amazing! I am in awe!!

dec0r8or said...

Gawjus, Darlin'! I just love your place. I'm heading down to FL next month, but I'm going to be way north of you in St. Augustine. Darn it!! It would have been fun to hook up.

Unknown said...

What beautiful amazing changes around your lovely home Linda! WOW - You guys are GOOD!

Many blessings to you, your family and your beautiful abode this new year!

Debbie

imjacobsmom said...

Amazing transformation!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Wow..it looks just wonderful! I mean wonderful!!!
-sandy toe

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

WOW totally BEAUTIFUL job!

Jen Ramos
'Cards & Prints You'll Love...'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

Blue Muse said...

Wowie!! I can't believe that's the same kitchen, Linda - and your guest house is wonderful. I love the color against all that lucious green!
xo Isa

Dena said...

Absolutely gorgeous and I must say, I love the red hood just the way it is!

Hugs,
Dena

Liz Harrell said...

Have I told you that I seriously cover that backsplash? It's fantastic!!!

Eloise said...

Wow! What a difference! You have incredible vision and taste.

Happy New Year!

Princess of Power said...

Linda--your remodeling work inspires me! I think I need to have you over to lead me in the right direction!!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I am in LOVE with your back splash in front of your sink. That is like the cutest thing I have ever seen! I also love your faucet. So cool!

You are so creative and a very talented lady. Thanks for letting me stop by!

Jen

wenderful said...

I've been going down the list of top 10 projects and yours is the first I've commented on. I LOVE your backsplash and your faucet! It is wonderful! And I love your hood with the diamond plating.
Funny that my sister said the same thing in the comment just before mine. We have similar tastes. :)

a quiet life said...

that was fabulous! but i am still twisting my head like the victrola dog, when you say backsplash, as in your adorable kitchen fish, you got that for 5 bucks and still didn't even like it??? that is so fantastic i must not know what a backspalsh is... its so unique, i love it... great house color too~ fun fun fun makeover!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Blue Moon....what I mean by back splash is the diamond shaped tile with the little round tiles in between. I only had that amount, and kept trying to use it in each bath remodel we did...to no avail. So, on a whim we put it up behind the faucet (it was a real bear too, each one was hand made and different sizrd!).

At first i was not lovin' it.

Now the fish tray...Him i love. Used to be in the cabinet, put him there one day. And there he happily sits!

Thanks EVERYONE for your amazing comments and support!

...and to Rhoda for hosting the before and after!!

Kim and David said...

Love your home - you did an amazing job! I know the hard work that goes into doing a project like this. We spent 3 years on our 1890's transformation and still have things to do. It's a money pit. Check it out on our blog archive - the rescripted house. It was my very first post so it's in the 2008 archives. Thanks for the comment which brought me over to your blog. Glad to have found you.

P.S. You know that milliner's table could be yours!

Kim

Anonymous said...

Oh what a lucky, lucky house! Fab in EVERY way!

xo,
Kim

hello gorgeous said...

Beautiful, gorgeous! What amazing vision you had for it.

I love the red hood. It's so unique.

I'll bet the "friend" is a frequent, uncomplaining visitor to the guest cottage now...

:-)

Pretty*Practical said...

Wow! Just beautiful! It's my dream kitchen. Definitely one for the style files.

Celia
prettypractical.blogspot.com

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