Home Tour Q&A. Answers posted

Erica said...

How long did your renovations take from start to finish ? And if you dont mind me asking how much $$ did you have to put in to do all of the changes?

February 24, 2012 8:10 AM

Our renovations took approximately 4 months. We started in mid-May, and finished a little before the end of August. Of course we continued to work on "little" things around the house, but for the most part, we were done in August.

Cost, approximately 20,000 for just renovations. 

Marjorie said...

Yes, I was wondering if you did the tile backsplash in the kitchen yourself and if so what did you use for references to help you? Also where did you purchase the tiles? I want to do the same tiling, but in a different color. It's the only thing our kitchen is missing, but I have no idea where to begin with that process. Thank you! Loved the tour :)

February 24, 2012 8:15 AM

Yes. We did do the back splash ourselves. Actually, it took a lot of convincing from me, but eventually the husband gave in after I showed him some you tube videos. I can't find the original video, but they all have the basic general info. It's actually really easy. Honest.

We purchased our tiling from Home Depot, and it was about a year and a half ago.

Heather said...

Where did you find the two chairs in your living room across from the couch? We have the same couch and the chairs look great and kind of dress it up...you're inspiring a living room makeover, hah! :)

February 24, 2012 8:16 AM

Overstock. Here is the direct link to the chairs. The reviews speak for themselves. They are solid, and beautiful. We love them more and more every day!

Jody said...

How difficult was it to paint your kitchen cabinets?? I have wanted to paint my oak cabinets white FOREVER but haven't mustered up the energy to try to do it myself... oh and what are the chances you will come up to my house and do mine for me?? :)

February 24, 2012 9:56 AM

Haha ask the husband. That was his gig. But it was a pain. From what I can remember. A lot of "bishing and moaning" about it. But well worth it. Well well worth it. Our cabinets are solid. Old, but solid. So we were able to keep them, save money, and make them look nearly brand new!

Whitney said...

Is the living room paint a dark grey? Our couch is a tan color and we are about to move & I am trying so hard to figure out what color to paint. But this looks great!! Also, are the end tables black or brown?

February 24, 2012 10:15 AM

Yes. The living room is like grey.... but a very unusual type of grey. Almost has a hint of purple {but not really... hard to explain}. It turned out beautiful.

The end tables are brown.  

Life As Wife said...

I was wondering if you budgeted in the home loan for renovations? I don't even know if that's something you can do? Haha I'm clueless (Like take out extra money to pay for renovations.)

February 24, 2012 10:16 AM

No. We did not. I think that some people have done that... in the past {when the economy was good, and just about anyone could get loans}, but I'm not sure if people still can with the way the economy is {I'm sure some still do}.  Although, if I had that option... I would probably take it and get myself in a lot of trouble ;)

 

Courtney said...

I was wondering how you mounted your tv on brick? We are wanting to do this on a house we are buying. Where do all the cords go(cable box, dvd player ect.)? Did you have a professional do it?

February 24, 2012 10:27 AM

We actually paid one of the guys that did some work around the house for us, and we purchased the mount at Best Buy. My dad has mounted his TV, and I know some friends that have too, so it really isn't too hard of a process I don't think.... you totally can do it! The guy just followed the instructions... didn't do anything special. The cords... if you look closely in the picture kind of go down on the side {I just hid them the best that I could... and we connected them all together with special cord ties that you can buy at lowes or wherever}.

Carlie said...

How did you know how to decorate each room? They all look fantastic (the bathroom transformation and kitchen transformations are amazing). Did you have like a certain budget for each room and then a fav store that helped you decide how to do everything?

February 24, 2012 1:09 PM

Thank you. Andrew and I watched a lot of HGTV. I mean, an unhealthy amount. So we kind of just got some "ideas" from there. Good thing pinterest didn't exist at the time that we were remodeling, because I would have driven myself crazy with ideas. However, now that it does, I want to transform each room yet again!

But as far as we know what to do with each room... we started with the paint color. Then I would decide the "accent color or colors" and we would go shopping. We just kinda threw things together as we went.

We did not have a budget for any room. We just bought things along the way.

Yes, HOME GOODS! Amazing. And overstock.com. 

The Mrs./The Mom said...

what kind/name/brand of wood flooring did you use in the dining room?

February 24, 2012 1:57 PM

We purchased it from lumbar liquidators {they are everywhere nationwide}. And we got the bellawood brazillian cherry. Highly highly HIGHLY recommend. We get compliments each and every time someone comes to our home.You can find it here.

Pamela M said...

I would LOVE to know which paint colors you used in the kitchen/living and in the guest room? I love the blend of traditional and contemporary that you used.

Also - did you make the tissue poms in E's room yourself? I love the way that little corner came out! What did you hang them with? I've made them before, but haven't ever hung them from the ceiling :)

Thanks again for sharing!!

February 24, 2012 5:09 PM

It is the Valspar Signature; Cadet Gray from Lowes.

Yes, I made the tissue poms myself.  I hung them with clear fishing wire and a flat white thumb tac. You can't even notice it!

Jessica said...

You have AMAZING furniture! I was wondering if you purchased it all new, accumulated it gradually, etc., and also how you decided on color scheme and design. What stores did you shop at? Did you hire or do you know an interior designer?

Also (random, I know) did you close off your fireplace, or it is still usable?

Your home is seriously beautiful!! I am looking forward to seeing the other half!

February 24, 2012 5:42 PM

Thank you! We actually purchased all of our furniture after moving into the home/renovations were completed. We had furniture prior to moving into our home, but it was "college furniture" and "hand me-downs" and one of the things we said is we wanted to make our home our own and start new. So although we were not able to purchase ALL the furniture right away, we did it slowly at a time. And we are SO happy we did it that way.

We shopped mainly at Home Goods and Overstock. In fact, all of our stuff is from either of those two places.

We did not hire an interior designer or know of one... in fact, I am flattered that you even asked that. A lot of the days, I feel as though I didn't put enough thought into some of our rooms, and completely want to re-do them, so thank you for that sweet comment. We kind of "went with it" when decorating, and now that pinterest is out there, I am just obsessed with designing rooms! 

Part of the reason why I can't wait to have another baby to do another nursery :)

Shea said...

Did you tape, sand, and repaint all of your trim white? Or did you just start over and replace all of the trim? Either way, did you guys do it all yourself or get it done professionally? All of our trim is dark wood and I hate it!! But it seems like so much work to repaint everything, especially when some rooms are carpeted. Your house looks beautiful!! :)

February 24, 2012 8:58 PM

Yes, we did all three. Tape, sand, and repaint. We did a lot of the stuff ourselves {with the help of our family members} and we hired a family friend to do all the electrical, plumbing, etc. The stuff we didn't want to mess with.

Jeremy and Megan said...

I was wondering where you got your inspiration for the rooms? Was there any websites or stores that you got your ideas from or did you and your hubby always have an idea how you wanted to redo/redecorate each room?

February 25, 2012 12:28 PM

HGTV. Now? Pinterest. And just shopping around in home goods gave me a lot of inspiration. I wish I could buy every art piece, accent piece, pillow, etc. The decisions are endless. But just walking around gave me a lot of ideas!

Brittany Johns said...

I am looking for that dining room table. Where did you get it?

February 25, 2012 12:46 PM

Overstock. Again, the reviews speak for themselves. And my review? Amazing wood. Chairs compliment it well. Looks very expensive. We get amazing compliments when people come over. The wood is very dark brown/hint of black. Can be found here.

TheCrunchyGemini said...

Ohh your home is so gorgeous! I wish I had a "proper" dining room like that.. and a table that wasn't covered with crap all the time lol and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your flooring.. what type is it?

Thank you. The hardwood is bellawood, brazillian cherry.

Natalie said...

Ok, I HAVE to know where you got the giraffe lampshade?!?! So cute!

February 26, 2012 6:36 PM

Haha. Thanks! Husband HATED it when I brought it home. Was so mad. Once I put it in the room? He loved it. Boy has to learn to trust this mama more often :)

Home goods.

 Thanks for all your questions. It was fun to go through the journey all over again :)