Our Home Renovation: The 'AFTER'
It seems surreal to be at the point we are in our home ownership journey - settled in and living a regular life in our improved and renovated space. If you want to circle back to the beginning of the who, what, where, when, why of the Drexel Avenue project - you can do so right here. The truth is I’m a bit of an addict when it comes to renovation. For nearly two decades, I’ve been buying and renovating homes. The idea that you can take a space and make it something completely different hasn’t lost its luster on me. Seeing the possibilities in homes and helping to uncover their full potential is my absolute favorite pastime.
The truth is, my family ran out of patience for projects like these a long time ago (believe it or not, it was A LOT easier to manage them when my kids were little and all in one place at the same time). With the majority of our kids entering their teen years, it was time for one last hurrah before we settled in for the long haul. I’m indebted to my kids who were displaced for 13 months and juggled living remotely from their schools, activities and friends whilst adding commute time amongst other inconveniences. They were also subjected to a lot of manual labor that I like to believe they are stronger people for;-)
Despite debating starting the project for 7 years, the outcome would be that the project would transpire over one of the most challenging building climates we’ve seen - maybe EVER! A global pandemic set in, material costs went through the roof, labor was stretched painfully thin, delays upon delays upon delays. During the process, we were forced to cut ties with our original builder and take over management of the project. It was a challenge to say the least - many sleepless nights, countless hours of sourcing, managing and coordinating into the wee hours of the morning. But as I remind my kids, “Small struggles equal small rewards, big struggles equal big rewards.” Finishing the project and living in our new home is a gift that we appreciate every single day we get to spend here.
Our Spring Home Tour was great motivation to tie up some of the loose ends we had laying around. While the house was clean and staged, we had photographer Alyssa Lee come capture some beautiful images of the spaces post renovation. As I’m sure you feel about your own home, ours is still a work in progress - but that’s part of the fun, right? Take a look at a few of the spaces Alyssa captured while visiting our home.
During the renovation, we removed a wall/door between the entry vestibule and the foyer. We installed Fireclay Tile in the entry. We replaced the solid wood door with an alternative that housed lots of glass. We added grasscloth wallpaper, updated trim and completed the space with a beautiful semi-flush light fixture.
The floorplan in the existing main level really didn't change aside from widening doorways wherever we could. The original wood floors were refinished and stained. We kept the wood-burning fireplace but gave it a paint overhaul. Radiators were removed throughout the home to convert to forced air heating and cooling. We kept the original banister but updated the stair runner with a brighter patterned alternative.
We installed new windows and millwork throughout the home. Exterior walls were taken to the studs and spray foam insulated. New electrical and plumbing were installed throughout the entire home. Plaster ceilings were overlaid with drywall for a flawless finish.
Part of the main level addition included a dedicated mudroom. This space has been a dream come true and HUGE quality of life improvement coming from absolutely zero mudroom. There are 7 large and deep lockers to house all the winter, sports and school gear. Running the tile under benches and into lockers makes for easy clean up and less stress with wet or muddy boots. A bank of drawers stores all the sunscreen, bug spray, goggles, keys, sunglasses and spare change you need when packing for an outing. The paneled message board has magnetic linen wallpaper for posting notes and pictures. The Schumacher wallpaper plays well with the patterned tile.
Our original main level powder room was one of the tiniest of its kind. It had no functioning heat source and a swinging door that imposed on the minimal transitional space nearby. We relocated the powder bath to make it larger and more functional while adding some charming finishes for a little personality. I love this sink and coordinating Kohler faucet. The Ballard Designs mirror is one I’ve loved for years (and is lighter to hang than you think!) We used a toilet paper holder for a more minimal looking towel bar and the Casaluna waffle towels from Target are great bang for the buck!
I honestly had no idea what direction this kitchen was going to take on when we started designing it. We explored several cabinetry layouts and ultimately decided we wanted it to feel casual and like an extension of the living spaces (ie: less focus on perfect symmetry). Between our architect and designer, this space truly came together in a cozy, comfy, warm, collected nirvana that I pinch myself I get to live in. I think it’s the mixture of materials and texture that adds lots of interest but in a cohesive, monochromatic way. The layers of lighting make it feel more like a living space than generic overhead lighting can do. The kitchen is a canvas for layering in color with art, flowers and even food!
The biggest splurge in the kitchen was the Armac Martin hardware but let me tell you - it was worth every penny. Invest your dollars in the things that you see and touch everyday and you will never regret it. We did a simple white quartz counter with a subtle pattern throughout the kitchen (Shell White) and a porcelain slab backsplash that might as well be Calacatta Gold (at a fraction of the price). The stained island was way outside my comfort zone but truly one of my favorite pieces in our home with its low luster finish. We selected Thermador appliances that have proven to perform as well as they look.
We loved mixing metals in the kitchen keeping dark hardware on the stained surfaces. The adjacent butler’s pantry is a jewel box of my favorite blue hue with ceiling, walls, trim and cabinetry all in Farrow & Ball Parma Gray. The dining room wallpaper and trim carries the shade out into the more formal dining space.
The remaining portion of the main level addition encompasses a cozy family room with gas fireplace. Our primary objective of renovating the house was gaining connection to our backyard. It was worth the 17 months of construction to be able to see outside the back of our house and spill out from house to yard and back. These sliding french doors are open all summer long, giving this space a sunroom type feel.
My daughters’ bathroom is probably my favorite room in the house. The girls challenged me with a ‘no pink’ rule, pushing us to find finishes that were both feminine, timeless and neutral in color. Designer Natalie Talley first showed me this floor tile that I fell in love with. The wallpaper was the jumping off point for the green millwork we carried throughout.
All of the vanities in the bathrooms were custom made by our cabinet maker and carried the same toe kick and paneled detail as found in the kitchen. Playful lighting, textured accents and more fun with metals made for a space they can grow up with.
The primary bathroom is a ‘pinch me’ moment - I love beginning and ending my day here. The entire space is very neutral and serene with a white on white palette. The stained, white oak vanity grounds the space and adds a natural element with its caned doors. The wall mounted plumbing is a statement maker while the freestanding tub is an inviting focal point. Lots of storage with built-in medicine cabinets and a tall linen cabinet.
The paneling was a custom design dreamt up by our designer. The space also includes a private water closet and walk-in shower. Stone throughout the bathroom is quartz with subtle veining.
For specific finishes, paint colors and other selections, you can check out the spec sheet below.
If you want to see the space unfold via my iPhone, take a look at the evolution in the video below. I’ll be back with a list of sources and project partners in a future post. If you have a project you are dreaming up, are looking to unlock potential in your own home or want help finding a home you can improve - reach out at sarah@foxhomes.com! We have the team and know-how to bring your vision to life!