Sunday, January 30, 2011

Now We're Getting Somewhere

Hi, everyone! I'm so, so sorry for being absent for soooo long! I'll try not to be a deadbeat blogger from now on!

If you're new to House Affairs, I'll catch you up to speed. We bought this early 1900's Victorian in a small Mid-Western town last summer. We moved from GA to our town in August. Our original plans were to renovate the house a little bit at a time, but when we started investigating, we learned the house needed more than we thought (of course) and it would be best to do everything at once. So we spent the fall getting bids, choosing a contractor and getting permit approval from the village. We started construction January 4 and have made a lot of progress since then! Almost all of our possessions are in storage while we live in our 700 sq. ft. garage apartment. Oh, and by the way, on top of it all, we're expecting our third child (a girl!) in about two weeks! Yeah, the more chaos, the better! I hope that explains my absence! Plus, I was waiting for something cool to show you and here it is...

Not very pretty, but it's progress! One of our main goals for the house is to return her to her former glory. Sometime in the late 1930's/early 1940's, the house was converted from a single family to a two-flat. The front porch was mutilated enclosed as part of that conversion. Here's what we started with:
As you can see, we've opened up the porch so it will look more like the original house. I blogged about the original porch here. We had to get the village to approve the changes so it was a tedious process, but worth it!

The house needed a small addition on the back for a mudroom. It's no fun living in the snowy Mid-West without one. We're expanding the kitchen into what used to be the mudroom. Here's what the back looked like before:
And now:
It looks kind of ugly goofy without the deck and the siding, but you get the idea. I also just noticed that it looks like it's leaning. It's not. It's just the angle of the photo (and the photographer). Dear Hubs says I always stand crooked.

A lot of people are interested in our coach house. So I'll show you the outside loveliness (haha). You don't get to see the inside until we move out. Two adults + two active boys + soon-to-be baby + 700 sq. ft. = A LOT of mess.
Don't ya just love the blue powder room? I'm thinking the purple refuse receptacle is my fave! What I always dreamed of in my yard! But, seriously, the coach house was one of the reasons we fell in love with this property. It's very unusual to have a detached living space in this town. It will be perfect for out-of-town visitors (we have many) and it is great that we have a place to live while the house is under construction. It's also warm and dry, something for which we are thankful.

By the way, did you notice the new header photo? That is the cupola and weather vane on top of the coach house. It really was the horse barn and was converted to a garage and apartment in the mid-1940's. In the distance to the right, you can see our neighbor's barn that hasn't been touched. A little bit of country in town!

Thanks for stopping by! Stay with me...we'll get to the "pretty" pics soon (I hope)!

Thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Metamorphosis Monday! Once I get all of my tableware unpacked I'll be back for Tablescape Thursday as well!


16 comments:

  1. So glad to see the progress. It is coming along nicely.

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  2. So glad to see you back! I was watching a rerun (not yours!) of Bang for Your Buck today and thought of you...seriously...and here you are. It's going to be fantastic when you're done.

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  3. Oh, I'm so excited for you! Your home is going to be wonderful! Now you had better sit down and take care - a baby in two weeks? Oh, I just wish you many blessings - a safe and easy delivery and a healthy bouncing new little one! Your coach house is darling!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. Looking good! No, looking great! Glad you are returning it to it's former self. :)

    And I love the carriage house!

    And in case I haven't said so, congratulations! :)

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  5. What a wonderful and exciting (and sometimes draining) time you will be having. Know that there is an end to it. You are lucky.

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  6. Wow, just great progress - I love the character !
    Kammy

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  7. What fun to bring that house back to its former glory. I look forward to more. Congratulations!

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  8. Erin...this is so exciting! You are living my dream...to move into an old home! Congrats on the baby...what a fun, crazy time in your life...enjoy every single minute of it! :) Love that you are taking the house/porch back to its orginial glory!

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  9. Hi Erin, so nice to meet you and may I first say congrats on the up coming delivery of your new baby!
    Then...I just love this adorable old gal! What a sweet old lady just waiting for somebody to along and put her back together in her former glory with a new porch...amomg many other things from the sounds of it! I have always loved old home but never had the courage to tackle the project!
    I'm now a follower to watch the progress!
    Most sincerely, Terry
    PS I think old door knobs on the shower door would be perfect here!

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  10. Oh Ps, I thought you would like this place if you are ever in Aurora, Oregon. This is where we found many of our salvaged glass door knobs and various other goodies:)

    http://sweetpea-labellavie.blogspot.com/2010/05/wednesday-day-off-part-two.html

    Its a dangerous place:)
    Terry

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  11. Your remodeling looks like it is going well. Keep up the good work.
    Traci

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  12. This is such an exciting project and I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress. It's a gorgeous old house. Wow. And with a new little one you'll have your hands full. Keep us posted when you can and best of luck with the reno. Jane

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  13. you guys are doing such a great job, and i love your choice to restore the porch to its original state. can't wait to see your progress!

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  14. Hi Erin. Lucky you-now you have 2 former owners of your house following your blog! We are all so happy that you're changing the house back to a single family home. Love the pictures. You're making great progress. Also love the header pic. Best of luck with your soon-to-be born little one and good luck with this next winter storm. Keep the pictures coming please! Marge

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  15. Oh what an exciting project !!!! We did a huge reno on our victorian a few years back and we're all adults - can't imagine it with littles !!! You are a brave soul !

    I'm looking forward to coming back to check out the progress.....
    Thanks for sharing,
    gena

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  16. Beautiful house!! I love that you're restoring it to his original glory - wish more folks were doing that!! I'll be back to see your progress.

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