Our New Home Journey Begins: An Exclusive Before Tour of Our Colonial Dream House

The long-awaited day has finally arrived, and the excitement is palpable! After what felt like an eternity – a three-month journey filled with anticipation and preparation – Robert and I are thrilled to officially announce that we’ve received the keys to our new home. Moving is always an emotional rollercoaster, but sharing every step of this adventure, from listing our previous house to the joyous closing of this one, has been an incredibly grounding experience. We’ve truly realized the immense blessing of having such a supportive community cheering us on through every twist and turn.

Your outpouring of love, expressed through countless comments, messages, and emails, has meant the world to us throughout this memorable transition. We are so incredibly thankful for each one of you who joined us on this journey. Just yesterday, fresh off our trip from the Lowe’s Spring Makeover in Texas, we held the keys to our future in our hands – a beautiful brick Colonial ready to embark on its next chapter with us.

Welcoming “The Colonial Lady”: Our Vision for a New Chapter

We haven’t settled on a perfect name for her just yet, but yes, our new house already feels like a “her.” She possesses a distinct elegance, a certain ladylike charm. With her stately brick facade and a front door that seems adorned with intricate Celtic jewelry, she truly has a unique personality. Hundreds of design ideas are already swirling through our minds, some earmarked for immediate action, others slated for a “Phase 2” renovation down the road. But one thing is undeniably clear: she boasts magnificent bones.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found a home that has been meticulously maintained throughout its history since being built in 1960. It has even received thoughtful updates over the years, which gives us a fantastic starting point. The potential here is boundless, and I cannot wait to witness the transformative power of even a fresh coat of paint across these rooms. Prepare to be inspired as we unveil the grand “before” tour, showcasing the charm and character that first captured our hearts.

A Glimpse Inside: Our New Home’s Interior Before the Transformation

The Foyer: A Grand Welcome

Stepping into the foyer, one is immediately struck by the undeniable character of this home. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that exquisite crown molding, the delicate ceiling medallion, and those beautifully preserved hardwood floors? These are the kinds of architectural details that were completely absent from our previous home, and I’m practically giddy with excitement over the possibilities they present. It truly feels like a breath of fresh air.

We anticipate an interesting evolution of our design style in this house. While our affection for a warm, inviting farmhouse aesthetic will certainly remain, this isn’t the kind of home where we’ll be covering walls with shiplap. Our aim is to thoughtfully blend our established style with the inherent elegance of this Colonial, creating something we describe as “modern traditional.” It’s about celebrating and enhancing the house’s existing beauty, rather than concealing it. Our immediate plans for this welcoming space include a lighter, neutral paint palette to brighten the area, sourcing a charming entry table, and updating the chandelier to a more fitting semi-flush mount, as the current fixture feels a touch too low when entering.

Looking ahead, a significant “Phase 2” project we envision is opening up a portion of this stairway wall to connect more seamlessly with the dining room. Imagine the potential for an open, airy flow that dramatically increases natural light throughout both spaces. It promises to be utterly transformational, a magical enhancement to the home’s overall ambiance.

Seriously, picture the flood of natural light that would pour into these areas if that wall were opened up. It would instantly create a brighter, more expansive feel, truly unlocking the home’s full potential and offering a stunning visual connection between the entrance and formal dining area. This vision drives many of our future plans for the space.

The Dining Room: A Bold Statement Awaits

The dining room offers an exciting opportunity to explore a design aesthetic entirely new to us. I’m eager to break away from previous styles and infuse this space with a dramatic, sophisticated flair. My current vision includes painting the walls a deep, moody charcoal gray above the chair rail, complemented by crisp white paneling below. This striking contrast will provide an elegant backdrop. Additionally, we plan to refresh or completely replace the existing chandelier with a more contemporary piece and swap out the formal curtains for something lighter and more casual, allowing more natural light to filter in and creating an inviting atmosphere for both everyday meals and special gatherings.

The Kitchen: Modern Foundations, Future Personal Touches

Oh, the sheer joy of already having white cabinets in the kitchen! This is a tremendous head start, truly a blessing that saves us a significant amount of effort and budget. While the space is already quite renovated, there are still several thoughtful updates we’d like to implement to truly make it ours. Our plans include removing the valance above the window and replacing it with a textured shade, or perhaps leaving the window entirely open to maximize natural light. We also aim to update the lighting fixtures, replace the backsplash for a fresh look, and remove the decorative arch/shamrock cut-outs on the built-in shelves to achieve a cleaner, more contemporary aesthetic. Down the road, we might even consider painting the lower cabinets a contrasting color or updating the flooring, but for now, we’re immensely grateful for this functional and aesthetically pleasing foundation.

The Breakfast Nook: Cozy Charm in Progress

This little breakfast nook has me feeling both excited and a touch stumped at the moment, but I’m confident we’ll craft a truly inviting space. I recently stumbled upon the most adorable antique farm table that will be perfect for this area, bringing a touch of rustic charm. My current thoughts also lean towards replacing the existing light fixture with a stylish lantern pendant to add character and warmth. A larger vision involves swapping out the current back door and the laundry room door with matching antique wood ones. This small change would instantly inject a dose of vintage appeal and architectural interest, tying the space together beautifully.

The Laundry Room: Function Meets Style

One immediate advantage of this new home is the sheer abundance of storage in the laundry room – significantly more than our last house, which is a huge win for functionality! While it’s already practical, I have aspirations to reconfigure certain elements in here eventually. My goal is to not only enhance its aesthetic appeal, making it a more pleasant space to be in, but also to ensure it remains supremely functional for our family’s needs. Think smart storage solutions and perhaps a refreshed color palette to brighten the daily routine of laundry.

The Living Room: Bathed in Light, Brimming with Potential

This room, without a doubt, was the ultimate selling point for me when we first toured the house. The magnificent French doors, stretching across entire walls, flood the space with an incredible amount of natural light throughout the morning. It’s a truly breathtaking feature that promises endless warmth and cheer. The sheer volume of sunlight streaming in creates an inviting and vibrant atmosphere that we immediately fell in love with.

This living room is slated to be one of our very first renovation projects. Our vision includes painting the walls a very light, airy shade to amplify the natural brightness, and either painting the French doors a sophisticated black or opting for a rich wood finish to add contrast and warmth. We’ll also be swapping out the current ceiling fan for one that better aligns with our aesthetic. The prominent brick fireplace will undergo a transformation with either a white wash or a German smear technique, lightening its appearance while preserving its texture. Eventually, we dream of adding a couple of rustic wood beams to the ceiling, which would introduce incredible architectural character and a sense of cozy grandeur to this already stunning space. These changes will undoubtedly create a welcoming and stylish central gathering point for our family and guests.

The Playroom: A Central Hub for Little Ones

Having a fireplace in a playroom certainly adds an interesting design challenge, but this space proved to be the absolute best location to corral all of Olivia’s toys. Its central position on the lower level means I can easily see and hear her from the kitchen, living room, and my office, providing peace of mind while she plays. This room will truly be the heart of her imaginative adventures, and we’re excited to make it both functional and fun.

Our plans for this space include removing the non-functional doors on either side of the fireplace, which will allow us to install tall, light-enhancing windows, bringing in even more natural light. We also intend to remove the existing floating cabinet from the wall. In its place, we envision building custom, built-in shelving units. These will provide ample, organized storage for Olivia’s toys and books, ensuring the playroom remains tidy while fostering a creative and inspiring environment for her to grow and play.

The Powder Room: A Pop of Personality

While I appreciate the spirit of Clemson, the current vibrant orange in the powder room will definitely be making an exit. This small but impactful space presents a wonderful opportunity for a bold design statement. My “crazy” idea, which I’m quite enthusiastic about, is to introduce a beautifully patterned wallpaper. A carefully chosen design would add incredible depth, texture, and a unique personality to this room, making it a delightful surprise for guests. We’re excited to experiment with a more dynamic and sophisticated aesthetic here.

The Office: A Dedicated Creative Hub

After much deliberation, Robert and I decided it was high time I had a dedicated office space. This room will officially become the creative sanctuary where I write for our blog, plan projects, and generally immerse myself in all things design. (Though, let’s be honest, it will also occasionally double as a prime spot for Netflix binging—balance is key!). Our plans for this important room include painting the walls a fresh, inspiring color, and I’m keen to keep the existing chandelier because I truly adore its elegant shape; a fresh coat of paint will bring it new life. We’ll also be swapping out the current curtains for lighter, more flowy ones to enhance the room’s airiness and designing some clever storage solutions to keep everything organized and conducive to productivity.

Olivia’s Bedroom: A Little Girl’s Purple Dream

Olivia has very clearly expressed her desire to keep her room purple, and as any parent knows, when a child is set on a design choice, it’s best to embrace it! So, her room will likely remain its charming shade of purple for the foreseeable future. Our immediate plans are relatively simple: we might switch out the current light fixture for one that better suits her growing style and add some lovely curtains to enhance the room’s coziness. Beyond that, we’re happy to let her enjoy her purple sanctuary. A child who knows what she wants? I certainly can’t argue with that confident vision!

The Flexible Room: Guest Bedroom / Man Cave / Future Nursery

This particular room is currently our wild card – a space with endless possibilities that we haven’t quite defined yet. Robert is keen on having a dedicated “man cave,” a space just for him to unwind and pursue his hobbies. At the same time, we definitely need a comfortable guest bedroom to accommodate visitors. And who knows, life sometimes surprises you, so it’s also a potential candidate for a nursery down the line, should our family grow. For now, it’s a blank canvas, allowing us the flexibility to adapt it as our needs evolve.

The Upstairs Bathroom: A Pop of Color for Olivia and Guests

This upstairs bathroom will primarily serve as Olivia’s space, so our design plan involves infusing it with a touch of feminine charm while ensuring it remains perfectly suitable and welcoming for guests, much like we did in our previous home. Given the abundance of beige currently dominating the room, I’m particularly eager to introduce some much-needed color and contrast. This will not only brighten the space but also create a more vibrant and inviting atmosphere. We’ll carefully select a palette that feels fresh and playful for Olivia yet sophisticated enough for any visitor.

Additional Guest Bedroom: Smart Space Solutions

For this additional guest bedroom, we’re already contemplating a clever space-saving solution: a Murphy bed. Installing a Murphy bed with integrated shelving on the far wall would provide comfortable sleeping arrangements for guests while maximizing floor space when not in use. This flexibility is particularly appealing if we ultimately decide to relocate Robert’s “man cave” office into this room, allowing it to efficiently serve a dual purpose without feeling cramped. It’s all about creating versatile, functional spaces that adapt to our family’s needs.

The Master Bedroom: Crafting Our Retreat

Our master bedroom in this new home presents a unique design challenge, as it’s a bit smaller than our previous one. This means we’ll need to be strategic with furniture placement and layout to ensure it feels like a spacious and serene retreat. One non-negotiable update is swapping out the current light fixture for a ceiling fan – that’s just how we operate for comfort! Beyond that, I’m captivated by the idea of adding some charming, unique detail to the ceiling. We’re still mulling over various concepts, perhaps a subtle texture, a decorative treatment, or even a statement molding, to elevate the room’s aesthetic and make it truly special.

The Master Bathroom: A Long-Term Vision for Functionality

Honestly, the master bathroom is currently my least favorite room in the entire house. Its existing layout doesn’t quite align with optimal functionality, but I remain hopeful for its future. Our long-term vision involves a more significant overhaul, potentially moving elements around to create a far more efficient and aesthetically pleasing space. For now, our immediate plans focus on cosmetic improvements that will make a big difference. We intend to replace the dated shower door, paint the cabinets for a fresh look, and update the floors to breathe new life into the room. These initial steps will certainly enhance its appeal until we’re ready for a more comprehensive renovation.

Beyond the Interiors: Exterior Plans and Immediate Priorities

Our vision for this home extends far beyond its interiors. We have ambitious plans for the exterior as well, including the exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking!) possibility of painting the brick to update its look. However, before we dive into the more glamorous aesthetic changes, we’re tackling some essential, albeit less thrilling, foundational projects. Replacing the water heater and upgrading the HVAC system are top priorities to ensure our home is comfortable and efficient for years to come. These crucial improvements lay the groundwork for everything else we hope to achieve. (If you missed our initial full exterior tour, you can catch all the details here.)

Over the next few weeks, our focus will be intensely on painting and completing as many initial renovations as possible before we officially move in. We are incredibly grateful for my parents, who are graciously putting up with us as we “invade” their home during this transition period. Their support means we can tackle a significant portion of the work efficiently. We promise to share every step of these exciting changes with you, along with exclusive sneak peeks on Instagram. If this house turns out even half as beautiful as the vision I hold in my head, it will be absolutely breathtaking. We’re ready for this new adventure!