Our 1976 Home Renovation Journey

If these walls could talk, they’d have some serious stories to tell—from the moment we first walked through the door in 2016 to all the ups and downs (and everything in between) of transforming this house into our forever home. Over the years, our 1976 home has seen its fair share of updates, challenges, and moments of pure joy. And now, as the dust (literally!) begins to settle on our biggest renovation yet, I’m beyond excited to pull back the curtain and share where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed.

Back to Where It All Began

When we bought this house back in 2016, it was the smallest home on the block, but we had a vision. Buying this house wasn’t just about where we’d live; it was about creating an opportunity. It wasn’t a fancy house by any means, but it had potential. Our hope was that, with some strategic updates, we could increase its value and build equity as we made it our own.

At first, it was all about cosmetic changes. A little DIY, a lot of Pinterest ideas, and a significant amount of sweat equity went a long way. Truthfully, it was more “lipstick on a pig” than anything else, but hey, it worked for the time being.

The Turning Point

Fast forward to 2020, and we were ready for the next chapter. We started looking for a new place—but as small business owners, our financing situation was… complicated, to say the least. After what felt like endless house tours, failed offers, and mounting frustration, the writing on the wall was clear. If we couldn’t find the home of our dreams, maybe we could turn our current house into it.

That’s when we took the plunge and started seriously considering a full home renovation.

Finding the Right Plan (and the Right Contractor)

We began by meeting with a local contractor. To be transparent, I’m holding off on sharing their name just yet (I’ll tell you why later!) but they were the first people who really listened to us and helped us visualize what was possible.

That said, the process wasn’t exactly smooth. Our initial designs were ambitious to say the least, but it quickly became apparent that we’d be over-investing in our neighborhood. Every area has a “cap”—that tipping point where additional updates don’t translate into added value. Realizing we needed to scale back, we went back and forth on designs… so many times.

By the time we finally settled on a plan, we were feeling hopeful. The new design was everything we wanted it to be but smart and budget-conscious, too. At least, that was the plan…

A Christmas Eve Plumbing Nightmare

Just as we were gearing up for demolition and had 12 people over for Christmas Eve, disaster struck. Our plumbing gave out, and we were faced with a $50,000 repair. Cue the tears.

Our contractors could’ve walked away right then and there, but instead, they worked with us to rethink the plan. Could we stay on track while accommodating this unexpected hit to our budget? With some creative problem-solving, a little scaling back (goodbye, dream finishes), and my promise to make zero changes moving forward, we made it work without having to start from scratch.

The Progress So Far

Fast forward to now, and I’m thrilled with how things are taking shape! We officially broke ground in February, and somehow, we’re both ahead of schedule and under budget. Fingers crossed it stays that way! Here’s what we’ve accomplished so far:

• Exterior Overhaul: Our home’s exterior has had a complete glow-up, with new siding, paint, soffit, gutters (yet to be installed), windows, and even a whole new front-door configuration. Seeing it come together has been surreal.
• Adding Space: We added 500 square feet to the back of the house to create a dreamy primary suite. It’s still under construction, but I can already tell it’s going to be a retreat we’ll love for years to come.
• Landscaping on Pause: While the exterior is almost done, landscaping will have to wait until later.
• Room-by-Room Finishes: Inside, the transformation is starting to take shape. From new layouts to seeing finishes come to life, it’s all starting to feel real.

What’s Next

There’s still a long way to go, but I’m so excited to take you along for the ride. I’ll be sharing room-by-room updates, design choices, budget-saving tips, and lessons learned the hard way. (Trust me, there have been plenty!)

If there’s one thing this renovation has taught me, it’s that home isn’t just about how it looks; it’s about how it feels. And every choice we’ve made has been with the goal of creating a space that feels like us.

Follow Along for the Full Transformation

Whether you’re dreaming about your own renovation, looking for inspiration, or just curious about the process, I’d love for you to follow along. This 1976 house has come a long way, and there’s still so much more to share.

Stay tuned for sneak peeks, renovation tips, and plenty of before-and-after moments. Here’s to turning challenges into opportunities and making this house a home we’ll cherish forever. 💛

Follow the blog for updates on our home renovation—including room reveals, design decisions, and everything in between. ✨