Some would say it originates from watching too many HGTV or DIY channel TV Shows. Others swear it’s driven by a “we’d better do this before we retire because it’s not going to happen afterwards” logic. In any case the clock is ticking and so for the last several years there’s been updates and remodeling to our home.
Our most recent efforts, a very traditional red brick fireplace and oak hutches/bookshelf’s made much more contemporary — fitting better with other updates we’ve done in the house.
What does this have to do with photography you might ask — nothing, except Bonnie requested I capture before and after photos of any renovations and I thought I’d share this one.
The best part of renovations — when they’re done!
What? Ohhhh, I been informed the kitchen now doesn’t go with the rest of the house. :-(
Update Note: On jobs of this size my contribution to insuring they turn out well is to stay our of the way of a local craftsman we hire to do them. I take little credit for this except in making some minor color and design decisions.
Earl, the IF is the crucial word here. Re. the re-doing of a house, my experience is that the “if” never happens. Just when you’ve finished one end, there is that voice from a fairy, asking in all innocence “Don’t you think that…”
Well, you finished that sentence yourself.
Markus, yes, your experience matches mine. But I have to admit for all the inconvenience, disruption and cost of these “projects” I do enjoy the benefits and changes of them when they’re done.
I definitely do not have the home redecorating gene. I think my attempt to redo our master bath sucked the very last DIY chromosome out of me, which makes also very impressed when someone does such a nice job you have done here Earl. I really like the darker toned wood contrasted with the stones in the fireplace. Are you for hire? :-)
Mark, thanks, and while I can do small jobs let me set the record straight — we’ve found and often hire a local craftsman who has his own business to do jobs such as this. I now realize I didn’t make that clear in my post (update note added) but certainly I didn’t mean to imply Bonnie and I had done it all. If it was being done by me it would have taken months and wouldn’t have looked half as nice. :-)
Looking good! Comparing pictures, that’s a nice change. You had to have seen a kitchen remodel coming though. It’s the natural progression of home remodeling. Make sure that before you begin the project you have a slush fund on hand for a few dinners out. If it ends up looking as nice as this room you will be in good shape!
Jeff, that kitchen remodeling is coming but probably not this year and we’ll make sure there is funds for eating out during the extended disruption period. Thanks!
I also find that things get done faster by the local professionals if I don’t help!
Steve, yeah, most professionals want to charge us extra if I try to help! ;-)
Amazing transformation, and the photos are very interesting. I’m seldom tempted to make changes inside the house after the initial changes were made when we moved in. As an outsider I think both before and after rooms look very nice. From experience, I can tell you that kitchen remodeling is not fun (nor inexpensive). Jeff is right about eating out a few (many) nights. Oh, and plan on spending 25% more that you think will get the job done.
Thanks, Ken. Of all the projects the kitchen will be the most disruptive and the one I’m most dreading. It will probably be next year at the earliest…
Hi Earl,
Looks like you moved the saturation slider down about 50% on the living room…
Eric…nice way of putting it, We took down the saturation and removed a lot of red tones out of the room, which no longer went very well with the rest of the house. :-)