We got right to work, our first few days here. In fact, the morning our tenant moved out, Andy was in the attic before the sun peeked over the saddle. And he pretty much stayed in the attic for two solid days, threading wire through holes and hoisting up a sagging ceiling. It’s all magic to me.
Our house has pretty good guts but the style is very much not ours. Lots of brass, carpet (inside and out) heavy window treatments, fake tile, floral wallpaper, ceilings with frosting texture, walls that match my pasty Montana winter flesh…
Oh how I want to get in there and start yanking up carpet and painting over dingy beige and sage! Andy, in all of his wise practicality, wants to leave the carpets down to function as a giant drop cloth. Next week, our walls will be retextured, the next we’ll paint and the next the carpet can come up. Seriously, how am I supposed to wait that long to reveal the hard wood treasure?! I settled on bathroom wallpaper removal.
Behold our bathroom, a floral vinyl explosion:
It was super satisfying, especially when I got hold and peeled that bitch off in a big chunk.
For wallpaper removal: I used a 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water in a spray bottle. I let it sit for a few minutes and then peeled and scraped.
Once the wallpaper was down, I spontaneously decided to take a crowbar to the vinyl wall. Fear my crowbar face.
I will continue to post home renovation photos and other riveting images to instagram. I’m @nicirae.
And, the last few stages:
What would you do with this bathroom? What color for the walls? Vanity? Fixtures? Shower stall? Do tell. Oh, I am busting at the seams with images and stories I want to share here. I plan to post more regularly on dig.
In other weekending, we got to know our new place. We like it here.
:: First coffee.
:: Bed in the sunroom.
:: First breakfast.
:: First dinner guests and COOKING in a functioning kitchen!
:: Enjoying.
:: So so many lists.
:: Watching storms roll in and out from the deck off the living room.
:: Sharing meals on that same deck.
:: Rainy afternoon movie watching in the girls’ room.
That night — the one where I lugged the mattress up the hill and into the sunroom — we laid there, all four of us, eye level with mountains. Everyone fell fast asleep and I listened to the roaring creek and all was so good. My daughters were curled into each other under the watchful moonlight, Ruby laying on Margot’s arm. Lately, I swell with love over their relationship. Those two have walked through all the change and tumult of the last six months, hand-in-hand. I wrote a bit about it in this week’s mama digs: together.
54 Comments
So exciting to see a glimpse of your new life in your new abode. Cheers to starting with the room that begins and ends each day. Maybe I’ll send you the cutest island toothbrush holder as a home-warming gift when that floral wallpaper border and vinyl tile has turned to pop of color and hip mama design.
And, man, those girls are freakin’ adorable.
I can’t wait to see what you make of it!
i’ve been waiting all day to see how the house was coming and whether u moved in. It looks fantastic!!!!
Enjoy!!!
For me my home is the center point of our lives. Not center in importance but center in that it is where “our world” springs from and returns to. It is our safe haven, where we are comfortable.
How exciting to carve out your own place, your own style.
Like starting with a blank canvas and letting art bloom.
SO MUCH FUN! can’t wait to see what you do with it!
The place looks great! You and your girls know how to liven up the space.
My husband and I recently redid the bathroom : knocked down some walls, put new studs, put a tub surround, some new walls and tiled the floor… a lot of work but so worth it when you have girls in the house.
I am also moving in the next month to a new state. Cant wait to see you live it up in the new digs!!
Your demolition face is awesome. Your house has awesome windows- but I’m curious to see what you do with the one in the shower. Enhace? Cover up? We are gutting our bathroom in the next year and I’m perplexed about the in-shower window. Happy dwelling!
We are near the end of 4 years renovating our family home…. I’m so so proud of what we achieved. Good luck!!!
p.s. Do your girls fight? I hope so, I always read about them and sigh because my two wee fellas play-fight-play-fight….
Love the crowbar face! I’m so excited to see what you do with this space…
Maggie, I love that window and it doesn’t need covering for privacy because there is a big ol’ tree there. As far as water on wood, it seems high enough to not get very wet at all when showering. Andy still thinks we need to do something…but I really don’t want to cover it up! What have you discovered?
Sarah, oh yes of course. They are human beings with all kinds of raw, real, honest energy. 😉 In last week’s mama digs, I wrote about the road trip arguments and yelling in case you want to read about that part of our lives!
A four year renovation! Yeah, awesome. Would love to see pics?
Nici
I completely understand your sentiments regarding wallpaper. I detest it. It should be outlawed.
Now, to more fun stuff. Love the floors, can’t wait to see all the upgrades. Check out YoungHouseLove if you are so inclined. They have been remolding for years and maybe it will spark some ideas.
Jenn
PS – Got my pictures from SmugMug, They are perfect. They make me happy. Thanks!
Teresa, Amen sister. I feel that way about my home too. Which is why I needed to move in. Even if only a little bit.
Oh man, I didn’t know there was a brass, vinyl and carpet removal party coming. Glad you guys are game for the challenge. Look forward to more fierce Nici faces.
xo
Rachel
how does it feel to be showered by a penis? you funny girl:)
ahem, roaring creek???
please tell more about this!
We are redoing our playroom as we speak, and its been many months of doing it “on the side” so I am ready for atleast this room to be done!
I have reserved one wall to be done entirely in the chalk paint and now that I’be read the label I’m a tad nervous. Did you find it a problem when painting? How about when you moved, did you paint over it when you left?? I was so excited about their chalk wall but husband’s nervous worry is rubbing off on me and I could use some insight from someone who has done it.
We are redoing our playroom as we speak, and its been many months of doing it “on the side” so I am ready for atleast this room to be done!
I have reserved one wall to be done entirely in the chalk paint and now that I’be read the label I’m a tad nervous. Did you find it a problem when painting? How about when you moved, did you paint over it when you left?? I was so excited about their chalk wall but husband’s nervous worry is rubbing off on me and I could use some insight from someone who has done it.
tearing up. it all sounds so lovely. we’re living amidst the crazy chaos of remodeling all while attempting to sell our house.
oh how those words eat at my heart. but i need more of something. and i haven’t figured out yet if that means more of outside or more of inside.
or both. or what it is. but i know that it will speak to me when i find it.
i just wish it had been that original lake homestead home built in 1900 that would have spoke to me a little more. oh the gorgeousness of it.
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE MORE OF THE WAYS YOU MAKE IT YOURS!!
Love this! Can’t wait to follow along on your reno!
Your bathroom looks about the same size/layout as one of ours. Ours is painted a bright apple green and we LOVE it! Totally opens up the space and it just makes you feel happy. We complement it with bright orange towels. 🙂 Here’s an old blog post with some crappy pics of it (it’ll give ya an idea maybe) – http://www.dreamstodo.com/2011/01/blank-canvas.html
🙂
Awesome effort! You’ve already made a good chunk into the renovations. FUN TIMES!
I can’t wait to watch the memories you make with your family in this new home….new adventure!
x
http://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/
I can feel your excitement and can’t wait to read more about making your new home yours!
ha. you said penis. which is very accurate. looking forward to seeing you whip the place into shape!
So excited to see what you do with the place!
And wow… I must say, Ruby is just looking so big these days!
So fun to see this space beginning to unfold. The bathroom – I’m seeing glossy, colorful subway tile. Light and bright. Lovin’ all that you’ve pinning on Pinterest, too.
i love to see you creating … but i also love your slippers in “first coffee” … who/what are they? cheers to change!
Yay for demolishing ugly & making the space your own! Love seeing the good bones & can’t wait to watch the process. Love that you brought the mattress upstairs – totally something I would do. And whole family bundled together… sounds delicious.
The girls faces in the lightening watching photo are priceless!!!
Happy new home!
Kate
I’m thinking that you need to convert a mason jar into a dispenser – one of those old blue jars. 🙂 And you need bold color. Orange, yellow. Something like vintage meets bold. I’m a huge fan of mixing old and new.
For the window, how about a frosted window design? You could draw your own design and then have a local company cut it for you out of Vinyl. Installation is easy seeing that the space isn’t too huge. A balance of art, your creativity, and an uncovered window.
Oh seriously so excited for you and the adventure of it all. We’ve renovated 10 apartment units and our current abode. And I love having vision and then seeing spaces transform.
Peace, crow bars, and maybe a sledge hammer of happiness to all of you.
-Jennifer
OHHH, what is that salad?!?! It looks SO good! I can’t wait to watch this transformation. I’m itching to do some painting and home redoing, but it’s not in my immediate future. I’ll just have to live through you.
Hot tears streaking my face.
I recently suffered an injury that will have my left leg in a cast until late August.
As I read about you lugging a mattress up a hill and tearing it up in the bathroom, I vow to never again take for granted the use of all 4 of my limbs.
Trying so hard not to get depressed, so I look forward to many updates on your renovation. (no pressure 🙂
*I think yellow is a happy color. And bright white, too (but not TOO much white).
So exciting for you! There is nothing better than getting in there & making it your own. Two years in & I’m still compiling lists of things I want to do to make this home of mine better. There is no place else in the world I’d rather be, no where else I’d rather return to…so happy to hear you’ll be posting more regularly. Love your words & pics.
Good luck mama on those new digs!
just love those last two photos of you and your girls. beautiful!
super impressive to me that you guys are doing all the fixer work yourselves! a disclaimer is that i was equally impressed that leeor fixed the magnet on our shower door–we are not such handy people.
i love the story of evolution happening at your place!
xo!
So happy and excited for you! Your new place looks amazing. The views from those full length windows? Spectacular. What a gorgeous place for your girls to grow up in.
If you need some screening for privacy over windows – check out this http://www.2jane.com/collections/window-film-by-emma-jeffs, they are window stickers – I saw them in use here http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/06/my-home-doors-before-after.html
Personally I am a big fan of white bathrooms but if using tiles grey grout as much easier to clean. Then you can change the who,e mood with towels etc.
Have fun
Ha! Of course you moved in! Of course you ripped and tore! Who seriously thought you’d stay downstairs!? Love it, hon. More power to you. xoxo
Ha! I read this and immediately showed my husband saying, “Look! They think they’re *just* going to do a little re-painting and re-flooring too!” Ha. That’s what we said last summer. Turns out, it’s a pretty big project, but we got it done (we replaced vinyl with tile, carpet with hickory, among many other things. Bathrooms still have their ugly mirrors…we’re thinking on that one.) Though I will say, 20 miles between our rental and our new home *did* keep us from moving in too early : ) Can’t wait to see more.
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!
I can’t wait to see the transformation in person….37 days and counting!
What a perfect view from your sun room, I remember many Missoula mornings & evenings snuggled in the hub of those 5 valleys….so happy you live there.
As for the bath, remember the very cool, clean & crisp bath at the guest house of Patsy’s we stayed at during your wedding? I so want to duplicate it some day….pure white bead board from floor to center wainscoting, above it the most beautiful blue…I know she said the paint was a Ralph Lauren and did’nt she say she always leaves out the tint of black or did she say she added it? If you get a chance go visit that wonderful lady and ask to take a peek. LOVE the window in there; shower with a view! Shower stalls are nice, but a bitch to keep clean, I am sure there are great improvements since I last had one, sometimes I like the look of beautiful fabric curtain, which also “hides” a tub/shower and the liner can easily be washed or changed out. What ever you do I know it will reflect your love and style!
Facts: My granddaughters are gorgeous, my son-n-law is magical….and you, so love that crowbar face!
Love to all!
xoxo, Mom
ps…I forgot to add, I was just in a house lately that had the coolest Mirrored Medicine Cabinet, they have some really neat ones out there…just a thought for bathroom storage before you cover up that hole ;o)!
xo
The Popes:
It is a fried rice sort of thing: I sauteed carrots, broccoli, mushrooms and onions in olive oil. Then I added cooked white rice, cubed tofu and more oil and soy sauce and fried it all together, stirring delicately so as to not smush the rice. Stirred in a few scrambled eggs. Topped with bean sprouts.
This is going to be so fun to watch! I don’t know you, but I love your style, your ambition, your spunk and creativity. You go girl!!! On with your dreams!
I’m perplexed about our window. It doesn’t get too wet, but I do see water in the track. And it seems to get scummy in the corners- but we have hard water. I don’t want to cover it up because it allows so much light in such a small space-but something needs to change. Let me know what you decide to do!
I have an overflow of ideas from our own upcoming renovation, so I’m happy to geek out about bathrooms…I am IN LOVE with these cement tiles:
http://www.granadatile.com
I want to do all the surfaces of our bathroom with them: floor, wall, shower wall. This company offers custom colors (!!!!) and you can play with color combos on their websites. Yes, I got lost for hours. Anyhow, you could do amazing colorful tiles and then choose one color from the tiles to paint the vanity (if you are keeping it).
oh, I forgot: these is a bathroom in this post that uses some of that cement tile:
http://momfilter.com/house-tours/at-home-with-the-nicks
Thats where I first fell in love with it! Their bathroom is, um, a little larger that yours (and ours), but it gives you a good idea of how amazing it is.
Thanks for the fried rice recipe above!
We are at the end of a major bathroom renovation, & it’s a huge project but well worth it! We did the floating glass shower doors with light green glass 2X2 tiles in the shower, & then 2X4 white subway tiles from the floor to 4 ft high on the walls of the bathroom, & grey hex tiles on the floor. We got all the tile at Home Depot & it was very reasonably priced. We did the work ourselves which I’d imagine you will do too, & it turned out great! Will you keep the existing blue tile floor in the bath? If so, I think that white tile or beadboard up the walls halfway would look nice. I personally would want to replace the vanity, or maybe look at repainting it & getting a different top. I like your mom’s idea for a mirrored medicine cabinet over the sink. THen maybe if you just regrout the white tile in the shower, get a super nice shower head, & a fun curtain it would look nice & fresh for not much money. Then I’d paint the wall a really nice & bright color. Good luck! Renovations are always a lot of work but so much fun! I love home projects. I know you guys will make this lovely house a gorgeous home!
I’m so excited for you, Nici! As far as bathroom decorating goes, I recommend going bold with color! This is one of the few rooms that is small enough that you could pick something that would be over-the-top in another room. Also keep in mind how the color looks against your skin, since you’ll be seeing it framing your face in the mirror every day.
Have fun!
,,,oh so wonderful to see the transformations take place!,,,
How exciting for your sweet family. i can’t wait to watch the transformation take place in the coming months. Best of luck.
We’re on the verge of a full bathroom remodel, too, so I feel you on the WANTING TO DO THIS NOW!
The fact that you can fall asleep to the roar of the river sounds absolutely divine. What an awesome place you’re creating for Home.
Bathroom suggestion: get a curved shower curtain bar….it adds so much room in the tub during a shower but doesn’t intrude into your space!
Could you use sheet metal as a shower surround? We’ve used it several places in our house and are about to use it to enclose our outdoor shower. It would be the perfect compliment to your amazing fence.
I’m thrilled for you. Thrilled, I say! Also, vinyl flowers bring out your eyes.
Hooray, so glad you’re in the new house!! We’ve been reading your blog now since Ruby was very wee – Happy Housewarming, from your loyal readers in Ontario!!!
I guess we’re lucky as we started with a clean slate by building. We have windows in both our showers on purpose. The builders put waterproofing behind and tiled the window sill, we do have aluminium windows though. We wipe the sill down religiously after each shower though. I love being able to look outside. We still went for a simple white tile, we’re both into a fairly clean, minamalist style. Recently a national magazine got in touch and wanted to do a photo shoot, after a few emails I realised she thought we hadn’t finished decorating, she wanted to know where the pictures, artwork and furniture was (not sure where she thought that was going to go), at first I was a bit pissed off, I patiently explained we were inspired by the Scandinavian country/shaker style, and that with so many windows taking our views we don’t want to clutter up our home. She didn’t see how the outside should affect the inside of our home. In the end I was glad when she gave me an excuse as to why they wouldn’t be coming. My home is exactly what we want. We have taken what we like from other homes and copied it. It may not appeal to everyone, but you know what, I don’t mind. I’m sure your new home will reflect you and Andy.
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love that last photo, the wide-eyed wonder on each of your faces!