My 2016 House Tour

Welcome, design enthusiasts and fellow home dreamers, to a long-awaited peek into our evolving abode! It feels like just yesterday we first opened our doors to you, sharing the initial ‘before’ glimpses of our Colonial-style home in Richmond, VA. Fast forward nearly three years since our last official house tour, and what a journey it has been! A tremendous amount of love, labor, and thoughtful design decisions have culminated in a truly transformative experience, most notably with the completion of our magnificent kitchen remodel. This isn’t just an update; it’s a celebration of every carefully chosen tile, every stroke of paint, and every dream brought to life within these walls.

Our previous tours offered mere snapshots of a home finding its footing. The one shot seven months after we moved in felt like an introduction to potential, a canvas awaiting its masterpiece. Now, our first floor, in particular, has undergone such a dramatic metamorphosis that it’s almost unrecognizable from those early “before” videos. We’ve poured our hearts into creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also profoundly functional and reflective of our family’s lifestyle. With the kitchen as the radiant new heart of our home, we knew it was the perfect moment to dust off the video camera and invite you on a comprehensive walk-through. Following our tried-and-true method – John expertly filming while I (happily) chat your ear off about every detail – we aim to share the full scope of our progress. Keep an eye out for a couple of frames where a sideways stock photo of a stranger proudly stands in for family pics still on order; her cheerful hat always brings a smile to our faces amidst the chaos of renovation!

The transformation of our first floor stands as a testament to diligent planning and a passion for personalized design. Our newly renovated kitchen, a beacon of modern functionality and style, is undoubtedly the star of this tour. We meticulously considered every element, from the layout designed for seamless entertaining to the selection of durable, elegant materials that would stand the test of time. This space is more than just a place to cook; it’s a hub for family gatherings, morning coffee rituals, and spontaneous celebrations. The bright, airy ambiance and thoughtful storage solutions have completely revolutionized our daily lives, making meal prep a joy and clean-up a breeze. Adjacent to the kitchen, our living room has also seen significant enhancements. The custom built-ins around the doorway not only provide invaluable storage and display space but also add architectural interest and a cozy, lived-in feel to the room. We focused on creating a cohesive flow between these central areas, ensuring that each space complements the next, contributing to an overall sense of harmony and open living. The journey to this point has been filled with countless decisions, big and small, each contributing to the unique character of our home. We hope this downstairs tour provides not just inspiration but also a transparent look at the effort and love poured into making these spaces truly ours.

Experiencing issues viewing the video above? Don’t worry! You might find it easier by clicking directly through to this blog post (some readers like Feedly or Bloglovin’ don’t always display embedded videos). Alternatively, you can effortlessly watch our comprehensive first-floor tour here on YouTube.

As we transition from the meticulously updated first floor, let’s ascend to the second level, where our home’s narrative continues with a mix of completed projects and exciting future endeavors. While not as “finished” as downstairs, the upstairs holds its own charm and significant progress. We’ve dedicated time and effort to various rooms, each step bringing us closer to our ultimate vision. For instance, the upstairs hallway now boasts elegant, fancy molding, a detail that subtly elevates the entire space and creates a sense of classic sophistication. Our son’s room features thoughtful built-ins, maximizing storage and creating a personalized, functional environment for him to grow and play. Similarly, our daughter’s room has undergone a wonderful evolution, reflecting her changing interests and our commitment to creating a space that feels uniquely hers, even with a wall still awaiting its final touches. These areas highlight our ongoing commitment to crafting a home that evolves with our family’s needs and tastes.

Of course, a true home renovation journey is rarely linear, and our upstairs tour frankly showcases some of the “real life” aspects of ongoing projects. As you’ll gather from the video, our to-do list still prominently features two significant bathroom renovations. Our main bathroom, in particular, is a project we anticipate with a mix of excitement and trepidation – hoooo boy, it’s going to be a big one! We envision a serene and spa-like retreat, but getting there will require considerable planning and elbow grease. The hall bath, too, is ripe for a complete overhaul, promising a fresh, modern update. We apologize in advance for some peculiar dark lines that occasionally appear when filming the hall bath; apparently, our camera had a bit of a disagreement with the lighting conditions in there! These future renovations are exciting opportunities for us to infuse more of our personality and functional design into these essential spaces, and we’re eager to share those transformations with you when the time comes. This upstairs tour offers an honest glimpse into the ongoing story of our home, celebrating both the victories and the thrilling challenges that lie ahead.

Experiencing issues viewing the video above? Don’t worry! You might find it easier by clicking directly through to this blog post (some readers like Feedly or Bloglovin’ don’t always display embedded videos). Alternatively, you can effortlessly watch our comprehensive second-floor tour here on YouTube.

We understand that these video tours, as comprehensive as they aim to be, might spark even more questions about specific details, paint colors, or design choices. To further enhance your exploration of our home renovation journey, we’ve curated a comprehensive list of relevant links below. These resources dive deeper into individual projects, offering behind-the-scenes insights, material selections, and step-by-step guides that go beyond what a video can capture. Whether you’re planning your own kitchen overhaul, contemplating built-in solutions, or seeking inspiration for a child’s bedroom, these links are designed to provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

Beyond the project-specific links, we encourage you to delve into our expansive Current House Tour photo gallery. While it’s always a work in progress and needs a few new pictures to reflect our latest updates, it largely remains an up-to-date visual chronicle of our home’s evolution. Here, you’ll discover a treasure trove of before-and-after photos that truly encapsulate the transformative power of home renovation. See how spaces have been reimagined, lightened, and optimized for modern living. For those consistently asking about paint colors, furniture sources, and decor items that catch your eye, our dedicated Shop Our House page is your ultimate guide. It’s meticulously updated to provide all the sourcing information you need for every room, making it easier than ever to recreate elements of our style in your own home. We believe that a well-designed home is within everyone’s reach, and these resources are here to empower your own creative endeavors. From major remodels to the smallest decorative touches, we hope our journey sparks your imagination and provides practical solutions for your own spaces.

  • Our Journey to a Bright White Kitchen: A Comprehensive Remodel
  • Enhancing Our Living Room: Custom Built-Ins Around the Doorway
  • Optimizing Our Workspace: Thoughtful Layout for the Home Office
  • Adding Charm and Safety: Our Stair Runner Installation Project
  • Elevating Our Upstairs Hallway: The Addition of Elegant Molding
  • Personalizing Our Bedroom: Creating a Meaningful Frame Gallery Wall
  • A Creative Solution: Our Bathroom’s “Temporary” Stenciled Floor
  • Maximizing Space: Built-Ins in Our Son’s Bedroom
  • Growing with Style: The Evolution of Our Daughter’s Room Design
  • Unveiling Our Functional Laundry Room: A Complete Makeover
  • From Unused to Unbelievable: Our Bonus Room Reveal

For an even deeper dive into our home’s transformation, remember that comprehensive pictures and intricate details about updating our Living Room, Dining Room, Powder Room, Guest Bedroom, and Hall Bathroom are beautifully captured within the pages of our second book, Lovable Livable Home. It’s a resource packed with inspiration and practical advice for creating spaces you truly adore. And here’s a little bonus for you: the book is currently available at a fantastic 44% off on Amazon, making it the perfect time to grab your copy and embark on your own home improvement journey!