The journey of transforming our Florida house into a dream home is progressing beautifully, and the excitement is palpable! While we haven’t had the pleasure of witnessing these incredible changes in person yet, we’re thrilled to share an exclusive update, courtesy of our dedicated contractor. For the past two months, they’ve been working tirelessly, sending us glimpses of the ongoing renovation. Please understand if some images appear a little blurry or don’t perfectly align with our “before” shots – every picture is a treasure to us! We’re counting down the days until we finally move in (fingers crossed for sometime next week, though an exact date is still elusive) when we promise to inundate you with an abundance of high-quality photos and videos. Your patience will be richly rewarded!
Today, we’re diving deep into the significant strides made across five distinct areas of the house that you first encountered in our initial “before” tour. (And yes, we’ve saved our absolute favorite transformation for last!). If you haven’t yet explored the original “before” photos or video tour, we highly recommend doing so first; it will provide crucial context and make this update much more impactful.
It’s important to note that our new home won’t be entirely finished by the time we move in. The initial phase of renovations has primarily focused on achieving a “livable” state – addressing critical elements like ensuring a functioning HVAC system, repairing plumbing so toilets flush properly, and patching up floor holes. Along the way, an unexpected discovery of old water damage necessitated replacing all the drywall downstairs. We embraced this challenge as an opportune moment to implement strategic “makes-sense-while-the-house-is-torn-apart” upgrades. This included adding numerous recessed lights to our kitchen and vaulting the ceilings in both kids’ bedrooms, seizing the moment while everything was already exposed.
Kitchen Transformation: From Outdated to Open Concept
The kitchen has undergone a dramatic metamorphosis since we captured those “before” photos in early February. We’ve always been proponents of a “phase 1” kitchen remodel, focusing on strategic updates that maximize impact without immediate, full-scale demolition. Our current approach involves working with the existing layout, appliances, and lower cabinets, allowing us to live in the space and truly understand its rhythm before committing to a more extensive and costly renovation down the line.
For this crucial first phase, our main goals were to open up the space and enhance its brightness. This meant decisively removing the bulky soffit, the oppressive upper cabinets, and the dated peninsula. These decisions were perfectly timed with the necessity of reconfiguring the HVAC system, replacing all the downstairs drywall, and repairing the flooring. A humorous, yet critical, discovery reinforced our choices: we had initially hoped the existing flooring might extend under the peninsula. To our surprise, it absolutely did not! This meant our floor patching efforts were truly essential, not just cosmetic.
Here’s a closer look at how we tackled some of the biggest challenges in this room, paving the way for a more functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen:
- Soffit Elimination for Enhanced Ceiling Height: The removal of the kitchen soffit was a game-changer. This heavy bulkhead, which housed the HVAC ducting, was successfully dismantled. We were able to reroute the ductwork into the walls – a task significantly simplified by the fact that we were already overhauling the entire HVAC system and replacing all the drywall. The result is a dramatically taller, more expansive feeling in the kitchen.
- A Brighter, More Inviting Ambiance: To combat the kitchen’s previously dim lighting, we strategically installed six new recessed can lights. These modern fixtures provide abundant, even illumination, transforming the room’s atmosphere. Additionally, we cleared overgrown brush from outside the windows, allowing natural sunlight to stream in freely, further brightening the space.
- Smooth Ceilings: A Welcome Upgrade: One unexpected silver lining from the discovery that all downstairs drywall needed replacement was the opportunity to eliminate the textured popcorn ceilings. We opted for smooth, contemporary ceilings, contributing to a cleaner, more refined aesthetic throughout the kitchen and beyond.
On a lighter note, removing the upper cabinets unveiled a fascinating layer of lavender, almost mauve-ish paint underneath – a color that perfectly matched the existing laminate countertops. We couldn’t help but laugh imagining this kitchen decked out entirely in that specific hue back in the day!
After the installation of those six new recessed lights and the fresh drywall, the kitchen began to take shape (as you can see, this image captures it mid-floor-patching). While photos can only convey so much, our contractor’s FaceTime tours vividly illustrate just how incredibly brighter the space has become – it’s a truly remarkable difference!
For perspective, let’s revisit the before shot. This image, predictably, was taken on one of the darkest, rainiest days – a strange tradition of ours when house hunting, which you can read more about here. We are confident that once light paint graces the walls and the floors are completely refinished, this kitchen will truly embody the light and airy aesthetic we envisioned.
We’ll personally complete the final touches of this “phase 1” kitchen remodel ourselves, which includes painting the existing cabinets, installing functional shelving for storage and display, and implementing an interim solution to improve the countertop situation. With the kitchen well underway, let’s shift our focus to a different, equally exciting transformation: our new master bedroom.
Our Serene Master Bedroom: A Strategic Relocation
You might recall our ambitious plan to reconfigure the layout by closing off a portion of the wall between the kitchen and the former formal living room. This strategic move is paving the way for the creation of our new master bedroom. This particular space proved to be the ideal location for our private sanctuary for several compelling reasons: it naturally accommodates the addition of an ensuite bathroom, allows us to remain on the same floor as our children, and, perhaps most enticingly, offers the promise of waking up to the beautiful view through a wall of French doors.
To realize this vision, the crucial step involved closing off that five-foot wide opening that previously connected the two rooms. This new solid wall serves a dual purpose: it creates a much-needed dedicated wall within the bedroom, perfectly sized to accommodate our bed and two nightstands. Here’s a more recent view, showcasing this significant structural change.
The image above also offers a clearer perspective on how this reconfiguration creates ample space for a cozy living or seating area directly in front of the kitchen zone. While it’s challenging to accurately gauge scale from furniture-less photos, Sherry previously conducted helpful demonstrations in our current home, comparing room sizes and even showcasing our preliminary ideas for the downstairs living area (these were shared on our IG profile page, look for the “FL house” circle). It truly highlights that this redesigned space offers much more than just a kitchen; it’s a versatile living hub.
Let’s revisit what that former opening looked like from within the bedroom itself. You can see the double doors on the right side of the photo below, which are destined to become the entrance to our much-anticipated ensuite bathroom.
While I don’t have an exactly comparable “after” angle, here’s a progress shot illustrating the closing of that wall. Though it might be subtle in the image, this construction effectively creates a standard doorway on the opposite side, which will serve as the main entrance to our new master suite. And, significantly, this also means the disappearance of that peculiar triangular post with an attached mirror – a design relic we’re happy to bid farewell to.
Rest in peace, little angled reflective spot for outfit checks – your days of service are over.
For a side-by-side comparison, here’s another view of the room with the wall now fully closed off. Noticeable too are the freshly sanded floors, which are halfway done and already looking remarkably better, hinting at the warmth and beauty they’ll bring to the space.
Now, let’s move on to an area that generated considerable interest and numerous questions after our initial post filled with “before” shots – the relocated laundry zone.
The Efficient Laundry Nook: A Smart Relocation
A key decision in our renovation plan was the relocation of the laundry area. The original hook-ups were situated in what is now becoming our son’s bedroom, an impractical arrangement. Both of us strongly prefer side-by-side appliances over stackables, primarily for the valuable counter space they provide for folding and sorting. Early in the planning stages, our attention was drawn to an oddly deep closet located at the bottom of the stairs. This closet, it’s worth noting, featured a very peculiar pass-through directly into our daughter’s bedroom – imagine the surprise if someone mistook it for a coat closet or powder room and inadvertently walked into her private space!
Again, judging scale without furniture can be tricky, but our precise measurements confirmed that this space offered more than enough room for side-by-side washer and dryer units, with ample additional space to spare! Transforming this closet into our dedicated laundry nook became an absolute no-brainer. It was the perfect solution to a significant functional challenge.
In this demolition photo, you can clearly see the early stages of this transformation: the doorway has been widened to accommodate the new appliances, and all the necessary hook-ups for the washer and dryer have been installed. Crucially, you can also observe the framing we added along the back wall. This new structure effectively blocks the former pass-through, eliminating access to this closet from our daughter’s room. She will, of course, have a much more conventional and private closet solution in her bedroom.
And here it is, halfway through the drywall installation, truly beginning to resemble a functional space.
Finally, observe the laundry area as of about a week ago, with the new doors newly installed. Doesn’t it look fantastic? Perhaps we’re just major “laundry nook nerds,” but we’re incredibly excited about this functional and aesthetically pleasing addition!
This new laundry nook will bear a strong resemblance to the laundry area in our first house – a compact yet efficient space featuring a generous counter for folding and ample storage above. The added benefit this time is that everything will be neatly concealed behind actual doors, elevating both the function and aesthetics. We envision storing a variety of items in upper cabinets or on shelves behind these doors, similar to our previous setup here.
Mindful of our daughter’s comfort, we also took the proactive step of adding extra insulation to the back wall. This is designed to help dampen any potential laundry noise that might carry into her room. While it may not be a foolproof solution, and we might still need to consciously avoid late-night laundry sessions, perhaps that’s a beneficial lifestyle goal we should strive for regardless!
We acknowledge that transitioning from our current dedicated laundryroom to a laundry closet might be perceived by some as a “downgrade.” However, for us, this is a concession we happily embrace as part of our overall downsizing and relocation journey. This new home and its vibrant location offer a myriad of perks and advantages we didn’t have before, making this particular trade-off feel perfectly fine and aligned with our lifestyle goals.
The Bathroom: From Non-Functional to Fresh and Tiled
You may vividly recall that when we purchased the house, there was only one bathroom, and it was completely non-functional. To be precise, no water could enter or leave the house due to numerous active plumbing leaks and a fully failed septic tank – which explains why the toilet was conspicuously taped off in our initial walkthrough photos. Over the past two months since closing, we achieved a significant victory: successfully connecting the house to the municipal sewer system (hooray for no more septic! You can learn more about that monumental effort here). We knew from the outset that we had no choice but to undertake a significant overhaul of this bathroom to address its severe leaking issues. Naturally, just to keep things interesting, this room decided to throw a few more curveballs our way.
Our initial assessment led us to believe that the fix might be relatively simple, perhaps just replacing the vanity. The old one had completely rotted through due to prior water damage and had already been removed. However, as is often the case with older homes, the scope of work quickly escalated from there.
Given that the original flooring did not extend underneath where the vanity once stood, we initially planned to tackle the retiling ourselves as a straightforward weekend project during spring break. However, the global pandemic intervened, and our spring break plans evaporated. Consequently, we wisely entrusted this project to our contractor. The last thing we wanted was to be undertaking a floor renovation in the house’s only functioning bathroom the moment we moved in.
Then, the plot thickened. We uncovered yet another significant water leak – entirely separate from the one that had destroyed the vanity. This new leak necessitated the complete removal of the existing tub and shower surround. And this was all before we even learned that all the drywall downstairs needed replacing! The drama peaked with a call from our contractor: during the installation of the new toilet, the old toilet valve spectacularly failed, spraying water like a geyser and soaking the entire room. That, too, had to be replaced. Yes, things escalated with remarkable speed in this bathroom.
But through all the challenges, here’s a satisfying glimpse of the progress! Our experience with the duplex bathrooms instilled in us a deep appreciation for colorful and playful tile floors, especially in what will eventually serve as the kids’ primary bathroom once our master bathroom is added to the other side of the house. With this in mind, we ordered these vibrant porcelain tiles and had them shipped directly to Florida for installation. Similarly, this 31-inch vanity, chosen for its warm wood tones, will serve as a foundational piece, complementing several other warm wood accents we plan to incorporate throughout the house. While the bathroom currently appears very green – that’s just water-resistant greenboard, the appropriate drywall for wet areas – rest assured the final wall color will be white. We’ll also add a crisp white waffle shower curtain, ensuring nothing competes with the stunning floor tiles, allowing them to truly shine.
The new drop-in tub is also now in place (it’s the same model we successfully used at the duplex). To balance the vibrancy of the patterned floor, we opted for classic white subway tile around the shower surround, creating a clean, timeless backdrop.
Remarkably, apart from adding art, a mirror above the sink, a few towel hooks, and potentially a decorative wall or ceiling treatment, this bathroom is virtually the only room that will be fully completed and ready for use by the time we arrive. It’s an incredible achievement, considering its initial dilapidated state!
The Kids’ Bedrooms: Soaring Vaulted Ceilings
Alright, as promised, I’ve saved one of my absolute favorite transformations for last! During our intensive in-person planning sessions for the renovation back in February, a bold idea struck us: what if we could vault the ceilings in each of the kids’ bedrooms? Our son’s room is pictured below, providing a “before” glimpse. Given there’s no second floor above these rooms and we could clearly observe from the exterior that the roof sloped quite high across each space, the potential was undeniable. We knew these rooms aren’t particularly large, so adding vertical height seemed like a logical way to make them feel significantly more spacious. However, even we had no idea just how dramatic and impactful the difference would ultimately be. Just wait for it!
The first crucial step in validating this ambitious idea was a little “exploration hole” created by our contractor. He quite literally cut a head-sized opening into the ceilings of both our daughter’s and son’s rooms. The photo below is one he texted us, offering a peek into the attic space. While it might look a bit chaotic up there, this exploratory peek allowed him to confidently determine that there were no insurmountable structural obstacles. Essentially, it was largely empty attic space situated above a non-structural, drywall drop ceiling, making the vaulting project entirely feasible.
Naturally, there were some HVAC ducts running through that attic space. However, since we were already in the process of completely redoing the entire non-functional HVAC system, it was a straightforward task to reroute these ducts into the walls instead. Beyond that, the work involved relatively light electrical modifications and the addition of fresh insulation along the ceiling joists to ensure energy efficiency and comfort. These seemingly minor adjustments were critical to facilitating the impressive transformation.
Once the new insulation was expertly installed along the underside of the roof, we made a pivotal design choice. Rather than simply drywalling the newly sloped ceilings, we opted for elegant wood planking. This decision was driven by a desire to add rich texture, character, and a unique architectural element to the rooms. The result? VOILA! The space now possesses a TOTALLY DIFFERENT FEELING – a truly transformative change. And the best part is that we were able to implement this incredible upgrade in both of our children’s rooms, doubling the delight!
Let’s take one more look at the “before” shot of this very same space, just to fully grasp the magnitude of this game-changing transformation. The room pictured above, with its magnificent vaulted ceiling, is our daughter’s room, which corresponds to the room shown below in its original state. The contrast is simply astonishing!
Our plan is to paint these beautiful vaulted ceilings a crisp white, along with the structural beams we’re also incorporating. While contrasting wood ceilings and exposed wood beams are currently a popular trend, given that these aren’t expansive rooms, we want to ensure the space feels bright and airy, not heavy or enclosed. Our inspiration has long been the third photo in the slideshow on this page, which perfectly captures the light, ethereal quality we’re aiming for. The floors will feature natural pine, and while we’ll certainly incorporate additional wood tones through furniture and accessories, the overarching goal for the upper portion of the rooms is a feeling of brightness and spaciousness. We are absolutely eager to see the final result!
I honestly cannot convey how incredibly cool it is to witness this somewhat “harebrained” idea we conceived just a few months ago materialize into such a stunning reality. We are beyond excited for our kids to experience their transformed rooms, and equally thrilled to finally see them in person ourselves!
BONUS: The Upper Deck – A Stunning Exterior Overhaul
Okay, we simply couldn’t resist! While we’re holding off on sharing the complete exterior progress until we can capture some breathtaking photos ourselves (very soon, we hope!), this sneak peek is far too exciting to keep under wraps. Remember that expansive deck, accessible from the upstairs family room, where we’re all eagerly anticipating spending countless hours relaxing and entertaining? Just take a look at its transformation!
Friends, prepare yourselves – this is what that view looks like now. The change is absolutely remarkable!
Our initial strategy was to defer all exterior renovation work until the interior was fully completed. However, with several major interior projects temporarily tabled until we move in (such as adding the second bathroom, which we prefer to design and execute in person rather than remotely), an unexpected window of opportunity opened up for some outdoor work. We recognized that the rotting railing around the upper deck was an urgent safety concern and needed to be replaced sooner rather than later. What came as a delightful surprise was having enough time to extend beyond just the railing, allowing us to tackle a host of other exterior priorities simultaneously.
We completely replaced the existing railing, opting for a sleek horizontal style that feels much more congruent with the house’s modern lines and the beachy aesthetic we’re cultivating. Furthermore, we upgraded the wood decking to durable Trex, a no-rot decking material that we absolutely loved using at the duplex. For this project, we selected a warmer shade called Havanna Gold, which beautifully complements the overall exterior palette. The rickety old wood pergola also had to be removed, both for safety reasons and to facilitate the decking replacement. While it’s gone for now, we’re actively considering adding a new structure back eventually – perhaps to provide some much-needed shade and potentially even a charming spot for hanging chairs. In another significant structural change, we also removed the chimney, as it was identified as the source of yet another leak downstairs, directly into our master bedroom. Our long-term plan is to convert our bedroom fireplace to gas anyway, so the chimney’s structural presence was no longer necessary.
Oh, and since extensive rot repair was necessary on the siding, a discovery highlighted during our inspection, we decided to take advantage of the situation and paint the entire house white. It was very much a “if you give a mouse a cookie” scenario – one project led to another, ultimately culminating in a full exterior refresh.
Both of us knew from the moment we first laid eyes on this house that it would look absolutely spectacular painted white. The lush greenery surrounding it, combined with the contemporary metal roofing, creates an exquisite contrast against a clean white exterior. In fact, during our very first meeting with the contractor in early February, Sherry confidently declared, “I already know the exact shade of white I want!” (Spoiler alert: it’s the same reliable SW Moderne White that we used for our brick house in Richmond). It seems you can indeed take the girl out of her painted white house, but you can never truly take the painted white house out of the girl.
Expect a more comprehensive update on the exterior very soon! We’re excitedly anticipating our move-in in the next week or so, at which point we can finally capture a plethora of updated pictures ourselves. It truly is a remarkable transformation – and, without beating a dead horse, we absolutely cannot wait to see it all in person!