Four Years Later: Our Most Transformative Projects

Lately, I have been reflecting on our four years of DIY and renovation in BHH. It all started after a conversation with a new friend who loves old houses as much as I do. She and I both stalk real estate listings just for fun. Can any of you relate? She remembered BHH from its original listing over four years ago, and she wanted to know what we had changed since we bought the house. It was a fun conversation. After we parted ways, I couldn’t stop thinking about which projects have made the most dramatic impact on the way BHH looks or functions. In no particular order, here are my picks.

Exterior Painting

New readers who are fans of our unintentionally patriotic color scheme, may not know that when we bought BHH, the house was green on green.

It took three summers of painting, but what a difference!

House Painting: Summer 2015 | Summer 2016 | Summer 2017

The Kitchen

Naturally, this room belongs on the list. I talked about it in-depth a couple of weeks ago. No project has improved our daily lives as much as this one. Handwashing dishes for a family of six got old very quickly.

It is now a joy to be in the kitchen, and keeping it clean and organized is a breeze.

The Basement

Reorganizing and cleaning the basement is one of those projects that no one else notices but us. However, by completing this task we have saved money over the years.

We know what we have and where to find it, so we can shop at home first.

More Basement Posts: Sorting & Tossing | Troubles & Treasure | Organized & Ready

One Room Challenge Projects

Many of our newer readers found us through the One Room Challenge. Five projects ago, we joined this biannual event which as a way to torture ourselves stay focused on one room at a time. Most recently, we finished the Street Side Front Porch. I cannot stop sharing before-and-afters, so I hope you’ll forgive me.

The front porch is not the only ORC project that made a big difference in BHH. Transforming an unused enclosed porch into the breakfast nook has been our most popular project to date.

This Old House magazine even featured the breakfast nook in the regular Budget Redo column. (July/August 2018 issue) We were so excited.

Another popular DIY was the library. It received a complete facelift which changed how we feel about the room and how we use it.

Once cave-like with a water-damaged wall and floor, the library is arguably now the cheeriest room in the house. Our kids use this room every single day, and they love it. (A sad note: Dear Gil has gone to live in fishy heaven.)

Tree Removal

I think I have saved perhaps the most impressive project for last. It is hard to believe that there used to be massive pine trees hiding one entire side of BHH.

Even crazier, I cannot believe how much we agonized over whether or not to remove them.

What a difference!

Seriously, Andy and I didn’t even know what the house looked like when those giant trees were in the way.

I still have not photographed that side of the house for the blog because we continue to plug away at improving the landscaping and refinishing the front door. However, the photo below, taken during one summer of painting, gives you a glimpse of it closer to its present condition.

From inexpensive DIYs to gut remodels, these are some of our most dramatic transformations, so far. Are there any others that should have been included in this list? Do you have a favorite BHH project from our past four years? I would love to know.