Sometimes in life things just fall into place in miraculous ways. For example:
You’ve been asking for more budget-friendly home improvement and decorating ideas.
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My brother was ready to buy his first home.
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A stranger was busy with his children, including some foster kiddos and needed to sell a rental house that had become a burden.
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The house he was selling WAS MY GRANDPARENTS!
In fact, most of the extended members of our family lived in the house at one point or another, including me.
The Roanoke (the local street, not the city) house was the family home base for holidays, from Christmas to the 4th of July. It was where Gram had to stay inside with me because I was scared of the fireworks. It was where she let me pull all the shoes out of her closet to play shoe store in her bedroom.
We had all been searching for my brother’s first home, but nothing had been quite right. Thankfully, mom noticed the house coming for sale right when it entered the market. My brother and his wife toured it and realized it had so many positive aspects that other houses were missing.
The rooms are big and bright, the yard still backs to an open field, and the neighborhood is SO NICE. The homes are cared for and the trees are established.
HOWEVER…almost every finish in the house has seen better days.
After their tour, his first text to me was “How much blog material do you want?”. He knew it would be a major project.
That was the night before our anniversary trip. The owner let me pop in to check out the house on our way to the airport.
Despite the harvest gold bathtub, wall paint in endless places there shouldn’t be wall paint, and all the missing cabinet doors in the master bathroom, I could see the amazing potential!
I mean, it could look like the photo below again, just with my nephew on the step-stool instead of me. He is VERY excited about this purchase because he was named after Grandpa Gordon. What better place for him to live than Grandpa Gordon’s old house?
With my interior blessing and my dad & uncle’s structural/exterior blessing, they were able to negotiate a fair price for the work needed and we all anxiously awaiting the closing.
That happened this week, and since then I’ve been in major planning, budgeting, and designing mode!
Perhaps we should bring back this wild indoor/outdoor carpet and wallpaper from the kitchen? And perhaps I should wear Mary Jane’s again?
I’m working on a full “before” tour for you, but here’s a little taste.
This is what the outside looked like back in the day.
And this is what the exterior looks like today.
And here is a mock-up of what the exterior will look like when we replace some rotting wood and paint!
Better, right?
The whole family is both excited and intimidated to take on such a big project, but I’m already reminding myself that the end result will be worth the work.
I can’t wait to share all our budget-saving ideas as we go. Hopefully, we’ll come up with creative solutions you’ll be able to use in your own home!
Katie says
Oh my goodness how exciting for you all! I can only imagine how you all must feel to know that this house is once again back in the family. I can’t wait to follow along and see how it all turns out!
Melissa George says
It’s crazy that it still has quite a good vibe despite all the neglect. There is some crazy stuff happening with phone and cable lines randomly poking through walls and molding that was installed by people who didn’t have a miter saw or nail gun. In Gordon’s room, it’s legit just screwed in right through the molding with big exposed screw heads. You’d die walking through everything.
Mariely says
LOVE IT! This is so exciting for you guys and I can’t wait to see the progress and all the updates!
Amanda says
I’m so excited about this for you! How awesome! Will be watching for all the updates!
Marian says
Can’t wait to see the projects.!! This post bring me memories of my grand parents house too.
Stephanie says
Ditto to the above comments. I’m as excited as everyone else. At first I thought the gray had lightened the house, but then… wow. Your color choice for the outside is super! The. With the right colors in the landscape, you’ll have won “The House of the Year” award!!! Great find. Proud of your mom, what a catch. Adorable pictures of that little girl. ?
Melissa George says
Thank you! We’re hoping the inside getting lightened as much as the outside will be equally exciting!
Gayle says
This is going to be so much fun to see as you progress!
Carol Thomas says
Love to see a family like yours work together to accomplish these goals. Many hands make for light work. It should be amazing when it is done. How lucky your brother and wife are to have this opportunity. Everyone will learn so much from this experience. Smooth sailing.
Melissa George says
Thank you, Carol! We’re picking up 30 gallons of paint today, so I hope the many hands empty those buckets. 🙂
Dee says
I cannot wait to see the transformation. Amazingly enough, my pastor’s subject for his sermon was transformation. My God richly bless your family’s endeavors.
Melissa George says
I love that timing! Thanks so much for your kind words!
Gaylee says
How wonderfully blessed your family is indeed! Working together for a common goal is unique for a modern family. This is exciting, and I as well as many others will stay posted waiting in anticipation as each step is revealed! Wishing all a smooth transformation!