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2 Years! Building our house before and afters

building before afters post #1Happy October 19th everyone!  Today is a special day for our family.  Two years ago today we moved into our new house.  I really can’t believe it has been two years already.  In so many ways it feels like we just moved in!  But in other ways it feels like this house has always been home.

Those of you who were with me during our building journey might remember that posts were few and far between.  I wasn’t able to share a lot of progress pics at the time because building was so time consuming.  All consuming really!  I was struggling to keep my kids fed and the laundry done let alone work on the blog. :) So while you’ve seen a lot of the “afters” of the house, I thought it would be fun to share some of the “before” and “during” pics today I might not have shared.  It really is such a fascinating process to see a home come to life one step at a time.


sold!
SOLD!  Four years ago we bought our lot and hired an architect.  Here we go!
the-lot
My husband showing the kids where the pool might be to get them excited about moving. It didn’t work.  They wanted to swim at the new house and then go back and sleep at the old house. :)
leap-for-joy
Mom was just a tad excited.  I had no clue what I was in for.  Ignorance is bliss!  ;)
buddy-and-a-tractor
Breaking ground!k-and-k-at-the-lot
ad-in-tractor
concrete
We have concrete!
girls-and-concrete
I can’t believe how little my kids look in all of these pictures!  I remember the day we poured concrete the girls were so excited and they kept hugging all the workers.  We had to have a little chat about personal space.. :)

Some before and afters of the process…
front-door-in-progress
{FRONT DOOR DURING}
The siding was yellow before we painted it and this was before we fixed the grout.  Things always look worse before they look better!
happy-halloween-porch copy
{FRONT DOOR AFTER}
*Front porch decked for fall/Halloween here.  
frames
{EXTERIOR-FRAMING}
Kenny and Ad are standing on the balcony.  I remember how fun it was when we could finally walk upstairs.
hardy-ship-lap-siding
{EXTERIOR AFTER}
craftsman-framed-porch
{FRONT PORCH BEFORE}
porch-hanging-lanterns
{FRONT PORCH AFTER}
porch-in-progress
{MORE OF THE FRONT PORCH BEFORE}
craftsman-style-hanging-lights
{FRONT PORCH AFTER}
front entry wood
{BEFORE MARBLE IN THE ENTRY}
front entry wood-marble
{AFTER}
entry molding
{FRONT ENTRY BEFORE}
front entry door
{FRONT ENTRY AFTER}
*Front entry decorated for fall here.
front-living-room
{FORMAL LIVING ROOM BEFORE} .. along with my little building buddy who seriously LIVED at the new house with me every day during construction.
IMG_8045cfb
{ANOTHER FORMAL LIVING ROOM BEFORE}
coffered-ceiling
{FORMAL LIVING ROOM AFTER}
box-beam-ceiling
{FORMAL LIVING ROOM FIREPLACE WALL BEFORE}
craftsman-molding
{FORMAL LIVING FIREPLACE WALL AFTER}
*More formal living room pics here.
kitchen-frames
{KITCHEN DURING FRAMING}
white-kitchen-cabinets
{STARTING CABINETS}  This was a happy day.  :)
grey-kitchen-island
{KITCHEN AFTER}
butler's-pantry-1
{BUTLER’S PANTRY BEFORE}  Excuse the lousy cell phone pics.  Most of the time I was just snapping them quick to text my husband and keep him in the loop of what was going on.
butlers-pantry
{BUTLER’S PANTRY AFTER}
kitchen-cabinets
{LEFT SIDE OF THE KITCHEN BEFORE}
double-quartz-islands
{LEFT SIDE OF THE KITCHEN AFTER}
box beam ceiling
{KITCHEN VIEW FROM FAMILY ROOM BEFORE} For a while I was debating putting planks inside the box beams on my kitchen ceiling.  But then I decided not to over plank.  Is there such a thing?  Ha.. :)
coffered-kitchen-ceiling copy
{KITCHEN VIEW FROM FAMILY ROOM AFTER}
tongue and groove ceiling
{DINING NOOK CEILING BEFORE}
faux-fall-leaves
{DINING NOOK AFTER}
powder-beginnings
{POWDER BATHROOM BEFORE}
white-inset-cabinets
{POWDER BATHROOM AFTER}
bath tub
{MASTER BATHTUB}  That sat in my garage for months at my old house.  May have escaped and sat in it a time or two with a bowl of ice cream hiding from my kids during one particularly hard summer.  
master-bathtub
{MASTER BATHROOM TUB/SHELVES IN PROGRESS}
custom-marble-tub
{MASTER BATHROOM TUB AND SHELVES AFTER}
*Detailed pics of this space here.
laundry room
{UPSTAIRS LAUNDRY ROOM BEFORE}
wythe blue laundry room
{UPSTAIRS LAUNDRY ROOM AFTER}
*Details on this laundry room here.
extra-storage-in-frames
{PLAYROOM WALL}  I see hidden storage space!
playroom-progress
{PLAYROOM WALL DURING}
pull-out-toy-drawers

organized-playroom-pullout-drawers
{PLAYROOM WALL AFTER}
IMG_6846cfb
{PLAYROOM CLOSET BEFORE}
playroom-closet
{PLAYROOM CLOSET DURING}
organized-playroom
{PLAYROOM CLOSET/ROOM AFTER}
*More details on how I organize this playroom here.

K – that was picture overload and I have so many more so I’ll have to post the rest tomorrow.  Do you all love a good before and after as much as I do!?  So fun to see the transformation.  I have to say that now that I’ve built a home I’m fascinated with the process!  I look at homes so differently now.  I notice all the details that I might not have noticed before.

Because we are celebrating two years in our new house this week I’m going to be sharing some tips on building I picked up too!  So all of you who are in the planning stages, just starting, or mid process of a build or renovation get ready!  Advice is coming.

Although it might be to just run in the other direction.

Run run as fast as you can.  ;)

{p.s. If you’re new here you can see more pics of my home and how it looks now decorated for fall here.}

**UPDATE:  You can see the other posts in this series here:

Building our house before and afters take 2!

The 10 Most Important Things I Learned Building a House

xoxo, Erin
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58 thoughts on “2 Years! Building our house before and afters

  1. Your home has come so far in these two years. I love that you are doing this series now as my house is about a month out from finishing and I read your blog constantly for ideas and inspiration (totally stealing your paint color). I keep a simple blog for myself and far away family to keep track of our process. This post reminds me to take MORE pictures during the process, so thank you!

    1. Thank you so much Jennifer! I hope my posts this week are helpful! Definitely take lots of pics! So cool to see the transformation after. And hang in there! You are in the really crazy, exhausting “I just want this done and over!” stage. ;)

  2. It’s hard to believe it has been two years Erin. I have always loved your house and you have done such a great job making it a home. I especially love all of the mill work. Enjoy your cake tonight while you celebrate a job well done. Hope you are all blessed with many, many more years in your beautiful home. xo

  3. This post gives me hope. We are only about six weeks away from finishing our house, but it feels like it is never going to happen. It has been a long road. I’m sure you know what I mean. Thanks for all the inspiration on your blog and for kindly answering my questions. Your house is beautiful!!

    1. Thank you Tonia! Oh my word.. such a long road. I know exactly how you are feeling right now! Hang in there. One year from now (and forever after that!) it will all be worth it! xo

  4. Time fly by quickly indeed !! I too can’t believe it’s been two years since you moved in to this beautiful house. I have been reading your blog so regularly but it feels as if it was only few months back you moved in here ,but it has been two years ,unbelievable.

  5. Congratulations on a job well done Erin! You have every reason to celebrate your accomplishment. 3 months to go on our new home and I am so excited but on decision overload at the same time! I loved this post! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thank you April! Oh my word – you are really in the thick of it! I know exactly how tired and overwhelmed you feel right now. Hang in there! It will all be behind you and worth it soon! xo

  6. Love this Erin! Can’t wait to read what else you have to share! And there is no such thing as picture overload when it comes to your house! Keep it coming! Also, I was wondering if you would be willing to share what color carpet you went with? It’s hard to pick what color to use with gray walls. Thanks so much! Can’t wait for the rest of this series!!

    1. Thank you so much Lisa! More pics are coming soon! I will look to see if I have my carpet color info. I can’t remember what it was called. If I find it I’ll write again on this comment thread! xo

  7. Just found your blog and your home is beautiful. We are in the process of building a new home and I expecially love your craft room space. Are the cabinets custom? Who is the manufacturer if you don’t mind sharing.

    1. Thank you! Yes – the cabinets were custom built. I designed the space and my cabinet guy built everything. Sorry that’s not more help!

  8. So fun to see before and after. Where did you get the “enjoy the little things sign” in the kitchen? I need that!! Also just had our island built and painted in Chelsea grey. Didn’t even look at a sample – just trusted you. You were spot on. ?. Thanks so much!

    1. Wow Natalie! I’m impressed! You really must trust me! ;) SO SO happy it worked for you! Love that color. :) My enjoy the little things sign is from an on-line etsy shop called House of Belonging. They have a lot of fun signs! Thanks again cutie! xo

  9. Congratulations, Erin! I remember reading about your wanting to build your house and followed along faithfully during the the construction and now you are at 2 years in! What an exciting journey and an amazing transformation! I have a feeling your kiddos now love living in their “new” home. It’s absolutely beautiful. I’m sure you and your husband feel a huge sense of accomplishment and pride in a job extremely well done. I do so enjoy the photos your share and appreciate your taking the time to post them. :)

    1. Jeanne! Your kind words always mean so much to me. Thank you for reading all this time. I’m incredibly lucky to have supportive friends like you in my life. :) xo

  10. It’s fun to see the progress from the construction phase to such a beautiful space and I am green with envy looking at your home. It is what I have in my head when I dream about what I want to build for my family (really, it’s amazing how close it is to exactly what I want in so many ways). You’ve done an amazing job with so many details.

  11. Wow your home is so beautiful and that bathroom and those white plantation shutters….oh drool worthy! I love seeing the different design ideas, decorating and overall house layout and how it compares to our Aussie homes. Your home is enormous! I am in love :) x

  12. Erin, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the before & afters of your home being built. I think your home is the prettiest one I’ve ever seen, and it doesn’t appear that any detail was missed. It is truly such an accomplishment to go from bare dirt to this incredible space that you and your hubby created for your family.

    1. Carol your sweet words mean so much to me! Thank you for always being so kind. It makes my day that you love the house so much. I wish I could have you over! I know the two of us would have much to talk about. :) xo

  13. Erin,
    I am in dreamland over here! I mean how gorgeous is your house? LOVE every little detail! You couldn’t have designed it any better! Now can I just take your blueprint for my next home?? Ha! Actually, I’m serious!! Love ya sweet friend!
    xo,
    Shauna

  14. We are in the process of renovating our entire house and I am inspired by your home and decor. Can you tell me the name of the wall color you have in your living room and kids bathroom please? I would love to try using them in our home.
    Thanks so much. :)

  15. I would love to see a picture of your house plans/ how everything is laid out. It is hard for me to tell from the pictures. You have a beautiful home!

  16. Beautiful home! I just discovered your blog as I am getting ideas for the house my husband and I are about to build. Can you please share where you got the wallpaper or whom makes it that is in the bathroom? Its stunning!!! Thanks so much!

  17. Just discovered your blog. I’ve been in a new house a little over a year and blogged more about what was going on and why we made some decisions, than posting actual photos while we were building. Maybe I should go back into the photo files and see what I can find. Your home is incredibly beautiful! Congratulations!!!

  18. Your house is so beautiful. Can you tell me what exterior gray color that is on the outside of your home? Thanks!

  19. I am loving both the design and the layout of your home! Do you have the floor plans posted anywhere in your blog?

    1. Thank you! We aren’t sharing our floor plan but if you follow me on IG I have a couple of Christmas home tours (IG TV) and you can get a good idea of the layout there! :)

      My IG is erin_sunnysideup

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