This morning we actually got all dressed to go to her swimming lesson when we looked out the window and saw grey, drizzly skies. BOO! Talk about June Gloom. So we have now missed 2 out of our 6 swimming lessons.
Since we ended up staying home I've decided to take you on a photo tour of Casa de Lizzie since I have yet to post a tour.
Our house at the Open House 2/2006
Red doors are a sign of prosperity in Chinese culture, good sign
February 21, 2006 Aww shit, We are HOMEOWNERS!!!
Our front porch - After
Arrrggh ye mateys!
You may not tell but we repainted the red door and changed the doorknob. Antz also retiled that row on the stairs after our clumsy gardener, Jose broke most of them dragging up his lawnmower. D'oh!
Our garage roof/deck - Before
It leaked, it felt like you were walking on paper and it was the biggest nightmare renovation project we've ever encountered
We decided that March 2010 *whilst I was 7 months pregnant* we would get the garage roof repaired because we didn't want the growing mold in the garage to effect our unborn baby's health *good enough reason, right?* and we didn't want our soon to be child to one day fall through the paper thin deck. It started out as a 5 days project *I had to snort when I wrote 5 days because turned out to be more like 5 weeks+* I guess that's what happens when you begin a project on Friday the 13th.
All this progress took place in the course of 1 day. They were moving at lightening speed and they covered the roof that night for upcoming rain...which ended up turning into 5 long weeks of NO WORK!! Between permits, city inspections, rain and our contractor avoiding us to work on another *more expensive* project, I almost lost my mind with stress from this well intentioned upgrade. Many times I wished we had just let it be.
Somehow my prayers were answered and 1 day before our Bebe Shower we finally got the new garage roof/deck completed.
Our new pricey, city mandated, fire wall. Talk about no bang for your buck!
This was the only shot of David our contractor, *he's probably on the phone with Anthony for the millionth time trying to assure us it will be done in time for our shower* He helped the crew paint the 12th coat of white paint because the wood wasn't pretreated so it soaked up paint like a vacuum.
The garage roof/deck - After *eye roll*
Living room - Before
One aspect that sold us was the lovely Tiffany style ceiling fans and the abundance of original crown molding and baseboards....LOVE!
Living Room - During our move
Out of our hundreds of friends *and many of them we have helped move in the past* only Antz older sister, Clinnie, generously helped us move into our new house. Not only that but it was cold and rainy and she had to go to work later that day. She even scrubbed our bathtub with CLR...we vowed then to NEVER move without hiring professional again!
EDITOR'S ERROR: I humbly apologize to Leslie & Stephen Saiz, our wonderful amigos and our daughter's Godparents. I somehow blanked that they did help up carry our heavy as shit furniture up our 20 stairs....in the rain. I'll say it again, I'll NEVER move without hiring people again. Sorry, guys!
Anyone who helps a friend move gets like 2,000,000 kharma points!
I drove this monster truck close to 100 miles roundtrip during our move.
Seeing their furniture worried us about the spaciousness of the room layout but once we added out bright-white, beachy furniture it gave the room more depth.
Living Room - The first week
This is me and my MIL sitting on our tiny Ikea sofa that ended up in Antz office.
We didn't buy our current couch until my birthday, March 20th. It was our first $1000 purchase but I did bargain free same day shipping since it was my b-day.
It's more than clear we had no clue about design, and we were living on a budget *how lame is that $30 rug from Target?* I never noticed how clunky our old TV was until we got a flatscreen.
Our Living Room - After
Eeek, those mini blinds! Atrocious! Those Urban Outfitters curtains transform the room.
Our Living Room - Now
Our *dining room* we don't dine here obviously - Before
The other side of our Living Room/Bar area - After
Love our beautiful congas my Mom gave us as New Parents gift *which Liv has gotten much practice on*
Antz made the find of a Century when he brought home this $12 desk and painted it this cheery turquoise
I have the crafting table of my dreams, just in time for the arrival of my new Hello Kitty sewing machine.
I adore my new Anthropologie Orimono lamp shade/thrift store lamp *that Antz spray painted white*
Our Living room niche - Before
Our niche - Now *that's baby photos of Antz and me btw*
The fireplace *it's tragic we can't use it*
Our Fireplace - After Antz retiled using the original tiles *amazing job, babe*
Our Kitchen - Before
Our Kitchen - During
We had to cut the cabinets over the fridge to get our brand new Samsung fridge into the space.
Our remedy to cover the now doorless cabinets? Anthropologie dish towels!
And what lives behind those towels now? My beloved Domino collection!
Our Kitchen - After
More Anthropologie Dish Towels
Our old stove/range
I cannot believe we lived with this disgusting stove for 4 years!
Our new stove/microwave range
One of my favorite presents from hubby, my light blue Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer
This is the best $16 I have spent on wrapping paper
Yes, we have a photo of us in our kitchen cabinets....jealous? Wait that doesn't even make sense.
Our Laundry Nook - Before
Our Laundry Nook - After *note to any future home sellers: unless you own a kick ass $5000 fancy washer and dryer, leave your old w&d for the new homeowners! You will be able to afford a sweet Electrolux set in cherry red when you buy your new house. We ended spending $1000 on a set of $299 basic washer and dryer from Sears and it ticks me off they took their old set with them when we asked for ALL appliances in our sales contract*
Hopefully next year we'll be able to do a small renovation in the kitchen just to make it look decent enough that some
Speaking of hot water - Before
 |
| This water heater was 17 years old when we bought the house |
Water Heater - After
*my birthday present*
Antz surprised me with chalkboard painting the pantry door
The hallway - Now
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| *on the list for our next project* |
First Bedroom - Before
*Can you believe this was a nursery for their daughter, ick*
Antz Office
What possessed us to paint the room red still remains a mystery to me.
We actually sold these 2 pieces for a whooping $110!!
Olivia's Nursery - During
New French door
Olivia's Nursery - After
This is the newest addition to Olivia's nursery. Antz made it for her birthday
Master Bedroom - Before
Master Bedroom - After
Bathroom - Before
Our Bathroom - After we moved in
Bathroom - After
Best vantage point
Bathroom - After our mini remodel
Remember we left a note for any future homeowners describing our family and the time we spent in the house. I wish I could be around when someone finds it!
After - It was a tough 4 day DIY but totally worth it
Backyard - Before
Backyard - After
We have a Tibetan prayer wheel, I really do believe it works!
Our cat Lola has the most glamourous lifestyle
I hope you've enjoyed our house tour. Henry our Gnome says "Smell ya later!"
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