Turning a Family Home into Our Own: Our DIY Renovation Journey
When my husband and I got married in 2018, we moved into his grandparents’ home—a house that had been sitting untouched since their passing. While the family wasn’t quite ready to part with it, the home needed some serious love and attention. We started with small (but mighty) projects like stripping eight layers of wallpaper and giving everything a fresh coat of paint.
In 2021, we officially purchased the house and knew it was time to make bigger changes. Built in the 1950s, it was a cozy two-bedroom, two-bath rock home, but with plans to grow our family, we needed more space. Instead of outsourcing, we took on the challenge of building an addition ourselves—a master bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet. Just as we started, we found out we were expecting our second baby, making the project even more meaningful.
Most recently, in November, we tackled another big renovation: removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create an open, cohesive space. Every project has been a labor of love, transforming this house into a home that truly fits our family’s needs.
DIY renovations aren’t always easy, but they’re incredibly rewarding. From learning new skills to making memories along the way, we’ve embraced every challenge. Stay tuned for more updates, tips, and insights as we continue making this home our own!
We’re still working on the kitchen, but in the meantime, we’d love to share some of the projects we’ve completed to inspire and help you with your own renovations.
Before
Dining room. Everything collected here as we renovated.
