Introducing The Willow House
If ever there was a true fixer upper of a house that needed TLC, remodeling and updating, it’d be this one. But even with all the popcorn ceilings, stained and utterly gross carpet, water leaks, and outdated heating and A/C, we knew this house had so much potential to be an incredible home. It would need time, money and lots of hard work, but the outcome would be entirely worth it. And I haven’t ever been afraid of a house challenge, so… bring it on!
I’m so happy to introduce you to The Willow House! The backyard has a beautiful and huge Willow tree, so we’ve fondly named the house after it. Easily the worst home on the block, we are so looking forwarding to bringing this tri-level house straight out of the 80’s! Here’s the house the day we closed and became proud homeowners!
We have our work cut out for us, and we’ve already done a few things (hint: new roof & paint!) to beat the cold this winter. The back yard is just as bad, and other than hauling off some junk, it’s going to look like this until next spring.
To say this house was seriously neglected would be a massive understatement. If you can’t tell from the exterior, then take a look inside. Here’s the main floor living room…
The entry:
The dining room/ kitchen:
Around the corner of the kitchen, you can either go upstairs, or down…
Let’s go upstairs first…
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The first door on the left, is the hall bathroom. It’s about as tiny and awkward as the pictures make it seem…
Next, we have the first bedroom…
Then the second bedroom…
And finally, the master bedroom…
Complete with a great view of the master bathroom…
Downstairs, on the lower level, we have another living room with a fireplace…
There’s a half bathroom down there too, with it’s own weird entryway and crawl space access door…
Right next to it, is the tiny fourth bedroom, with the only large closet in the entire house…
Other than the garage and attached storage room, that completes the house. There are so many things we’re changing. All the bathrooms are getting a completely new floor plan, and you also may have noticed there isn’t a laundry room anywhere in the house. It’s currently in the garage, taking up room and blocking any chance of ever parking in one of the bays. Since that really doesn’t work, we’re converting the tiny fourth bedroom downstairs into a nice sized laundry room, complete with lots of storage, which this house massively lacks.
We’ve already completed so many things (I’m looking at you, new HVAC, electrical, plumbing and roof), but there’s so much more to do. Our plan is to move in as soon as we have the kitchen, hall bathroom, laundry room, and flooring installed. It’s all incredibly exciting… and in between our moments of demo’ing the house, I’ve been working on several room designs so we can move forward with putting the house back together.
Needless to say, there are a bunch of new posts coming your way soon, documenting everything we’ve done so far! Spoiler alert… the house definitely doesn’t look like this anymore! And we’re absolutely not complaining!
Wow! Lots of work to do. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Shayna, life can be full of start overs and retakes. Some can be very unexpected and or exiciting! If there has ever been a gal that can take on this house challenge it’s YOU… Slow but sure wins the race…I am sure lots of us will be there with you to cheer you on…
I have done a few Fixer upers too…I thing it is almost better to need everything redone then be stuck with someone else’s choices…You have a great eye for design and sweatequity…Happy Holidays to you .
Can’t wait to see what you do next! This is a nice size house for sure. I hope to pick up some ideas from you for my own home! Happy Holiday’s to you Shayna!!
This does look like a challenge, but I am sure it will be stunning. Can’t wait to see all the progress.
So exciting! Can’t wait to see all the changes.
Great big ol’ grin when I saw you had a post and may I just say how super excited I am to see you turn this in to your home? Cannot wait…….hint. hint.
Woohoo, excited for you and the remodeling ahead and also for future posts.
I can’t wait to see what you do to the place-you have the * Midas* touch! So glad to see you back blogging, and happy again! God is good!
Congratulations on your new home. ‘Looking forward to seeing all of the fantastic design and results that you will create. Take your time and stay encouraged! 🙂
PS – Do you still have the Currier and Ives dinnerware I remember seeing in your former home?
Thank you! We’re looking forward to the changes too! I do have those dishes… they were my grandma’s, so they’re very special.
Are you moving any walls? Looking forward to all the changes!!
We are moving some walls, but mainly in the bathrooms and new laundry room.
I’m excited to see your dream come true!
How exciting!
I can’t wait to see what y’all are doing!!
We have an updated/fixer upper, too.
It’s hard work but so rewarding!
Godspeed to ya!
As the owner of a 1980s split level very similar to your home, I am so anxious to see what you do. I’ve been updating my home—dumping a ton of money—and I still feel like it needs a bit more work. I know I’ll get some ideas from you. Thanks!
Wow, just like you, this house is getting a new life and it will be beautiful!!
Bring It On !!!
Can’t wait to see the final results!
I can’t wait for you to put your magic touch on the house.
Oh you’ve taken on a huge project! But I know it will fun and rewarding…you’ll do your magic too!!
I can’t wait to see what you will be doing to make this house over. You so creative and I know it will be just beautiful. Great to see you blogging again.
Bring the magic!
So excited to see this transformation! We’ve been in our trilevel home for 18 years—ours was in about the same shape yours is when we bought it. We have pretty much gutted the entire house, removed walls, etc…I don’t think there is a day that goes by that I don’t say to myself, “I love this house”! ?
God bless you!
I can’t wait to see you give this house some love and it become a home filled with love.
How Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m so excited for your posts to come through.
I’m so happy for you Shayna. God opens doors we never knew existed.
May all your days be merry & bright.
Much love,
Rose
Shayna, I hope you got a great deal on this house. My first thought! Lol! Wow! I know if anyone can do this you can! I can’t wait to see what you do to “The Willow House!”
We rehab old houses and this one looks like a palatial palace compared to some we see! Haha I’m so glad you’re back and I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the house and knowing you it’s going to be gorgeous! Merry Christmas!
I am so very happy for you and excited to follow along on this new adventure as you make this into a warm and welcoming home. Really looking forward to lots of befores & afters. Congratulations!
Can’t wait to see what all you have planned! So excited for you!
I am so excited to see what you do with this house!!
So happy to see you back in the “blogging” world, and excited to see the transformation of the Willow House. You have excellent taste and I know it will be gorgeous in no time. Can’t wait to see lots and lots of before and after pictures! Blessings sweet girl!
!!!!!! Anxiously waiting!
Hugs,
Cindy N.
You’re absolutely right! This home does need a lot of work, but just the magnificent amount of natural light pouring in makes it worth every single minute of sweat and hard work! I can’t wait to see what you do with it, and I absolutely know it’s going to be magnificent! Wishing you newlyweds years and years of happiness in your new home!
I actually loved it when I saw the outside because it has so much potential, even though I’m not a bi (tri?) level girl. Can’t wait to see what you do with it! I’m especially curious about that off center fireplace in the lower level – although I do love the brick. Happy decorating!
Can’t wait to see the transformation!
You bet that I will be following your projects on this house. It will be so exciting to watch! We remodeled a house back in 2000 that looked just like your house when we started. We bid on it over the internet because it was a repossessed home. We never saw the inside of it before we posted a bid because we were living in another state. It all turned out well, believe it or not. The first thing we did was to rip out 23 bushes and trees from the landscape and started with a new landscape we had designed. You will have great fun with this house. We will be cheering you on!
Wow! I can’t wait to see how you’re transforming this house. It looks like you have your work cut out for you, but it will all be very exciting. And now, for some reason, my mind keeps going back to all the times you’ve talked about having a white kitchen. Will this be the place?