When my daughter, Mel, and son-in-law, Andy, announced a few months ago that they were thinking of selling their townhouse and buying a larger, detached single-family home, I can’t say I was surprised!
With six-month-old baby-two cats and a dog,  things were getting pretty darn tight in their 1200 square foot townhome.
But, what did surprise was when Mel advised me a month or so later, that they had not only found their dream home but that it was a fixer upper!  Say what!Â
 Yes folks that’s right-My daughter-who had vowed to NEVER, EVER buy
a home that required ANY work(after watching her mother
literally, pull out her hair trying to fix ours up)Â was now doing just that!
literally, pull out her hair trying to fix ours up)Â was now doing just that!
I won’t lie-it took me a moment to respond because I had to pick my jaw up off the floor first!
You know..the one’s that need a TON of work, or worse, you swear are going to fall down around Chip and Joanne’s feet before they even get started!  Kind of like our home when we first bought it. So imagine my shock when, a week later, we pull up in front of THIS house!  Does this look like a fixer upper to you?  Well, it sure didn’t to me-which is probably why I burst into laughter, instead of tears!
Needless to say-Mel was NOT impressed.  “Wait until you see the inside, Mom, it’s like walking into the 1990’s
all over again!”
Now it was me who wasn’t impressed! What exactly was wrong with the 1990’s?
I mean-come on- I have a lot of good memories from that decade.
Most importantly- Mel grew up in that decade!
So how bad could it be?
 Okay-so maybe the appliances were a bit outdated..but once
the previous owners removed all of their things-I could definitely see the potential.
Paint the cabinets a nice coat of white-the walls…oh maybe a shade
of gray or greige-and VIOLA-a brand new kitchen!
Am I right?
And as for those ENORMOUS bookcases-well, again, nothing a coat of paint couldn’t fix!
At this point in the tour-I was seriously starting to question Mel’s term- fixer-upper! After all-at least she wouldn’t have to deal with crumbling walls, or drop down ceilings like I have.  But, like me-my daughter had a vision when she first stepped into her dream home.  Yes, it would take work, AND frustration-and even a few hairs..but it would
be SO worth it in the end.
be SO worth it in the end.
 One day after they closed on the house the built in’s are gone!
And the entire kitchen was gutted! WOW! JUST WOW! Of course-the kids had a little help with all of this demolition.  After a great deal of planning-they decided to hire a contractor to do a few of the ‘bigger’ jobs-like
installing new kitchen cabinets-re-doing the floors and re-surfacing the fireplace. But the rest is up to them.
After further inspection- I realized that there is a LOT to do!  Since they both work full time-and of course-have little Max to care for- guess who get’s to help? Us!
After further inspection- I realized that there is a LOT to do!  Since they both work full time-and of course-have little Max to care for- guess who get’s to help? Us!
By us- I mean, hubby and I. (I volunteered his expertise!)Â We begin our first project tomorrow!
 This dark and dingy laundry room is getting a complete makeover! (Photo taken before purchase.)
I’ve been on the phone off and on all week with Mel- helping her choose cabinets,
paint color, flooring, and even a sink.
It should be a SUPER fun project-and I can’t wait to grab a paint brush and dig in!
Funny thing is-neither can Mel! I guess that old saying- “Like mother-Like daughter”, really is
true in our case.Â
Which is a little frightening actually!
Which is a little frightening actually!
Oh, dear….what kind of DIY monster have I created? LOL!
Mel had hoped to start back with her page, here on the blog-but
with all of this construction going on-it might beÂ
a bit longer until she can devote more time to it-so I’ll
keep you updated from time to time-on their remodeling
progress!
Wishing you all a FABULOUS weekend!
I’ll be back on Monday!
Blessings and hugs,
Wow, your daughter moves fast… already demo'ing. That's awesome! Love her new home. Hope you'll share more pictures as she moves along with the renovations! …thanks for visiting me over at my blog, and for leaving a comment! 🙂 ~Rhonda
That home is so pretty. Unfortunately I really miss living close to my family! I am the only one to have moved away and I miss being there for all the celebrations small and big.
Thank you, Mary! I’m sure it is very difficult to be so far away from your family. I know my daughter still doesn’t like it especially around the holidays, and I sure don’t either! Hopefully you all can get together this holiday season! Blessings to you and yours!