Monday, June 2, 2008

Our House

In December of 2005, my then-boyfriend, now-husband, purchased a large Victorian home that had been divided into 5 apartments, and we embarked on the journey of turning it back into a single family home.

To get an idea of what we were working with, click here.

From three apartments, the resulting floor plan is an foyer/entryway (depending upon where you were raised), a front sitting room/living room, a large dining room, another large room which we're calling the library (it has built-in shelves, and Hoss will probably use it as his office space), a laundry room and half-bath across from an open kitchen, and a family room/tv/entertainment room on the main floor. The 2nd floor has 3 bedrooms (one I'm using as my office) a full bathroom for common use, and a master bedroom/bathroom suite. The basement is unfinished, and there's a 3-stall garage in the back. (Pics of the current status will be posted as soon as we have them :>)


Sometimes I feel like we've been working on this house for forever, and sometimes I can't believe it's come as far as it has! I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and his family. He basically knows how to do everything, and what he doesn't know how to do, he will either research or try until he figures it out, or his dad knows how to do it and will come over and help!

His current project is making all of the casement and baseboard trim, and today he finished all of the baseboard!

Here are the piles of wood that he started with:



























From here he runs them through his uber-fabulous moulding machine!

And here's what it looks like coming out of the machine:



The machine is wonderful, and it cuts so quickly and so fine, that the moulding does not even need to be sanded when it comes out the other side! :) I'm excited to start staining and get it hung! More pics and stories to come! We'll keep you posted!

Thanks for reading!








"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are."
~ Bernice Johnson Reagon ~

14 comments:

  1. Katy Lin,
    What a great adventure this home must be for you and your husband! It looks like it will be stunning when complete! Is sure is nice to have a handy husband isn't it? My hubby is a contractor and that has been a huge blessing to us. I can't wait to read more!
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Katy Lin,

    What a opportunity you have been blessed with. I Love Victorian homes and to be able to create what you want is a going to be an adventure.
    One day at a time- hehe.

    Thank you for the link love.

    many hugs to you and hubby.

    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't wait to read more too.....I am so glad the house is becoming a home again...so much history...hope you can save some of the original woodwork if possible...it looks like its been remodeled more than a few times!
    My husband is from Iowa, and he has a brother outside of Des Moines in Bondurant...most of the family is in northeast Iowa..Independence.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! What an enormous undertaking to renovate that house! I look forward to reading more!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Katy Lin

    I'm so happy you, and your husband, are reviving this wonderful home! I can only imagine how beautiful it will be when it is all finished.

    You are very fortunate your husband is able to do most of the work himself, and what great satisfaction he must get from that.
    I'll be checking in to see the progress.

    Hugs, Pat

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for stopping by! It's so nice to "meet" you. I've meet so many wonderful blogging ladies today because of SITS.

    Now this is one SERIOUS project you're working on. I'm really looking forward to reading more about your rehab project!

    It looks like we have a little in common. Before I left the working world to stay home with my kids, I worked in advertising and marketing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, this is delicious!! I will have to start living vicariously through you. You're doing something I've always wanted to do and look what you started with!

    Where in Colorado did you live?

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW! This is amazing. I can't wait to follow you on this journey!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Katy, The house will be wonderful when you get it all done. And the pride you will feel in a job well done will be worth it.
    And can I say you have totally destroyed my schedule of getting things done with all of these cool links to the cottage style blogs. I LOVE them. I'm not getting anything done anymore. I'm just going to all of the links on your blog. They are wonderful. I really like the porch party idea. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Katy Lin,

    I have given you a blog ward. Yayy!
    Please stop by my blog it see what it is.

    Take good care,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! What a project! You have your work cut out for you...but what an adventure.
    Can't wait to see more pictures.

    Kimberly :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. That house is going to be AMAZING! when you are done, just take it slow .... I love victorians

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, that is a huge project....I can't wait to see the pictures of the finished results!I am going to stick you on my faves. Jen R

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh my goodness - what a huge project and what a wonderful time you are having renovating the house I'll bet! And what memories you are making... as they say, "these are the good old days." I wish you many, many happy years in your home!...Donna

    ReplyDelete

Always great to hear from you! I ALWAYS read your comments, and they make my day!

Thank you!