I am sharing my before and after home tour now that we have lived in our house for seven years! There have been so many changes!
It’s so hard to believe, but yesterday marked the seven year anniversary of us moving into our new home! This is always one of my favorite posts to write each year, because it does really help me realize just how far we’ve come. It’s also important to stress that it’s taken SEVEN years to get to this point! I always want to point that out, especially to those that may just be starting with a home they plan to update. It’s definitely a process – but it can be such a fun one, if you take things day by day and project by project!
Here we are as small children back in 2012 on move-in day. This was a few hours short of the blizzard that arrived that day!
If you want to check the progress we made throughout the years, I’ve linked all of our anniversary posts below.
- One Year Anniversary Home Tour
- Two Year Anniversary Home Tour
- Three Year Anniversary Home Tour
- Four Year Anniversary Home Tour
- Five Year Anniversary Home Tour
- Six Year Anniversary Home Tour
A little history on our house. It was built in 2008 and sat as a model home for a few years. Another family then lived in it for a few years before we bought it in December of 2012!
Most of my ‘before’ photos I’m sharing below were taken at night and they’re all I have. So I fully understand that it makes the before & afters seem much more dramatic in some cases. I think it’s clear my photography skills have improved a bit over the years, as well 😉
So, let’s jump into this year’s before & after home tour! I have one set of images for each room/area, but within each section I’ve also tried to link all sources as well as provide the link to any relevant makeover posts if you want to read more about any of the spaces! Also, if you have any questions on paint color along the way, be sure to check out my very detailed Paint Colors tab.
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HOME EXTERIOR BEFORE & AFTER
Last year we had the exterior of our home painted Benjamin Moore White Dove! It made such a huge difference in the overall vibe of our exterior and we’re still so happy with how it turned out! Down the road, we may do something to the stone veneer as well. Perhaps try to do a white wash or something on it, but for now, we’re so happy with the refreshed look!
ENTRYWAY BEFORE & AFTER
I made one of my favorite updates to our entryway earlier this year when I painted the front door this pretty soft blue-gray shade! The color is Benjamin Moore Water’s Edge and it helps add so much personality to this spot!
ENTRYWAY SOURCES: Striped Indoor/Outdoor Rug | Lantern Pendant Chandelier | Striped Wood Cabinet | Mirror | Faux Lemon Tree | Door Color: Benjamin Moore Water’s Edge
ENTRYWAY HALLWAY BEFORE & AFTER
Our entryway hallway saw some updates this past year as well! We added the cane console table and had the walls painted a creamy white. I had actually painted all of them once in between the “before” photo and how it looks today, but I vowed never to do it again after all the ladder work last time around! We’ll see a few more changes here in 2020, as I mentioned I’ve already move the cane console table to another space where the storage can be better utilized. Stay tuned for the updates soon!
ENTRYWAY HALLWAY SOURCES: Cane Sideboard | Similar Mirror | Lamp | Glass Vase | Swing Arm Sconces | Bench
KITCHEN BEFORE & AFTER
After our kitchen renovation last year, we’ve made next to no updates in the kitchen space. We’ve been so happy with how it turned out, and really haven’t had to make any adjustments since then!
FALL SOURCES: Basket Pendant Lights | Bistro Counter Stools | Similar White Ceramic Vase | Faux Olive Stems | White Dutch Oven | Lemongrass Ginger Soap Set | Cabinet Bin Pulls | Cabinet Knobs | Runner Rug
PANTRY BEFORE & AFTER
Our pantry makeover, as part of our kitchen renovation, is still one of our favorite updates to our entire house! We didn’t make any changes to the footprint of the space. But the addition of cabinets and the window has made just a dramatic difference. We love it so much, we rarely ever close the door anymore!
PANTRY SOURCES: Striped Rug | Woven Tray | Cabinet Bin Pulls | Cabinet Knobs
LIVING ROOM BEFORE & AFTER
Our living room has seen it’s fair share of updates throughout the years! But I haven’t changed much (other than throw pillows) in the past year since our fireplace makeover. I’ve got a few minor home updates planned here in early 2020 so I’ll be sharing more on that soon!
LIVING ROOM SOURCES: Linen Sofas | Spindle Chairs (similar here) | Coffee Table | Leather Poufs | Bronze Linen Pillows | Striped Pillows | Similar Wood Chain | Similar Vase | Faux Olive Stems | Gallery Wall Frames (similar here) | Wood Dough Bowl | Lamps
DINING ROOM BEFORE & AFTER
Our dining room is one of the most dramatic before and afters, thanks mostly to the paint color change! I’ve actually painted this space three times, but I’m so happy with the current paint color (Benjamin Moore Simply White). I talked earlier this year about dining chair options and why we need a switch up, and I finally made a decision on the direction thanks to a Cyber Monday sale. Stay tuned for more details!
DINING ROOM SOURCES:Dining Table | Linen Dining Chairs | Striped Rugc/o from Dash & Albert | Chandelier (look for less here) | Velvet Pillows | Topiaries | Marble Lazy Susan | Hutch details | Abstract Art | Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree | Ceramic Planter
OFFICE BEFORE & AFTER
Our office is one of the most used spaces in our home. It’s taken a few years to get the layout and flow right (especially once Kurtis added a desk to the space and I started working from home). We’ve already made a few minor changes to the space since this ‘after’ picture was taken in the fall to help improve functionality further. I’ll be sharing those updates soon!
OFFICE SOURCES:Wood Campaign Desk | Linen Chairs | Blue Dyed Pillows | Jute Rug | Striped Curtains | Bookcase | White Wood Bead Chandelier | Similar Lamps | Faux Ginkgo Stems | Similar Vase | Abstract Art | Faux Cypress Tree – locally from Amethyst Home
POWDER BATH BEFORE & AFTER
It’s been a few years since I’ve really made many updates to our small powder bath. I painted our thermofoil cabinets and they’ve held up great over the years! I’m guessing if the paint ever starts to chip, we’ll ultimately just replace the bathroom vanity, but for now, we love it just as it is!
POWDER BATH SOURCES: Grid Bath Mat | Similar Olive Topiaries | Hand Towel | Star Sconce Lights | Hand Soap | Faucet | Similar Mirror | Cabinet paint color: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
MUD ROOM BEFORE & AFTER
Our mud room is always on our to-do list. It’s one of the most used spaces in our home but also probably one of the most neglected! We still need to figure out what to do with the cabinets (they are also thermofoil) but we’ve made some good progress over the years and looks so much better from where it started!
MUDROOM SOURCES: Lantern Pendant Light | Patterned Pillow | Striped Pillow | Shibori Throw Blanket | Similar Woven Basket | Art (HomeGoods – old)
COURTYARD BEFORE & AFTER
Our outdoor courtyard is very likely the single space that really pushed us to buy our house. Kurtis knew the second we walked in the front door, he was done for once I saw the space 😉 It makes the footprint of our home so unique (think of it as a sideways squared off U-shape). This gives us so many windows on our main floor and we absolutely love it! When we painted our house white last year, it made the most dramatic transformation to this space and really brightened it up. Earlier this year, I did a little courtyard refresh to further improve the space.
COURTYARD SOURCES: Firepit set: Costco | Planters: Costco | Cushions and Decor: At Home
STAIRWELL BEFORE & AFTER
As we move upstairs, our stairwell got a much needed light and bright makeover early this year! We’ve had the orb chandelier for a few years, but in January we finally had the walls painted a soft white like the rest of our home! It was an area I was afraid to tackle on my own with the weird angles on a ladder. So we hired a painter and I’m so glad it’s finished!
STAIRWELL SOURCES: Orb chandelier | ‘It Is Well’ Canvas Art | Double Sconces
KING GUEST BEDROOM BEFORE & AFTER
Our king guest bedroom has seen it’s fair share of updates over the years. (We’ve name them king vs. queen simply based on the mattress size). Most recently it got some major upgrades with a new bed and nightstands! We also swapped up the bedding for all the hosting we’re doing during the holidays.
CHRISTMAS GUEST BEDROOM SOURCES: Upholstered Bed | Bead Chandelier | Striped Rug | Windowpane Plaid Bedding | Plaid Lumbar Pillow | Raffia Nightstands | Mirrors | Lamps | White Noise Machine | Wreath | Lit Mini Tree | ‘O Come Let Us Adore Him’ Canvas
QUEEN GUEST BEDROOM BEFORE & AFTER
Our queen guest bedroom was one of the first bedroom we ever initially updated! Over the past year, I’ve slowly been making additional updates in here and it’s still very much a work in progress (hence the not-great iPhone shot). But, I think I’ll have this one wrapped up in early 2020!
GUEST BEDROOM SOURCES: Cane Bed | Bead Chandelier | Nightstand | Wreath | Linen Pillows | Bench | Linen Drapes | Curtain Rod | Tapered Finials | Curtain Rings | Hand-Knotted Rug
QUEEN GUEST BATHROOM BEFORE & AFTER
About this time last year, I gave our small guest bathroom a makeover for under $200 and it completely changed the entire space! Is it our dream guest bathroom? No. But it’s a huge renovation improvement from where we started!
GUEST BATHROOM SOURCES: Abstract Canvas Art | Shower Curtain Fabric | White Porcelain Pitcher | Similar Faux Maidenhair Ferns | Lemongrass & Ginger Hand Soap
MASTER BEDROOM BEFORE & AFTER
One of the most involved makeovers I did this past year was our master bedroom project! I finally tackled painting all the trim and ceiling white, and changed the bedroom walls from SW Sea Salt to Valspar September Fog. I love how bright and updated space looks now!
MASTER BEDROOM SOURCES:  Similar Bed | Wood Bead Chandelier | Bench | Linen Pillows (color: Gunmetal) | Embroidered Pillows | Striped Curtains | Gold Curtain Rod | Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree | Cane Nightstands | USB Ceramic Lamps | Rug | Decorative Manzanita Branch | Spotted White Vase
MASTER BATHROOM BEFORE & AFTER
If you saw yesterday’s post, I gave our master bathroom a mini-refresh last weekend and love how it all came together. I painted the walls a few years ago, but never really did much past that point. I’m loving how the simple changes make it feel so much lighter and brighter! And I’m glad I was able to get this project off my list just in time for a new year!
MASTER BATHROOM SOURCES: Towel Hooks | Woven Stool | Similar Vase | Faux Greenery | Runner Rug
DEN (FORMER CRAFT ROOM) BEFORE & AFTER
One of my favorite makeovers of the entire year was transforming our craft room into a den! This may very well be my favorite room in our entire home now! It doesn’t even seem possible this is the same space that we started with!
DEN SOURCES: Linen Sectional | Indoor/Outdoor Diamond Rug | Scallop Light Fixture | Coffee Table | Palm Tree Art | Jute Poufs | Similar Ceramic Vase | Faux Greenery Stems | Small Striped Pillow | Wide Striped Pillow | Palm Print Pillow | Striped Throw | Roman Shades
LAUNDRY ROOM BEFORE & AFTER
The last major update I gave our laundry room was when I painted the walls with a buffalo check pattern. This year, we did have to replace our washer and dryer (and now have white models) so I need to get an updated photo with them in there!
LAUNDRY ROOM SOURCES: Scallop Light Fixture | Similar Basket Tray | Similar White Ceramic Pineapple
BACKYARD/POOL BEFORE & AFTER
Although it’s been about four years since our pool was built, the space continues to evolve as our landscaping matures. Our backyard is truly one of our favorite places in the world to be!
I hope you enjoyed this before and after tour! You can see our short-term and long-term house goals if you want a little insight into where we plan to take things in the coming years!
I’ll be posting less frequently next week, and if you’re signing off for the holidays, I want to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! I truly appreciate each and every one of you taking the time to come read my blog and I’m so excited to see where things go this next year. I hope you all enjoy some down time and come back refreshed in the new year!
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You have accomplished so much in your home and it looks so beautiful. Every room looks so fresh, light, bright and clean. And your back yard is amazing. You are very blessed.
Merry Christmas!
Your kitchen update is beyond stunning I am in love!! I couldn’t find anywhere what color your walls are in the kitchen? It would be amazing if you could share!!
Thank you so much! The walls are also Benjamin Moore Simply White. They are in an eggshell finish and the trim is the same color in a semi-gloss.
Do you notice a big difference in the trim color and wall color due to the different sheens they have? I have noticed at times it makes the walls appear yellow. I was thinking about maybe doing the trim in a satin finish ( Simply white of course!) to prevent the trim from making the walls give off a yellow hue. I love simply whites warmth and depth but I don’t want it to appear yellow. By the wall your home is gorgeous.
In person it isn’t quite as noticeable, but there definitely is a difference! I’m guessing it’s because the semi-gloss trim reflects more light. But I actually like to see the contrast so it doesn’t feel flat! 🙂
where are your outside table and chairs from?
Love your blog! Love your style! Love it all! I want to do some major redos in parts of my house that have been neglected for 7 years – I see you’ve changed out a lot of your furniture – how do you make this affordable? Do you sell your old furniture? (If so – online? consignment?). Looking for extra ways to make the budgets work! Thanks!
Thank you so much! And yes – I’m a huge advocate for selling your old furniture. In many cases, I was able to pay for half (or more) of the new pieces with what I got from selling the old ones! I’ve had the best luck with local buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook. Also, keep in mind that this took place over seven years, so we would tackle different rooms at different time. I hope that helps!