Note: I originally wrote about our house’s transformation from a 1980’s ranch to a “what-year-was-this-built?” cottagey-farmhouse in a multi-part remodeling series three years ago. I will be updating these posts over the next few months by showcasing the “before and after” of each room and going into more details (want to make sure you don’t miss anything? Subscribe by email here or RSS here).
When we moved from the big city to an acre outside of a smaller town, my dream was to find an old farmhouse to fix up. However, this was during the housing-boom eight years ago and there was not much available in our price range that was stick-built (vs. manufactured). In fact, I believe we only looked at three or four homes and one of those was a foreclosure with questionable sellers.
Maybe I should mention that we had already sold our city bungalow (it was such a seller’s market then- we had buyers 3 hours after putting our sign out!), and were living in Brian’s parent’s basement. So not finding many homes to even look at was a little discouraging, to say the least.
By the time we looked at the house we own today, I was willing to forgo a lot on my initial wish list. As long as it had some things I could work with (or around) I was willing to go for it.
This was the view that greeted us when we initially walked in (not the people, though- we took this photo after signing the papers, but before the owners had moved – that’s all their furniture…and stuffed animals!).
See all the lights turned on and how dark it still is? Yeah, that’s how a warm summer day in August looked in this house. Every thing was dark, dark, dark. And since we live in Oregon where three-quarters of the year is gray, dark is something I always fight against.
Although it was a ranch built in 1982 (not a vintage farmhouse…) these were the things that convinced me we could make it work:
- Large, double-hung windows in almost every room. If any of you are familiar with ranch houses from the 70s and 80s, you know how rare this is – most of the windows, especially in the bedrooms are those long, narrow windows set high on the walls.
- Wood-clad ceilings in the great room and master bedroom. Again- rare in ranches of this era.
- Vaulted great-room ceiling. Though I’ve since come to have a love/hate relationship with it: I love how it looks and how open it makes the house feel, but I hate how all the heat goes up there and we freeze down below. All. Winter. Long.
- Quality wood-work, cabinets, and a ton of cupboards throughout the house. It was a builder’s own house, and we love all the extras.
The first thing that had to be done, then, throughout the whole house before moving in was:
Paint everything.
In the dining room this was simpler than other rooms: we covered the window, door and floor, and sprayed everything – the walls, moldings, and ceiling.
We then replaced one of the windows and the single door with a pair of multi-paned French doors and the “fake old west” light fixture with our $10.00 thrift store chandelier that came with us from our previous house.
After buying some bar stools (Target) and adding our furniture (though this table and chairs are recent finds from last summer that I refinished), the dining room was complete.
And much, much brighter.
Here’s a reminder (just in case you forgot from a few minutes ago…). Dark and dated to light and bright. Isn’t it amazing what paint can do?
And while the French doors were not cheap, we’ve learned through our years of DIY-ing that we do what we can ourselves and scrimp where it doesn’t matter as much, but it’s OK to splurge on a few things that make a difference to us every day (um…maybe I should clarify that this was a $600 splurge and not a $20,000 splurge, just to keep perspective).
And seven years later I still love these doors and the difference they’ve brought to this room. Definitely worth it.
Making over your own dining room could be as simple as painting (a-hem…just a wall or two, it doesn’t have to be everything in sight), replacing a fixture, and finding some furniture to rehab from Craigslist. Or it could involve adding doors, windows, or moldings.
For us it was a little of both.
OK, I guess it was a LOT of paint.
Have you remodeled a dining room? What advice would you give? And if you’ve posted about it, leave the link in the comments – I’d love to see what you’ve done!
Debbie says
I love, love, love this. And I admire your ability to see that in the original. Do you have any plans to knock down the knee walls separating the dining room from the living area?
Jami @ An Oregon Cottage says
No, the living room is a step down, so that would be too involved – plus I like the wall as it allows us to have a low sideboard and desk on the dining room side. I’m not a huge fan of the “great room” idea. 🙂
Christine @ idreamofclean.net says
What a transformation!!! It’s beautiful!
Keeping it Cozy says
How beautiful! I do love the addition of the french doors… all the natural light coming in is so pretty. It truly is amazing what paint can do.
[email protected] says
ohhhhh, that’s lovely! I need to redo the paint in our north-facing living room…it’s naturally dark in there and I need something light and bright like you have. So many projects to tackle!
Stoney Acres says
Wow what a change and what a beautiful room!!
Thoughts for the day says
I love the white paint look, our kitchen and all the wood work in the house is cherry wood. Yes you are correct on the french doors we purchased two in 2006 during a remodel job, one was custom made and one was standard patio size the only thing I wish we would have done was purchase the kind that were more paned look, ours have built in mini blinds and open or close they don’t go up or down. (like the new styles)
I also wish I could find ‘a screen’ that would fit when the french door is open. Love your redo it is very comfy.
Anonymous says
You still can get that screen you so desire…..and it can be tucked away and out of sight when not in use as well….interested? let me know….Creative ideas is all it takes, along with some talent on the part of the installer…..good luck otherwise…..C.N.
Connie says
Beautiful “redo” and you are right paint makes all the difference in the world. Its a beautiful space.
Hugs,
Connie, In/Fl
Anonymous says
yes, a much better look then before…..though i have to say,
the electrical work above the dining table is an eyesore with
the swag like chain….Please, note, there are other ways to
improve. No need to have the swag and chain look, so 70’s…
Moving the electrical properly would have given a cleaner custom
look…..Another idea: A finish called ‘pickeling’ would have
looked awesome for that ceiling instead of just ‘white’ thus
giving that cottage look both want to achieve….Just some
creative ideas, otherwise enjoy the fruit of your labor…C.N.
Chrissy @ muse of the morning says
Hi Jami! That is the same idea that we have for our new house. To get one we could afford and have the property size we wanted, and in the area that we like, we went with one from 1965/1970 (we’re not sure). It’s got low ceilings and dark moulding, but just wait until we get done with it! Adding white walls, trim and faux built-ins will make a world of a difference!
Thank you for sharing! That is an amazing transformation! You definitely made it lighter and airier!!
Chrissy
[email protected] says
Oh my goodness! What a tremendous transformation! Your dining room looks wonderful!
Anonymous says
What a fantastic transformation!
Kim says
As usual you did a fabo job! WOW
Karen @ away for the weekend says
Oh WOW! I had t keep going back and forth between the before and after photos to even believe I was looking at the same space! I love it!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Mmm! It looks so cottage-y and pretty.
Congrats on your new space. Enjoy!!