Alabama Farmhouse Refresh: We were living in Georgia minding our own business, just like we had been for the past 12 years and then it happened, the opportunity to move back to our home state of Alabama. The idea of living near a lot of our family made this move exciting. The ball started rolling, house hunting trips began and all that goes with them.
We had driven by this house 4 times, at some point I noticed a small sign: For Sale By Owner. The fourth time I looked at it, Rhonda (our realtor) said are you interested in that one?? She whips in to the drive way and calls the number on the sign, they’re not home. She made an appointment to come over and take photos for us, we headed back to Georgia.
Rhonda sent her assistant over to take photos and they emailed them to us. I was so excited when I saw the email come through. Oh my goodness, this could be the one! My mind raced with ways to talk Barry in to it. It was old and the exterior was mostly wood. That’s just not his thing, I didn’t know if it was my thing or not? I opened the email, looked at the photos and said, nope, this is not for us. It’s not an open floor plan, I don’t think we can live there. I emailed Rhonda back and said, we don’t want to look at it. It’s not us, not open and very little natural light. She emailed me back and said that she’d already made the appointment and that we should take a courtesy look and that she had more listings that we would probably like.
These are the photos that I received that day.
Before photos:
Photos of the entry.
Living room.
Master bedroom.
Kitchen.
Bedroom 2.
Bedroom 3
Bedroom 4
Two 2 Car Garages
Shop Area in garage 1.
Garage 2
Storage above garage 2.
Kitchen area in garage 2.
Patio and back porch.
We loved the house! Needless to say, we bought it. We have a vision for what it will look like once all the items are checked off the list.
The: plans for our Alabama farmhouse refresh:
Remove 3 interior walls.Paint the whole house inside.- Add a roof over the existing patio. Outdoor complete!
- Build an outdoor kitchen.
- Remodel garage 2 to create a farmhouse cottage, including new roof. See the: cottage kitchen, cottage living room, painting the cottage kitchen cabinets,
- Finish unpacking! (I may need to move this up!)
- New counter tops.
- Paint kitchen cabinets. See the before and after main house kitchen.
- Live happily ever after 😉
- I’m sure there’s more!
Photos of in process wall removal:
X marks the spot for wall removal.
Living room, the walls removed: wall to dine in kitchen area and dining room wall.
Enlarged the opening from the entry to the dining room.
The house was built in the ’80’s and there is a step down to the living room. The floors in the whole house are wide plank pine except for the laundry/pantry area, those are tiled.
Current view of the entry. You can see that the newly painted white interior really made a difference. The whole house is so much lighter and brighter. The paint color is Dove White, colored matched with Sherwin Williams paint.
I am so glad we looked at the house. We were pleasantly surprised, the original photos did not do it justice. Now that we’ve made a few changes, it’s starting to feel like home. We look at each other every now and then and can’t believe we live in this awesome house!
Back porch roof is going up this week:
Watch the video to see the back porch progress:
Kim Lambirth says
I am so happy you changed your mind, and went with the house! Pictures you showed received by email I could see many possibilities inside, and out. Changes you have made have transformed beautifully! I can feel that this home with your changes. Great job, and enjoy this treasure!
Kim
Nadia says
Debbie, the house looks so beautiful and has so much character! I can’t wait to see final before and after pictures!!! Good luck with renovations! Have a great and productive weekend! 🙂
Erlene Amat says
This house was meant for you to come along and polish it up. It’s going to look gorgeous when it’s all done. Thanks for sharing this on Merry Monday.
Jenni says
Debbie, What a find!! I’m very happy for you both. I love the entryway in aqua and turquoise. It will be fun to see it all when you’re done with the remodeling and decorating.
Rhonda says
I enjoy reading your blog from Texas. You always inspire me, and this new home is no exception. It is a wonderful home and your special touches will make it stunning. Enjoy!
Betty Whatley says
Debbie first welcome back to Alabama. What part of Alabama is your new home in? I love the new things that you are doing to it and can’t wait to see it when you get through. I love the land around it also. Congratulations.
Karen Marie Kedzuch says
Debbie,
. Your new home is going through a transition just like Barry and you. Soon those boxes will be gone alone with the construction crew. You will be left with the beauty you see in this charming home. The darling cape cod cottage will be graced as it shares it’s journey through l8fe while you create it as your home.
Blessings to you and your family in your new home.
Karen Marie
Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says
I am just swooning over the pine floors and that staircase! I would not have hesitated in buying this house, either! I cannot wait to see how you put your personal stamp on it!
Marty Oravetz says
Oh wow, congratulations!!!!! This house is going to be totally amazing with your touch. I can’t wait to see it all come together.
Paula says
I am so excited for you and Barry! What a great home you’ve found and I know that you are already loving the changes that you’ve made. I look forward to following along with all of your projects.
Serena @ Thrift Diving says
You’ve done more in this time than I have done in 6 years since we moved in here! It looks great so far. You’ve proven that with just some walls knocked down, a house can be transformed. Send your wall-knocker-downers up to Maryland. I think my home could use this!
Julie Blanner says
It is just beautiful! I absolutely adore your new home and am astonished with your progress so far!
Linda Cole says
Love this house! Can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you do with it. Congrats on a fabulous home!!
Calypso in the Country says
It’s gorgeous already! Congratulations!
Shelley
gail says
Oh my gosh Debbie!!!! The house is awesome! I love, love, love everything about it (the new stuff you’re doing) It was really dark!
The front is gorgeous, the outbuildings? oh my gosh! So much room for so many projects! I’m so happy you’re home, near your family and your sweet mama! 🙂
I’m so excited to follow along. I can’t wait for more pictures!!!
gail
Rhonda says
Love it all! I’m from Alabama too. I wish I was back there.
Marsha jones says
Debbie, the original pics look awesome to me. This house is amazing and with the plans you have for it, I know you are giddy as all git out! I’ll be following along. Congratulations!
Debbie says
Congratulations! The house is so, so beautiful and just what I would have bought. But we miss your shop here in Georgia.
Gina says
Love the wood plank ceiling in the den and kitchen. Love the shape of front door! Can’t wait to see all the changes.
Cindy says
Debbie, love the floors and great vision. It just takes a creative mind to past what you don’t like. Editing
Cindy
Helen Holley says
Lucky you! What a fabulous house!
Helen H
Kim says
So glad you had the vision of how change what wasn’t working. I would have snagged it, too! Can’t wait to see more progress.
laura janning says
so excited to see your house journey….and I can’t wait to visit.
Jeanie says
What an awesome house Debbie! I love everything about it! Oh to have space for a big workshop, how wonderful you lucky girl!
Heidi @ Decor & More says
What a jewel of a home, Debbie!! Love all the character and I know you will inject even more into it! Hope you’re settling in well… xo Heidi
Mary P says
Love it. A lot of it looks like cosmetic. Just beautiful. Totally farmhouse.
Good luck and can’t wait to see all your decorating.
Nanc y @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Oh my gosh, it’s amazing Debbie!! I can not wait to see the garage turned farmhouse cottage! 🙂
Jaime Costiglio says
Just gorgeous, what a wonderful find. Clearly it was fate and meant to be.
Bliss says
The whole thing – awesome – but that porch is really gonna be something!!!
Cassie Bustamante says
this is just so exciting! congrats to you and barry!
Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says
Your new home is so beautiful but I know that once you add your amazing design touches it will be spectacular. I look forward to following along as you undertake this wonderful adventure.
Debbie Manno says
Congrats Debbie! It’s an absolute charmer. I would have bought it no doubt. You have the vision and the dream and when all is said and done I do believe this will be your favorite home ever.
Debbie says
Thanks Debbie, I think you’re right, our favorite home ever…so far! XO
Pam Kessler says
How fun! I have to say just the storage area above the garage would have done it for me! I’m a sucker for “free” rooms! Love what you’ve done so far!!!
Debbie says
I totally agree Pam, between the extra storage and that shop, I was sold!! Thank you!
Rebekah {A Blissful Nest} says
So exciting Debbie! I can’t wait to see what you do with it!!
Debbie says
Exciting and tiring, hahaha! I can’t wait to see it all done too! Thank you!!
Kelly Elko says
Congrats Debbie!! It’s a beauty!
Debbie says
Thanks so much Kelly!
RHoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Debbie, I love it!! The exterior had me and event the before pics are beautiful to me. Love that you took out walls, that will make a huge difference and I’m so glad you got this house. Gahhh!!! I love, love it, it would be such a dream home for me. I love Cape Cod cottage style homes. Can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s beautiful already!
Debbie says
Rhoda, I know!! Thank you, I am loving it even with the construction and boxes – I can see it’s going to be just right for us!
Nancy says
Wow Debbie, what an exciting project. The house has great bones, and you will make it fabulous!!! Can’t wait to watch this transformation.
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Looks amazing! So glad you bought it! It’s so you….and all that anazing storage!
Debbie says
Thank you, everyone said it’s so me and I agree!! I’m so happy that Barry loved it too!! XO