Home Renovation : Before/After Kitchen

JD and I floated for years. From apartment to condo to buying a condo, waiting for the chance to settle roots. For almost a decade we worked in small spaces and built big dreams. In early 2015, we needed a change, so we set our minds to finding a house to buy, but every door closed. No, slammed in our faces. I was tired, frustrated, and felt like we'd never afford a home. And we couldn't.

Until I wrote a letter.

The long (lonnnng) story short is we toured an open house in Newport Beach knowing good and well it was out of our price range. It was an impossibility, but still we entered the house to see this…

I didn't take these before photos, but they'll give you a good idea of what we saw…and the potential that took my breath away…

The home was built in the 1950s and only had two previous owners…

After touring the open house, we left feeling totally and completely bummed. JD threw his arm around my shoulders and said I shouldn't worry. A month later, JD searched the MLS listings and saw the house was still for sale. Over lunch, he said I should write a letter to the owner and share our story (more on that later). I scoffed. I laughed. I said he was being ridiculous.

But I ended up writing the letter.

I poured my heart out, I told her our budget, and a included a picture of Polo (OH YES I DID!!!), and mailed it. The following day, the owner agreed to the sale at our asking price. Thirty days later, we got the keys to our new home…and I couldn't believe the time had come for us to live out our dreams. I never had prayed so hard (or felt so ridiculous) for sending a letter, but God took my mustard seed faith and proved audacious dreams are just miracles in disguise.

We were out of the country when demolition started on the remodel, so we returned to find this in the kitchen…

Here's a BEFORE view of the kitchen and dining room…

And here's the AFTER view of the kitchen and dining room…

We spend most our time in the kitchen (JD does the cooking, I do the eating), so having a space that's conducive for friends and family to commune while we host has been truly amazing. I'm smitten with the shaker cabinets (we kept the old cabinets in place and a woodworker refaced the doors to save on money) and the open shelving.

Oh, these bar stools. Maybe I should say THESE BARRRRSTOOOOLS. I love them so much I want to cuddle with them.

I need to take a moment to thank my sweet friend, Lindye Galloway, for stepping in and helping us hone our vision. She took our ideas, refined them, and helped us bring the vision for the house alive. We've been pals for so long and I trusted her to come alongside us and help us stay on track during our crazy work season. Adore her. Really.

The subzero fridge and the wolf range came with the house. The previous owner was a chef, so when JD saw these appliances in the kitchen, he nearly whispered sweet nothings to them, followed by a slow wink.

JD likes function in a kitchen, and I like form. This kitchen is a blend for us both…

This midcentury modern marble table and armless stuffed chairs make for a cozy and chic dining room. And the modern chandelier? Yes, please.

I'll end on this note for now…because you'll find me sitting on these chairs every morning with my laptop and a cup of tea. More photos coming soon, but until then, have a beautiful day!

Mustard Seeds,
j*