Buying a 104 yr old Fixer-Upper: Renovation Time!

May 26, 2010

UPDATE: CHANGE OF PLANS…
DIDN’T BUY THIS HOUSE. 
We changed our minds after inspection and were still trying to sell our house at the time. wasn’t mean to be!
……………………………………


I don’t have time to put together a post…because we are focused on this…..
buying a 104 yr old fixer-upper!!
i can see the potential in this place!! We are currently bringing in some professionals/specialists to check out some things in the house for us…get some quotes… and then we are going to put an offer on it sometime this week. So if all goes well this old baby will be mine to go crazy nesting in!! haha. i’m so excited. i love a good challenge…and i can’t wait to document it and share it with all of you! So say a prayer all goes well! 
I am not a shy person……at all…..so i was knocking on the neighbors doors last sunday asking them about the house and the neighborhood. met some lovely people!! Found out the couple that lived there moved into the house back when they were just newlyweds in the 40’s…and lived there their whole life!! The wife who was a widow recently passed away at 84! So it was a loved house…but not very updated. 
Here’s some shots i took earlier today when we were there with our appointments. Look past the wallpaper and “oldness.” The trimwork will be lovely with some tlc!! it looks like it’s only been painted once. the tree on the left of the house has got to go too.
love the fireplaces. it has two. and the built in has so much potential. i actually like the wallpaper she put up in the back of it it is sooo old (but in great condition) might try and make it work in the room.
i love the trim work in this room!! gonna do something with the fireplace to lighten it up. i’ve had my eye on some glass tiles..
plenty of rooms to fill up with babies!! and company. :)
most of the doors have glass knobs! need some loving but i love the sparkle!
original subway tile! love it. the wallpaper has to go though..and some other updates will happen.
i love the french doors…and the 3 wide windows on both sides of the house!! can’t wait to take down those curtains and come up with something fabulous!! there are also other french doors left around that we can put back up. 
we’re going to totally re-do the kitchen……:::::squeals with joy!!::::: if you want me to save the sunflower border for you just let me know where to send it. ;) i’ll even throw in the matching valance. I’m trying to come up with a new configuration right now… gonna be tricky but i’m so excited to have an organized/new kitchen.
i love the front porch.
the backyard has so much potential! there’s already a plot marked out for a garden. and a fire-pit/fireplace thing. haha.
sorry i can’t chit chat more! thanks for stopping by and i’ll let you know how it all goes!


  • jenn
    May 26, 2010 at 8:57 am

    I TOTALLY LOVE THIS HOUSE!!!
    i hope you guys get it =)

  • Nadine
    May 26, 2010 at 9:34 am

    Oh it’s to die for! I LOVE IT! I want one ;0)

  • SweDaisy
    May 26, 2010 at 9:38 am

    I love the house. I can’t wait to see what you do along the way. Just wondering, where you found me?

    Take Care,
    Lisa

  • Laura and family
    May 26, 2010 at 9:40 am

    ahh i LOVE it. you will make it perfect, no doubt.
    can’t wait to see! :)

  • fittingbackin
    May 26, 2010 at 9:43 am

    I would like the sunflower border please!! Great house, girl!! Love it! The doorknobs are such a fun add on.

  • Kelli
    May 26, 2010 at 9:45 am

    That front porch is what would lure me in! I love it. Have fun! Oh and even though I LOVE sunflowers I think I will have to pass on the border :)

  • Darlene
    May 26, 2010 at 9:46 am

    What charm! Good luck!

  • Margaret Brame
    May 26, 2010 at 10:05 am

    I can see why you like the house! The fireplaces are amazing. Okay, I think you’re giving me the house-hunting-bug. Good luck with everything!

  • alli/hooray
    May 26, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Ooh, I would be SO excited over this. This place has amazing potential. Good luck!

  • julie
    May 26, 2010 at 10:28 am

    i love it! how fun will that be! i’m sure you will make it look amazing! my hubs and i think it would be so fun to get an old house and make it ours. they have so much character! can’t wait for the outcome!

  • Kim
    May 26, 2010 at 10:44 am

    So happy for you Natalie. The house is amazing and it’s just oozing with charm. I can sense your excitement in your post and I know that you will give it new life and bring your sweet personal touches to it as well. Best of luck. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that all goes well!
    xoxo,
    Kim

  • Heather at All A Flutter
    May 26, 2010 at 11:25 am

    that’s so exciting. the house looks beautiful and like it’s just waiting for a creative girl like you to make her mark on it. good luck!!

  • sharlyn emily
    May 26, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    i am so excited for you!! i came across your blog a couple weeks ago and have fallen in love :) so cute! and great tips! ;)

    i can’t wait to be newlyweds and renovate a home of my own. have a BLAST with yours!!

    also, if i were you i’d try to incorporate one small element of a sunflower in the kitchen to remember the people who made this house their home too! :) just a thought! have a great day!

  • Lane
    May 26, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Yay! So fun! Congrats!!!

  • Sarah
    May 26, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Oh, Natalie, it’s BEAUTIFUL! Gotta love a house with character. :) My mom’s house is 101 – and she threw a party in honor of her 100th “birthday” last year. Seriously. Prayers that everything goes through smoothly & you get to make it your own!

  • I am Laura
    May 26, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    can’t wait to see what you do with it. It is a charming place. I love the front entryway as well. Congratulations

  • LindseyRockers
    May 26, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    cute house! are you planning to do most of the work before or after the baby comes?

  • ashlina {the decorista}
    May 26, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    wow that house looks amazing!
    how have you been sweetie?

    pop on over to my blog…giving away a zebra rug! :)

  • jaime
    May 26, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    it has so much potential! you have such a great taste that I can’t wait to see the after pictures :) good luck!

  • Karey Ellen
    May 26, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    It’s lovely and definitely has sooo much potential! I’m excited to see what happens! :D

    xoxo,

    KareyEllen

    KareyEllenDesigns.blogspot.com

  • anythingbutperfect
    May 26, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    love all the old details! that house has great potential! very cute!

  • Sarah
    May 26, 2010 at 11:41 pm

    What a perfect house for you and your growing family! It is just gorgeous! Ian and I are house hunting now and haven’t fallen in love with anything yet, but i can tell it’s going to happen soon! It is so fun walking into houses and trying to imagine yourself living in it! I cannot wait to see the progress on all your projects!

  • Anna Liesemeyer
    May 27, 2010 at 10:45 am

    Natalie, this is such a great house! Its like a blank canvas ready to be painted!! Hope you get it!