It’s wild to think it’s already been five months since we bought the split-level just down the road — the one we planned to renovate and sell. In a perfect world, I would’ve been popping in here every week with real-time updates, dust-covered selfies, and dramatic progress photos. But that’s simply not the season of life I’m in. Between kids’ sports, activities, summer adventures, and family trips, the blog had to take a little nap.
Still, thank you to everyone who has messaged asking about the project — the encouragement truly means so much. And now…I’m officially back with an update!
Drumroll and jazz hands, please…
Not only is the renovation completely finished, but the house is already under contract. 🎉
We had tons of interest and nearly two dozen showings. Seeing that many people walk through and get excited about the space was the best reward. And now we’re thrilled knowing another family will soon call it home.
My kids, however, are slightly heartbroken — they adored what they lovingly named the “work house.” They would happily have moved in themselves if given the option. And because Ryan and my dad poured so many hours into this place, the kids loved having extra time with their grandparents along the way. (It really became a family affair.)
Now that the dust — literal and emotional — has settled, I’m excited to start sharing all the before-and-after photos and the details behind each space over the next few weeks.
And we’re kicking things off with my very favorite spot in the entire home: the sunroom.
This room is massive — it spans the full depth of the house — and it’s surrounded by windows with views that feel almost magical. There’s a deck off both the front and the back, so light pours in from every direction. Truly, it’s the kind of room you dream about stumbling upon in a renovation.
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The Sunroom: Before
When we started, the bones were already good. The windows? Gorgeous. The size? Dreamy. The potential? Off the charts. But the room felt tired. The walls were a patchwork of old paint colors, the drop ceiling was stained, and despite all those windows, it felt darker than it should.
We suspected it may have originally been a screened porch that was enclosed over time — which would explain the tiny wall A/C unit that struggled to cool the space in summer. And without heat, it wasn’t practical year-round. It always felt like such a shame for such an incredible room.
We also had no idea what lurked above those dated ceiling tiles…until demo day.
The Surprise That Made the Whole Room
When the guys started pulling down the ceiling tiles, we all just stood there in shock — a 12-foot vaulted ceiling was hiding above them. Cue the heart eyes. SWOON. It instantly changed everything.
We replaced the wood ceiling panels, added insulation everywhere, and patched the holes left from old skylights. Then came the layers of transformation: fresh paint (and endless hours of it — shout-out to my dad, the real MVP), new white outlets, new luxury vinyl flooring, and a sleek new ceiling fan.
Both decks got love too — the front simply needed a deep clean, and the back received repairs and a solid-stain refresh.
But the True Game-Changer?
The Mr. Cool mini split that Ryan and my dad installed. It quietly heats and cools the space year-round, and honestly? It’s life-changing. There’s even a small new window beneath it where the old A/C unit sat. With the vaulted ceiling revealed and temperature control added, this room went from “pretty seasonal space” to “true four-season family haven.”
I’m not exaggerating when I say I’d probably use this as my main living room. Imagine sipping morning coffee while the sun rises across those windows… or curling up at night with the moonlight shining in. Chef’s kiss.
Room Sources
- Flooring: ProCore Plus English Grove Oak (7″ wide)
- Paint: Behr Dolphin Fin (walls), Behr Ultra Pure White (trim)
- Mini split: Mr. Cool 12,000 BTU ductless mini split
- Fan: Patriot industrial ceiling fan with light
- Wall sconce: Licperron Wall Sconce
I hope you love this room as much as we do. It’s cozy, bright, functional, and full of heart — exactly the kind of transformation that makes renovation so rewarding.
If this space inspires you, go ahead and save the ideas —
If you like it, put a pin on it. 🧡