I am so excited to be moving back to OKC! The home-buying process was extremely stressful. Along with an overwhelming housing market right now - many places getting 20-30 offers - we hit obstacles every step of the way. This was the 4th house I offered on, but it was by far my favorite! It made me thankful that the others didn't work out. My realtor, Danielle Rogers, was amazing. She is so fun to work with, went to bat for me multiple times with unhelpful realtors and rude loan officers, and helped me find houses that fit my style, desired neighborhoods, and budget. I highly, highly recommend her if you need a realtor in the OKC metro area! Since the house is about to undergo extensive remodeling, I thought it would be fun to share the process. I am going to ask that you all trust me, and look at these photos with an open mind. This house is very different from anything else I looked at, which played in my favor during the buying process (This house got 3 offers, compared to the usual 20-30 we've been facing). Every vendor who has looked at it messaged me afterwards to comment on the house. Some, like the inspector, said it was "unique," in a way that seemed as if they were wondering what in the world I was thinking. Others, like my insurance agent, loved it right away. The house needs a LOT of work, and these "before" photos will be drastically different than the "after" photos later on. My sisters both told me they were a little hesitant about my choice when first seeing photos, but loved it in person once I explained my vision for it. My realtor has requested that I send photos when it's done, because she wants to see the difference. As you look through the "before," picture a mix of Belle's cottage and the Beast's castle. I'm wanting to modernize much of the house, but still leave the charm and some fairy tale aspects. My goal was to find a house that could have some mid-century modern elements, but also some industrial elements, and this is the only house I saw that could do both! The main things that will be adjusted cosmetically are changing paint colors, re-finishing the floors, and adding updated lighting. The house is very dark, and all of the light fixtures are "unique" (I'm using this word in the way that my inspector meant it. haha). The home was built in the 1960s, and has only been owned by one couple. Their son is now selling the home, so I'll only be the second owner. I love the features of this home that make it different - exposed brick, wood floors, ceiling beams, shutters, backyard flagstone, weird little quirks. I'm adding photos for each room so you can see the details. I didn't edit them, partially out of laziness, but partially so you'll able to see how dark it is in many photos! I had to use the flash for a lot of them, because even with my ISO turned all the way up, it was still too dark. Front Yard.The house has a two-car garage, plant beds all around the front, and a cute brick porch. Major changes will be adding a bigger mail box/package area, removing the dead plants by the tree, taking out 99% of the plants in the plant beds and planting new ones, removing plants growing in front of the entry, fixing the siding around the garage, and replacing the gutters around the front. Entry/ Hallway.The entryway panorama looks so strange. The hallway has a lot of storage, weird vent(?) things, and a strange bar that I think may have been used to hang laundry...? I won't be doing much to this area, other than refinishing the floors and updating the lighting. Library/ Dining Room.What's a Beauty and the Beast home without a library? This will be a combination library and dining room. I had a totally different plan for the dining area that will not work with this combined space, so I'm trying to re-imagine that area a little. Major changes will be re-painting (in similar colors), updating lighting, adding bookshelves, and re-finishing floors. Kitchen.Oh, this kitchen... Major changes will be essentially everything. We'll be removing most of these cabinets, the coffee bar will get moved to the other side of the kitchen, fridge will be moved into the kitchen, adding a full-size oven/range with hood, and new counters/cabinets will be built, along with some open shelving, refinished floors, updated lighting, and paint. Laundry Area.Major changes here will be paint, adding a laundry sorting area, removing the fridge, and new tile for the floor. Living Room.Major changes will be paint, updated lighting, refinished floors, fixing the broken gas line and broken bricks in the fireplace, and adding a mantle. I mentioned the unique lighting - each room essentially has one handmade chandelier or other odd light fixture. They're interesting to look at, but not super practical. This room also has the markings on the wall where they documented the kids' heights as they grew up. I feel a little guilty covering that up! Guest Bath.Major changes will be a custom vanity (this one is very short, and the wood counter isn't very practical), new toilet, knocking down part of the dividing wall, updated lighting, and paint. I considered replacing the tub, but I have been informed that by doing so, we'd lose the brick wall and possibly the floor, so I opted to keep the tub. Office/ Craft Room.This is the room that's the toughest for me to envision. I love all of the storage, and plan to use that as a craft closet. I've got a craft desk and plan to use that as a space for writing, with a shelf for the things I've gotten published. Also maybe a puzzle/game table? I'm not sure. Definite changes will be paint, refinished floors, and updated lighting. Guest Room.I'm calling this the guest room, but it will likely be where the dogs sleep. I had big plans of making this a guest room/ movie room, with a projector and a little mini bar and concession stand in the closet, but the contractor told me we'd have to add a lot of ventilation to make that happen. So that will be a back burner idea! Master Bedroom.I love this room, but it is a mess. There's a weird stain on the floor (that we have confirmed is NOT blood) that looks like there was a half-attempt to sand it away. There is a bunch of exposed wiring around the room. The lighting is just confusing. One fixture is a fake candle mounted to the wall. The other is ACTUAL candles - hung less than a foot from the wall in a house that is almost entirely made of wood. So many questions. Major changes will be the usual floors, lighting, paint combo. I am adding two hanging lights on either side of the bed, adding LED can lights in the ceiling, and fixing or camouflaging the stain on the floor. Master Bathroom.Another full demo room. This vanity is short as well, so a custom one will be built. Adding a (hopefully barn) door to the outside of the area, then inside the bathroom will be a new toilet, tiled shower with a new door, new floor, and taking out the wood walls. Backyard.The backyard is even worse than the front when it comes to overgrowth and invasive plants. Major changes will be taking out most of the small plants, removing the red tree (it's toxic to dogs), adding a small fence around the patio, fixing the area of the roof and downed line where a tree limb fell previously, restoring the back brick wall/planter area, removing the ivy around the side of the house, and adding a doghouse. I am not a consistent blogger at all. If you glance around the rest of my page, that will be very evident. But I am hoping to post with each phase of the remodel, as well as some of the fun DIY projects that I'll be doing. First up - I'll be starting to paint this weekend!
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About the AuthorSydney Aerin is a published and performing poet, as well as a licensed therapist. She is passionate about disability awareness, mental health education, and equality for all. Sydney lives in Oklahoma City with her two dogs, Lily and Padfoot. ArchivesCategories |