Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sometimes Those Walls Must Come Down!

As I stepped through the front door of this house with the realtor for our initial walk through I immediately thought "Houston, we have a problem", you could see the kitchen sink from the front door! Now I don't know about you but as a homeschooling momma of three lets just say my kitchen sink is not the first thing I want people to see when they walk into our home!  Below I drew the layout of that part of the house so you can get a better idea of what I am talking about.

This is how the dining area looked on that first day we saw the house with our realtor.

As we conducted the house tour I quickly realized that we could make a wider opening to the right of the kitchen doorway since the breakfast nook was on the other side. Oh what difference it would make, I was sure of it! I loved the location of this particular house above all the others I had seen and I knew we could more or less transform the whole feel of the house with just that one simple (not so simple?;)) change.  This is what it looked like after hubby removed the old carpet and tore that section of the wall down to create the new opening.

Former entrance patched up and flooring being installed.

We decided to make the spot where the former entrance was a big slate colored chalkboard and painted all the other walls a light cream color. We also painted the dining table and chairs in Creamy a Sherwin Williams color.  To read more about how we painted them without sanding go here.
I still have to move the chandelier and hem the curtains but we are so glad to have most of it done!  Here is the after (So sorry for the glare created by the windows. I love all the light that streams through them during the day but it is not good for picture taking!)

Before

After
A better view of the wall to the left.

Before ( Looking in from the breakfast nook side, realtor picture )

After

Close up of opening
Moral of the story? Don't be afraid to tear down a wall (or two), sometimes it can make all the difference!
If you like the print on the breakfast nook wall learn how to make it here. You can also see more of our makeovers, Before and After's here and here.

I am linking up to Modern Country. Check out her blog for lots of inspiration!


60 comments:

cheryl @ nefotlak. said...

oh wow - what an amazing transformation. it looks fabulous. thanks for sharing.
cheryl xox.

Misty said...

I love those dining chairs. Can you tell me where you got yours?

Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottage said...

Misty, I bought them on Craigslist. The original owners bought them at The Bombay Company. They were dark cherry wood and I painted them in Creamy (a Sherwin Williams color). Hope that helps :)


Becky

Misty said...

It does! I have a similar table already, but hate, hate, HATE the chairs. These are amazing and I was thinking the same thing..paint them white!

At The Picket Fence said...

The more I see of your home the more I am in awe of how you have transformed it and how gorgeous it is! I wanted to let you know that we are going to be featuring you AND your sister at our Inspiration Friday party this week. :-) The link goes up Thursday night so be sure to come by and check it out!
Vanessa

Turquoise and Trine said...

Hi! I just found your blog thru House of Hepworths. I love how you've transformed your dining room and living room. I'm your newest follower!

Lori : )
Thrifty Decor Mom

Brenda Pruitt said...

Hi, I couldn't locate your email address. Just wanted you to know you've been featured on my weekly Welcome Wagon. You should be receiving visitors shortly. I welcome you heartily into our little community. And if there's any way I can help you with anything, just shoot me an email!
Brenda http://cozylittlehouse.com

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

WOW what a difference! Your home is beautiful, just became your newest follower. Would love it if you followed me back:) Martina

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Gorgeous!! What kind of flooring did you use, if you don't mind me asking. I am looking for some and really like the color that you chose.

Wonderful transformation! Bravo!

I am your newest follower, too.
Came your way via Brenda at Cozy Little House.

:) Becky

Tina said...

I hopped over from Cozy Little House. I am just so amazed at your talent and eye for decorating and remodeling. I'm a new follower!
PS...you have a beautiful family!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Hi - I found from from Cozy Little House. What a great reno. Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower.
- Joy

My Little Home and Garden said...

I love how bright and airy your home feels. (I, too, came over from Cozy Little House.)

Laura said...

Hi-
I'm here from Cozy Little House and I am a new follower.

I am also a Texas blogger-
stop by if you have time.

Laura
White Spray Paint

Debbie said...

What a wonderful difference! I love everything you did to this, and I really like what is on your chalkboard.

I'm glad that I discovered this blog through Inspiration Friday. It was worth the click!

Anonymous said...

Wow, how gorgeous is that?!?! Love the new door configuration, love the chalkboard!!! and love your table and chairs, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I'm also visiting from Cozy Little House, welcome to our corner of the world :)

Mary
Redo 101

Barb@curlywillowdiy said...

Hey! Just found your blog. I love what I'm seeing here! I'm following!

Jana said...

I love the transformation in your dining room! So inspiring
xo jana

Jedbel @ The Pear Tree Cottage said...

Becky, The flooring is Swiftlock laminate flooring in Walnut sold at Lowes. I would not recommend using this particular flooring since many of the panels came chipped from the manufacturer and had to be returned. It was a hassle to sift through each box trying to find the ones that were not chipped and then having to return the rest. I really love the color though and it is very easy to keep clean. We wanted a low formaldehyde, quick temporary solution since my son suffers from allergies and the carpeting was quite dusty so we went with it but I will definitely be choosing another brand of flooring next time around.

Kim said...

Awesome blog! You have amazing taste. I'm here from the Picket Fence and I'm your newest follower. Pop over for a visit sometime!
xoxo,
Kim

Unknown said...

What a great blog! So glad to discover someone so creative and talented from North Texas! You were recommended by Brenda at Cozy Little House and when she said north Texas, I had to come over and take a peek at a neighbor. You have done wonders with your home and what a perfect place to live. We moved here years ago and chose a home near great walking trails and did lots of renovations, but were not brave enough to do them ourselves like you did!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Gorgeous transformation. Love the blackboard in the dining room.

Mary said...

I love it! Great transformation! Super cool blog! :)

Emily @ Finding My Aloha said...

Another beautiful transformation! I love.love.love. your floors!

Unknown said...

You definitely have an eye for seeing potential in a space (this room, fireplace..) Great job and your room looks very pretty.

Pam Kessler said...

Stopping by from Cozy Little House. I think your chalkboard solution is awesome. Love how the dining room turned out.

Janie said...

Oh I Love it!

I saw you mentioned on Cozy Little, House and had to come over...now I have to look around and see what doorways I can move around!! WAY better then a complete kitchen renovation!

Bargain Hoot said...

I love what you did to your room and the message on your chalkboard!!

xo
Rene'

Cindy said...

Wow! What a difference, your dining room is gorgeous!
Cindy

Jeanne said...

Excellent remodel - it takes real talent to see a change like that and guts to do it!

http://jeanneselep.blogspot.com/2011/07/schumann-bavaria-china.html

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

It looks wonderful~ I love the wall moved and how it changes the whole feel of the room! Well done! Sharing this on FB~ Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

Scribbler said...

Genius!

Anonymous said...

Big difference - HUGE! Love the new look all around. Great job :)

Miss Charming said...

Wonderful transformation! (I just love the dining room chairs, too!)

Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection said...

What a huge difference! It looks amazing...and like a lot of hard work!

Pamela said...

Great reno! It looks wonderful!

Miss Char said...

What a fantastic transformation and if it were me I wouldn't hem the drapes, I like just that little puddle. Thanks so much for sharing.

The Charm of Home said...

Oh, that is wonderful! I love that transformation. I love your dining room. I am afraid I should be worried my husband wants to tear out the wall between our front door and the kitchen sink. I had never thought about viewing a sink full of dishes as you enter the house. I have seen a lot of homes where you see just that though. Yours again is just beautiful!
Thanks for linking it at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Allison Shops said...

Looks great! Moving the doorway made such a big difference! Enjoy your new space.
Dropping by from Met Monday. I hope you'll come see the nursery I helped DD2 create.

Allison
Atticmag

Decorating the Ville said...

This is amazing, amazing, amazing! Thanks for sharing, I am going to become a follower! Over from Dittle Dattle.

Liz

foreverdecorating said...

You are getting a lot of comments about this post because it is crazy good. The finish work is perfect and the chalkboard wall trimmed out where the door used to be, amazing.

Toni said...

Wow! Just beautiful! I found your blog from Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. Thanks for sharing your beautiful transformation! I'm enjoying reading the rest of your blog too. I homeschool one of my children, so I always love seeing how other homeschoolers decorate and organize.

Unknown said...

Wow, what a difference, your house looks very nice, I like your style!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Great job, it turned out just gorgeous!!

Unknown said...

What a difference!

Hope Sewell said...

I lOVE it!! Can you come to my house now?? ;) Stopping by from Delightful Order by the way.

Katie Olthoff said...

This is gorgeous! I LOVE your dining room!!!

ritajoy @harbourbreeze said...

I've been hopping around your (beautiful!) blog, and came upon this amazing dining room! I'm working on plans for mine...and you've inspired me! What color did you paint the walls? I love it!

Ivy and Elephants said...

Changing that wall was pure genius!
The builder needs to hire you to help him design! LOL It all looks gorgeous.
Following you on your redo.
Hugs,
Patti

Welcome said...

I love this! where did you find the roman shades? the drapes and roman shade combo is so beautiful!
Jess~

Becca Bertotti said...

I like the moral of your story !! Your transformed home is beautiful !! Your dining area is so crisp and inviting ... love the chalkboard, too !! I'm a new follower and look forward to seeing mroe of your lovely home !! *Becca*

www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

What a fabulous transformation! Love everything you did.
xo,
Sherry

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello...

I'm just coming over from Cindy's place (Oakview Cottage). She is such a dear lady and when she mentioned your sweet blog...I just had to meet you! I'm sooo glad that I did too! Ooooh...I just love what you have done with your fabulous dining room! It's gorgeous!!! What a GRAND idea...to change the kitchen entrance door! I'm with you...I wouldn't like being able to see the kitchen sink from the front door! Hehe! I also love your decor style! Everything is sooo pretty, my friend! BRAVO!!!

Just wanted to let you know that I am adding your sweet blog to my list of blog follows! I'm looking forward to your upcoming posts...as well as going back through your past posts! It's so very nice to meet you, Becky!

Warmest summery wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

mylife said...

Hi Belky, I haven't been by your blog in ages and I am absolutely amazed and speechless and super impressed... i can't find the right adjectives!! Your house looks fabulous! Incredible! Magazine worthy... I don't even know what! I remember it when you first bought it, wow, Its a different house. Completely different! I love it! And your blog is super awesome too! the way you have it organized and arranged...wow! Just WOW!

You do miracles with the most unlikely things!!

If it weren't so late i would stay on here and just see and read everything!
It was so nice to see the kids, their huge!

I hope your all doing good. :o)
Miss you guys.

Michelle

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I LOVE it! The changes you've put in place have made such an enormous difference. Who'd have thought it was the same dpace? I love it! I want to come over right now and plonk myself down at your table!!

I'm really enjoying having a look through your blog. It's lovely! I'm following along.

Thank you so much for linking up to my 'Paint, Please' link party.

Sarahx

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

These stunning changes you have made to your home are amazing. Having an eye to see the possibilities is an admirable skill. Great job.

I am popping over from Sarah's great paint party. (Link #34)

Fondly,
Glenda

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

I love what you have done with your dining room. It looks so beautiful. You were very clever and it came out beautiful.

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

What a wonderful transformation! You really had a great vision for what the space could be. Congratulations on making the vision a reality. It's a beautiful space! I'm your newest follower :)

mySoldiersWife said...

Wow apparently everyone else loved this as much as I do! Took me forever to get to the bottom of the comments so I could leave my own, but I couldn't leave with out telling you, STUNNING! You have inspired me in our house hunt to go for LOCATION and the rest can be fixed! Thank you so much!

Lisa said...

The transformation to your dinning room is awesome.

Unknown said...

awesome post of "Sometimes Those Walls Must Come Down!"

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