1807 Pineacre. Our first family home. This is the place where we drove home to after getting engaged. We got married while living here. We brought our first baby home to this house. The whole latter half of our 20’s were spent in this house. So many of life’s big milestones happened while under this roof. I will always love this house and the memories it holds.

It was a very cozy house. I spent many hours curled up in the “nook” as we called it, or standing in front of the fireplace. The house just had a feeling about it. Our new home is wonderful, but it doesn’t quite have that same comforting feeling. It wasn’t always a nice cozy home, however. It took a lot of work to make it feel clean and cozy. Perhaps that is where the special feeling comes from – the work and love that went into making this house a home.

I wanted to write an ode to our first family home so I can keep these memories close. I can’t wait for what the future holds – growing into our new house will bring a whole new slew of adventures – but before we move on, I want to give a nod to our first family home, the cozy cottage on Pineacre. Here are some of the before and after photos of the work we put into this house.

Exterior Before:

Exterior After:

• Removed tree
• Repaired chipping paint and window
• Removed vines
• Replaced Patio
• Replaced roof on garage
• Installed fence for partial fenced-in yard
• Replaced A/C and furnace
• Repaired roof leak
• Painted front doors
• Had chimney tuck-pointed

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:

• Removed wall to dining room
• Replaced all plumbing lines
• Replaced electrical
• Converted stove to gas
• New flooring, cabinets, sink, pot filler, gas stove
• New appliances

Dining Room Before:

Dining Room After:

• Replaced light fixture
• Opened up wall to kitchen

Family Room Before:

Family Room After:

• Converted fireplace to gas
• Installed outlet for TV
• Installed TV mount over fireplace
• Added curtains

Mudroom Before:

Mudroom After:

• Moved laundry up from the basement
• Tiled floor
• Replaced light fixtures

Main Floor Bathroom Before:

Main Floor Bathroom After:

• Tiled floor
• Replaced vanity
• Replaced toilet
• Replaced light fixture
• Added board and batten

Bathroom Before:

Bathroom After:

• Tore out soffit over bathtub
• Tiled shower and backsplash
• Replaced vanity
• Replaced toilet
• Tiled wall
• Added floating shelves above toilet

Nursery Before:

Nursery After:

• Removed carpet
• Painted walls
• Replaced light fixture

Master Bedroom Before:

Master Bedroom After:

• Repaired and painted walls

Spare Bedroom Before:

Spare Bedroom After:

• Replaced light fixture