Hey hey! We’re noticing a few new faces {or should we say eyes?} around here, and we thought now would be a great time to re-introduce ourselves, if you aren’t familiar with us. About four years ago, we decided to take a big risk, and change the trajectory of our lives and family by hitting the restart button and relocating. So we took the leap, and moved to Nashville Tennessee where we hoped to grow our business locally for clients. Geronimo!
That was when we unexpectedly stumbled upon this little 1970-something fixer upper, and fell in love.
It wasn’t easy, but we’ve come a long way. I told Jamin, if we can get through 2016, we can get through anything. Because it was about so much more than just some silly before and afters. We survived as a family and a business. That’s kind of a big deal. This house was just the visual metaphor for that.
This was a bigger adventure than we thought at the time, and this little house became fondly known as The Money Pit. We’ve made quite a few changes over the years, and we thought an updated post with all of our spaces together, may be something you’d enjoy. A little old school blogging style, if you’re staying put like us, we felt like there was no better time than right now to share. So if you’re new here, we have our history of our home in one space, with links included. We hope you enjoy!
{Since we take on design for others, and you can see our full portfolio here + shop our spaces here.}
So here’s what it looked like. The little house had been sitting untouched for quite some time, and presented a bit of a challenge.
Over the years we’ve totally redone the outside, too… and you can see all of that process mapped out here in full detail, if you’re curious. We love that it looks so fresh and clean now.
Fresh paint and siding and haint blue for the win.
This felt like a little nod to our historical area of Franklin – our neighborhood sits on an old plantation.
We also updated the side entrance, what was once an old metal garage door entrance became a full functioning basement, but we’ll cover more of that below with a full on before and after.
We have more outside plans this spring, especially now that we’re stuck at home. We’ll be sharing more of that in the future.
But our very favorite creation for our kids is the handmade hideaway. I may send them there to live for a few days, since we’ve officially got that quaraintine itch. 😀
Check out our ultimate treehouse guide, here, chock full of information and inspiration! We have two versions.
photo via Brian Woodcock, country living magazine
But back to the inside. Because when we stepped inside our home for the first time, it looked like this.
We knew it had great bones and just needed a little love.
So we took on a complete rehab, knocked down some walls and ceilings to open up tiny, cramped spaces into this.
This room still feels like a breath of fresh air.
We loved adding in some fresh beams with az faux beams – they added so much more to the space.
The spaces were once divided into a small entryway, traditional dining area, somewhat of a galley kitchen and a small living room. We were able to remove the walls and ceiling to make it more functional and open for our family.
We now refer to this as the great room.
It’s still hard for us to believe that this is the same house. Or that four years have passed by so quickly.
We recently added a new fun light from Kichler, and are totally smitten by the easy change. We also love freshening up with fresh pillows and hues for the seasons.
The formal dining room/living room area once looked like this – we were really bummed about losing the tiny fan. ;}
It now opens up into the main kitchen area, as well.
We still have plans to add on even more to this house, believe it or not. To the left side, we plan to have a walk through to our future master suite. That will officially be phase no. 5 for this little house. Or something like that… we’re starting to lose count. We’ve had a doozy of a time here with codes, so depending on what septic allows us to do, we will know. It’s been a process to say the least. We will know something this year. And to the right, the plans have changed over the years to go with what we need the most – a coffee / bar area.
We use this little dining area, but now that we’ve added the addition, this entire space is perfect for entertaining.
Especially when we have friends over to the pool, since it gives space to divide everyone up.
We look forward to having people over again!
We’re big on fun, practical designs and the use of color, every chance we get.
You can totally shop our spaces here for sources {affiliate links} but we recently updated the rooms with much needed rugs –
The seagrass rug we had was disintegrating under foot, since it was over twelve years old. We loved bringing in a new woven rug, with some brighter colors for spring. {this one under the table, here!}
This space was once the formal living room area. We loved how bright and open it feels now, and that we’re able to use this as the eat-in kitchen area.
The older kitchen once looked like this.
We loved taking out those walls and giving it more space and light with the addition of windows and storage.
Fresh countertops from Polycor really turned the whole kitchen around – we love the soapstone + marble combo!
Be sure to check out their site for beautiful stone options.
We adore the side by side double ovens, and the fun tile. It’s been four years, and I’m not tired of it. I always say that if I could be a tile…
Here, you can catch another glimpse of the before of our kitchen. We loved opening up the walls and adding windows.
The window seat below was just added this fall. It was a game changer for storage, and the youngest is officially using it as his daily reading post. We’re highly amused by how loyal he is at perching there to read.
This is a traditional split level house, so we actually love that the areas feel so divided and on different levels without a ton of stairs. We were happy to see those stamped ceilings and paneled walls go.
For anyone wondering, we don’t mind having one big open area here. We know open spaces aren’t for every house, but this one works because we have other rooms. It made the most design sense for us.
Opening up the walls and ceiling were a game changer for letting the light in.
That fireplace houses a tv behind the painting. We loved having the best of both worlds, with the option for art, and a television when we want to watch a game or entertain. You can read more about this process here.
Our island and main living area lights are from kichler lighting – they’re our favorite source for all our lighting designs or clients, too.
We just created this super fun, easy art – you can find the how to here.
Perfect therapy for right now!
During the rehab, we also replaced all our windows with window world. We scored some fun stained glass windows at the local flea market. Since the sun sets on this side of the house every day, they glow and we adore them.
Photos never quite do them justice, but we do love the way they look with all their beautiful shades.
Once blocked with a wall, we were able to remove this and open it up into the other side of the space.
The original art you see throughout our home, is mine. I’m what you’d refer to as a weekend painter. I love the way it adds so much fun to the walls, in original ways. Unless it’s a vintage piece, most of the art throughout our home is a-la yours truly and some of them can be found here.
A lot of the fabrics throughout can be found here, too.
Upstairs is where you’ll find our bedrooms. With our future addition, the idea is that the kiddos will have the upstairs, while our new master will be found on the main level off the kitchen, as I tried oh so lamely to describe before.
This bedroom will eventually be handed over to our daughter, when our master is complete.
When we moved in, it looked like this…
We loved updating it to feel more like us, and give it a little bit of personality. It’s been a great temporary master suite.
We were able to bump out the entire bathroom area, and provide a walk through closet for more space all around. I also love how you can spy another sister window to the collection we were able to nab at the flea market. We were pretty thrilled to see the wall to wall carpet go.
An updated version of this room with the sources can be found here but be sure to shop our spaces here.
It’s so much fun color that we adore waking up to every morning. A sneak peek of the bathroom can be found here.
This stained glass window is a sister window to the kitchen finds down stairs. We love that we brought in more color here, and it’s another little piece of history.
One of our favorite sources for barn doors + hardware can be found here. We adore Artisan Hardware! – all of our barn door hardware on the upper level is from them, along with the beautiful barn doors in the basement and off the main level addition.
Once upon a time, the bathroom looked like this.
We were glad to see the crusty faucets go. You can check out more of that remodel, here.
When we purchased the house, the kiddos spaces looked like this...
The red was burning my corneas.
We love that the younger two still love sharing a room. They’ve started to ask about their own rooms, so we’ve definitely started the build-our-own-master process. But we also joke that they won’t sleep in there without the other.
Whenever one is at a slumber party, the other isn’t quite sure what to do.
On both sides of each kiddos’ bedroom, there was a closet like this. We simply knocked down both walls and made a walkthrough closet for more storage and space options. It was a game changer for storage, and just making the entire upper level feel more open.
This was Jamin’s childhood cape made by his mother.
We loved framing this sweet sentimental piece in their room.
Our oldest now inhabits this room, after moving out of ‘the sleeping room’, as we’d dubbed it, to give him more space.
We all lived on the top level while we’d taken on the basement rehab, and this was my temporary office. Once we were able to spread out more, he loved having his own room.
The kids hallway bath was a feat all its own.
We refer to this as our hairy bathroom, and it was quite the transformation. We didn’t do anything with the layout, but the finishes definitely needed a fresh update. The idea is that both boys will share this one when we move out, and Emerson will inherit ours with our current room.
Total side note, but all the wonderful little vintage knobs you spy {and new doorknobs} were from D Lawless Hardware.
They’re still one of our favorite sources for hardware when it comes to client work, as well.
We were thrilled to give all of this an update.
When we moved in, our now existing basement was a full fledged garage. {This is another angle of that photo above.}
Complete with deer heads and giant spiders to boot. We divided it up, and now have a nice entertainment area for our elementary aged children. Here’s another peek of the outside so you understand more of what we took on from that perspective…
We loved turning this into more of an entry, because it once looked like this: Ew. And actually pretty dangerous.
And we changed it over to this.
So you can imagine what the inside was like… and it may be our very favorite changeover to date. {You can check out all the finer details with that link, and shop our spaces here.}
Its perfect for movies, game nights, and more. We even included two la-z-boy sleeper sofas so there’s plenty of room for the sleepovers of childhood, or out of town guests. Though usually the kiddos come down here and guests sleep upstairs. They’re another go to of ours for amazing, dependable furniture.
More Kichler lighting brought the space to life.
And the space would not have been the same without Jeffrey Court tile. {pssst – check out our curated selection here + more details here}
We love the way the floors are light and bright and so inviting in a once dismal space.
More of those beautiful barn doors – custom designed with Artisan Hardware! These are my favorites.
We knew the space had to work hard for us, so it also holds our laundry area for now, {see more of our laundry corner here!} It’s tiny but efficient.
We have more plans for this in the future.
And my little studio office, where I’m able to store a ton of work supplies, samples for clients and more…
{Shop our spaces here!}
The basement also holds our main entry area off the driveway, which functions hard core on the inside. During the weekdays it holds all things backpacks, boxing gloves and yoga mats, in addition to shoes, jackets and more.
Which brings us back around to the pool room addition, which is right off our main great room area.
No, I’m not really sure how I made that jump but let’s pretend like we just went back outside, and went around the back.
During the long winter months and our quarantine, I’ve gladly brought everything up here to work with the sunlight.
You can see more of that glorious outside work with the fabulous window world, + read more about that process here.
And the inside is one of our favorites, too. We brought the walls {and ceiling} to life with planks + fabulous sherwin williams tidewater.
We brought in more gorgeous Jeffrey Court tile for the floors {the same that you spied in teh basement}
And for the fireplace, a gorgeous selection from here.
We use this space for a little bit of everything – a studio, family time, entertaining, big dinners, photography and more. And we loved that this has fun sconces and lights with Kichler! See all the details and direct links here + shop our spaces here.
It’s hard to believe this is what the outside once looked like. And now it’s part of our house. The fireplace also holds a TV, and the banquette area stores all the things. It’s really freed up a lot of space for styling pieces we use and larger items from the kitchen that took up a lot of space like our pressure cooker and crock pot.
We also love being able to give this space some privacy with select blinds.
Another view of that gorgeous iron barn door from Artisan Hardware!
Thanks so much for stopping by today – We know that this post may have been a little long, but it feels good to have our entire home in one place for anyone who wants to see.
It’s always growing!
We’re ready to escape into our own back yard for a bit with a few sunny days. We hope you’ll stay with us as we keep adding and improving to our little home. We have loved the process and its unique transformation.
As always, let us know if we can help shoot ya in the right direction or answer any questions.
Have an inspired day!
{We also take on design for others, and you can see our full portfolio here + shop our spaces here!}
____________
And just in case you’re curious…
We don’t believe in the dream home, we believe in your home.
And we can’t wait to help you discover it all over again.
The Handmade Home is thrilled to bring both full on rehab and design services to our clients.
We offer in-person, full service design options, from a complete kitchen overhaul to a simple consult in your home on how to spruce it all up. If your kiddo needs a big kid room, your home could use some paint palette ideas, or even a brand new build from the ground up… we’re glad to help. Both nationally and locally in the Nashville area, we even offer a wealth of resources for our clients, right at their fingertips.
If you’d like to hear more about what we have to offer for you {because the possibilities really are endless} please be sure to check out our design services page, here! While you’re at it, be sure to check out our completed projects here. We love working with our client’s needs.
We look forward to hearing from you, and we welcome the opportunity to work with you!
To read more about us, be sure to check out this page here, as well.
Have an inspired day!
Jen says
As always, a breath of fresh air to read. I have been following your adventures for many years, but this was a fun (and much needed) break from the monotony of working at home that has been mandated right now. And where I live, spring is not making much headway so it was nice to live vicariously through your lovely outdoor photographs and dream of sunny days and sitting on the deck. Blessings to you, and thank you for all your freebies, inspiration, and encouragement.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Jen – I can’t thank you enough for your sweet comment. Thank you so much! We were hoping it would be a little escape right now. Definitely ready for some sunshine here. Hope you and your family and sweet loved ones are staying well and safe. Thinking of you. HUGS! ;}
Terry says
Your home is so FUN and inviting! I just love it!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much Terry! You’re so sweet to stop by. We just thought it would be fun to do a little tour ;}
Heather says
I admire the turquoise piano. Did you paint it yourself? What make is the piano? Do the children take lessons?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hi Heather! You can read the full how-to here, https://www.thehandmadehome.net/easy-peasy-guide-painting-piano-kilz/ it needs to be tuned! The kids do not currently take lessons but it still gets played ;} Hope that helps!
Sara Halverson says
I’ve followed your journey forever-and came her this morning for some inspiration. We are considering leaving our too big for us builder grade home and moving to a 1960’s rambler with four kids, a dog and a bunny. Lord help me. But seeing how far you guys have come with your home just makes me wonder if we could do the same. I think it could transform our lives since it is on a much larger piece of property. Thank you for inspiring us to take the leap!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I love this so much, Sara. I can’t tell you how much we love our home. If you dive in, please let us know. We’d love to hear. Just remember, one step at a time. ;}