Our First Major Remodel --131 7th Ave West

YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY!

At least that's what our friends thought (maybe still think) when we asked them their opinion on this house and property.  But the TREES (over 100), BARN and the canal with a waterfall behind the house reminded us of the Midwest where we grew up, and in this desert it was very appealing to us.  We just HAD to save this property.


It was about a 5 year process, but well worth it.

We bought this place, tore the roof off (and it rained that weekend of course) gutted it, added a second story and a 50 foot wrap around porch as well as a flagstone patio and sand beach with fire pit out back. 

                                                                                                           



back  BEFORE



back  DURING

back AFTER

 

We hired out the rebuilding of the rock retaining walls.
















This was one of my favorite projects.  It was just like a giant jigsaw puzzle that also tested your strength and endurance!  But it is also when my serious back pain started to kick in.  I wonder why?  Could it have been due to digging out the soil by hand and moving it one wheelbarrow at a time to the uneven ground in front of the barn, then wheeling in sand?  THEN moving 11 TON of flagstone to just the right spot...translation...moving each stone at least 3 times! 

 


 

 

 

 

The barn was painted 4 different colors when we bought it- red, white, gold and the back had some green on the shop section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 



               

 

 

In conclusion...this is the truck and the dog that made over 100 trips to the dump, and that was after an auction and 4 dump trucks cleaned it up before we even bought it!

 

 

 

Happy Pickin'

Kelly 

 

 

 

The Library...(Now the Master Bedroom as of 2/16/13)

Sitting room turned library/office turned Master bedroom.




We were told this room was the master bedroom added on in the late 1940's. I had heard stories about fancy drapes and a grand piano. I had visions of chandeliers hanging from a crown molded ceiling. Alas, it was not to be, but it had potential.

 

Bathrooms

I just realized I have not finished posting before and after photos of the whole house. Here are the bathrooms.

Master bath BEFORE



Master bath AFTER  There is now a crystal chandelier above the tub.
 

Custom cabinets that I designed.
 

Monogrammed shower door from the 1950's remodel.  The "M" door is now in the home of a great grandson:)
 

Upstairs bathroom BEFORE

In 2008 Upon completion of the demo phase and with the new layout of the room, we realized we would not have enough fir flooring left over to refloor the room.   After searching for weeks we luckily discovered a huge door in the basement was made from flooring.  The turquoise green boards are from that door and became the inspiration for the wall color.  Sadly I had to sand the whole floor to make the boards more level and lost a lot of the color, but I am still happy with the finished product:)

 

 

Kelly

We're MOVING!

Yep you read that right!  My husband has been transferred back to Minnesota for work so our historic home is now for sale.  It was a labor of love to take it back to it's 1916 origins and now we hope someone else will love it as much as we do. 

 Jerome, ID

For Sale: $339,000                                                     Single Family: 3,951 sq ft

                                     Bedrooms: 5                                                                    Lot: 2.3 acres

                                     Bathrooms: 2                                                                  Year built:1916

Home was completely gutted and restored to 1916 era over the last 5 years.  (See the label to the right called house restoration for before and after comparison photos) Original wood floors, woodwork and staircase have been refinished, antique chandeliers and push button lighting on main level.  Hand painted wallpaper on some walls.  Garage previously had a 1BR/1BA apartment above it.  1 acre fenced pasture, indoor hot tub, 2 stained glass windows.

 

2006	2007-2010	2011
New Roof and Shingles	New Electrical	New custom kitchen
New Wood/Steel Pella Windows that flip in for easy cleaning	New Plumbing	New floors milled from historic big leaf maple trees on property
New Exterior Doors	New Heat Pump	New water heater
New Septic	Central Vacuum installed
New Well Pump and Tank	New Attic insulation
Fenced in front yard	Sprinkler system front/back yard
New concrete patio

 To see more photos click on the label to the right called Home Restoration.  There you will see before and after photos of many of the rooms and you will also find a post about the history of the house.

Please feel free to pass this on to your friends,

Kelly

averbeckk@juno.com

FOR FULL REAL ESTATE LINK CLICK here !

Another play kitchen:)

So, I am not much of a cook and don't spend too much time in the kitchen so I find it kind of funny that I have been making play kitchens for kids!   Maybe if I had one when I was little I would like cooking now?

NAH!

 But some youngster is going to be very happy:)

 

 

Shelf BEFORE.




 

I am not sure of the purpose of the boxes on the top of this unit, but I pulled them off, shaved a little off each side and hung them on the inside of the shelf.  Perhaps a place to put spices...or you know...other kitchen kind of thingies.

 

 

 

Kitchen comes with a real faucet and stainless steel sink...a.k.a... a dog dish.  

 

I finally found a use for all those CD's I bought intending to burn some music and jam out while spinning!  LOL!

On to another adventure...headed out to pick 3 barns on Tuesday.  Can't wait to see what treasures will reveal themselves to me:)

Until then...
Pick on!

Kelly

Christmas Creations

As I am gearing up for the holiday season I finally found a project I liked enough to break out my STASH of mattress springs salvaged from a mattress box spring Julia and I drug home from the dump!

Made from vintage jewelry such as a pocket watch, earrings and necklaces.
 

Made from vintage buttons and an angel brooch.

 

 

 

At the store we have STACKS of weathered pickets from the Oxarango Sheep Ranch in Rupert.  Here is my first creation from our abundant supply.

 

 

 

More projects for the holidays.

 

Made from a salvaged newel post and couch pediments.

 

                                     Just a few banners I whipped up for the Christmas season.



I actually made these about 10 years ago from old corn cobs.  They have held up pretty well sitting in their box for all those years.

And lastly, here's a way to reuse those orphan drawers and get yourself organized:)

 

 

Keep on Pickin'

Kelly