This past weekend it was finally time to move into our new house! With the floors re-finished, the rooms painted, bathroom tile installed and kitchen almost done, the inside of our house is nearly complete. Although from the list of projects we still want to accomplish now and down the road, I'm guessing a home is never fully completed. Am I right?
Kitchen: Blame it on my pregnancy hormones or my nagging perfectionist nature but something just wasn't feeling right about the back splash tile I chose for our kitchen. It was lovely: painted grey and cream hexagonal tile that Jason and I both fell in love with at first sight. But as the day approached for installation, I started getting cold feet about my design choice. So, the morning of I put a hold on everything, ran out and ordered entirely new tile for the back splash.
This time around I chose a simple all white lantern style tile that compliments the white subway on the opposite side of the kitchen and is much smaller in scale than my original choice.
After the white grout was added the wall looks so clean and simplistic but still reads as a pattern due to the shape of the tile. Just enough pattern to add character to the space without overwhelming the small kitchen.
In the end I am so, so glad I followed my gut on this one and ordered new tile! It might have been an extra expense but I know I will love this tile every day we live in this home and that was most important. Isn't it pretty?
Hardwood Floors: One of my favorite features about this house was the "good condition" of the original hardwood floors. We knew from the beginning that having the floors re-finished would be the goal and we crossed our fingers that we would be able to save the hardwood beneath the layers of tile in the dining room nook.
I've always loved dark hardwood floors but after seeing the floors sanded to a beautiful natural finish I was almost tempted to keep them this light!
Sadly, there were a few spots throughout the house where the floors were too damaged to look good with a light finish so I chose a dark espresso bean stain. Cooler than I originally planned but so lovely against our light grey walls and white trim. Plus, I was told that over time the natural warmth of the wood will come out and warm the finish even more. Good tip if you are deciding on a hardwood floor stain!
Bathroom: Ah, the bathroom! When we first bought this house I believe my exact words to Jason were..."I'm not bathing babies in that bathtub!" If it were up to me I would have ripped out the nasty original 1950's tub and started fresh. THANKFULLY, no one listened to me, ha! We were referred to a company who specializes in restoring and refinishing bathtubs like ours without the need to replace them. Now the tub is shiny, smooth, and so sparkling white you would never know it wasn't new. (Hard to tell in my iPhone photo but it's true.) Plus, it's a great quality old tub and in the words of the gentleman who re-glazed it, "they just don't make tubs like this anymore." Well said tub man.
While we're currently living out of boxes, lacking furniture in multiple rooms, and temporarily without a working kitchen; this little fixer-upper is already feeling like a home.
At least I can say that my bed is made, even if it's the only presentable space in the entire house! Oh, and did I mention that this is the first time we've lived with central air conditioning? Best investment ever. Bring on the extra fluffy duvet!
For more glimpses of our renovation, follow along on my Instagram #FreutcakeFixerUpper!
foodiecrush says
LOVE the tile. Who makes it?
freutcake says
Hi Heidi! I'm not sure who actually makes the tile. I ordered it from a local tile supplier. The boxes say Lantern tile made in Japan. Sorry, I know that isn't much help but if you search "Lantern Tile" there are lots of options!
Jacquelyn | lark & linen says
Ahhh I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW QUICKLY YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN. I am very, very impressed. It looks so great! I can't wait to see the rest!
freutcake says
Thanks Jacquelyn! We still have a long ways to go but it's definitely a big start! I don't think we would have felt the pressure to move so quickly without two babies on the way. 😉
Joelle Charming says
Absolutely beautiful! I love love love dark wood floors + white cabinets - that's basically my dream kitchen right there!
Leah Bergman says
Thank you so much Joelle! I'll definitely share more photos once the kitchen is completed. 🙂
amanda @ on the corner of brodhead says
what?!?! i had no idea that re-finishing a tub was an option! i'm googling local tub guys stat! ps. my icky old tub is almost identical to yours!
Leah Bergman says
Just be prepared that not all tub refinishing is created equally! Some places do a cheap job that will end up peeling on you if you use certain cleaning products etc. We used this company: http://www.miraclemethod.com/ They have a 5 year warranty and we were referred to them. 😉
amanda @ on the corner of brodhead says
thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Ann says
The new kitchen looks AMAZING, Leah!! Your lantern tile backsplash is the PERFECT choice, good job trusting your gut. I'm so happy for you guys!!
Leah Bergman says
Thanks so much Ann! I'm loving the tile and so happy I trusted my gut. xo
tish says
ooo I have a crush on your home! Ooo weee! Just in time Mama. Congrats on moving in! I shall live vicariously through you for a bit lol.
Leah Bergman says
Ha, thanks Tish! We still have lots to do before the kitchen is actually functioning but it's a start! xo
Jennifer Fisher says
Everything looks lovely, Leah! I love the lantern tile--you made a great choice! Now you can nest!
Cassandra Monroe | a lifestyle blog says
I'm LOVING that lantern tile! Loving your updates on the fixer upper. Can't wait to see what else will happen next! I actually just flipped a home myself and we did a very similar floor to ceiling white subway tile shower (except I didn't have a tub) and it turned out SO great! It's a great classic look.
Ana Aguilar says
Congrats!! Good call on the tile,though I personally loved your other option too. Now...tell me more about your bedding? How may I copycat your setup? 😀
Leah Bergman says
Aw, thanks Ana! The bedding is from Bed Bath & Beyond and it's called the Wamsutta® Manhattan Duvet Cover in Cream/Black. 😉
Marcelle says
Wow it's looking amazing thus far!! Wondering where your cute duvet is from-we just bought a guest bed and I'm looking for a duvet cover. Thanks so much!!
Leah Bergman says
Hi Marcelle, thanks so much! We found this duvet set at Bed Bath & Beyond. 😉
Marcelle says
Thanks so much!! You're amazing to respond to comments and I really appreciate it. I'll have to look closer cause I haven't seen that set there...Best of luck with the rest of the house renovation!
Leah Bergman says
Oh, it's my pleasure! Thank YOU so much for commenting. 🙂 Here is the link to the duvet...http://bit.ly/1TStnml Hope this helps.
Ericca says
Everything looks so amazing!!!! What kind of grey floor tile did you end up going with?
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Ericca! We went with a large rectangular grey tile. Once the kitchen is totally complete I promise to post a bunch of pictures! 🙂
shavonda says
Just found you on IG and had to pop over and check out your new house. Congratulations. Its gorgeous. We are in the middle of renovating our little cottage bungalow as well. Before we moved in we had our original hardwoods refinished and i, too really really really wanted to keep the natural finish once they were sanded. We have white oak, which is pretty rare and oh so pretty. My wife insisted on stain so we went with early american. I still wish we woulda stuck with the natural. We also have the same tub as you and yeah they really dont make em like that anymore. I plan to restore it and i love seeing how beautiful it could be. Great job on keeping that element. So excited for you and your family. So glad i found you:)