“Why We Bought the Ugly 1980s House We Initially Hated — And How We Transformed It Into Our Dream Home”
When we first stepped into what would become our home and my studio, one word came to mind: “Nope.”
It was built in the 1980s and looked like it hadn’t seen a meaningful update since. Every room felt off, the layout was disjointed, the finishes were dated, and the overall vibe? Let’s just say... it lacked charm. We couldn’t imagine anyone living there, let alone us.
But something strange happened.
From “No Way” to “What If…”
After our first viewing, we walked away disappointed. The space felt uninspired, stuck in the past, and totally at odds with the aesthetic we love.
But then, after a couple of days of letting it simmer, I started to see past the flaws.
I began imagining the possibilities.
What if the dining room became a cozy sitting area?
What if that awkward room could be transformed to a laundry room?
What if this dated house just needed someone to see the potential.
Vision Beats First Impressions
Interior design, at its core, is about transformation. It's about seeing what others overlook and bringing potential to life. And this house? It tested every ounce of my creativity and vision.
It was uncomfortable. It was dated. It was, frankly, ugly.
But it was also a blank canvas.
We put in an offer, not because we loved the house as it was, but because we loved what it could become.
From Dated Disaster to Design Dream
Our journey from “hate at first sight” to proud ownership is the perfect reflection of what I do as a designer.
I don’t just style spaces.
I reimagine them.
I give them purpose, personality, and peace.
And that’s exactly what I did with this house.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing the full transformation - complete with before-and-after shots, design decisions, material selections, and all the juicy behind-the-scenes details that brought this forgotten 1980s relic into the modern era.
Spoiler alert: It’s unrecognizable.
Want to Transform Your Own “Ugly Duckling”?
If you’re staring at a dated home and wondering, “Can this ever feel like me?” I’m here to tell you: YES.
All it takes is the right vision…
Send us a Project Inquiry to start your own transformation journey.
