After the Offer: Let the Real Work Begin

After buying our 1980s home (yes, the one we initially hated), we rolled up our sleeves and got to work… and wow, did this space need some love.

We started with the essentials:

A full interior paint refresh
Removing some truly strange “design choices” (hello, random wall mirrors)
And a massive overhaul of the garage, which, believe it or not, was carpeted when we bought it… (Yup. Carpet. In the garage.)

A Fresh Coat of Vision (and a Ladder-Level Workout)

One of the first (and most satisfying) updates we tackled was paint - and wow, did the house need it. Every wall felt like a time capsule, and the ceilings were a strange almond color that gave everything a tan-ish glow.

I wasn’t having it.

So we got to work, repainting the entire interior, ceilings included. And yes… I painted those almond ceilings on a ladder, channeling full-on Michelangelo energy. (Scroll down and you’ll see the proof in the photo, no Sistine Chapel, but close enough!)

It was exhausting. But it was transformational.

With fresh, clean tones throughout, the house immediately felt brighter, calmer, and finally ours.

Carpet. In. The. Garage. (Yep.)

Next up: the garage… or what was pretending to be a “bonus room.” For some mystifying reason, it had wall-to-wall carpet, which made the space feel like a damp, dirty basement. Not exactly the kind of vibe we were going for in our future workshop.

So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work.

We:

Ripped out the carpet
Leveled the floor
Prepped the space to become a fully functional workshop — the HQ for all our future projects around the house.

But here’s where it got gritty…

Pro Tip: We used an industrial floor sander to strip off layers of old carpet glue and years of garage grime (and yes, it was as gross as it sounds). Then we applied garage-grade concrete paint, and honestly? It made a huge difference. The floor looks clean, feels solid, and it’s held up beautifully over the years.

Now it’s one of our favorite spaces, equal parts practical and polished. The perfect behind-the-scenes engine room for every project we take on.

Mirror, Mirror Off the Wall…

The fireplace was another relic of the 1980s — complete with wall-mounted mirrors above it that made the entire living space feel dated and disconnected.

So we ripped those mirrors out and got to work on one of our favorite updates in the whole house…

A Custom Mantle Made for Modern Living

We designed and built a custom mantle, complete with:

Integrated sconce lighting for cozy ambiance
A built-in nook for the TV (so it looks like part of the design, not an afterthought)
Sleek, bold new paint that set the tone for the rest of the house

It instantly became the focal point of the home — and honestly, we’re obsessed.

Design Tip:

Don’t underestimate the impact of a single custom element. One beautifully built feature (like a mantle, built-in shelves, or paneled wall) can elevate an entire space and make your home feel intentional and high-end.