Grandma’s house is officially MY HOUSE! Before and afters gallery!
May 5th, 2020. Since this post first came out all the way back in August 2015 my Grandma’s House has changed considerably. She and I have both been through a lot of times (both good and bad) to see the light finally now. Since August 2015 I got married, lost my doggo best friend, threw my ex husband out for good, tackled my entire home in every way and, after two years as a single gal, was joined here by Lodi, the love of my life and his sweet doggo Annie.
It has certainly been a trip!
(Scroll down to see the first before and afters here as well as my own accounts from 2018 and 2015, isn’t it amazing how much can change in just a few years?!)
My entire main floor was disgustingly (and horrifyingly) smoke damaged from the wood stove my ex wanted and installed in the middle of the kitchen. When I threw him out I threw the wood stove out too.
It meant Every. Single. Room. Didn’t just need to be cleaned. No. It was far worse than that. Every. Single. Room. On the main floor of my home, my Grandma’s house, needed to be completely repainted and fixed in every way possible…
It was BEYOND RAGE-INDUCING.
It took me nearly three years but I did, in fact, get it done! Now, without further adieu my Grandma’s house presently!
For a more in depth look of any of the spaces you can click here to see the whole Home Tour or click on the links before the pictures.
THE ENTRYWAY/DINING ROOM/OFFICE
BRAND NEW LAUNDRY ROOM
NEW WORKSHOP!
MAKING MY MASTER BATHROOM AND MASTER BEDROOM MY HAVEN!
THE REMODEL OF MY KITCHEN INCLUDING TAKING OUT AN ENTIRE CLOSET
CREATING A LOVELY GUEST BEDROOM!
FINALLY FINISHED MY ENTIRE LIVING ROOM!
FLASHBACK FROM Feb 15, 2018 When I first published this before and afters blog post it was August 19th, 2015 so it certainly seemed time to update my very FIRST post on Grandma’s House DIY!
So I’ve been living in this old place of my family’s for over 3 years now and it remains an incredible joy. I am still doing projects all DIY style and do it yourself as you saw throughout my renovation. Its a lot of work but, as I’ve said in the past, its good work, the best of work!
There is nothing like making a home.
As many of you know that have been following along I got a divorce just a couple of months ago on December 15th 2017. It was crappy for me but, once I managed to get him out of my home, it turned into the best thing that ever happened in my life.
The best thing I ever MADE happen in my life.
I was lied to in a every way possible. Grandma’s House is officially my house now and it finally feels like I’ve come full circle and my stars have aligned.
This old home has come a long way with me!
During all those dark days with him still in my life this place was my constant companion, my north star. And now, after so many compromises in an attempt to make him happy, I am finally able to make it into its full potential in my life. It is amazing to finally be able to make my own choices, goals and plans again.
There are MANY projects coming up on the blog and a lot of work ahead of me, work I just can’t wait to tackle!
FLASHBACK FROM August 19th, 2015 My entire life I dreamed of an old white farm house on the Hubbard prairie with its ancient lilacs and foot prints left by cows and horses and simpler times. I had no idea it was always right here waiting for me.
When I lost my last grandparent (my grandma Charlotte) we all wondered what would happen to her place but in my heart of hearts I knew it was calling me. Moving in to this place finally, after fifteen months of renovation, was one of the very best days of my life.
It was amazing!
Now, without further adieu, the before and afters of the entire house!
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I’m Tarah!
It’s been a hell of a ride since I started this blog and renovated and moved into this old farm house back in 2015. I got married, divorced, lost my doggo soul mate, spent two years as a single gal, remodeled everything, threw my back out countless times and was even found by an amazing guy in my own backyard! (The story behind Storyhardt Farm.)
Around here we’re totally fearless when it comes to bettering our home. We love to refinish old furniture, re-purpose old pieces, build it from scratch and totally renovate anything that needs it! If we can do it – so can you. We’ve got some serious plans for this old farm and, for first time ever, I have a real partner!
This is gonna be so much fun!
You can also find out more about the amazing Grandma behind this blog who moved in to this old farmhouse with my Grandpa nearly 70 years ago!
I love what you two accomplished and all the love you put into your home. Your grandma would be so proud.
Thank you so much Stephanie! It was truly a labor of love! SO much hard work, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way, it was all worth it in the end!
Wow~just wow! Thank you for sharing, you’ve done an amazing job!
It is AMAZING! I’m SURE it’s filled with the loving spirit of not only your Grandma, but all the fun, good times, sorrows and struggles of the past. You are bringing in new spirit to this wonderful HOME (not house). I wish you the very best success! Congratulations ๐ I LOVE your story!
Oh Christy thank you so very much!!
Amazing job.
I am addicted to before and afters.
What did you do with the old fridge?
Meena, the old fridge is waiting for us to turn it into an outdoor meat smoker ๐ Thank you!!
I just spent the last few HOURS looking at all your photos! We just moved into an old house built in 1900, and are just beginning the projects! I would have loved to do it all before we moved in, but it wasn’t possible, so we will do one room at a time! It was so fun to see what all you two did. Amazing! YOU are amazing! I hope you have many happy years in your new/old home!
Oh Joanne, I so wish you wonderful times in your new home, good luck with all of your renovating I know it felt like endless work when we were at it but it was sure worth it in the end! Thank you so much for coming by and commenting, you made my day!
I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU AS YOU TO-DATE YOUR GRANDMA’S HOUSE. YOU HAVE DONE A SPLENDID JOB.
Thank you Jan!
Awesome! Happy I found your site!!!!
Thanks for coming by Zoe!
Amazing job! I love it! I noticed you’ve got a wooden floor in the kitchen. How’s that been working out for you? I was considering to do the same, but I’m concerned about getting it wet and damaging it.
Hi Sara, these floors are so old they’re really hard to hurt. I haven’t had any trouble with them in the kitchen or the bathrooms throughout the home. Engineered wood I would be worried about though because it can be so thin it wouldn’t take much moisture to warp it.
Can I ask how much you spent to renovate? I am looking at doing a renovation of my great grandmother’s house and adding on to it.
Hi Ashley, it will, of course, totally depend on what you do yourself and the size of your project. I took out a construction loan of 60,000 and did the majority of the work myself. Since then I don’t doubt I’ve probably spent another 20,000 continuing updating and finishing the home. Hope that helps!
I’m obsessed with the floors in your office! We ripped up some old carpet and found some beautiful hardwoods, and now we’re looking to get them resurfaced. The hardest part has been trying to figure out a good color to stain them in. I really love your stain and want something similar.
Hi Alicia! What’s so great about stain is you could do little test strips to find your favorite and they come is dozens of different options! I was going for something that had the least yellow undertones as possible as I’m more of a gray person. Good luck, I’m sure your floors will look fabulous! We love ours!