True Life :: I’m a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Date
Aug, 24, 2016
True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

I’m breaking all the rules today and showing you a very unedited, non blog worthy tour of our new house. Not one of those “real life” house tours where everything is still in order and beautiful but there are a couple toys on the ground or some dirty dishes in the sink. Nope. This is the REAL deal. It’s been a little less than two months since we moved in and although we’ve made a lot of progress, we still have a looong way to go. Plus with a 6 month old, a new job for the hubs and a blog and baby headband line to work on we’ve been busy! I’ve been wanting to give you guys a tour of our new home but knew it wouldn’t be “blog” ready anytime soon so I decided to just go for it and shoot it as is. Seriously, I didn’t change anything in these photos. I just grabbed my camera on Monday and went to town. So here it is… True Life – I’m a Blogger and My House is a HOT MESS. You’ve been warned.

A Real Life House Tour

So a little recap first…we moved in with my FIL which has definitely been a transition. He was living in this huge house all by himself after his wife passed away 6 years ago. And when Dan got a new job, we moved pretty quickly. Instead of trying to find our own place he offered to let us live with him which we gladly accepted. One less thing we had to worry about. He said he’ll eventually move out but we’re not kicking him out anytime soon 🙂

The house was built in 1989 and Dan and his family moved in when he was about 10. It’s about 3,449 sq. ft. and is on .41 acres. Keep in mind we moved our previous fully furnished house into this giant fully furnished house. To say we have a lot of crap is a huge understatement.

Come on in!

When you walk in from the garage and take an immediate right you see that door at the end of the hallway which leads into the laundry room.

Real Life House Tour

The laundry room is in DESPERATE need of some TLC. Which is why I’ve decided to take it on for the One Room Challenge! More on that later but basically we’ll have 6 weeks to totally make it over. And when you see these pictures you’ll understand why 😉

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

I’m working on plans for it soon and can’t wait to share!

Ok so when you come out of the laundry room and walk through that hallway you come into this little foyer area. Oaks loves to photobomb all my pictures.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Let’s just say Dan’s parents had very interesting taste in art 😉

If you keep walking through there you’ll come to the front door on your left…more funky art!

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

And right around the corner is the “white room”. Aka the room no one ever goes in.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

I’m thinking this could be an awesome play area for Eloise later on.

And there’s a fireplace!

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

If you keep walking through this room you go right into the dining room. Which right now is my sweat shop for The Little Cloth Co.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Off of this room is the kitchen and living room which loops back around to that foyer area.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

We’ve managed to get a few of our things in here, but it’s a half and half mix of our stuff and Dan’s dads. And Eloise’s 😉

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

And here’s the kitchen!

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Great space to work with but holy crap was it a mess when we moved in. I spent a whole weekend cleaning out these cabinets inside and out before we filled them with our stuff. #thankgodformagicerasers

So that’s the main floor! We’ve been talking about the updates we’d like to make, but they probably won’t be happening for a while. We definitely want to put hardwoods throughout and I’d love to knock down parts of the walls to make it a little more open concept. But for now this is how it will be. I might need to do something about that red paint and those bar stools 😉

Ok so there’s a door into the basement next to the door that leads into the garage. It’s fully furnished and is my FIL’s man cave. He plays cards down there every Monday night with his buddies and has actually been sleeping down there on the couch because it’s super cold. He’s also got a crazy huge collection of bobble heads.

More red, yay! That leather couch used to be upstairs in the living room and you bet I got that thing out of there as fast as I could 😉

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

There’s been talks of building a room down here for my FIL since he pretty much lives down here anyway and it would probably go in this little corner. And that bar I scored on Craigstlist and we don’t have room for it anywhere yet so it’s chilling down there 🙁

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Ok so heading back up…at the top of the stairs and to the right is the master bedroom which Dan’s dad let us move into. When we first got here we got a huge dumpster and threw out a ton of stuff, including pretty much everything that was in this room. It’s the only space I’ve really worked on besides the nursery. Hey oaks!

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

I need at least a little bit of pretty and this is where I get it. I hope you don’t get tired of seeing this room since it’s pretty much the only one I can take pictures of, ha. It’s a work in progress and such a big space but I’m slowly chipping away at it!

Also, the DIY art I made for above our bed totally doesn’t work anymore. This wall is so much bigger and the proportion is way off. Womp womp. So I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to put up there and I’m having such a hard time!

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Yes that’s a toy cow under the bed.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

We put my desk in here since there’s so much room. I won’t really be able to decorate as much since the windows are right in front of it, but I love the natural light and being able to look outside.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

And I FINALLY have a mantle! Ah! Isn’t it pretty? I’m still trying to decide what I want to do here. I’d love to put some fun tile underneath it against that back wall but I’m not sure what else to do! Dan’s dad had that little fireplace so we just kept it there for now. And I definitely want to keep the tv but it sticks out so bad! We have a smaller one I could put up there and maybe I’ll try and disguise it?? Thoughts?!

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

HOT MESS.

Ok so when you first walk into the bedroom off to the right is a huge master closet and sink/vanity area and the door to the bathroom.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot MessCloset door is to the right.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Keep walking and you get to the bathroom.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

There were so many things hanging on the walls in this room there are holes everywhere. And the carpet is pretty bad. We’re hoping to get some hardwoods in here in the fall and we’ll worry about painting then. We’d love to do some renovations in the bathroom too (I want a tub!) but that probably won’t be for a little while. But I love how big this room is and having an en suite is amazing. We’ve never had a set up like this before and it’s just so much more convenient having easy access to the bathroom.

And heading out of the bedroom is this hallway.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

The nursery is right at the top of the stairs on the right.

Real Life House Tour of a Blogger

I’ve got the big pieces in here but am still deciding on the wall decor. I ordered this amazing pink vintage rug on eBay that should be here today and once that’s in here I think it will help me finish the rest of it! I’m changing things up a bit from how they were in our old house and I’m really excited about where it’s headed.

Real Life House Tour of a Blogger

Real Life House Tour of a Blogger

Further down the hall is where Dan’s old room was which his Dad moved into. And to paint you a little picture of what it used to look like…(I thought I had a picture of it but I can’t find it). To go along with the beautiful green carpet, Dan had “the money bed” as I liked to call it. His sheets and comforter were covered in bills. There were money pillows and money curtains. I hated coming to stay here when we first started dating because the bed was SO uncomfy! The money bed was the worst. And I was SO happy to throw that bedding away. No 30 year old should have money sheets. Even if it is in the house they grew up in.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Ok so further down this hall is another bathroom and what used to be an office which we turned into the guest bedroom.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

And back downstairs we go! Anybody want a life size boxer pup??

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

No comment on these walls…

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

So that’s the inside! My FIL is pretty cool with letting me do what I want but there are a few things he’s having a hard time letting go of (cough all the art on the walls cough). But until we save up some money to do any major renovations, most of the downstairs will probably stay pretty much as is for now. Except the laundry room which we’ll start working on in October for the One Room Challenge. And I’m SO excited!

Not only do we have this great space to work with inside, but the outside is just as awesome. This is the view right outside the doors behind the couch in the living room.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

And the porch wraps around the whole back of the house. We’ve been enjoying lots of summer nights out here!True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

And here’s a view from the back.

True Life :: I'm a Blogger and My House is a Hot Mess

Phew. There it is! Our hot mess of a house!

hot-mess

I wanted to keep it real for you guys and show you how things really look right now. I’m not gonna sugar coat it it’s a mess! But that’s ok. We’re just happy to have this beautiful home to live in and I can’t wait to make some updates along the way! So raise your hand if you can relate!!

brepurposed

25 Comments

  1. Reply

    balipareo10

    August 9, 2019

    new from
    http://cvhasanahtex.com

  2. Reply

    Lucy

    January 15, 2019

    It is so insane what you started out with and that you could look past it and bring out of it, its sanity and beauty. If this isn’t inspiring to people, I don’t know what is. I can’t wait to show my husband.

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      January 28, 2019

      Aw thank you Lucy! We’ve definitely come a long way!

  3. Reply

    Jen C.

    May 11, 2017

    I love this post! It’s amazing to see the progress you have made! You’re by far my favorite DIYer/Interior Designer!

  4. Reply

    Cheryl Howard

    September 12, 2016

    Oh my, I love the post! How honest and simple and true it is. And I loved getting to know your new house. It is huge! And I love how Oaks just photobombs all the pics hahaha. Thank you for sharing!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      September 12, 2016

      Thank you so much, Cheryl! It’s refreshing to share honest photos and a peek behind what things really look like! Oaks has to be in the middle of everything all the time!

  5. Reply

    Marlene @ Idle Hands Awake

    September 3, 2016

    Hahahahaha! Oh man, I love this post! This is why I always say cropping is a blogger’s best friend. <3 <3 <3

  6. Reply

    Amy | Canary Street

    August 27, 2016

    It could definitely use some updating but what an amazing space to work with! The house is fantastic and I love the deck. How cool that your FIL let you guys move in. I bet Eloise is going to love hanging out with her grandpa. Hope Dan is enjoying his new job too!

  7. Reply

    Pat

    August 24, 2016

    You’re right, it’s a hot mess – but oh my gosh – the space you have both inside and out. You’re so lucky to have had your FIL invite you to move in. This will be yours to do as you wish with it soon and it will be fabulous for your family. One step at a time …..

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      August 25, 2016

      Ha, hot mess indeed! But yes, I’m very lucky to have an amazing FIL and I can’t wait to start making some progress!

  8. Reply

    ANGELA

    August 24, 2016

    Wow! You have a great space to work with. I can’t wait to see how you transform it. Love the backyard!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      August 25, 2016

      Thank you, Angela!! I’m so excited to get to work!

  9. Reply

    Nicole b.

    August 24, 2016

    Girl!!! Look at the big palate you have to work with!!! I can’t wait to see all of the creativity that happens in this place!!!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      August 25, 2016

      Ah thanks girl! So much great space to work with, it’s going to be so fun to bring it all back to life!

  10. Reply

    Kristi

    August 24, 2016

    That yard Bre!!! An absolute dream! And that house is HUGE! Tons of great space to work with! I bet you can’t wait to make it your own!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      August 25, 2016

      Thanks Kristi!! I can just picture Eloise running around in the back yard when she gets older 🙂 I can’t wait to get started on some renovations!

  11. Reply

    Colette @ restyle it wright

    August 24, 2016

    omg i love this! The house is so ’80s-tastic but with SO MUCH potential. Thanks for putting it all out there and just being real. Home renovations aren’t pretty in the process and can be SO inconvenient. Good luck!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      August 25, 2016

      thank you colette! We definitely have our work cut out for us, but you’re right…so much potential! I can’t wait to get started 🙂

  12. Reply

    Maggie @ Maggie Overby Studios

    August 24, 2016

    Holy cow that is a LOT of “interesting” art but it looks like there may be a few pieces that could be great if you gave them room to breath. It looks like a big job but your just the person to tackle it. Plus, tThese pictures are pretty raw befores so when you get to the afters it will be amazing!

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      August 25, 2016

      haha interesting indeed! There might be a few I can work with if I have to 😉 and SO true about the dramatic befores!

  13. Reply

    Christina in FL

    August 24, 2016

    Girl, you have been working hard and have your work cut out for you. I hear you on the eclectic artistic sense. It has to be a huge challenge for all of you. Breathe. Just sayin’…. breathe…. Thanks for the “real life” show. I get it. More than you can imagine. lol Breathe….

    • Reply

      brepurposed

      August 25, 2016

      ha I’m glad to hear you can relate! It’s definitely been an adjustment but I’m excited to start transforming this house into something that feels more like us!

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