Reflections on the Journey of Home Improvement
I've been deep in thought lately, reflecting on the vast amount of work we've put into our humble abode over the past six years. As the new year rolls in, it always seems to prompt us to take stock of our accomplishments. The landscaping was our most recent project, and I'll be sure to share photos and details soon, once the weather cooperates. After all, no one wants to see our current garden state with its withered plants and bare lawn.
The reason I initially delved into interior design was to provide our house (and my husband) with a much-needed refresh. While I constantly seek changes at home, I now find solace in bringing these transformations to life through my work. However, I can't deny the feeling of being slightly disheartened when comparing our home to the grandeur and magnificence of the houses I have the privilege of working on. Theodore Roosevelt hit the nail on the head when he said, "Comparison Is the Thief of Joy." You couldn't be more right, Theo!
So, as I write this post, it serves as a reality check for myself. I also thought some of you might enjoy seeing our house as it was when we bought it at the end of 2012, and compare it to the after shots. It's a like-for-like comparison. The before shots are from the original house listing, so they aren't mine. The after shots, on the other hand, were taken by yours truly just yesterday, so they are quite recent. Promise!
Welcome to the Before and After Tour of Making Spaces HQ
Before and After
Let's delve into each room to witness the incredible progress we've made:
The Living Room
Before
After
The Separate Dining Room
Before
After
The Old Kitchen
Before - Hand-painted birch plywood kitchen fronts
After - The Open Plan Kitchen (newly reconfigured layout)
Master Bedroom
Before
After
Second Bedroom
Before
After - Charlie's Bedroom
The Family Bathroom
Before
After
The Old Box Room
Before
After - The Open Plan Landing/Work Space
The Loft Space
Before
After - The Loft Bedroom
Before
After
(Photo credit - Katie Lee for MADE.COM)
As you can see, we've accomplished quite a lot over the past six years, but there are still some pending projects on our list:
- Install a new front door (I painted it while we saved up for a new one)
- Replace the windows (they're worn out, ill-fitting, and unpleasant to look at)
- Re-point the exterior (it's a mess)
- Upgrade our garden furniture
Once these tasks are completed, I'll have the pleasure of letting my creativity roam free, constantly tweaking and fine-tuning our home. Who knows, maybe one day we'll even have the means to move into my dream house. Only time will tell. Until then, we'll continue to revel in the joy of Making Spaces.
Remember, a house is not merely a building, but a canvas waiting to be transformed.
