Well friends we have less than two weeks until Christmas. Where has December gone? To be honest we’ve been so busy that I haven’t really taken in the season. We did make a point to spend some quality family time together last night. We got some hot cocoa and loaded in the car to look at Christmas lights. We just drove the neighborhoods around us and had a blast looking at all the houses decked out. It was really nice. I think it was good to take a break. As many of you know, Josh and I were ankle deep in trash this time two weeks ago. We started the renovation process of the Breeze Hill colonial. Before we could even start renovating we had to clean out all the trash and items left from the previous residents. Lets just say, I’ve seen homes that have been abandoned that were in better shape than this place! With that said, you still have time to turn back. So lets roll the before photos! You’ve been warned.
If I could bottle the smell and share with you all I would in a heart beat. Just think pet odor to the max and you’ll get the picture.
From the outside the house looks pretty good. It basically just needs some gutter work and yard clean up. Let’s step inside!
Formal Living room
Formal Dining room with a fridge and all!
Family room (all the trash that was upstairs – 27 bags, sat in the living room for a day or two before we got the dumpster.)
The Kitchen
Eight cabinet doors are just missing or broken. A second fridge was left. Only this one has been sitting broken for who knows how long. I opened it… big mistake!
Half Bath/Laundry
That on the floor is exactly what you think it is! I’m just happy we can see the floor now. Each room had so much trash that the floor was completely covered. Gloves and mask were worn during the clean up process and no humans were harmed.
Lets take a walk upstairs!
Master Bedroom
I am not posting the photos of the rooms with the previous resident’s items in them. However, just imagine not being able to see the carpet and using a snow shovel to shovel trash and things into a trash can.
Master Bath
Only one toilet works in the house. That should be fun!
Bedroom 2
Yes that’s a rake in the photo. It was also used in our clean up.
Bedroom 3 or as we call it, the dungeon room!
Bedroom 4
Hallway Bath
I know this has to be the best home tour you’ve ever been on, Ha! It’s a drastic comparison to my Christmas home tours that I’ve shared this month. I just really wanted you all to get the full picture. Everything in this home needs to be replaced or repaired. I for one am able to see past it. Lets go over the good things – 1. It has good bones. (It’s all brick, solid construction and was built the year I was born!) 2. Great neighborhood. It’s the ugliest house in the neighborhood but not for long! 3. Amazing neighbors. Who wouldn’t want to live next door to their fun and awesome cousins? 4. The size. It’s a four bedroom, 2.5 bath house. It has a two car garage and full basement. The bedrooms are an great size as well! 5. The Lighting. The house has great natural light. Which for me is a must. Finally 6. It has it’s charms. You’re probably falling out of your chair right now thinking I’m crazy. I truly think this place is charming. They just don’t build homes like they used too. Look past the trash, dirt and outdated features and I see a diamond in the rough!
I can’t wait to share this adventure with you! We’ve gotten so far just in two weeks. I’ll be sharing the progress we’ve made very soon. A huge thanks to my mom, father-in-law and brother-in-law for their constant help. They’ve been invaluable and all of those sweet friends who’ve given up their weekend days to help, thank you!
Amamda I can totally see the potential in this house.
I am so excited to see what you do! There is so much potential and you have great style. I will be on the lookout to see what 2016 brings you!
Wow! I can’t wait to see what you guys do with the place! Look forward to following along.
No doubt this home will be a total stunner when you’re done with it!! I can’t wait to see the end result!
Tons of potential love it can’t wait to see what you guys are doing thanks for the tour
Wow! I have been watching as you renovate but never went back to see the whole “before” tour. It makes me sad to see people leave their belongings behind… it’s like the whole house feels lost and abandoned and in need of rescue. Are you sure that isn’t blood on the carpet in the dungeon room? ???? Enter you!! Your house has so much going for it…. those floors for one! And I’m sure everyone in the neighborhood is singing your praises! I’m following along!
It really was a bit of a sad situation. I actually connected with the original owner who built the house and they took such great care of it and truly loved the house. They were also stunned by the before photos. It’s hard to imagine someone living in those conditions. By the outside you would have never known, crazy! We are so happy we took the risk. It was a dirty job for sure, ha! Thank you so much though, we’re still working our way through it. I hope I can get it back to it’s former glory. 🙂
We are friends with the original owners and know the family, I am assuming, you bought from. very sad. Thankful you guys could see the roses among the thorns.
It really was a sad situation, and a bit eye-opening. We’re so pleased to be the ones to bring this sweet home back to it’s former glory. You can tell this place was really loved at one time. We hope to get back to that. It’s going to be a journey for sure!