Bedroom Brightening

The bedrooms were all a shade of pink and 2 of them had seemingly original carpeting. They also had a light natural trim and light fixtures in need of updating. 

Before

Before (cleaned with a blanket for Wes to play on)

Before

Queer Eye's Bobby Burke shared a color wheel of his favorite shades on Instagram and Hannah, Mom, and I chose the colors for the house from it! 

Bobby Burke's Color Wheel

We went with Piedmont for the bedrooms. Mom painted the walls in Piedmont and the trim white after pulling up the carpet. The shag carpet really protected the beautiful original hardwood floors. 

Dad installed new ceiling fans in the bedrooms to modernize the look. 

The paint looked much brighter before it was dry

Walls done, looking more like calm blue

Fan up!

Carpet out

Fresh white trim!

 Backyard Beds

The garden beds in the backyard had a few daffodils and tulips but were otherwise mostly empty and a little lackluster looking. 

I suggested brightening them up with some low-maintenance perennials like hosta and some fresh mulch. Mom happened to have some hosta that needed separating so she dug some out and we brought them over to the house. While we were buying mulch she also picked out a cute little pink annual that brings some color to the bed. 

We removed some of the brick  border and now the backyard beds look super happy!

 

Right after planting and mulching

Curb Appeal Specialist at work

1 week after planting, so pretty! 

1 week after planting

Archie enjoying the backyard view

Also, this hanging trim on the garage door was driving me crazy every time I looked at it, so my dad handed me the drill and some finishing nails and I tacked it up. 

So. Much. Better.

Before

Before

After

After

Kitchen Demolition 05.14.22

 Kitchen Demolition

Day 1 of the Rowena Renovation means demo in the kitchen. This 1965 home was loved and taken care of but is in serious need of some modernization. While Mom was cleaning the bedrooms, Dad was demoing in the kitchen.  Here is the kitchen before demo:

I helped Dad remove the tile backsplash while he removed the vent hood and started on the cabinet removal. When Hannah and Joe arrived, Joe helped Dad remove the rest of the cabinets, refrigerator, oven, paneling, and wallpaper. The kitchen during and after demo:

 

The Fam (Wes was cooking at this time)

Meet the Team

John, Carol, & Wes in front of the house

John and Caroline Robson

John- Contractor: John is a contractor and owner of his own home improvement business. He started his business after 30 years of working as a mechanical engineer, so he has all the know-how and skills to get the job done

Caroline- Job Site Manager: Carol has also had her own business as a cosmetologist for many years, and she works behind the scenes doing administrative work for John's business. As job site manager she makes sure things flow seamlessly at the Rowena Renovation; making plans, getting materials, feeding the team, and doing whatever jobs around the house that she can (ie: painting, because John hates that).

From here forward they will be referred to as "Mom and Dad," because they are my parents. 

Hannah and Joe at an Anniversary Dinner

Hannah and Joe Davis

Hannah- Realtor: Hannah is a realtor and has great insights into what brings value to a home. She is an integral part of the design team, helping to make cosmetic changes during the renovation. 

Joe-Construction Assistant: Joe: AKA 'Demo-Davis' will tackle any job on the site that he is asked to complete. As real estate investors, he and Hannah offer insights into the housing market and what buyers are looking for. 

Hannah is my sister, Joe is my brother-in-law, and Wes is their son.

Rachel sightseeing in St. Augustine

Rachel Robson

Rachel- Curb appeal specialist/transformation photographer: This is me! With my self-appointed titles, I get to do landscape design and exterior cosmetics to improve curb appeal and make the home feel inviting from the street. I will also be taking photographs and chronicling the renovation from start to finish.

I hope you enjoy following along with this renovation!