The home we plan to renovate is a classic 1960s ranch, built during the heyday when the Savannah River Site was just being developed in the late 1950s. At that time, families were migrating to South Carolina, and this neighborhood became a haven for those who worked at the site. This typical home of that era sits on a spacious one-acre lot, is 1,433 sq ft, featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and, at some point, an in-ground pool was added.
The Location
Geographically, this house is perfect for us. We can look out the window of our primary residence and view the home, making it convenient for us to manage the renovation. It's important to note, that while the home is super close to the city limits, it sits on a "donut hole" where its future residents can enjoy the benefits of extremely low county taxes only as well as little to no restrictions.
The Condition
We can see the potential in this home but there is no denying, it definitely needs some work. The previous owners faced a family hardship, leading to the house being acquired in its current state. Many of the family’s belongings were left behind, and we are doing our best to save any family photos and keepsakes, and to donate any items that we possibly can. Here's a quick rundown of the areas that need the most attention:
- Kitchen: The kitchen is outdated with old cabinets and appliances. We plan to do a full renovation here, including new cabinets, countertops, and modern appliances.
- Bathrooms: Pink and blue tile! lol Both bathrooms need updating. We'll be adding new fixtures, tiles, and storage solutions.
- Living Areas: The living room and dining room have great potential but need fresh paint, walls need to be torn down, new flooring, and some updated lighting. We will be taking down a wall to make this an open floor concept.
- Bedrooms: The bedrooms need some cosmetic updates and better storage options.
- Backyard: The backyard is spacious but overgrown. We're excited to create a beautiful outdoor space for our family to enjoy, including revitalizing the pool area.
Our Vision
Our vision for this house is to blend its original charm with modern functionality. We want to create a warm, inviting space that reflects our family's personality and style. Here are some of our goals:
- Open Concept Living: We plan to open up the living and dining areas to create a more spacious and connected environment.
- Modern Kitchen: A modern, functional kitchen with plenty of storage and workspace is a must.
- Comfortable Bedrooms: Each bedroom will be a cozy retreat with updated decor and ample storage.
- Outdoor Oasis: We envision a beautiful backyard with a garden, seating area, play space for the kids, and a refreshed pool area.
- More Surprises: We have more instore, but want to reveal them as we go!
Why We’re Doing This
After renovating our home, we realized how much we loved the process of transforming a house into a home. It’s not just about making things look nice; it’s about creating a space that feels like a home. This time, we decided to take on a bigger challenge and do this professionally. We believe in the value of hard work, creativity, and the joy of building something together.
Honoring a Legacy
This journey is especially meaningful for us because it’s dedicated to my mom. After she passed away in 2021, we re-evaluated our lives and careers, and this new path wouldn’t be possible without her. The proceeds from her house have enabled us to pursue this dream, and her strength inspires us every day. In our logo, the little heart is from papers I found while watching her in the ICU, fighting for her life. She is always on our mind, and all that we are doing is in her honor, memory, and legacy.
What’s Next?
We’ve got our work cut out for us, but we couldn’t be more excited. We’ll be documenting every step of this journey, from demolition to the final touches. We hope you’ll follow along, share your thoughts, and maybe even get inspired to tackle your own projects.