home

It’s officially been one year since we became home owners (and 363 days since we got to go into our new home… remember that fiasco?) Regardless, we have loved our first year in this house; there have been lots of dinners, celebrations, game nights, holidays and great times with friends and family. We have also conned several friends and family members into oh-so-many home improvement projects. Thanks to you all for your help, we could not have done it without you!



I have never actually done a blog post giving a tour of the whole house…. So, two birds, one stone: here’s a look at our home and all the changes we’ve made in our first year.

The Day We Knew this was Our Home:

After:

Not a lot of change in the front... just take out the baby swing and add in some greener grass.



Starting when you walk in the front door, here is the front living room:
** Disclaimer: the before pictures are the professionals that the previous owners used to list the house, so quality/lighting wise they are much better than mine**

Before:

After:

We made this area into a living room/dining area.

Through the doors into the back of the house is the kitchen/den.

Before:

After:

Before:

This seemed like a waste of space to us... so much room and just a tiny kitchen table. Plus, people always end up gathering near the kitchen anyway. So we decided to make this area our den/main living room.

After:

I hate that these pictures are so dark... but we really have loved this set up, and it feels very cozy. Also, check out those french doors that Jim and Ryan installed!!



On to the 3rd Bedroom (used to be their oldest daughter's room, is now our office/puppy's room):

Before:

After:

On down the hall you come to our Master Bedroom. This used to be their second bedroom but this is the one we added a bathroom to and made it ours:

Before:

After:

No befores for the bathroom because it didn't exist. But here are some of the construction process and the beautiful finished product!!

This is my wonderful closet that my sweet husband lets me have all to myself!!

Right next to our room is the hallway bathroom. It actually used to be connected to our room but we had the contractors close the doorway so it's just a spare bathroom now. We haven't really made any changes in here besides decor.

Before:

After:

Yep - the dated tile and vanity are still alive and kickin' (can't wait to revamp this one)



The there is the original master bedroom which we have made into our guest suite:

Before:

Man I wish I had a cool camera with a fisheye lens...

After:

And finally the backyard... this has been quite a work in progress. When we moved in it was an overgrown mess with a fence that barely stood up and grass that was basically non-existent. We have put a lot of hours into the yard and we (and the pups) love it!

Before:

That madness there on the left is a crepe mertyle tree that was apparently pruned very poorly... it turned into sort of a bush/tree combo that was totally in the way and just ugly.

Yucky, old sliding door that didn't lock

After:

Beautiful fence, actual alive grass... we love it!

Welp, that's our home. I can't believe we've already had it for one whole year! Please come visit us and stay over, we may even draft you to help with our next improvement project.

Love,
The Kochs