My current casa

We purchased the house where we currently live in January, 2004. It was about 1900 sq ft. and was a virgin.  Built in 1962 it had never been touched.  The kitchen was original, the bathrooms were original, everything was ORIGINAL!!!  Over 40 years old and barely had holes where artwork might have hung.  They had so much shag carpeting, it was even in the bathrooms.

Here are some photos I found of the house when we first bought it:

Kitchen and entrance to the garage

Kitchen

Kitchen again

Master Bathroom

We purchased this house in South Florida at a time when home prices were extremely inflated.  As a real estate agent, I couldn't justify spending the amounts of money people wanted for their homes.  We opted for this solution, an estate sale for a very reasonable price and then added 1,400 sq ft of living space in addition to a terrace and pool.  

It took 1 year  and 8 months to complete and be able to move in, and the pool took 1 extra year.

I just showed my children the pictures of the house and they can't believe it's our house.  My children were 1 and 5 when we bought the house and 2 and 6 when we moved in.  There's no way they could remember what the house was like.  But I can tell you, it's come a long way!!!!


I will post after pictures of the completely remodeled house starting tomorrow.

Outdoor Living Space

Living in South Florida we are fortunate to have warm weather almost 12 months of the year.   We can comfortably live outdoors for most of the 12 months.  I am looking forward to remodeling our new outdoor space. This is what it looks like now:

We have thousands of tadpoles in the pool right now.  Someone or some people have been in the house.  They left the front door unlocked.  The living room doors were left wide open, as well as the doors to the bedroom downstairs.  Paint was splattered all over the Chicago brick on the pool deck.  Glass has been shattered on the pool deck and inside the house.  Additional items have been taken from the property.  The doors of the bedroom downstairs have been kicked in, so even if the doors are closed, the bottom of each door has a huge opening and therefore the house is subjected to rain damage and animal and human intruders.  Some items like chairs and things that were stored in the garage are thrown all over the pool deck.     It's sad to see the property deteriorating and being vandalized while we stand around and wait for the sale to be finalized.  Meanwhile, I am very busy planning what we will do when the house is ours.
Future posts will include photos of some great ideas I've seen...I can't wait.

Garage turned Family Room



View of back wall of garage and extension
 from second floor

This house does not  have a traditinal  family room, a room for the family to gather to hang out, watch TV, and just enjoy each other's company.  Ideally the family room should be close to the kitchen so the family can gather together within these two rooms while meals are prepared and then enjoyed.  These two rooms would be the heart or hub of the home, where most of the "living" takes place.   The only area that is near the kitchen that could be transformed into the "living area" would be the existing garage.  Another reason for choosing the garage as an area to transform is because of the boring wall that borders the pool deck. 



Same back wall of garage from
another angle



I understand why the garage wall exists, but I haven't found a reason why that wall which extends from the garage exists. 

I think it should be demolished.  I volunteer for that job!!!  (That's one of the things I can't wait to do.)  I think it would be a great stress reliever to knock that wall down! 



Third view of the same wall



I picture a large, spacious family room in place of the garage.  I would add a window where the garage door is now.  A bathroom on the wall opposite the kitchen would be convenient in conjunction with  another window or door to the back of the yard.  I would prefer to have a wall of disappearing glass doors on the third wall overlooking the pool.  (The wall in the picture towards your left would be all glass, and the other part would be gone.)

 

The wall on your left is the "stress-relieving" wall that will be removed.  The wall directly in front, behind the trees will have the bathroom and either a window or door leading to this area.  Naturally some of these trees would have to be moved if we opt for a door.

Thoughts?  Ideas?  Please post a comment, I'd love to get some input.

Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show

Catch up on the latest trends in residential interior design at the Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show.  The show runs from Friday, March 25^th through Monday, March 28^th, 2011 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Visitors will be able to explore an international selection of products and services for residential interior design, home improvements, furnishings and accessories.

Attendees can also enjoy complimentary seminars and celebrity designer showcases.

Among the scheduled seminars are:

·       Andrew Downward from HGTV’s Divine Design show will host seminars at 1:00pm and 4:00pm Saturday, March 26^th and Sunday, March 27^th on how to change a room for less than $100.00

·      Florida Home Improvement Associates fhaproducts.com, are sponsoring this year’s seminar stage.

This stage will feature various seminars on home improvement and energy efficiency updates available to homeowners in South Florida.

I can’t wait to go, I’ll see you there!

Show Hours:

Friday, March 25^th, 2011…Noon to 10:30pm

Saturday, March 26^th, 2011…Noon to 10:30pm

Sunday, March 27^th, 2011…Noon to 7:30pm

Monday, March 28^th, 6:00pm to 10:30pm

For complete schedule of events and additional information, please check their website:  http://homeshowspecials.com/

You can also print a show discount coupon on their website, along with coupons from exhibitors for discounts on their products and services.

Come back and post your comments…