NEW STORY: BEFORE & AFTER AGAIN AND AGAIN

    

OK!  READY FOR A CUTE HOUSE??!!

This is a very fun story about a couple who, instead of downsizing (what everyone I know seems to be doing these days) is upsizing. 

Of course they would be. 

They are upsizing because they are a young couple with two young growing sons. 

The story begins,  as tales of newlyweds all do,  with a starter home.   A move to a larger house in West University coincided with the birth of their first son, which I wrote about,  HERE.

Above is the house where their first son was welcomed. 

This “First Son” house was renovated and the wife decorated it from top to bottom.  I LOVED what she did with this two story, original West University 1930s house which is why I wrote about it. 

 

The coming birth of their second son,  coincided with yet another move to a slightly larger house, also in West University.  As with their “First Son” house, the “Second Son” house was also decorated by the owner and was also completely renovated from top to bottom, all of which was documented on Instagram, where I followed along with the progress.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when the owner texted to let me know the “Second Son” house was on the market with a sale pending status.  Did I want to write about this house too?  You bet I did!

She relayed that, now, as family of four, they had found their forever home – a slightly larger house – more spread out – with lots of growing room for family, friends, holidays and life events and as a welcome bonus there was a swimming pool! 

 

Let’s take a quick look back at the “First Son” house in West U:

 When they bought the house in 2013, it looked like this with green painted brick and a red door. 

 

 

By the time they sold the house in 2016, it was now taupe with a deep purple door and new trendy, neatly trimmed, box landscaping with cypress trees.

There was no doubt the house would look good inside.  And it did.   

The owner chose velvets and prints in greens and blues.  The fabrics were from the big named houses like F.  Schumacher.  They were all beautifully curated from pillows to upholstery.   In the living room,  she demolished a faux fireplace and added the large bookcase with brass library lights.  The original hardwoods were taken from orange to a deep, rich brown.    Gorgeous blue silk curtains with dark brown shades perfectly hide the infamous “dead spot.” 

In the dining room, the silk curtains were continued to create continuity between the two rooms.  The Farrow and Ball wallpaper is so pretty as was the crystal chandelier.

What was most amazing to me is the owner is a young woman who worked in news reporting – not decor.  But, when her boys get older, she should think about putting out her own shingle in the design world!

 

The popular F. Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock fabric was used in the breakfast room.

The nursery for their first baby son had another Farrow & Ball paper on an accent wall.   To see all of the Befores & Afters of this house be sure to read the first story.

 HERE

At just under 2,000 sq. ft., the family would need more space if there was to be another anticipated baby.  And so, this “First Son” house was put on the market where it sold almost immediately.

Which, shouldn’t be a surprise because the renovation was so attractive.

After I wrote the original article about the house, I  followed the owner’s Instagram to see how she was renovating her new “Second Son” house.  And renovate she did!  

And as they settling into their new house, decorating away, as expected, another baby boy was born, bringing the family total up to four.

And now today, after the “Second Son” house has finally been totally renovated, the family found their forever home – in another original neighborhood.  

Today, we have all the Before & After photos of this “Second Son” house.

Let’s look at the “Second Son” house that is currently sale pending:

Before:   The Second Son, West University original house was built in 1938.  It was almost 1,000 sq. ft. larger than their First Son house.  I thought the exterior was so charming, but it was nothing compared to what it would look like after it was updated.

And here it is today:

After:  The brick was painted white and all the climbing ivy was removed.  More changes:  green shutters and a green front door.  The house went from cute to absolutely adorable!!! 

Seriously, isn’t this just the cutest house ever????

This house is the definition of curb appeal!!!

Finishing out the changes is an enlarged driveway and pavers that replaced concrete walkways. 

The exterior was just a hint of what was going on inside.  Room by room the house was updated and redecorated.

   

 

Before:  The front gravel walkway was curved with iron railings.  This took away from the symmetry.

During and After – the beautiful landscape was designed by Moss Landscaping.  Notice the iron railing was removed as were the old concrete steps. 

    

Here, the house decorated for a Houston Christmas!

And in the fall.  Here you can see the new scalloped awning which was custom made in navy as an accent to all the green.

The exterior colors blue and green are also found inside.

Before:   The back yard was overgrown and the garage had an attachment built onto its back. 

After:  New paint, the garage addition was removed, and a new patio was added off the back door.

Before:  Looking at the backyard from the house – it was wild and needing landscaping.

After:   The new patio decorated with darling bamboo like furniture in green and blue.  Raised wood beds were also added.

Ready to look inside the house?

Before:  The “Second Son” house had good bones with hardwood floors and wood windows.  At the left are built in bookcases.  Through the opening is what was once probably a sunroom, now a study.

 

Before:  Close look into the
study off the formal living room.

Before:  Inside the study.

AFTER:  The owner used much of her furniture from her former home just changing up some pillow fabrics and accessories.  There are new curtains, floral, instead of the all blue silk curtains found in her former house.

And a look towards the study – painted a lacquer like blue.  French doors were added to create a quiet mancave study for the husband.   Notice the brass sconces over the shelves.  And notice the darling wicker scalloped table next to the sofa from Serena & Lily.  I LOVE that table!!!

Link to table:  HERE

Before the curtains were installed, these cute floral shades created privacy.   Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s F. Schumacher Darya Ikat fabric is on the chairs.

And todaay with the current curtains.

 

From Instagram – here is how the shelves were updated and made to look more custom.   New molding was added to the area above the shelves.  French doors were added along with the before mentioned brass sconces.

The final look.  A cow hide was layered over the seagrass. 

 

Before:  The study.

AFTER:   The room that was too small to be a family area is now the husband’s study and mancave. New desk was built and painted in a high gloss nautical blue.   Modern ceiling fan.  Of course!  This is a man’s room in Texas!

     

Before:  The foyer and stairhall between the formal living and dining room.  The staircase was completely remade, for a more up to date look.

After:  The  front door was painted black.   Block molding was added to the hallway and a new bannister and newel post was built.

Before.

During:   New risers and a new newel post.

After:  Storage under the stairs is reached by a secret door hidden in the millwork.

After:  Looking towards the front door.

The homeowner posted before and after photos on Instagram that showed the progress as it was happening.   Here the foyer and living room/study were shown.

Before:   The dining room.

After:   The square room looks completely updated with the new wallpaper and pink silk curtains.  The round table is a perfect choice for the square room. 

Another view showing the modern light fixture.  Dodie Thayer Lettuceware hangs on the walls.

Love!   Here’s a link:

The plates comes in green, white, pink and in all different types of sizes and shapes.   Love!!!   HERE

Before:  The powder room.  Nice but bland.

After:  New vintage looking wallpaper and painted cabinets updated the room without making costly changes.  New doors on the cabinet along with new hardware and fixtures also updated the powder room.

Before:  The kitchen sits between the front of the house and the back.  It was completely renovated and became the showstopper/focal point of the house!

  

Before:  Looking back towards the dining room.

After:  New hardwoods replaced the white tile and new custom cabinets were built.  The peninsula was removed to open up the space.   The star is the LaCornue French range!  It sits in front of green subway tiles that ties in the blue and green found throughout the house.   A farm sink sits in front of the window.  Instead of the desk, there is a wine refrigerator.

Double oven.   This is just so beautiful.   No other word for it.

 

Here, from Instagram are the owner’s before & after kitchen photos.  

Before:  Past the kitchen is this area that became the breakfast room.  In the back is the family room that leads to the back yard.

Before:  What will become the breakfast room looks towards the kitchen.

After:  Now painted green, the breakfast room has a wood table and French bistro chairs.

A trio of pendants hang over the table.

Circa Lighting’s Hicks Pendants HERE

They come in small, large, extra large and different finishes and colors.

No one makes better light fixtures than Circa Lighting/Visual Comfort.  No one.  Houston’s Randy Powers designed a line for them and now Paloma just designed a line too!

  They are just the best! 

A little side note.  Shhh. Don’t repeat this.  But.   Out of college, I used to be really good friends with the man who later started the company, Circa Lighting/Visual Comfort.   Andy Singer.  He was so cute!!  LOL  Still is, actually.   And I had a huge crush on him. This was loooooong before Circa Lighting was even a thought in his pretty little head.   Makes me laugh now to think of those times right out of college.  He moved to a new apartment and started dating the blonde upstairs and never called me again.   And that’s how I ended up with Mr. Slippersocksman!    I could have been a contenda!   I could have been Mrs. Circa Lighting but look, I got the better deal out of it:

HERE.

Nothing sexier than a pair of slippersocks.  Mark me!

Ssssh.  Don’t tell either man.  Keep it just between us.

OK, back to the house.   Ummmph.

 

Before:   The family room sits a few steps down from the  breakfast room.

After:  F. Schumacher’s Chiang mai Dragon hangs at all the windows at the back of the house.

 

After:   The door to the right of the table leads to the laundry room.

  

From the homeowner.  This shows the newly designed bookshelves in the family room.  The new custom shelves look so much better.  Notice how the owner took the shelves up to the ceiling and how they follow the arch of it, creating an architectural feature.

After:   Off the breakfast room is the utility room/mud room.  Totally renovated with refrigerator drawers that gives the boys an easy reach for drinks.  This room went from a drab, wood storage room to an adorable utility room!

Notice the scalloped light fixture!  Yep.   Don’t get me started on that subject again!!!

New tile floor and wallpaper.  Gift wrap station is at the back.

The homeowner’s Instagram before & after photos of the laundry room.

Before:   The family room.

And After:   Now painted green with shades made of the Chiang Mai Dragon fabric, notice the fireplace was updated with a coat of white paint.  New wood floors and an antelope rug complete the decor.

Before:  The tile floor, the dark fireplace, the shelves – all were redone.

The new cabinets. And notice.  No ceiling fan!   Yeah!   Wifey won!

 

The homeowner’s Instagram Before & After photos of the family room.

The landing with the new newel post that matches the one downstairs.

After.  The boys bedroom with darling wallpaper and campaign chest.

After:  Another bedroom – there are four in total.  This is used as a guest room.

Before:  the kid’s bathroom.

After.  I just love this!!!!!!  Love the Kohler double sink and mill work in coral with wallpaper and matching subway tile.  New floors.

The homeowner’s Instagram Before & After photos of the children’s bathroom. The cutest!!!

After:  Once the nursery, this room was later turned into the boys’ playroom.

Another touch – doors were all painted black which is an easy way to add an architectural detail.  If black is too harsh for your decor, you can try another color, that accents the wall paint.

The new playroom.

Before:   The master suite.  A door was added at the window on the right to access the balcony and a closet was created out of the sitting area.

The sitting area that became the walk in closet and the window that became a door to the balcony.

After:  The new door at the left replaces the mirror and shutter doors.   At the right is the new door to the balcony.

The new closet door opens to the former sitting area.    

 

    

Before:  The sitting room, now the closet.

After:   The walk in closet is incredible for an original 1930s West University home. 

Another view.

Before:  The master suite.

After:  LOVE!!!!!!   Love the wallpaper mixed with the blue subway tiles. 

Another view of the tub and vanity.

Close up of the shower. Love!

The homeowner’s Instagram Before & After bathroom photos.

As you might guess, the “Second Son”  house was barely on the market when offers over the asking price started coming in.  It’s now Sale Pending.   The real estate market is going bonkers right now - if you want to sell, this is the time.

You can contact their realtor if you want to find another house in Houston. 

The realtor is Cathy Blum HERE.  Cathy is a doll and is so knowledgeable about Houston real estate.

 

And the couple with the wife and her incredible knack for interior design?  Their “forever” home is also in the works and they will soon be settled in the larger house.  Instagram photos will start up again.

Here’s a peek at the direction she wants to go in the new “forever” house:

Here are some fabrics and papers that she is thinking of using in their new house – a little Bowood here, a little green velvet there.  It looks so cute, I can’t wait to see the new decor!!!!

Who knows?  Maybe there will be a third son welcomed in the “Forever Home” and we’ll be right back here in a few years!!!!