Project Andy's House • Avenue Laurel

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Hey guys! I am super excited to share all about my newest project here today- I’m calling it Project Andy’s House.

Andy’s my brother. He is an absolutely amazing person. He is one of those people that are always there for you. You know the type- the ones that, when you move, won’t just ask if you need help but will actually show up to do it, and then keeps you laughing the whole time. He’s super smart and well-read. He has always been there for me.

Andy has three girls who are just the best. They’re smart, kind, and funny, like their dad.

So Andy just moved into a new house, like just moved in. And when he called me to ask if I would help him with the design of the space, you better believe I was all in! He’s renting right now, with the option to buy it if he wants to. He’s strongly leaning towards buying.

But y’all. This place…it’s special. I know you guys know that I have a soft spot for old houses- there’s just something about the story they tell- and this place is no exception. And the setting is stunning. Right in the middle of a pasture with rolling hills, a pond in his backyard, and, no lie, a little white church with a steeple right across the dirt road from him!

Check it out

(sorry for my big fat thumb)

Right in front of his house.

From his backyard. That’s a cast iron tub back there. And cows graze in that pasture.

Project Andy’s House: The inside

The inside is just a little less charming. It looks like the house has had some “updates” over the years that have probably covered up some original elements. Andy says it’s over 100 years old.

Sorry for the terrible iPhone pics…I forgot my good camera.

Okay, remember Andy just moved his stuff in, so some of the rooms are still in a bit of disarray.

The kitchen. #yikes

The owners say we can paint the walls, but we’re not sure about the cabinets yet. I’d love to paint them white, at least the uppers, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. The yellow countertops will stay, but the wallpaper will be covered up with removable wallpaper. Andy likes the yellow though, so we’re probably going to roll with it and use it as a design element through the main areas of the house. We’re painting the walls white.

The living room.

Oh gosh. This room is such a great example of how changing just a couple of elements will completely change a space. Just painting (white) and new window treatments will go a long way! But we’ll also address the built in bookcase, add a large area rug, change up the floor plan, and probably add in a large sectional. Plus update the lighting.

The dining room.

This room has a fantastic view, so we’ve definitely got to remove those curtain sheets, paint the walls, update the lighting, and an area rug, and add some more seating. I have some fabulous yellow upholstered host chairs that will look amazing in here. The table was our grandparents, and I’d love to make it more of a feature in the room.

Andy’s room.

I actually like the bead board in here, but Andy is undecided. The antique dresser will kick off the design plan. It’s absolutely beautiful, and I’d love to make it the highlight of the room. I’m thinking cream, hunter green, and black. The fireplace will get painted.

The girls room.

I really want to make the girls room a place that they will love. We’re definitely moving the big TV out of there. Change up the color scheme, still highlighting the molding with a fun color, adding a large area rug. We’ll give it more of a lounge feel.

The bathroom #doubleyikes

The last folks who rented this house painted the red walls and the blue cabinets. Ugh.

We’re going to have to work with the blue fixtures, but I’m okay with this. I actually think colored bathroom fixtures are really charming, especially in an old home. We’ll give everything a coat of bright white, highlight the cabinets and built in with some yellow, and update the lighting. I bet we can make this space shine for less than $100.

The hallway.

We’ve actually just finished painting this room (this is the before, clearly)! Andy had already bought a couple of gallons of eggshell/off white paint for the hallway, and we painted it this weekend. It actually brightened it up considerably. We’re going to paint the paneling, add some lighting, and add some artwork. I’ve got some original photographs of Cuba that my great grandfather took when he was stationed there during the Spanish-American War that I think would be perfect for that space.

Andy wants us to tackle the bathroom first, so we’re going to do that room asap. Trying to tackle that and the $100 Room Challenge at the same time is requiring some serious time management, but I am so excited to get started! To be able to help Andy make this house a comfortable home for himself and his girls is such a blessing.

I’ll see you back here tomorrow for a $100 Room Challenge update!