Lower Level Before & After Photos

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, but we are finally settled into the lower level of our new house (aka Cary's parents' old house.)  For the most part, everything went really smoothly.  We sold our house quickly, the move itself went off without a hitch, the kids transitioned to their new rooms well, and two weeks later we're finally enjoying the lazy days of summer.  Our one hiccup happened the day before we closed on our old house when the appraisal came back lower than expected.  But we just took a bit of a loss, put it behind us, and are moving forward with a positive attitude.

Cary started the demolition of the main level this week so that is a work in progress.  Construction actually begins next week and we're excited to see it all come together.  While all of that happens upstairs, we're living in the lower level and made some changes there as well.  Here are some before and after photos of the lower level..."our summer home."  :)

OUR BEDROOM 
This room will be Carter's bedroom once the renovation is complete.  But for the time being, Cary and I are sleeping here since it has an attached bathroom.  Before it was beautiful so really we've just made some decorative changes. We also added white trim and new doors.

BEFORE

AFTER

BRYNN'S ROOM
There is a small room off the main living area in the basement that has been an office and small bedroom in the past.  For the summer, it's Brynn's bedroom.  Once the upstairs is done, this will be our office/craft room, and I'm really excited to do something bold in there.   For now we only replaced the trim and door.

BEFORE

AFTER

CARTER'S ROOM
Carter's summer bedroom will eventually be our playroom.  We are going to leave his trundle bed in there so it will be perfect for sleepovers and young guests.  This room was actually Cary's bedroom and he chose the blue carpet years ago!  We replaced the trim, stained the closet doors, and will be replacing the carpet.  Carter has loved the room so far this summer and I know it will be a well-loved space!

BEFORE
It's been a playroom for several years now.  Gotta love Bobbi and Saylor and all of the toys in the photo! :)

AFTER
Since Carter is really into Angry Bird right now, we put some Angry Birds decals on the wall temporarily.  He LOVES it!

"THE SUMMER KITCHEN" aka WET BAR
We spent some time and effort in this space.  My dad used slate tile for the countertop.  We also removed the built-ins, stained the bar in java gel stain, added a larger sink, and replaced the lights.  It's working out great for our summer kitchen and I'm getting creative cooking with only a microwave, skillet and crock-pot.  :)

BEFORE

AFTER

BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS
This space deserves some attention because we took out a wall and doorway.  It's funny how none of us ever considered removing that wall for years, and now that it's gone it feels like it was supposed to be that way.  It really opened up the space at the bottom of the stairs and both of our dads did a great job patching the drywall and flooring.

BEFORE
Notice the wall/doorway behind the bar to the right of the pole?

 Here's the same wall from the other side...just left of the closet...

AFTER
Now it's gone!

Another view.  The blue light used to go over their pool/ping-pong table, but will soon be replaced by a new white drum light.  I hate when things are on backorder. 

DINING SPACE / OPEN AREA

BEFORE

AFTER

LIVING ROOM
We painted this room a light beige/gray color and added thick white trim.  We also changed the layout so the furniture faces a different direction.  We hung the TV on the wall, added all of our furniture and decorations from the old house, and it instantly felt like our home.  New sliding doors will replace the french doors next week.

BEFORE

AFTER

The basement really feels like home and I don't wonder where I am when I wake up each morning anymore.  :) I'm not going to lie though, it's been a lot of work and has taken up almost every free evening and weekend since mid-May.  The end is in sight though, since after the demo is complete upstairs, we're done with our portion of the work.  And since all of that is "man-work," the kids and I are finally spending the days at the pool and playing outside.  It's going to be a great summer! :)