I remember when I first drove up this old driveway and saw the house that would become our home… do you know what my first thought was?
Back the truck up.
It was not for faint of heart. Honestly, I almost didn’t even get out of the car. But then I shook my head, turned the car off and opened the door. I have shared this story before and some of you may remember just how our home looked when we first bought it- and just how much work was in front of us to even make it livable.
Our Home Before
Something I have been seeing and hearing a lot about recently is about social media and perception. The back story to those shares about building that dream home or creating a product line or book look much more like a whole lot of hours of work, grime and grit to get it done. And that doesn’t always come across when sharing a before and after- rather than the whole picture. So I thought about it, and realized maybe I don’t share enough of the backstory too- just the pretty- because that picture perfect is what people want to see. But there is so much more to be shared in the stories. So, I am sharing a bit more of the back story again today and kicking off a new Before & After series that delves into more of that.
The Beginning
It had been a long year since moving back home to California and we had left a pretty idyllic piece of property and house. In Minnesota, we had a sweet old 1920’s farmhouse on 120 acres. It had a big old barn, a 3 season porch with all kinds of beautiful old wood windows and a steep squeaky staircase that led to a second story that offered the most beautiful views out across the countryside. All for the price that cost less than a half of what my car cost.
We had a dream of buying another home and wanted something with property and open spaces but we knew our budget didn’t go far in California. By the time my husband graduated from the academy and landed a job in law enforcement- there were only 2 houses with property on the market that were in our price range. One that had slanted walls that was a kit home from the 1960’s- and one that was an older 1940 house that was $30,000 more. After touring the 1960’s home- we knew it wasn’t the one.
The more expensive and more run down house was pretty much at the top of our scrape it together price range. It was a little 1940’s cottage on several acres & it had been vandalized and neglected for over 60 years. It had broken windows, missing or drooping ceilings that were not secured, no sink in one bathroom and half a dozen different tiles and broken shower in another. There were holes in the walls and single light bulbs hanging from wires to light each room. Well other than the ceiling fan in the kitchen – that actually had a pull to turn it on- a beer bottle pull. You can see it below.
This house…suffice it to say- required a lot of looking past things.
To be able to look past the vandalism and gross factor that was left behind- one also needed a lot of youthful exuberance and energy & really needed to be naive enough to not think about just how much work it would be to even make it livable let alone pretty.
And I might add- one also needed a heavy dose of crazy to want to actually sign on the dotted line and pay a chunk of money to buy it.
And at the time- we had 3 young children. Our youngest was 3 and I was home-schooling my 2 oldest. My husband worked in another county a couple of hours away and he added as many overtime hours as he could to pay for renovations- which meant he stayed out of town for 4 days and nights each week. We knew that putting this house back together again was not going to be quick or easy. We didn’t have a reserve remodeling budget- it took every penny and more just to get the loan- so we were going to have to work as we could with our budget and the heavy lifting on those days when my husband was home.
Give it a Chance
But back to that moment when I sat in my car in the driveway and looked at this broken house. The siding. The windows. The two doors that were kitty corner next to each other- one of which was rotting at the bottom and locked with a padlock. I sat there and after my first thought of turning the car around – my second thought was:
‘Just give it a chance and take a closer look’.
Remember that whole ‘crazy thing? Yep. I definitely had that covered. But there was something… a feeling I had that first time I saw this house & the property and I had to take a closer look.
That Certain Something
The house just sitting there in the middle of this acreage – honestly it looked so forlorn and sad.
As I stared at it, I felt almost like it was straightening it’s walls as much as it could- in the hope that someone would see past all that was broken – and see the worth it had to offer and give it a chance.
Much like people that are worn and weathered over the years- it needed someone to nurture it. To give it a renewed sense of purpose, polish up that diamond in the rough and fill the emptiness with a family and laughter. This property had a magical energy that I can’t explain but I felt it- and I just knew this place was so special.
So I got out of the car & walked up to those kitty corner 2 front doors and I leaned up against the window to peek in- and it moved. The window was held in place by just a couple of nails bent over the frame. But when I leaned in again and was able to look inside-I got a surge of excitement (back to that insanity thing haha) and I called our realtor and told her :
‘I want to see the inside of this house.’
A Diamond in the Rough
My husband took a whole lot of convincing -but my dad who is a contractor & real estate broker thought it was perfect. He is most likely the one I got the insanity from. We had to do a lot of creative financing and part owner carry to be able to buy it. No traditional bank would lend on it after driving by the outside.
The Exterior – Before & After
I never imagined I would ever share the outside of the house with you all. I have always been so embarrassed at where we started- but like all good stories- they start at the beginning. So, this is where the house that inspired ‘French Country Cottage’ began.
When I look at these photos- and then I look at this house now- I realize how far it has come. Above is the view where we now have a small entry room with French doors. And in the next photo- there is that rotting door that had a padlock- it was opening into the kitchen and is next to the wobbly window that I first looked into. What you can’t see here is the second door kitty corner to this one- that led into the living room.
The front of the taller area of the house is below. Up top- is where the attic window is now. You can see that the old growth camelia tree was already pretty big and that is the top of the original 1940 rock fireplace in the bottom of the photo. The siding was rotting and the eaves were all open to the inside of the house and attic- which meant creatures enjoyed the house. I have to be completely honest- I was so embarrassed by the state of the house that I didn’t want to take ANY photos of it all. I didn’t want to look back and remember where we were starting. But my grandmother insisted that I do it.
And I pretty much always listened to Grammy – so I did. Which of course, now I am grateful for them.
We made do with the siding and windows until we could afford them. We concentrated on sealing the missing ceilings and insulating as much as we could so that we could move in. Thankfully, my dad had the skills to help us navigate and make it livable. But it took years and years and years of working on it as we could to get it to what it looks like now. And even now- we have projects we need and want to do.
Never would even have in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that the rooms of this house would be in a book or magazines. That it would inspire my blog- which then became a job that allowed me to stay home with our children and help provide for our family. Or that it would be a place that would nurture and encourage me as much as it has while we fixed it up over the years. The place where our children would grow up, create memories and come back to for the holidays. This house. And all the quirks, issues and fixing up it needs even now – it became the Home we knew it could be. That the lonely house we first saw seemed to dream it could be.
Up Next
Up next – a break down of each room and where we started and details along the way. Like when I decided to build detailed moulding to go around the entire house while my husband was at work. Why. Did I know what I was doing? Nope. There is that crazy coming out again.
And the story about my dad and that yellow jacket infestation and rogue wire (did I mention, the wiring was all knob and tube original when we moved in?) Along with more about the outside of the BACK of the house. Which- I haven’t shared yet and believe it or not- it looked completely different than the front did with a whole lot of I have no idea what in the world is going on. And then the cottage exterior… that was a doozy too.
You can read more of the story in my book French Country Cottage & also in my book Inspired Gatherings
I hope that if you have a similar fixer up home and are wondering ‘what have I done‘ just like I did many, many times tackling this project- that this look back will give you some encouragement to know that You have got this and that it Will be worth the work, blood, sweat, tears and everything else that goes along with loving a broken house. Those old houses have a way of taking care of you and loving you back more than you realize.
Happy Thursday all.
Sheryl Casper says
Amazing! I too have a knack for seeing what’s in front of you to what is possible!
Thanks for sharing!
Courtney says
Love that you feel the same- just have to look past the coal sometimes and see the diamond. 🙂
Barbara at Mantel and Table says
I love this story Courtney! You must be so proud of all the work and love you’ve put into this property! And thanks for sharing it with us! I love the before and afters – the worse the before, the better! 😉
Take care and thanks for all the beautiful inspiration, once again!
Courtney says
haha! So true! This one was pretty rough in the beginning. And the back of the house… oy vey!
cINDY says
i FEEL LIKE i’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PART OF YOUR STORY FOREVER! AMAZING!
Courtney says
Aww love that! Thanks Cindy! More coming soon! 🙂
Susan says
So have I, and it was worth the wait! Such an a transformation!
BOBBI duncan says
Courtney, I just love this story! You must be so proud of the gorgeous home you’ve created, because the finished look is nothing short of amazing. We recently had a flood in our home, damaging quite a few rooms. I wanted to cry (especially as those were the rooms we had just finished redoing), but then I remembered pictures you have shown along the way and I thought ” Don’t be silly, if Courtney could tackle all the work her house required, you can certainly do this”. You are such an inspiration to all your followers….it certainly proved to be true for me!
cassandra E says
i cannot wait to see more!
my little cottage is not a far cry from the befores and while it’s really more money and less vision that holds me back, I still love inspiration!
And as you drive up, what part of the house do you see with the beautiful pergola?
Evelyn Marie Sandefur says
I’m so glad you shared the pictures. We just moved into a 1970 home, and while it’s not a total gut job, i’m happy to see that it takes patience to get what you want. i get impatient with myself and our progress.
Courtney says
Good luck with your renovations!! And yes, I am impatient too- it definitely takes time to create that vision you have.
Alicia says
Courtney,
i had no idea the conDition your house was in when yOu purchased iT. My first thought also was “what were you thinking?”.
But i believe that a vision, like you had, made you see BEYOND THE ugly and the broken. And I believe, that because of the house CHALLENGES, it made you way more creative in making the house into your home, full of charm and character. Truly beautifully done.
Alicia
Courtney says
Haha, it was pretty bad. We were so young and young stay at home mom and an in school officer budget does not stretch too far in California-especially on acreage in this area. I definitely had a vision for the house- I fell in love with the original aspects of the kitchen, the hardwood floors and wood walls- and that fireplace. But did have to overlook a lot. It probably helped that my dad was always buying and fixing ugly ducklings and so I knew it was possible to see more than what was right in front of you with a house. 🙂
CK says
Well as one who lives in the upper Midwest, I can’t even begin to imagine why you’d want to move back to high-priced california….especially leaving a house and 120 acres of land like you described in MN!
But then I do know that feeling of ‘this is THE one!” because we recently moved from a beautiful home (one that people said WHY are you selling??) to a home and acreage that was neglected for 15 years! It seems when it’s right, it’s right 😉
The home we have now, was as you say “All worth it!”
Courtney says
We Loved living in Minnesota and thought the folks and the land there was absolutely beautiful! (Minus the cold winters- I am a sunshine and warm weather girl) We moved back to California because this is where I was born and raised and we had young children and our family was here- and I wanted my kids to know my grandparents like I did growing up. I love California dearly- but it is quite expensive for sure.
Your place sounds quite lovely also- I am glad you found the one!
Laurel says
I do believe houses can have Their own energy or presenCe. my FIRST NIGHT IN our HOME OF 33 YEARS I FELT “ITS ARMS” EMBRACE ME. My throat caught when you wrote The house seemed to try And straighten itself As you looked at it…i do believe it knew you woukd save it. And you so have! You’ve created so much beauty for your own family And joy and INSPIRATION for Your readers.
Laurel says
Not sure what was happening when i was writing – put caps in weird places…hope you can corRect! Never happened on my ipad before!
Carmen Mooney says
Courtney Dahling,
You are my inSPiration! You write so engagingly and every room in your home is true charm and beauty – just like you!!!
Gratefully,
Carmen
Miche Ortega says
WOW, That is some transformation! Just awesome. You are truly inspiring. thank you.
DEBRA EISENBERG says
You are a talented visionary & BRAVE! Very excited that you are sharing the transformation with us. Have no doubt it will be spectacular.
TERESA GONZALES says
Amazing! we like to buy fixer uppers too. Beautiful job!
Dena says
Incredible!
Ramona Alba says
What amazing timing! My husband and i are starting to refurbish his childhood home. It hasn’t been abandoned As much as it hasn’t been kept up, but i met a new resident While doing the walk-thru in the kitchen – a rat! It will be an interesting ride bringing thIs 1960’s Spanish ColoniAl bungalow back to its former beauty. Thank you for sharing this and the Little nudge to take more “before” photos. I will start in those. Too bad I missed the chance to document the overGrown garden and derelict guest hOuse which we tore down. That has an “after” photo, thoUgh, as well as the sapling i found growing in the inner front coUrtyard. Looking forward to the next part of this series!
Mary says
I love your story, and Am Happy to share this feeling of a house calling your name! My husband and I recently downsized from a Huge grand colonial with 5 bedrooms! We purchased a small farmhouse that is over 100 years old! We love it! OUR CHILDREN and grandchildren love it! It loves us too!we continue to work on changes,a little at a time.The property has some amazing very old sugar maples and is a perfect backdrop FOR ENTERTAINING we recently added a large FIRE PIT,which draws our family and neighbors like lightning bugs!i read your blog every day and contnue to draw from your amazing talents on your post! Thank you so much for sharing!🥰 .
Sally says
That was so wise of your grandmother to have you take pictures. Doesn’t it feel great to see how it started & what a beauty it’s become. You have excellent taste! In fact, I believe we have the very same taste. I even secretly joke that you are my decorating twin. Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing you do! It’s all beautiful!
Susan says
I love both of your beautiful books, as well as your Sense of design. I cant help but feel inspired when i see your home. When i was a newlywed, my husband and i purchased an extremely run-down Queen Anne Victorian and set about transforming it. What a labor of love. I no longer live there, but i still cherish tHose memories. I went from that house to a brick ranch style to my current contemporary home which im trying to “cozy up” using some of yOur beautiful ideas. Ive been curious about the square footage of your home. Would you be willing to share that information?
Kati says
How inspiring! 5 years ago i moved to a town where i didn’t know anyone, had no job and no home, and bought a house that had been on the market for 2 years that no one wanted. i knew it would be a lot of work. i didn’t want to buy it. i didn’t want to take pictures. i knew it would take a lot of time and having patience and “keeping my eyes on the prize.” i didn’t want to have that kind of patience. now my house has and continues to transform and has increased dramatically in value, and several investors and individuals have offered to buy it, but they can’t have it! i forget, sometimes, where it started so thankfully i have those pictures to look back on and show me how far my house and myself have come. thanks for the reminder! i’m going to follow your blog from now on.
Michele M. says
I have always been such a fan of your blog and photos, and books and general awesomeness. I adore your “humble crazy” beginnings – and how that neglected dilapidated old cottage was the beginning of your life as it is now.
I am so glad you listened to the magic, courtney!
Patricia Clifford says
This reminds me of our house…I cried when I first saw it ! It had not been lived in for 2 years, a brush fire had burned its way up to the front porch, which had holes in it, we had to step carefully. The original 4 rooms are over 100 years old, two additional small rooms were added at the back around the ’50’s, a bathroom added to the back porch which, to this day, still slants a bit ! We have renovated several times and added on twice in the 40+ years we have lived here…glad we did it, wouldn’t want to do it again ! Thanks for sharing your home’s story !
Barbara c says
Courtney,
We all have our gifts and you surely have realized yours! I love your house story and am looking FORWARD to more. Thank you!
Gail says
So sweet i love your house story you have a wonderful way with words
Linda Shukri says
Love your story! It’s amazing!
Michele M. says
Truly humble beginnings make for a much better story.
It’s fun to have been a long-time reader of FCC and see all the changes. thx for sharing, and for the reminder that dreams really can come true.
deezie says
Good Morning
I just love seeing before photos* Honestly I was not expecting this though, its hard to say anything but Wow* but I know what you are talking about when you said you had a feeling. Our house was so incredibly bad but,, I had a feeling. You have done so much to your beautiful home, so much love has been put into it and it sure does show. Thank you for sharing these pictures with us. loved it
deezie
Terri says
Wow…. followed your blog from way back but had no idea!! What an incredible journey… I adore the “story” of before and afters!!! Thank you for sharing ….. also Grammy’s wisdom is golden!!!! 🙂
jamie says
What vision you had! So glad you carried on!
Aussie Jo says
Looking good