alex and b's renovation



I thought I'd bring you in on A and B's renovation of a 1940's California ranch/bungalow.  It has come a long way since they started just a few weeks ago.  There are no after pictures yet.  They along with B's dad have been working tirelessly every day trying to get the house ready.




As you can see, they need to get this thing finished and moved in because they need to set up a nursery. :)





The original mailbox was probably the cutest thing about the house.



Here is the before shot of the living room.  It actually does not look that bad here, but in real life the floors were covered in a thick gummy dirt, the walls were filthy and the whole house was overrun with cockroaches.



A look into the dining room





The kitchen had to be gutted because of the sinking floor.




Same with the bathroom.  










This will be B's sewing room.



This girl does not stop!  There isn't anything she won't do. After photos will be coming...





50 comments

  1. How cute! They are building family memories!!

    Lisa in Fort Worth

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  2. Exciting!

    Does the pig get a room of its own?

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  3. oh wow! That house has so much potential!!! And how cute are they? Cant wait for the after pictures!

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  4. Congratulations! You're going to be a grandma! That alone is exciting! My grandson is 7 months old....so much fun! Looking forward to the renovation after photos!

    Laura

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  5. This is going to be interesting! Congrats to the great looking couple on their growing family....I still want that '49 GMC pick-up.

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  6. Yeah! A baby on the way! :) I'm so excited for all of you....that's such a happy twist in life, from a beautiful wedding to a baby.

    How well I know sinking floors and cockroaches. That one day when it all comes together, it's such a peaceful relief.

    Miss you! xo
    p.s. is that a pig?

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  7. A pregnant woman who tiles a bathroom AND have a pet pig? I understand why your son wanted to marry her. :)

    Can't wait for more photos of their home!

    /Bea

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  8. You might mean a NEW TENANT! Congratulations! That is so very exciting.

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  9. Bless her, she's doing all that hard work while she's pretty darn pregnant...hey, congrats on that Janet (new grandbaby); they're such an adorable couple and I feel badly they have to go into such a MESS. We've renovated two houses but the homeowners were relatives and not dirty people; the houses were just so old. On our 1920s bungalow, we had to gut, too as the floor was definitely sinking. I saw a house yesterday that's gone on the market after maybe its entire life...from early 1930s...and it needs work but, omg, so much is incredible original...the tile is to swoon over in the huge bathroom, at least for me...all I'd do is repair because it's the most marvelous peony pink and garden green tile. The problem as you know from your own cottage is that you get into these renovations/remodeling and you have a budget, then keep running into roadblock after roadblock with each board you pull until your budget is blown three times over which is what I'm running into with my own childhood home...and we said we'd never re-fi again, but we are (reasonably, though...but this is IT). I'm sure you're able to give your kids a lot of good tips and help and I just want so much for them to have a good, solid house they can love and grow their family in...it's an American dream, to have your own place and it shouldn't be so darn hard for young people to have a decent home.

    Janet, I dodged a bullet; been dealing with potential breast cancer issues for weeks (appts, tests, decisions, analysis) but I've gotten the all-clear/green light; just got back from the oncologist about an hour ago. As you know, I'd already survived the other cancer from 2 yrs ago. I'm feeling love and gratitude and nobody can knock me off my cloud! I'm not even complaining about the days and days of heat/temps in the 90s or that my roses are fried and will never make it to Mother's Day! All the best to you; thanks for posting.

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    1. Best to you, Vicki. Glad to hear you've been given the 'all clear' from your oncologist. The waiting and dread must have been difficult. Enjoy the feelings of love and gratitude.

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    2. yes, congratulations on the "all clear" that is music to the ears is it not?
      Melinda had her 3rd chemo treatment yesterday. i'm going to see her later today. she is such a positive force!


      i'm trying to keep my roses alive for the CL shoot. it isn't easy with this heat we've been having.

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    3. Thanks both for kind thoughts. Best fo Melinda; what a special person.

      I was scanning too fast yesterday and thought the pig was a dog. Oops.

      The heat is brutal. We did get down into the 70s (F) in the wee hours earlier today. It has dawned on me more than once that it's the new normal and we probably need to get used to it in SoCalif. Each year, we keep thinking it will turn around, when all it does is get worse...but maybe we're in a 40-year drought or something; who knows? My husband and I ultimately planted a big veggie garden and the lettuces are suffering a lot. Also my herbs.

      I forgot, when's the shoot? Super-exciting!

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    4. larry follows the farmers almanac for weather and it says next year we will be getting lots of rain due to the el nino effect. fingers crossed on that.

      CL shoot is next week. excited and scared.:)

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    5. Janet, while you've got these mag people's attention, you should have albums or photos out to tantalize them about the wedding and these shots above, which are like a sequel; it's very effective with the b&w or even the colors from the wedding, so vintage and rustic with the old truck, the clothes, etc. It could be a whole 'nuther feature for the mag. Strike while the iron's hot. Power of suggestion...it might catch their eye...

      BTW, they repeated that Austin City Limits hour on PBS.with Jack White some days back (I think it was from two years ago) and I recorded it again; just watched it (turned it up really loud; wth, it was daylight, neighbors...). With the Peacocks and Buzzards backing him up. No other word I can come up with except...epic. Like, what did I just watch; what WAS that? Like a storm just blew thru, but it was exhilarating and you gotta go DO something to decompress afterward, you know?

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    6. oh yeah, that was a great show! i love that you listened and it had such a powerful effect on you!

      thanks vicki!

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  10. I can't wait to see what they do with the place. You can see how cool it will be especially with such stylish owners. Congrats on the new grand baby to be! I just had my first 5 days ago and have never been so in love in my life! (Grandpa feels the same so no hard feelings) :)

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  11. You are such caring parents to help out with the wedding and the renovation.....but, how fun! I'll bet your decorating instincts kicked in and you're as proud of this redo as are your kids. Does your oldest grandchild live close to the new expected one? I'll bet she'll be an awesome cousin! Thanks for posting and I can't wait to see the update......Janie

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  12. Congratulations to the happy couple! A new house, a baby on the way. How exciting -- and a bit stressful too, I'm sure. I hope they stay grounded. I love their pet pig. Too cute!!
    Claudia

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  13. What a trooper she is working so hard on the renovations in her condition! She's better than I ever was! I'm anxious to see what they end up doing with the place. I'm sure it will be wonderful and unique.

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  14. Congratulations to all! What an exciting time. Looking forward to seeing the 'after' bungalow renovation photos.

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  15. A pig and a baby on the way-how lovely-thanks for sharing!

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  16. Congrats Janet! how exciting for all of you with the baby on the way. The house will look so good when its done. I am a sucker for pot belly pigs! What a cute family. :-)

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  18. I can't wait to see the nursery, I bet it will be so adorable in her style.
    Can't wait to see the home, will they have the motor bike in the front room :)

    It's going to be really cottahe cute, and that mail box, I hope they keep it, it's so darn cool.

    Xx
    Dore

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  19. The pig! What's the name of the pig?

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    1. her name is henrietta. but she goes by henni. x

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    2. The pigs name is so cute ... Calling it henni.

      Xx
      Dore

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    3. Henrietta was my maternal grandmother's name, but she went by Etta.

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  20. I quit four tiles into my tiling job...what's my excuse?! Can't wait to see! So exciting for them! And you! Have a great weekend! Love the painted fireplace. Glad you posted as I've been meaning to look at your Dutch oven bread recipe and keep forgetting!

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  21. Keen to see the after :o!
    How nice that you will have another grandchild (I remember you mentioned a granddaughter way back…), hopefully nearby for you to enjoy, too - I just had my 3rd grandchild and love being a Nana :))
    It's so nice to see young people who are happy to be "outside the box", quite a breath of fresh air.

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  22. First of all congrats Janet...how exciting!!!

    I'm sure the house will look great when it's finished and with you helping them even better! They look like such hard workers, all that energy I used to have...where did it go? (I remember I was pulling weeds in the yard the day before I was due with my daughter.)

    At first glance I thought it was a dog on the leash but looked again and saw it was a pig!

    Can't wait to see the results!

    Linda
    xo

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  23. Thanks for sharing this adorable couple's new home. I love a good before and after. Cannot wait ! I am expecting my first grandchild in early Sept. When is this baby due? Fun times ahead!

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  24. Congratulations to you and your family on the new little sweet pea on the way, Janet!

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  25. Those photos remind me of when my husband and I moved into our first house. I was pregnant and full of energy too! Ripping out carpets, tearing down wallpaper. We slept on a large piece of thick foam on top of a wooden form my husband made out of 2x4's and plywood because we couldn't afford a mattress. And I loved every minute of it.
    Oh. And her baby bump rocks!
    ~diane

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  26. When I was pregnant in 1973 I worse my husband's overalls open at the side since that was all that would fit. That picture took me back. Anyway, the rancher is going to be great and I'm proud of them for taking it on.

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  27. Congratulations!

    Sincerely,
    Debra from SENC

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  28. Waiting with bated breath! And B is adorable pregnant!!! allegra

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  29. So yes I followAlex on IG after that wedding who would not ? So I've seen SuperB in action. That house is going to be as adorable as her when it's finished!

    Xo J

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    1. you know jane i deleted my IG account and i don't even follow them. dang it!

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  30. Janet, I cannot wait to see what they do with that darling house!!!! x

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  31. And baby makes three! How exciting for them to have a newly renovated home. They have such style. Looking forward to the after pictures!

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  32. Your back!!!I am not getting the emails!!

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  33. Janet,
    That first photo is so timeless....the black & white, style and age of the house....I don't know a darn thing about motorcycles, so maybe it's vintage and maybe it's a new model, but what a great photo! And the little pig....well that certainly adds a touch of something....can't come up with the right word?? Love the possibilities of a house like this! The fireplace....love that style....of course it always kills me on "Flip or Flop" when they take a perfectly good CA bungalow fireplace and ruin it with 2015 dated material. I'm sure that's not gonna happen to this one! Congratulations on a new grandchild soon!
    Happy Mother's Day!
    xo
    annie

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  34. I just went back and read from your archives. You are so adorable! Don't ever stop blogging.

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  35. Hi Janet its me again. I have some questions and because you are a BIG inspiration Id love to know your answers...

    1. How many days do you "allow" yourself to have an alcoholic drink? During week? Only on the weekends? Never?
    2. Do you walk daily? Yoga daily?
    3. How much time do you allow yourself daily to be online? Is it blogs only you check normally?
    4. What does your first hour look like when you wake up? In other words what is your typicall morning routine?
    5. What does your typical evening routine look like?
    6. Do you typically plan your weekends? To make them fun? Or just wing it?

    Would love to know your answers! Thanks Janet!!!!

    Jen xxxxx

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    1. hi jennifer! ok here goes...

      1. i don't drink often and when i do it would be just one drink.
      2. yes, i walk daily and yoga on average 2-3 x a week.
      3. i am really limiting my time online. i miss a lot of blogs but i just had to cut back. i do check certain blogs and correspond with friends.
      4. my typical morning routine which hasn't changed in years is get up early, have a cup of tea, read some inspirational literature and go for a walk.
      5. evening routine is after dinner a short walk in the park, maybe water the garden if needed and a tv show or movie, bath and bed by 10.
      6. every weekend is different. some are planned some are not. we are good at spur of the moment camping trips, hiking, etc.

      hope this helps!!! x

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  36. Thank you Janet for responding! I love how mindful you are in your day-to-day activities! The daily things you do seem well thought out and well rounded and balanced! Something I'm always striving for! I believe little things do matter so I'm glad I asked! This helps!!! Xxxx Jennifer

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  37. IS That a TEA CUP PIGGY?MY SON just got one!I ADORE HIM!

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kindness is never out of style.

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