Busy month! We took a “staycation” last week to start our DIY open concept home renovation. Yes, we are doing it all ourselves… wish us luck! Pro tip: marry an engineer.
We removed two load bearing walls, put up temporary walls (so our house didn’t collapse…) and installed two load bearing beams. This will give us more of an open concept living area – no more chopped up rooms. We are essentially opening four divided areas into one large one.
Funny enough, our five year anniversary was this month and the traditional anniversary gift is “wood” – so we got each other some $$$$ load bearing beams. 🙂
We did lose some upper kitchen cabinets on the wall where the kitchen sink is located and around the corner. But, we are fortunate to have plenty of other cabinets, and have added two more cabinets under the windows (in the picture below, they’re going to the left of the baby jail where a baker’s rack is now). Before picture… (Teddy loved his construction zone jail – ha)
And here’s what it looks like now with the four walls down and two load bearing beams in. So open!!
We are also taking down the wood paneling. And saying goodbye to the popcorn ceiling in the dining area too.
T is also splicing in hardwood where we removed the walls. I am so grateful to have a partner who is handy. YouTube is our friend with this DIY open concept home renovation… as well as Lowe’s and Home Depot.
I will admit, I am not a fan of this thin-plank, red hardwood. But we have over 2,000 sqft of it and it’s not in the budget to replace any time in the next decade. 🙂 One day I’ll have some wide plank beautiful-ness up in here.
Most importantly with this open concept renovation, we will now be able to see each other when someone is in the kitchen! We will be able to see Teddy from pretty much anywhere in the main areas. Cannot wait!
Have you DIY-ed any home projects recently?
