What we started with was a drab, smelly water-damaged room with filthy carpet. Repairs were needed to the ceiling from years of neglect and water making its way in from above and down the wood accent wall.

Drywall repairs were completed then the sanding began to brighten up the wood accent wall which we really wanted to keep. The wood windows were repaired as well.

Then mud, sanding and painting was followed by installation of new premium carpet, and upgraded fan to match the master suite. Lighting was also changed and wood closets repaired + reinstalled.

Now we have a guest bedroom that is warm, comfortable and welcoming for anyone who visits, and the feedback has been good.

The Living Room needed a lot of work. It was covered in over-done resawn wood designs and there were no walls behind those, just insulation. The walls that did exist had not been painted in 40 years and were oil-based.

There was also a misplaced closet. Some mismatched old oak wainscot needed removing from the adjoining dining area too.

All the walls required new dry wall. It took 13 BOXES OF MUD to float them before we could even begin to paint.

Now the living area is fresh and bright, and the design is symmetrical for a much cleaner, more modern look. But it still holds the charm of a 1978 ranch-style home—best of both worlds—and that was the goal.

The fireplace is next. But we’re taking our time now, enjoying our woodsy lodge, and finally having space between neighbors.

I really didn’t want to take on this level of renovation when we were looking for a fixer. But when we found this property, it checked all the boxes, and felt like home.

Thankfully, my son and I were able to do most of the work ourselves, and it was a great opportunity for him to continue learning the trades, which he’s entered now after growing up on job-sites, and working on back-to-back home renovations to help get us here.

I’m glad we got to do this together.

What we started with in the master was an equally gross, dated mess. But there was so much potential with the woodwork. It just needed to be cleaned + brought up to date.

The dog urine-soaked carpet + padding were immediately ripped out. Then sanding began.

All of the vertical wainscotting around the room was worth saving but was old-school dark and glossy. Days of sanding created a much brighter, softer look, but still kept with the western tradition we liked.

The wood windows were beautiful and only needed some light repairs and sanding.

Then came more mud and paint on the walls, new premium neutral carpet, and a major fan upgrade. Next was the adjoining jacuzzi room (yes, jacuzzi room) that needed gutting.

The master bath is still in the works. But we’ll share updates here as they happen. If you want to learn about that jacuzzi room renovation, CLICK HERE.

When we first came to view this home, we were overwhelmed by the amount of work that it needed, especially in the “jacuzzi room” that was found behind french doors adjoining the master.

First, it reeked of cholorine with wet green felt “waterproof” floors you’d likely see around a 40 year-old indoor pool.

While the jacuzzi itself was in excellent condition, it was not anything we’d ever want in our home, let alone taking up the adjoining room of what should be a master suite.

Gross.

What’s more, the jacuzzi had been lowered onto a pedestal then the legal room built around it, so there was a five-foot deep mote circling the jacuzzi surrounded in concrete.

How were we going to get this out of the room without costing more than the remodel was worth? We weighed our options.

We could remove the wood sliding glass doors and some dry wall and rebuild a frame and try to reinstall the wood slider until it could be replaced OR we could demo the jacuzzi and remove the chlorine soaked sub floor and put in a new one.

We decided on demo of the jacuzzi and what a mess of a job it was. But, the results were incredible. We now have a complete master suite with adjoining room designed for my wife who has some challenges with her spine and needs a space for relaxation + healing.

Our son and I have the auto shop, so a spa room for the wife it is.