Adding Character Where There Was None

Hey all! I've been busy working on painting the kitchen cabinets and so far it's going really well. Knock on all the wood. I probably shouldn't have written those words. I got a new sprayer that I LOVE and I'll be sure to go through details on that and the whole process with you soon -- probably early next week. It does take some patience, which is not my strong suit. Especially this late in the reno, I'm just so ready to have it done. But I'm forcing myself to relax and do it right. Can't wait to show you!!

I love the changes I've made to the kitchen and was talking to a friend the other day about how I've enjoyed changing up our house up and making it feel older…not old fashioned but classic. We live in the middle of a basic (but very pretty) neighborhood and our home was what I would consider a step above "builder grade" -- we picked out some nice finishes and we were super pleased with our builder overall (Beazer Homes). But since the day we moved in, I've been on a mission to give every room more character. Some projects are easy, some took me almost a year (hello dining room built ins) but all were DIY and all were done for way less than I could have paid someone to do. 

This is just a few of the projects I've tackled, but these are all ones I'm super proud of. I'm throwing it back REAL old school in some of the before pics because that makes this way more fun. ;) One of the easiest and cheapest projects that has made a huge difference is the planked wall on our basement stair landing. Before we finished the basement we did the bare minimum -- treads on the stairs and I painted the walls: 

The $50 of wood made a big difference (OK, carpet and paint helped too) and this is one of the projects people comment on most when they walk in our house: 

I think it's unexpected and warm and makes a big impact for so little money!

I continued the warm wood into the kitchenette area in our basement. We had big plans for it, but for awhile it was just cabinets and lights:

The wood wall I did recently adds so much to the whole basement family room -- we love it!:

One of my all time favorite transformations that makes our house feel 100 years old (in a good way) is the change we made to the kitchen. We used to have our kitchen table in this space and it was always so tight if the chairs were pulled out: 

Told you I was going way back! Ha! Wonder where the fourth chair was? I think it broke. Anyway, we moved the door to between the family room and kitchen so I could do my dream project, a window seat:

Ahhh. I love it so much!! It is the prettiest spot in our house! Sorry for the Fourth of July pic but this seat is currently covered in stuff from the counters and cabinets.

I can't talk about adding character without mentioning the dining room, duh. This was one of the biggest projects I've ever tackled and it took me forever. Here's the room before, when I was obsessed with gold and red:

 And here's the space after about nine months of work:

Totally worth it considering I would have paid five times what I did to have it done (at least). We love the bookcases but my favorite part is all the additional storage at the bottom: 

Those cabinets are a big reason why I was able to take down some wall cabinets in our kitchen. They hold tons of serving and seasonal dishes. 

Our family room underwent a huge reno last year when we took down a wall. I continued the board and batten throughout this space and it brightened up the room so much! Here's a way back photo of part of the room: 

And now, with the trim -- what a difference right?: 

We've come a long way baby. :) If I was going to pick one thing to do to your home to add character and interest, it would be wall treatments like planked walls, board and batten and wainscoting. I have each of those all over the house -- it never feels like too much, in fact it makes the whole house feel more cohesive.

Finally, another one that I LOVE that I finished up over the summer. We had this half wall in our foyer/living room that I knew could be even cooler:

Enter some wood, trim and paint and you have some major interest where there was none: 

Wow, I still love that so much! HUGE difference in that space. And the bigger ledge is great for holding the pizza when the delivery man comes, just saying. 

These are just a few of my favorite projects and all have made a big difference in our home. Keep in mind this has been over years and years though -- it doesn't happen quick, unless you pay someone. And sometimes that is very, very nice. ;) 

Have you done any projects that give your home more character? The wall trim is huge for me but also window and door trim too -- those are inexpensive and easier projects that will make a big difference. Also, painting our doors black has completely changed the feel of our home too -- there's something about that contrast that gives it a classic feel.