EMPTY HOUSE TOUR (omg, pinch me!!) | Here's our 1970s Fixer Upper BEFORE RENOVATIONS

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We've been house hunting for a year, and I'm SO EXCITED to announce that we bought a new house! Well, it's not really a "new house"- it's a fixer-upper with tons of character! Today, I wanted to take you along with me on an empty home tour BEFORE renovations to 1) share our new house with you and 2) get your tips and ideas on how to decorate our new home (because I am NOT an interior designer, lol). Can we turn this suburban fixer-upper into our dream home? Fingers crossed!
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27 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 1,4 тыс.

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Please give this video a like and comment if you'd like to see Mr. Zen and I do a video where we sit down and chat about the house-buying process and share our experiences and mistakes! (And don't forget to share your renovation and interior decorating tips -- I do so appreciate them!)

@SalsaNube 3 месяца назад

I would love such video!🏠

@SalsaNube 3 месяца назад

Truly love the view. And it isso "aerial". Plus, those doors with the green marked carvings and beams are wonderful. It really suits your family! Seems like created for you! Enjoy it to the fullest! Cheers❤

@sjrollins 3 месяца назад

Yes that’d be great! Gorgeous home!!

@aniainlondon 3 месяца назад

🏡

@maryswanson2412 3 месяца назад

Happy Father’s Day to Mr Zen!!!

@l.m.n.2338 3 месяца назад

This is a dream house! Please, please, please DO NOT change any of the wood. The red tone may not be your first choice but it adds so much value to the home. If you get rid of it you may later regret the change. Wood like that is expensive, especially built ins, and will always look elegant. Work with it, not against it. It marries the inside and outside. I would leave the kitchen space separated and not open it up. You get an airy feeling anyway and it's nice to have zones. If you didn't have so much space I would think otherwise, but you have plenty of room. I do fully support changing the tile and carpets. A home like this was masterfully built. Take your time with decisions so you don't erase the character but upgrade as needed. Look at interior design in homes with this style for inspiration. Paige Wassel recently did a video on people buying homes like this just to destroy them and it's heart breaking.

@kimfontaine7453 3 месяца назад

Totally agree, but of course it’s their home. They can do what they want with it……but it would be such a tragedy to lose those cupboards in the kitchen to a full renov 😢

@amerriefaerie 3 месяца назад

Yes, I agree, you make a lot of good points. The only thing I would add is to consider researching about adding the ceiling lighting before you make changes. Gorgeous house, very well made and thought out. Congratulations!!

@amerriefaerie 3 месяца назад

Also, some mid century furniture would be stunning in that space!

@MichelleNovalee 3 месяца назад

I was thinking of Paige Wassel too!

@valeriehowden471 3 месяца назад

I agree with working with what you have and keeping the original, spectacular architecture. Renovated our kitchen in 2022 - replacing wood cabinets is so expensive and we got veneers. Try out an interior decorator to get the most of your money especially if you don't have the confidence to do it on your own.

@karenalfke6081 3 месяца назад

Wife of a contractor over here, echoing what a few of the other commenters have already said: don’t rip out those kitchen cabinets! The cabinets we buy now are built of particle board, and are guaranteed to be of lesser quality than what you have. You can sand and stain the doors (and frames of the cabinets) to change the tone of the wood. Re-staining and changing out the pulls (handles) will give you a surprisingly fulfilling face,fit for a fraction of the cost, and save your $$ for flooring (totally with you on that floor tile).

@Saforra99 3 месяца назад

those are good suggestions for a facelift for the cabinets :) (I'm also wondering if you could paint over the blue tile backsplash..tile texture but choose your own color? don't know if that would actually work :) )

@mehrwash 3 месяца назад

@@Saforra99yes yes, it perfectly works. I just came to comments to say it if no one said that yet. It's an easy, fast, and money-saving fix. BTW I probably would keep those tiles and go with an ocean blue theme for the kitchen. They give me an under-the-sea feeling that is so calming. 🥰

@holliejade9371 3 месяца назад

I agree, keep the wood cabinets throughout. They are such good quality. Sand them back and stain them rather than painting over them. Definitely replace the window furnishings with new blinds or drapes. I agree that the current floor tile is not great for keeping clean, so it makes sense to replace that with a smooth tile or timber floors throughout. What an amazing home, it is so lightfilled and open. I like the separation of the kitchen especially since there is so much open space already and it gives you so much storage. And I can't believe the size of those upstairs bedrooms.

@MyFocusVaries 3 месяца назад

Also, new particle board cabinets off gas chemicals into your home and affect air quality and your health.

@reneeschwartz6555 3 месяца назад

I would not describe this as a "fixer upper" at all. I agree with others who say that mid-century modern is something special, and any house that is built with wisdom and care, and maintained with love, should be preserved. With all that natural light, this home seems absolutely made for you! You're glowing as you walk through it! Enjoy!

@rebeccajordan4491 3 месяца назад

Echoing others begging you not to touch the character of this gorgeous home. It’s perfect.

@terriwerning3477 3 месяца назад

The previous owners kept that house immaculate. What a dream!! It is so unique and beautiful!!

@barbaramassey3787 3 месяца назад

This house is beautiful. So much is custom made. As a result it is not dated. Mass produced items are marketed at a specific time and thus become outdated. A custom made item is one of a kind. This house is one of a kind. You were lucky to find it.

@victoriaoliver9958 3 месяца назад

I agree. It's not trendy...it's classic and will not date. The only thing I would change is the curtains, but those are not built in.

@NoelleVianna 3 месяца назад

Honestly, it is dated, because you can tell what era it’s from. That’s what dated means. However, I don’t believe this is always a bad thing. When the craftsmanship is of high quality, preserving things from another era is a good thing, and these items add character to a home. It’s so rare to find a home with personality and history intact now, and it’s so rewarding and enjoyable to respect it.

@deedsh6280 3 месяца назад

The best advice I ever got was from a seasoned remodeling guy. He told me, start a notebook with questions, irritations or ideas, but just live with the home for six months before doing anything major. I can't tell you how many times I just got impulsive with an idea for a change and then regretted it later. One was a tile pattern that I had in my tiny kitchen that had kind of an old world basket, chianti bottle, lobster, cheese wedge on it. And I was like, 'this has GOT to go'. And then it grew on me. It got comments, started conversations. I know when we sell, I'll need to do something to it, but I'm so glad I didn't switch it out. Good luck with your new, beautiful and unique home. It is wonderful.

@micheleschnelker4232 3 месяца назад

Ya, I like the idea of giving things time too, and the notebook idea 👍

@SimpleLife365 3 месяца назад

I would suggest a full year. It takes at least 6 months to just settle in and acclimate to the new space (also the community, and how you will live and thrive there). It will also give you time to research, decide as a family, and find the best resources and professionals.

@meisjeViv 3 месяца назад

Fantastic tips for anything that's in working order and mostly a matter of taste (I'd do things like replace sigle pane glass in windows for double/triple layer insulation glass straight away - so 'renovation' rather than 'remodeling')

@thehometownhomestead 3 месяца назад

I agree with this. Our home was built in 1907 and we did a total gut job, but decided to wait on the kitchen at the last minute. After a year, we decided to move it to another room completely. I taped down the cabinet floor plan on the floor for months to make sure it felt right, and I’m so glad we did. Our first choice would have been terrible. What we settled on it absolutely perfect for our home. Patience pays off, although it’s not easy!

@CarolynDick-r4f 3 месяца назад

How much did the house cost it is great

@vdg396 3 месяца назад

As someone who's home is also from the 70s, there are some amazing features that I would not get rid of. I definitely wouldn't open up the kitchen, I love having defined rooms. Your kitchen mess isn't visible to everyone who comes into your home, but you're still able to communicate with people throughout your house. Those solid wood cabinets are AMAZING. I definitely wouldn't touch those. Solid wood pieces are so hard to find anymore. We have solid wood cabinets that I am so thankful for. They're sturdy, meanwhile I have family who did a kitchen reno and their new, fancy cabinet shelves are already bowing from the weight of their dishes. Find beauty and appreciate the character your stunning home has! I've fallen more and more in love with home from the 70s, the longer I've lived here ❤

@kristinab1078 3 месяца назад

As more people are working from home, the fully open living room/kitchen concept is becoming less popular. Some are even dividing spaces to have more compartmentalized areas. During Covid, people came to realize such large open spaces weren't conducive to work and study.

@BethB2010 3 месяца назад

You can tell that the previous owners took pride in maintaining that home. Congratulations on finding your family this home!!! 🎉

@williamclark1244 3 месяца назад

Most likely they had a cleaning staff.

@monicacloud7050 3 месяца назад

An idea to make the stripper pole like more purposeful, clad in wood to make a square post and build a narrow open back wooden bookcase/room divider between it and the wall (whichever wall makes the most sense for traffic flow). It defines the dining room, maintains the light in the space and turns an awkward structural pole into a period appropriate feature.

@mrsp5713 2 месяца назад

Yesss

@AM-bm2xw 3 месяца назад

These people knew how to do windows and storage 👏🏼

@OHbabe574 3 месяца назад

The ONLY thing I would change is the curtains. This house is beautiful, please don’t change the character of it. And the kitchen is perfect ❤

@gracesimplified3860 3 месяца назад

Agree the only thing I’d change is window treatments, flooring, and possibly kitchen countertop.

@francoiselafferty-hancock5112 3 месяца назад

Yes, just the curtains. I really liked the entrance tiles and the link with the bathroom tiles too! And I love carpet. Good for sound insulation in such an open home and cosy too!

@gracesimplified3860 3 месяца назад

@@francoiselafferty-hancock5112 if it was purely about aesthetics, yes. However those tiles aren’t heated. This house with high ceilings and most likely single paned windows is going to be a monster to heat in Chicago winters. She said countertop is stained too. I do think I’d wait at least two years before renovations, to see what might pop up. They may need new appliances, water heater, HVAC… I hope she shares her utility bills. The house has a minimalist aesthetic but its maintenance is not. Dusting the beams and cobwebs off a high ceding will not be low maintenance. Same with open spiral staircase… it’s a lot of house.

@catherinebunnell2364 3 месяца назад

Congratulations! Having renovated several homes, I suggest you live with things for awhile. I know that once we lived in a house, our original ideas changed and I was glad we waited.

@michaelmyerslovesbooks 3 месяца назад

Yes! I was gonna say that too. Ive never done a reno, but have heard people tend to fall in love with the way it came. ❤

@vivio2852 3 месяца назад

Totally agree with that. I renovated the bathroom but now I realize it's pure luck that I still like it. But I did know at the time, the bathroom was horrendous and needed attention asap

@GayIdle 3 месяца назад

That sun porch is dreamy!

@maryannecage492 3 месяца назад

This is more YOU than may realize! It is open and minimal in a ‘70’s way. Enjoy the journey!

@ourfamilyyoutubechannel9710 3 месяца назад

Pleasssssseeeee keep the cabinets 🥰🥰🥰 DO NOT PAINT THEM! You could have them restained in a different color and they would be absolutely perfect and beautiful! Way WAYYYYY better than anything else you are going to buy today and they will have charm and character, hugeeee fan of them!

@Jen-jenn 3 месяца назад

Yes, I completely agree. Those cabinets are beautiful. It's hard to find quality cabinets like those today.

@sl9906 3 месяца назад

I totally agree. My dad and my husband were master carpenters and you will never get such beautiful cabinetry again. Keep them all, keep the walls in the kitchen too. With such high ceilings, opening more areas will make the home echo and be like living in a huge box. Love the idea of ditching the blue tiles and carpets and adding the wood flooring. You could also encase the Lally column to make it more beautiful or functional, since removing it is a no go. The home is very thoughtfully laid out and the natural lighting is gorgeous! I’m rejoicing with you in this lovely find in your dream neighborhood ❤ Once you have lived in it a bit, you’ll make it “just right” for you. WAHOO!! 🎉

@zabmcauley5647 3 месяца назад

Painting them would be so much better than ripping them out. Painted wood can be restored.

@rebeccajordan4491 3 месяца назад

Agreed! I gasped at how beautiful this kitchen is. Changing the blue backsplash to a neutral white would soften the warmth of the oak stain. But my god this is gorgeous. What a dream home.

@staceylynch9751 3 месяца назад

@@rebeccajordan4491 I think the blue is actually helping with the wood tone. It's offsetting the orange undertones in the wood and giving it a more brown appearance. Once the blue is gone, the wood would look more orange - more like 90s "golden oak."

@annamarieholstpahus8910 3 месяца назад

Hello from Denmark - it looks like your new house is made by an architect. I understand that it's quite distinct with the dark wood in the kitchen, but l notice that it's a feature of all the closets and cupboards throughout the house, so l would definitely keep it, even though l wouldn't necessarily suggest it for a new house. It's unique to that house. I also would not change the kitchen too much, but suggest making renovations and upgrades of the house gently with respect to the original intention of the house. It's a unique and beautiful house and close to greenery! Can't wait to see what you do with the new house. Congratulations 🎉 🇩🇰🤗

@kristinab1078 3 месяца назад

I agree 100%!!!! This was a custom build...no changes needed, except perhaps the flooring.

@mindsjanne 3 месяца назад

Totalt agree

@xpsxps1339 3 месяца назад

It definitely was an architect! One can tell, I agree. It doesn't have many of the very common mistakes like a wrong layout, illogically placed storage and entrances, etc. And what a choice of the location... Lovely!

@tarayoakum9393 3 месяца назад

Your new house is gorgeous! It's channeling Cameron's house from Ferris Bueller. I used to live in Ravinia, your views remind me of that area. Enjoy!❤

@blackouten 3 месяца назад

I was thinking exactly the same! this was really made custome by an archtitect! hello from Sweden 🇸🇪

@shirleygermain5707 3 месяца назад

The best advice I got was to live with the place for a while before tearing it apart. People change their minds on so many things, and it's too costly to move so fast.

@jennifershaw4756 3 месяца назад

I love the blue tiles in the kitchen. I would keep as much of this home as you can. Such a wonderful 70's vibe! Congratulations on finding your new home.

@georgefletcher3906 3 месяца назад

the backsplash is fine! Think of it as "vintage" rather than "dated"

@traceyjane4288 3 месяца назад

i love the blue :)

@ashleychristenson4823 3 месяца назад

I love the blue tile backsplash too!

@njmaryannez 3 месяца назад

Vintage tile didn’t ever have that much sparkle! (I happen to like the blue, but I understand that you want more neutral.)

@nesxya 3 месяца назад

That brushed glass tile looks more modern and goes for $14-$19 per square foot when you do an Internet search. It's really pretty on camera.

@lavieestduresansconfiture3912 3 месяца назад

I would never ever change the kitchen besides the tiles which can be painted easily. This is not only furniture, this is art. Embrace to cook in a museal space. 70s at its best.

@stephanieauker1106 3 месяца назад

I read"70s", saw that amazing door, and then that staircase. No need to see more. Glorious and I'm officially jealous :). Oh lord. Please keep that silver globe light situation!

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Aren’t they amazing! 🤩 Thanks so much for watching.

@mwebb3014 3 месяца назад

Awesome light fixture!! I am swooning over this house!!

@karinecarrier7998 3 месяца назад

Haha! I think I am a bit jealous too 😂

@louisesuffolk 3 месяца назад

I'm surprised that you bought such a big home. Your minimalist decor will be swallowed up in this large space

@mariapinto5385 Месяц назад

Apparently it's small by suburban Chicago standards. Also, they're a growing family who will have overseas visitors. They did great!

@angelaturner7281 3 месяца назад

i would keep the kitchen original architecture and keep those beautiful cabinets!

@SusanBame 3 месяца назад

I heard a long time ago NOT to do major renovations on a house until you've lived there for five years. You won't know what you need to change until you've been there a while. After five years, the changes you need to make will be obvious. Right now, if I were you, I'd just be grateful, grateful, grateful. It is a LOVELY house with a fantastic view and layout. You are so lucky!!!

@flohough1870 3 месяца назад

I totally agree with that! We were in our current home for 4 before we did the bathroom (it was really bad) and 13 before we did the kitchen. And it really made it easy for us to make decisions on what we wanted and what we hated.

@xpsxps1339 3 месяца назад

Well yes, and no. 5 years is a long time, and Marissa has the pre-teenage boys. I would say that after 1-2 years you usually know what you need. Though, this house is principally lovely and well designed/built, so it doesn't really ask for much functional renovations. The only thing I would really do is the kitchen opening to the dining, floors, and the lights as Marissa suggested they are going to do.

@visitingfromsantafe1329 3 месяца назад

Five years is way too long.

@sindy3673 3 месяца назад

I completely agree with this comment! My husband & I began renovations on our home immediately after moving in and then wanted to change things about 5 years in because they just didn't meet our needs. I recommend holding off for at least a couple of years to understand how your family uses the spaces in your new home.

@peachpathfinder 2 месяца назад

I hope she takes your advice. Many people make hasty changes based on trends and then the house will look incohesive and wrong. This home is a GEM. Others have also recommended she tune into Paige Wassel, who has great taste and speaks a lot of sense!

@bethanyb1760 3 месяца назад

Oh I love that kitchen! I wouldn’t open it up if it was my house. Right now my kitchen is closed off from the rest of the house and for the longest time I thought I’d want to open it up, but I changed my mind. I really don’t like the idea of seeing my kitchen from the living room.

@lisal2017 3 месяца назад

I agree! I’d keep the layout as well

@tamerasyniec6621 3 месяца назад

I think it’s great that you don’t HAVE to make any changes right now. Love the mid century character in this house.

@brendaamos4523 3 месяца назад

Me too! I think it’s stunning!

@JAMtheKnitter 3 месяца назад

The house is lovely. I'll echo everyone else and say keep the kitchen closed, keep the cabinets, and get a steam cleaner for the tile. I also really like the blue backsplash and I think the counters are fine, but I'm not seeing the counters up close of course so those might want to be replaced. The only things I'd do right away are remove the carpet, and either put in hardwood (or vinyl plank for cost reasons), put some can lights in the ceilings, and get a wooden box built around the pole to match the rest of the wood there. You have so much space, and light, and nature - I think it is the perfect house for your family and you will be very zen and peaceful there. You found a very special house!

@catherinemoon3003 3 месяца назад

Congratulations! I'm 82 and have seen many remodels. My best advice is live there first and decide on remodels after you have been there a year. Other ideas: 1. This advice is probably an exception to the above. That pole in the entry is horrible, horrible. Except that it lacks handles, it looks like a temporary "house jack" used during structural changes. I would consult a structural engineer. They can probably replace the cross beam in the ceiling or "sister" it with another to make it strong enough. Something to be done before you change the floor. 2. If you don't mind the look of that ceiling fan, it looks like it could have a light or lights added. Electricians say "light kit" whether the add-on part consists of one light or several. More electrical lingo: those existing ceiling lights (exept for the amazing fixture in the entry) are called "track lights". That trend is so far past now that most of them are falling apart and parts are hard or impossible to find. Another reason to replace. 4. Note that many builders and real estate people now like to say "primary bedroom" because the word "master" suggests slavery to many. What a wonderful project. Take your time. Warm good wishes.

@njmaryannez 3 месяца назад

Yes, that lally column is too minimal. It is probably totally necessary but can be enclosed it handsome wood.

@its649inthemorning 3 месяца назад

I know its your house but I would keep the kitchen. The wood looks amazing. I'm jealous.

@MollyPhD 2 месяца назад

Getting a bidet LITERALLY changed my life! Don't knock it til you try it!

@thesender6793 2 месяца назад

I have a bidet attachment on each of my toilets, which I find so convenient. I stayed in a hotel which had a separate the bidet like this house had and didn’t like it nearly as well. If it were my house, I’d place a toilet with bidet where the bidet is and tile over the current toilet location. Or switch out the bidet for a urinal, if Mr. Zen is into that sort of thing. If I did that, I’d still get a bidet attachment for the toilet or replace the toilet with an all-in-one toilet bidet. When my husband met me, he had never used a bidet and didn’t want to. Now he has to have it.

@stephanieroberts8124 3 месяца назад

Congratulations on your new home! I would recommend hiring an interior designer to help you navigate this process. From lighting plans to hiding structural beams to furniture layouts to a cohesivedesign esthetic, you will save money in the long run by having a plan drawn out on paper. Living in the space for a bit will also help you make some decisions with more confidence.

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Definitely looking into this 👍

@greg19071961 3 месяца назад

I agree! Beautiful home! Professionals will come up with clever solutions & ideas to enhance the fabulous, original architecture. I get a bit of a modern japanese vibe from it in places. just love the windows, high ceilings, storage, & views to the woods. I hope you keep those silver globes, they are just made for that space...stunning staircase! Not sure about the spa/hotub?🤔 Congratulations Marissa & Mr. Zen... it's awesome! So jealous! ❤

@GoingGreenMom 3 месяца назад

Glad I wasn't the only one getting the Japanese garden vibes. I understand wanting to get flooring that doesnt have the seams and stuff, but I think an interior decorator might be helpful in enhancing the beauty without just going to what you have liked in previous houses without appreciating how it will change the design of this house. I'm normally all for hardwood floors, but I'm really not sure it will help here because it will compete with the woodwork throughout the house. And the color would need to be chosen carefully to not detract from the view. Similar to how the museum lighting gives the flexibility to light the exact areas you need light (pool or fooseball table and the like) or carefully curated artwork on some walls, and disappear into the ceiling otherwise. It's obvious now because there isn't anything in the house. Can lights last I knew didn't allow for directionallity and in super high ceilings wouldnt give enough light to reach the living space in any meaningful way. I believe some of the walls are also museum gray, a shade meant to not clash with any other colors as the focal point changes.... which it definitely will as you move through the different seasons because of the windows. @greg19071961

@bshawcross5373 3 месяца назад

Oh Marissa it’s beautiful. I wouldn’t change a thing. The carpets don’t look damaged, just maybe have them cleaned. The kitchen looks amazing. Love all the real wood. And the tiles on the backsplash look like sea glass in the video. The floor tiles have a texture that prevents slipping and falling and lend to the brightness of the home. You both have found a winner!!

@pennypowell249 3 месяца назад

As someone who has had textured floor tiles for 20 years, I say, rip it out fast OR buy beautiful rugs to cover most of it. My tile, which is very similar, is an absolute NIGHTMARE to clean. Each tile has to be scrubbed by hand to get down into the crevices. It's truly awful. Awful, awful!! It's an abomination, TBH.

@juneclements2111 3 месяца назад

What a beautiful home! This one was worth waiting for. What a peaceful vibe it has, almost like a vacation spa. So happy for you and your family!

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Right!? I told my husband when we go out on the sunporch or sit in the living room or master bedroom looking out onto that green space, I feel like I’m in a Studio Ghibli movie ❤️

@veronikam3836 3 месяца назад

@@AtoZenLife Yes, I thought of "Totoro" when I saw that porch! Beautiful house! Congratulations!

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

@@veronikam3836 we love that movie ☺️ ❤️

@marilynhaverly570 3 месяца назад

So funny...as you were touring the kitchen I thought to myself: "Well, no matter what else she may think those blue tiles are just gorgeous!" And, then, it turns out they're not your vibe. The home is really beautiful and I'm happy for you! The natural surrounding is everything! Enjoy.

@PrettySunShines 3 месяца назад

Before spending the money in hardwood floors, rip the carpets and see if it already has wood flooring! my house had carpets all over so we ripped the carpet and we were happily surprised it had wood flooring under!! All we had to do is to refinish it.

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Unfortunately, it doesn’t, we confirmed with the owners 🥲

@sarahthatcher123 3 месяца назад

I would use luxury vinyl flooring. So much better than hardwood. Cost and durability. The high end ones look very good.

@brendaamos4523 3 месяца назад

I would go with hardwood. I remodeled a 1960 house in 2015 and regretted the LVP. It’s nice not to have to worry about water and easy to clean but wood definitely has a different feel and sound. That house is way too beautiful not to do hardwood in and I would keep to the tone of all the wood even if it is not your first choice. It’s not me either but it is beautiful!😍

@MyFocusVaries 3 месяца назад

@brendaamos4523 Totally agree. With all that gorgeous wood, LVP wouldn't "fit"

@brendaamos4523 3 месяца назад

@@MyFocusVaries We took all the LVP out and replaced it with hardwood and year ago. No regrets!

@dianeosullivan4445 3 месяца назад

Can you find the architect for your home? I’d suggest talking with an architect about what you want to do so… they’ll have ideas to address the areas that concern you and help you pick finishes that work with the home’s amazing design.

@blueoceanquilts6807 3 месяца назад

This house is gorgeous! Do not change that wood in the kitchen! (You asked) I can see taking out the wall tile but that wood is fantastic. Real wood! Live with the color for a while. It will grow on you. This is a beautiful, beautiful home. Well done!

@StellaDupain 3 месяца назад

The best part of the kitchen is the blue tile backsplash and the windows

@jacques3952 3 месяца назад

I LOVE the blue tile. I also love induction cooktops; I've had one for the past 18 years - easy clean, food taste rivals gas, and safer around kids because the surface remains cool.

@dorisw5558 3 месяца назад

OMG, I love the 1970s vibe! Please keep as many features as possible

@tmjewels567 3 месяца назад

Get an electric floor scrubber for the tile. I had tile like that yours and it was actually very easy to clean with the electric scrubber. I would also wax them occasionally. After the first time the cleaning gets so easy. Consider keeping the tile.

@kdk1492 2 месяца назад

Likely the pole can be moved if you add a header (beam). It may require structural supports on either side of that opening (like small bump outs from the walls) but done right that could add a nice architectural detail and rid yourself of that pole at the same time. If you’re banging up the tile regardless it would be the best time to do it. Speaking of the tile… my preference is always hardwood if it’s manageable in the budget but if not I would suggest looking at large tiles with small grout lines. That will reduce the “checkerboard” look and also provide an easier surface to clean. It’s a win win! ❤

@claudiaw9246 3 месяца назад

I love EVERYTHING about your gorgeous new house, especially the kitchen! I don't consider the kitchen dated at all, because I'm a big fan of mid-century architecture and decor, which is such a timeless classic. I agree with everyone who suggested living in the house for a year before doing any significant renovations 🏡 (Although I have to admit that I'm not crazy about those curtains and the carpeting, so I would swap those out. The tiling in the kitchen might be easy to care for if you got a steam mop. I have a Bissell, which works great. )

@beebee4334 3 месяца назад

I once rehabbed a kitchen with cabinets just like that and I TOTALLY REGRET it!! Cabinets are not made like that anymore. I wish I would have just polished them up the right way plus maybe some new hardware. Live and Learn. Other tip: if it's an old house, be sure to seal everything before replacing. For example, if you replace flooring, caulk the entire perimeter where the wall meets the floor, before installing new flooring or baseboards.

@gabriellaraziah 3 месяца назад

i’ve never clicked SO FAST considering I knew you were feeling a bit down about your house hunt… SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL!!!! it all worked out the way it was meant to!😊

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Aww, thanks so much - finding a house was definitely a lot harder than we expected! Fingers crossed 🤞 all the updates go well.

@DawnH123 3 месяца назад

Just box up and dry wall the pole and paint the same color as your walls. This is an amazing house. I would not change too much. It is beautiful already. Congratulations.

@Debzee-mb9ks 3 месяца назад

Congratulations on your new home. Honestly there doesn't seem to be much to change. It is very beautiful!

@MAC-xx5to 3 месяца назад

Beautiful home with great storage. I think you hit the jackpot with this home. I personally would live in it for a while before I changed out the kitchen. You may learn to love that mid-century modern. Flooring and new lighting will modernize it instantly.

@karenfasolino9456 3 месяца назад

SO much storage for the Minimalist Princess and family, lol! I can't wait to see how you make it your own. Curtains have GOT to go, though. Congrats!

@rachelmontgomery3889 3 месяца назад

What a gem of a house! Happy for you! My only advice would be to wait a year or two before any big renovations. Maybe the wood will grow on you and you’ll be able to save on that replacement cost. It all looks so high quality! I was talking with my kids lately about how our consumer culture always has messages that we need new and updated when the existing is still so nice and entirely functional. I think lighting and your own furniture will make it feel like home in no time, even without any other updates.

@ritabartasiute 3 месяца назад

The house had character! All the wood is wonderful. With some minor changes, you can modernize and have a lovely home. Congrats!

@queenbee7819 3 месяца назад

Lovely home! My only advice since you asked, is to take your time with any changes. Live with it as is first. I love the kitchen cabinets as is as well. :)

@amma7244 3 месяца назад

Art eraser ( white) takes up metal marks on those counters I keep one in a drawer. That colour wood and tile in that style of house is all back in style I wouldn’t touch it personally.

@wilhelmotto2913 3 месяца назад

In my ears, it sounds like you want to "feel" the house, before making a lot of changes "at once". Always a smart approach. I really loved the style you guys had in your Berlin apartment. About the kitchen cabinets, whatever your choices are going to be, I noticed, that the window frames seem to be "in style" with the kitchen cabinets. It seemed like the house was build, considering all the wooden details, to be in "harmony" with each other. A quick and easy change of looks is the obvious changing of the door handles and drawer pulls.

@emmatzim1394 3 месяца назад

Congratulations on your new home!When you choose your new floor just remember NOT to go for a very light or very dark colour because they are high maintenance and one can see even the slightest crumb or tiniest piece of hair!

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

We’re living with very dark hardwood floors right now, so I know exactly what you mean 🥲

@judymccord871 3 месяца назад

Please keep the original cabinets and wood work! Changing the carpet and tile YES! Seems to be all it needs beside your can lighting. Happy house cleaning...it is so big! Congratulations on your new home!

@iamjane9628 3 месяца назад

Cool space! That solarium / sun porch is the bomb. I think I would spend all my time in there!

@MissVindicat 3 месяца назад

Please keep the kitchen layout!! It’s so interesting. It you open it up it just becomes big and plain and generic. It’s such a special feat! I love it.

@cynthiacrumlish4683 3 месяца назад

Screened porch is Heaven!

@KeithandPamBilyeu 3 месяца назад

Pam here….all the studies coming out about lung cancer and gas stoves has firmly set my mind about never going back to gas. Once I experienced glass top and then induction I was so impressed how easy to care for. The massive fancy gas cooktops have such heavy grates and nooks and crannies to clean. Can’t tell you how many women hate the time it takes to take them apart and clean EVERY TIME YOU COOK…and many have hurt their wrists, dropped grates on their solid surface counters cracking them.

@mjadler2096 3 месяца назад

My European mind cannot comprehend size of the houses on the us; they are like palaces! It's a lovely house (congrats) but I don't understand how anyone can need that much storage space!

@thesender6793 2 месяца назад

Yes, that’s a lot of storage space, even for American houses. But if unnecessary storage space is the worst thing about the house, it’s good. My American house is much smaller, but I know people who have far more storage than they need, so they leave the cabinets and closets empty. As long as they don’t accumulate stuff just to take up the storage space, no problem (and they truly don’t seem that type people).

@teagibbs 16 дней назад

This is a DREAM home. It's always been our dream to find a house like this one day. Congratulations! I do agree about the floor/bathroom/kitchen tiles, but otherwise it's all so beautiful.

@stephaniechambers5631 3 месяца назад

That is a seriously gorgeous house!! Congrats!! Excited to see how you'll personalize it 🎉

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Thanks so much! I’m trying not to feel overwhelmed by how much there is to do - one step at a time 💪

@brinawidmer 3 месяца назад

The sunroom reminds me of the Cullens house in twilight. I love the feeling of living in the woods.

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Gosh, I might need to rewatch that I don’t remember at all! 😂

@rachg123 3 месяца назад

What a gorgeous house! The windows, custom wood work and unique features are amazing! I'm on my third fixer-upper and here's my opinion on some of the things you mentioned - don't change anything until you have lived in the house for several months. You may learn that there are some things you initially didn't like are ok and there are some things you didn't anticipate not liking that drive you crazy after living there. At that point, make and prioritize your list. In my own experience - I also have carpet in the bedrooms and I hate it, but the cost of real hardwood floors outweighed my dislike because I wanted to renovate all the bathrooms. Your kitchen cabinets are beautiful and would cost a small fortune to get that quality these days. I would not touch them. If you hate the color - you can have them refinished. Real wood cabinets in good shape are very difficult to find in an older house. I would also leave the tile in the dining room - and see how easy it is to clean. If you decide you must change it out - look into a luxury vinyl plank product. I have it installed in my mother-in-law suite and it is absolutely fantastic. High traffic, dirt, water, spills, pets etc don't even look like they've ever been there. And it's very easy to clean. I would keep the hot tub because I bet that you will find that you and your husband end up liking it. They are definitely nice to have as our bodies get a little older and need more TLC. Congratulations on your new house!

@ylvafrid 2 месяца назад

This is one of the most amazing house of that time I've seen! It's stunning, and it's SO rare that ALL original features are still there and in good condition as well. Really worth keeping as it is, the quality is hard to find (or incredibly expensive) nowadays. Congratulations to an amazing house!

@jsanders2993 3 месяца назад

As a 70-something, I'm exhausted just thinking about all of the work you will be doing, but for a young family like yours the house is perfect! So much room and so much light! Congratulations on finding such a great home. I look forward to seeing updates, and yes, I would be interested in seeing a home buying video!

@blablub3163 3 месяца назад

Dear Marissa, Congratulations on purchasing this beautiful house! I am very happy for you and your family. As a carpenter and architect, let me tell you: such a high-quality kitchen is priceless today. Please leave it as it is or simply change the color of the doors by painting them. The layout is also very practical, as you have mentioned. Personally, I love the contrast between the red oak and the white wall, but that is a matter of taste. The architecture of the kitchen within the house is also something very special. Maybe you could consider replacing the tiles in the dining area with hardwood flooring. I can't believe how beautiful this house is! And how fitting for minimalists that the built-ins are of such good quality that there is hardly any need for renovation. Best wishes.🏡

@thehomemakersblog23 3 месяца назад

Congratulations on your house! You and your family must be so pleased! I've never seen a home so unique. It's stunning. It has a bit of a Scandi/Japanese feel to it with the dropped living room and the wood. The sun porch is making me think of fruit and vegetable plants and lazy days with a book. You are so lucky to have found such an amazing home. 💖

@j.schwartz2355 3 месяца назад

Yes, please. I would love to see a video where you discuss purchasing the house and some of the associated nightmares. That would be very helpful!

@gw22 3 месяца назад

Basements are important and you don't know how important they are unless you've tried to live without one. It's a beautiful home, I wish you and your family every happiness!

@singerjo5791 3 месяца назад

We don’t have basements in the South. You can live without them.

@gw22 3 месяца назад

@@singerjo5791 Possibly you've never had one. I've lived with and without one. Having one is better, the alternative would be a large attic.

@singerjo5791 3 месяца назад

@@gw22 That’s what I said. We don’t have them in the South and I have no desire to live up North. I wish we had them. Not all houses in the South have large usable attics either. The best we can hope for is a large utility room that houses our washer and dryer. Many of us have freezers and an extra refrigerator in the garage.🙂

@suenewark9397 3 месяца назад

I love the front door, the stair case, the layout. The kitchen cabinets are amazing, I would never get rid of them, they are so well made, maybe you could find a better splash back, the blue is not a good choice, and counter tops that compliment the cabinets. The amount of storage in the whole house means that you can have everything hidden away, neatly and stick to your signature look of a quality large dining room table and stylish couch. I would love to live there. The house would be my dream house, the main bathroom with the wet room shower is my dream, keep the bidet, they could come in handy if you ever have issues down under, if you excuse the comment, the sun room is such a find, sitting having a coffee or tea in the morning and watching the nature in the garden will give you a sense of calmness and well being. If I saw this house in the UK, I would have bought it in a heart beat! I would swap out the carpets and cream tiles, I would have to see how the kitchen works with a separate dining room, my kitchen has no door and is open to the dining room, but it is not fully open. Bear in mind that kitchen smells go into your dining room, sometimes a problem, sometimes not, depending on what you are cooking, ie fish, garlicy things, curry!

@l.s.4743 3 месяца назад

My grandparent's house from the sixties is similar to that (just not as spacious and fancy as this). The high ceilings, the wood, the tiles on the floor, the storage and the colors. It took my parents a long time to decide how to renovate it after my grandparent's death. In the end they decided to do some modernization, but kept the rooms, the wood and the colours pretty much as they were. Houses like that are one artwork, everything was made considering the other parts of the house. If you change the colors, everything else will not quite fit. That's just our experience. And: the wood from that time is often very rare and precious nowadays. Under the carpet might be a wooden floor, that would be nice:) It's a lovely house:)

@togebeadailylife9951 3 месяца назад

Echoing what a lot of others are saying but the layouts and custom wood in that house is GORGEOUS, and a dream to so many. We have an older home as well and have grown to love all the original details that have been maintained on the house and cringe at the things people have changed to make it more “updated”. They ripped out the solid wood trim in place for cheap white MDF particle board and we have to replace it two years in due to how cheaply it was made. Congrats on the home it is GORGEOUS

@Littlemisspinay93 3 месяца назад

Congratulations on your new home! It's so beautiful! 😍🏡

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Thank you! I loooove the high ceilings 🥹

@Littlemisspinay93 3 месяца назад

@AtoZenLife me too! Makes the house very spacious! Great for tall indoor plants too!

@michellelithgow7881 3 месяца назад

@@AtoZenLifeyes is so open and airy. , especially with the wall of windows . Beautiful. (Just also be aware budget-planning wise of the associated heating & possibly cooling costs . ( even wood to burn can be quite expensive too). But anesthetics wise the whole house is beautiful.

@kdk1492 2 месяца назад

Absolutely LOVE the stairs to the sunken living room. Love the firewood nook. Love the fireplace hearth!!! Those are fantastic architectural details that make that house so unique! Love love love them!

@breeblack4397 3 месяца назад

This house is so cool! I love all the "older" architectural features that you would never find in new homes today. It just feels like it has so much soul, can't wait to see what yall do with it! It'll be awesome!

@peachpathfinder 2 месяца назад

I rarely comment, but I have to tell you congratulations on finding this jewel of a home. Whenever I am househunting, I just find a bunch of horrible flipped homes that have the hideous grey and white everywhere, where all the soul has been removed because they just murdered the original home. This house definitely looks thoughtfully designed by a skilled architect. I loved your home in Germany and (besides the modern, funny looking dining chairs you had😅) I think you and your husband have good taste, so I am here for the new home content! So excited to see what you will do! Like others, I recommend Paige Wassel for tasteful design advice and good sense. I really hope you will consider not dramatically changing the wood. Whenever anyone asks me what type of flooring they should put down, I always immediately say terracotta. I just love it, but maybe it won't be perfect for your home. My only advice is to go very slow with the renovations. Or even collaborate with Paige (I think she's originally from Chicago too) for some advice! Best wishes to you! 🧡🏡

@AtoZenLife 2 месяца назад

Thank you and YES, I watched one of Paige’s videos the other day - glad you and others chimed in with her name 🙌

@PATTIC 3 месяца назад

Congratulations! A wonderful house! A minimalist's dream! Excited to see what you do with it!

@bettyplayle9363 2 месяца назад

Your new house is fabulous. There is so much built in storage that you will need hardly any furniture. I’m sure you’ll be happy living there as it’s unusual as well as beautiful. You have so much space………… and natural light. Can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t love it. Good luck for the future.

@michaelmyerslovesbooks 3 месяца назад

I absolutely love your new place!! Love that kitchen because it's so unique. Everything these days is open and white white white with some grey. So happy for you!

@alvinakhair7009 2 месяца назад

Wow! This house is so…. YOU! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@AtoZenLife 2 месяца назад

Thank you!!! 🥰

@PrettySunShines 3 месяца назад

Congratulations!!!!!! I would put wood flooring instead of tiles...tiles look a bit foreign, and cold. But wood gives you the warm visual feeling plus is warmer on your feet. I think it will bring up that room and look much better in m y opinion.

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas 🙏

@joellegrenier8735 3 месяца назад

A bidet is awesome! Literally changed my life! Our kids love it too! 🚽⛲️🤗

@randomharts 3 месяца назад

Congratulations🏡 Such a beautiful and exceptionally kept home!!!🥰I love EVERYTHING even the quirky things. Like many are suggesting, I would live with the home for six months or so to see how it flows and works for your family. This is the best idea before jumping into any remodeling (even new flooring). I can’t tell you how much I wish we had waited a year to remodel our home. As when we went through our first winter, we found out some major issues that could have been solved in our remodeling process if we had only known. However by that point it was painfully too late and we didn’t want to tear up the home again for more fixes. Cost us both in time and money to not wait a bit. Just a little sage advice. I love that you shared this tour with us and hope all will go well, whatever you decide to do. By the way, I have that EXACT kitchen sink and I love it!!! Undermounted is the way to go🤩

@byjbpm 2 месяца назад

For the cupboards in the kitchen, I agree with the comments that it would be a tragedy to loose the solid wood. My recommendation it to use the color pallets of the porch as inspiration because the red of the window trim in that space against the greens of the forest is STUNNING!-- switching out the blue backsplash in the kitchen for something in a neutral green and switching the counter tops, again for something more natural. I would look at the colors used in Frank Lloyd Wright homes like Falling Water. The red only looks so red next to the white and blue but if you incorporate more warm natural colors the reds will feel settled in the space. Slate tiles might look good for the tile replacement-- they are dark BUT if you find a smooth slate with veins of minerals in it it should hide crumbs and dust fairly well (much better than dark wood in anycase) LOVE the house! A gem!

@tmjewels567 3 месяца назад

@AtoZenLife 3 месяца назад

Do you have a recommendation for a floor scrubber? Someone else suggested the same thing!

@krystle1695 3 месяца назад

@@AtoZenLife I've used "Shark" brand before and while they can be a bit pricey they get the job done! Hoover also sells a unit (my Nan swears by their brand for any home cleaning appliance and she had a three-family home in NY and was often cleaning up after 10+ people during all sorts of weather). Whatever you end up deciding, I'm wishing you and your family happiness in the new home!

@desareechalanick7564 2 месяца назад

What a unique layout! It’s awesome! The kitchen cabinets are great! I wouldn’t remodel the kitchen. I also love the beautiful blue tile backsplash! Maybe just restain the cabinets and change out the pulls/handles. Definitely replace the curtains. And I would replace all of the flooring.

@Annastasha_artist 3 месяца назад

Be aware of asbestos in walls (joint compound ) laminate flooring, and popcorn ceiling if/when doing renovations! Beautiful home!

@mapleleaf7220 3 месяца назад

Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your new home!!!! Its so interesting and refreshing! Please dont change anything yet, give it a year and then you'll see what works and what doesnt. All the best❤

@smontone 3 месяца назад

You might give a steam mop a try for cleaning that tile until you replace it. It’s not much harder to use than a swifter and boy oh boy does it pick up dirt in nooks and crannies.

@annw1395 3 месяца назад

This gorgeous house looks custom-built and classic! Not dated. Like a architecturally special home, not a fixer-upper. The wood is cohesive throughout the house (which makes it a special feature), so I wouldn't try to change any one area. The sun porch and view are wonderful. Because this house looks so unique, I'd leave the kitchen floor plan alone. At first, I didn't care for the blue tiles in the kitchen, but up close they're iridescent and distinct. Maybe a decorator could help with the blue. All in all, to me this is a distinctive, one-of-a-kind home, and I love it the way it is!

@rachelleherron8389 3 месяца назад

I really love the blue tile in the kitchen not a huge fan of the dark red wood colour either but do agree with others that it adds value to the house

@fancyflamingo123 3 месяца назад

The view out the sunporch! Dreamy!!!!!!!

@QuickSilverHair 3 месяца назад

Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉 Redo the fooor tile and the carpet before you move in. It’s a nightmare to rip it out and very dusty, so if you are living in the house it can be very difficult to control the dust and the noise is extreme. You have to move all your furniture out of the way as well so it’s better to do floors now if you can. I’d go to giant tile store, not Home Depot or Lowe’s and go for a more natural look to match the aesthetic of the house. Maybe a wood look tile to match the wood in the home, or hardwood floors throughout if affordable. And the help of an interior designer will help you keep the incredible beauty of the original architectural design.

@kimbitner 3 месяца назад

My jaw nearly hit the floor when I saw your sunroom: wow!! You have found a beautiful place to call home, Marissa! Also, it’s huge! My family of 8 is about to move into a new house a lot smaller than this one 😄 A bit of flooring updates will transform this space dramatically (and that blue tile in the kitchen has got to go, I agree completely!)

@Savannah-ed4rv 3 месяца назад

Wow a spiral staircase! That's something I could not do but for young people it's definitely an interesting thing to have in your home

@elenaa9132 3 месяца назад

Your new house is simply amazing even before renovations! The many windows, the big windows with the view towards the trees provide such a light mood and great vibe! May you and your family enjoy it for many years to come ☺and may it bring you only joy!

@indiabilly 3 месяца назад

I actually love the wood in the kitchen, maybe a limed oak finish if the colour isn’t for you? Or a dark stain, a change of handles? The white work top could be refinished because it’s lovely but definitely not with the blue mosaic tiles,,I agree about the floor tiles I have them and whole gardens of dirt live in the pits , the whole house is absolutely gorgeous and all your hard work and being frugal has manifested it for you xx