Empty (pre-renovation) 2 Bed + 2 Bath Condo Tour! 

About 3 years ago I was considering having to take out a loan to pay my rent and now I own my first home… what an incredible feeling! I couldn’t be more grateful and I hope you’re excited for the journey ahead! What renovation content are you interested in seeing?? If you like apartment tours, you should watch my first ever LA apartment tour next! We’ve come so far!

I had to come back to this after Molly finally got her RENOVATED condo! I am freaking out 🤩 It’s amazing the beautiful vision you had is now real! So happy for you & your family ❤

One idea for the "vibe space" could be to add some cat furniture for Lavender, as cats really enjoy looking out windows, especially from various heights. So excited for your new condo.

“Being in my own home, I’d like to mitigate the amount of stuff I can walk into.” - that’s my favourite quote of the video I think. Basically sums up a major design goal I’d say.

I have anxiety and hsp so I struggle with complete silence over extended periods of time. These videos have the perfect length to watch in the shower. And they are also perfect because I do not need to watch because Molly describes everything so well and has a soothing voice❤️

I just remodeled my house and put in engineered hardwood (bamboo) flooring throughout. Soon after the inevitable drips and spills in the kitchen space damaged the flooring, bubbling up between the fridge and sink. I recommend keeping the tile in the kitchen, or replace with a vinyl flooring that is waterproof

I recommend considering heated flooring in the bathrooms. It's just a nice luxury to have (:

Hey Molly the light switches with the weird hooks on them are designed for entry ways so your mom was right about the hooks holding keys and the area behind it is to hold post/mail

Living in Europe all my life it's weird hearing someone describe a 27 years old house as old and outdated 😂

Just a thought, I believe there is a film/coating that you can add to the windows that would make them polarized. With a polarized camera lens, the windows would appear opaque. It would give you and your camera operators more freedom with pointing the camera in those directions!

i would not suggest making that fireplace go through the wall if you're actually planning to use that room as a guest bedroom, it would make make sounds from the living room area (people chatting, coffee making in the morning if you have an open concept kitchen) more hearable. actually works the same way if its your office and you're having like a video call while someone's over. other than that - omg, soooo excited to see the results. i love renovations

The weird thing on the light switches you asked about is a key/mail holder. The keys go on the 2 prongs on the front and mail goes into the slot/clip in the back

Love all your ideas, especially the layout changes! For resale purposes and the comfort of your guests though, I'd highly suggest making sure that it is still possible to shower in that guest bathroom, since many people don't like taking baths.

I'm watching this after the finished tour and I'm so proud of you!

For an old place that hasn’t been updated much, it’s in such good shape. You can tell the couple who lived there before loved it very much.

The condo is so cute! Can't wait to see what you do with it. May I advise NOT to put a double sided fireplace in the guest room. If you do have guests, I don't think they would appreciate not having privacy. If you put a privacy screen, then you would have to remember to move it from the other side when you want a fire in the living room. I do like the idea of the murphy bed. Great use of space!

I love how often you say that the building is old at 27years 😅 here in Germany that would be such a new apartment and great find to buy! I'd be so happy to move in a house just 27 years young!

Thank you for donating the construction supplies that are being torn out of your house. Supplies are so expensive right now and those who need updates and can’t afford them could really use them.

Hey Molly!I highly recommend referencing some tiny house videos to get space-saving ideas 😊 No reason we can't use the same ideas for "conventional homes". Some of the stuff they come up with is so genius and functional. Necessity breeds innovation after all!

Sheer curtains lets all the light in and blocks the outside/inside view for privacy. Could make filming and editing less of a hassle. Love your content 🙏

If you do want a different oven, a different RU-vid channel (Jessica kelgren-fozard) talked about a oven with a door that goes below the oven when it's open. I think that might also be handy for you. Before that I didn't know those existed.

The transformation is amazing.

It's hilarious how large everything seems while you show it but then seeing Gallop in it it suddenly looks really narrow because he's just so huge!

Just an idea: pocket door for the bathroom losing square footage. You’re living my dream. I look at Zillow everyday.

Careful with matte flooring! My parents bought a new home recently and their matte engineered hard wood was awful. It showed every little crumb and every water drop was visible when it dried. I have matte vinyl plank and I love it and doesn’t show dirt the same as theirs did

So exciting! It's amazing to be able to do a whole house reno. It's going to be great! Something to consider with the free standing tub. They are very hard to clean around. Cat hair, dog hair and dust get around the edges and it's hard to reach. A lot of them splash out super easily. So when you are soaking if you push up, the water will flow over very quickly. Also, a lot of guests don't like bathing in new spaces and would prefer a shower. Obviously it's your house to design as you like and you are being very generous sharing your journey with us, just those free standing tubs are a beautiful pain.

I do not recommend taking a shower away from the 2nd bathroom for resale value. Think about the potential buyers that would be turned off by not having a shower.

I must agree with the people saying that if you're really concerned about resale value, the guest bath should have a shower option. A shower head and curtain rail are easy to add when it's time to sell, though, so as long as guests can shower in the master, you do you while you're living there!

I'm gonna have to do the overalls and off shoulder top combo, so cute!

With resale in mind, I think it would be really cool to work in a secret coat closet in the kitchen. Cabinet that is the same as all of the kitchen but has coat rack inside instead.

I hear you on the radiators - we have them in my building like that, except even higher. The first year I lived here, I can't even count the number of times I tripped because it's a narrow ledge that you can't step on. A cover would probably help! By the way - just a tip: since the building is older, have someone check to see the coils on the inside of the radiator are clean. Especially if they are older rads. Ours are the fin style models, and they probably hadn't been cleaned out in over 50 years! They can get a lot of dust, fur, dirt, etc, and it can impact heating, as well as create a burning smell (or fire hazard in some types of heaters) when they go on in the winter.

Accessible AND sustainable renovations. I stan!

Please take this advice. Do the tile, drywall and all the messy stuff BEFORE you get any of your stuff over there because ripping out tile is the messiest thing with the finest dust that you'll need a crew to come in to remove from everywhere. Even with plastic tarps taped up, it permeates the whole house, ventilation system, everything. I'd never do it again unless before I moved. So exciting to get to redo your own house!

People have probably already said but its driving me mad so need to say , the things on the light switchs are key and post holders for snail mail , a now mostly outdated feature in houses but when i lived in shared housing we had them outside our rooms so we could leave each others post where they would find it , cant wait to watch this series xxx

it's so interesting to hear/see a home renovation from a blind person...to the sighted that hallway is no problem and I never would have thought of it was a problem

I think the reason they put the door in the ensuite is so you don't disturb your partner when turning on the light. Congratulations! It's a beautiful place. Cat is going to love the sunroom!

As someone with pretty bad adhd I LOVE how you explains things. It helps me focus and gives me a real idea of the lay out. Where as other RU-vidrs are very vague and I often get kinda lost when they’re explaining their layouts. Gosh. Been a long time fan but really growing to appreciate your content these last 2 years especially💕 love you guys!! Niamh, gallop, and lavender as well!

Hi Molly, will Adrien be moving in with you? Love your new home and the ides you have for your new home. Looking forward to be watching what happens in the next 6 months. xx

I'm sure you'll have professionals advising you and your specific situation but if you make the flooring of your vibe space the same height as the step on the radiator be careful of potential water ingress. Your vibe space might be watertight so it won't be an issue but just in case it's more like a balcony you want it to be lower than the height of the inside flooring so water doesn't run in. Excited to see the renovation content!

As an architect in training, your design ideas are absolutely on point! Was redrawing the floor plan in my head as you went round the rooms and it will make so much more sense for all users, let alone accessibility. Can't wait to follow your journey!

If you're renovating with resale in mind, a freestanding tub in the guest bathroom probably isn't a wise investment. They're tricky to clean around, and most homeowners prefer the tub/shower combination from a functional standpoint. But of course, it's your home! Do what makes you feel happy. I just wanted to provide an opinion purely from a resale perspective.

Molly: I never cook. Also Molly: builds a huge kitchen.

I am comming here from the future; you made it in the end!! 🥳🥳 congrats. It just took 1,5 years, but it is done, the new place is amazing. And I just had to come back and see the before again 😄

The shower with a bench really should be universal for all showers. A built in bench is one of those things made for disabled people but EVERYONE can benefit from one. Like drinking straws, y'know?

The person who lived in the house before us was elderly, and she installed rails in several places - by the toilet, by the shower, in the shower that made a HUGE difference when I had my back injury. We also have a handicap shower with a seat that can be put in or removed but is part of the structure and won't move. Something to think about. :)

I hope hope hope that you are designing your kitchen to still have a walk in pantry and some additional storage. Also it’s not desirable to have a bedroom open directly to the living room for privacy reasons, might effect resale. I agree with the others that a legal bedroom must have a clothes closet. I understand that you are remodeling to meet your needs though. Looking forward to watching.

You have wonderful "vision" for design Molly! FYI......when installing your built in bench with storage in your MBR, have the contractor install hinges that stay open when you lift the lid, so the lid/bench seat doesn't slam down on you when you are rummaging through it and you don't have to use your head to hold it up. I've been there.

The vibe space is perfect for lavender🥰

Ahhhh im so happy that you’re making this into a series!! I’m an aspiring architect (residential architecture is my favorite at the moment) and im also super interested in interior design and to see one of my favorite creators make content about it is super exciting!!

I love the idea of a windowed outside room! Especially in Canada, you could keep it warm possibly and enjoy it without snow ^_^

Oh video idea! It’s really different than what you normally do so idk if it’s out of your comfort zone, but you should have like three interior designers react to your renovation when it’s all done and then you can reveal that it was you that designed the space and see how blown away that they are! (Just predicting that they’d be blown away)

I don't know if it's different in Canada but I know in the US a room cannot be classified as a bedroom unless it has a closet. Which would hurt resale value to not technically have a second bedroom

There are no captions so i'll have to come back tomorrow and watch when they're hopefully up. Part of me wants to watch just to see the place, but it's no fun if I don't know what you're saying lol. I saved it to my "watch later" list. But congratulations!! Your first home is a huge milestone and a great feeling! :)

I think you make some great points about the social model of disability and how we can better the blind/low vision community and educating people on the importance of accessibility. I myself recently moved into a new place a couple months ago and I chose the place because I instantly fell in love with it when I saw it and although it’s not perfect, the previous owners had done a serious remodel on it and had made it very accessible without realising it and so I felt totally drawn to the place and knew it was perfect for me.

Lavender will REALLY ENJOY your sun room. I hope you have plan to make the top shelf of your shelves accessible for her. My kitty freaked me out one day when I couldn't find her. I'm legally blind so I had to call my bff to come help me find her. After over an hour we were sitting in my room (I was crying) talking about Sammie, (the cat) when all of a sudden we heard her meow. that little rascal was on the top shelf of my 6 foot tall shelving unit. My friend didn't know how she'd get down but I told her I didn't know how she got up there but I knew she would jump onto my bed. Later I found out she had been using the windowsill and just leaping from there. CONGRATULATIONS on your new home. LOVE and PRAYERS ALWAYS from Gainesville Florida. ❤🙏😊🙏❤

Don't forget to have your dryer vent cleaned when they're working in your laundry closet! #firesafety

It's really sad people have to ask for people to respect their privacy. Like that should be common sense but apparently it's not

Molly: can stand underneath a dining room table chandelier. Also Molly: excited about a king size bed. 🤣💜💜💜

So with the free standing bath… guests can only take baths or use the Master for a shower? If you normally prefer baths, why not the free standing bathtub in the Master? ( though that may not be the best option for resell value I guess)

Molly I do this for a living fixing places and then I rent them out or sell them. I LOVE that you are getting into this and starting reno videos. Your ideas are amazing. And I think it’s going to be AMAZING! How cool would it be for you to do this. Renovate homes to make them more accessible and then sell them. There aren’t many accessible homes on the market. Either way you’re into something here and I cannot wait to watch!!

I'm renovating my condo currently, and i'm 27. vibing with you! i also have a 2 bed 2 bath with a solarium and full sized laundry!! I can't wait to see what you do with your space!

Molly congrats on getting your new condo. Gallop was just chillin and napping during the whole video .I can't wait to see you go on this renovation journey. You have a lot going on in the next few months and I hope that it all works out well for you.

Soooooo exciting! Love seeing this journey with you! Can’t believe all that space was hidden in the pantry!

It's really morbid but you said it was an elderly couple that lived there before you and that they 'updated appliances as they died' and my mind, rather than associating the appliances with dying, associated the elderly couple. I thought you were saying they replaced appliances when the husband or wife died 🤣

That's what I need as a person in a wheelchair! Universal design is what I definitely need in my home to be....wherever that may be right now. But I'm following!

New goal: design homes that are universally accessible

I have always said that when I purchase my forever home it will have hidden doors so I'm excited to see that office/spare room having a hidden door :) I think you are going to do wonders with this space, congrats Molly!! Can't wait to go on this journey with you!

this made me think of something that i thought i'd share my mom recently bought two shower grab bars for her shower for when she gets older and needs to use them. neither one looks like a shower grab bar. one is a circle shape that goes around the handle for the water and the other is straight and has a little shelf attatched for soap and stuff. it's really cool because I know a lot of elderly people who don't like these type of things because they look ugly and symbolize getting older but they are really useful even if you aren't elderly. so i love seeing things that make everyday things more accessible and useful for all people and i love that you're sharing these things with the world

So cute and love your ideas! Can’t wait to see the renovations! Would even love actual video of the renovations along with costs/updates (if you feel comfortable sharing), kinda like a home update show. Also those things on the wall by your front door and main bedroom - I’ve never seen those shaped exactly like that, but they are supposed to be where you can place mail, letters, notes, etc and also hang keys, work badges, lanyards, etc. I think they made them a little more pushed back looking instead of a big basket and hooks but obviously if you don’t need them, take them out! Again, super excited to see the updates and final results! 😊

I feel like this could be a new era of content for molly. I'm so here for this renovation 🙌

Frosted rainbow film would be soooooo cool for the solarium!!! I have some on my front door for privacy and when the sun hits it there are rainbows everywhere. If you're able to see the light from it I think you'd enjoy it! They're like $6/sheet on Amazon!

Molly! I’m sure this comment will get lost down here,but maybe others will see it and suggest it in later vids You should totally get one of those TVs that looks like a painting when it’s not being used! That way you can enjoy knowing that it’s not just a clunky black screen on your wall when it’s off,instead it’s a pretty “painting” ☺️

The outfit you’re wear is so cute! I have to know where the pink overalls are from!!!!!

As an occupational therapist, I love love love that you are educating people about universal design. I truly hope you can make a difference in the world of design through your input over the course of this video series!

I think bench seats are aesthetically pleasing but if you want one that is functional as far as comfort level and being able to really sprawl out then make sure the depth is wider (I know your small). I personally never used my bench much except for my kitty to sun on lol. Had the custom cushions and the whole bit but it still just wasn’t quite cozy enough for long periods. I’m sure a designer could think of something if the bench doesn’t work since you already are going to have a lot of built in things/ that minimizes the area and wall space to put things which is what I didn’t like about my bedroom setup- on bench seat on the window of course and then these corner built in shelves. The look overall is adorable but I had one door with my closet the other to my bathroom so I was stuck with one spot for my bed. Just as a resale thing I know it is only large enough for a double and it would be a tight fit for that. I know these aren’t hot takes but I felt very strongly about the built in window seat LOL.

I love the discussion of accessible, functional yet still stunning design! It's so important! I know a lot of people have brought up the "no tub, guests/resale would want a shower" which I do agree with in many ways! Although I also know that for accessibility, like you mentioned with vertigo and dizziness, it's important to have options! I wonder if the free standing tub could be a modern/contemporary version of a freestanding tub-shower unit. The current built-in one is obviously not an attractive option, and you want to make sure that you have a tub! Perhaps a gorgeous, sculptural shower curtain railing that's suspended from the ceiling, as well as a rain shower head could be added to create both a gorgeous free standing bathtub option while also maintaining the ability to shower for guests or just for resale! Can't wait to see how your new and exciting space comes together!!! So happy for you!

You should have your editor put a heavily dialed-up gaussian blur filter over the windows. That way you can fully show what inside space looks like but viewers wouldn't be able to tell what the view/location is.

The plastic tab beside the lights in the front entry is for your mail and keys! :)

PS also a lot of contractors will tell you that products that are good for disability they’re going to tell you that those products cost twice if not three times as much and any renovation that is going to be accessible for the blind or for the disabled. They charge more money for doing those things and they also hike up the prices on the products needed for those with disabilities please research each product that you want them to use and know the prices and everything about it so that way they can’t guard you gouge you on the cost because when me and my wife had our house renovated after we moved in they used to cheaper products and a paint color for the walls that we did not pick at all and I would be careful of those two things and make sure that they use all the products that you want and need have your mom also double check as well that’s just my advice from a person who is legally blind and my wife is physically impaired and in a wheelchair with limited use of her hands and cannot bear weight at all for her we put concrete ramps and we put a roll in shower and now because of my own weight I own problems with my back I cannot lift her to put her in the shower chair and the bathroom is now too small for a shower chair to fit in so we’re trying to figure out how to remodel the backside of the house to expand rooms including the bathroom how we can afford to do that thank you for reading my message here I hope this will help you a lot

I dont know if it'd be possible to move the laundry into what is now the pantry and place them against the most outer wall + add the coat closet over there too? In my mind the whole backside of the kitchen would be floor to ceiling cabinets with the hidden laundry/ cleaning products/coat closet/pantry, very sleek! Maybe even put the fridge there? Then the remaining wall of the kitchen can have counter tops with cabinets/open shelves and the big island! That way you have the coats right as you walk in and will be able to completely change the original little laundry closet/weird hallway angle to something else? I'd say no to the fire place going into the second bedroom/film space as it takes away a wall future owners might use to put a closet against... Very excited for this new series!

Loooove reno videos. Redecorating is so much fun. Just shooting out ideas, but couldn't you move the laundry in the present pantry/make it part of the kitchen ? Even if you take down the walls I mean. Your kitchen would still be huge. That way you could take out the laundry entirely and it would open up space for your hallway and you may not have to make the guest bath smaller ? You could even make it bigger adding the weird angle instead of taking it out. Or you could also turn the now laundry into your coat closet and keep the door/entry space of the guest room for a closet you can access from inside the guest room ? As suggested below, I'd try to keep a way for guests to take a shower without going into the master or sitting in the tub, maybe with a simple curtain on a cute circle rod you can put away when you want to take a bath ? Anyway, I'm excited to see what you're going to transform this place into. Hopefully we have a glance at the solarium without you showing the view, so we can have an idea how you lay it out =)

when my parents got the house they live in now, there was so much that needed doing, but my dad saw the potential and my mum had to have some convincing as money. But they got it for £75,000 which was an absolute steal. Now it's gone from a 3 bed (and that's pushing it, as for the first few years I had the box room that just about contained my bed) house with a small gallery kitchen (similar to your condos) to a 4 bed with a huge kitchen seating area at the back of the house. Glad you see your condo as a project as opposed to a money drain!

For your vibe space you could have frosted glass or roll down block out blinds for privacy. Gosh, there is so much to do. Wow. Good luck with it all. With your vision and determination there's no doubt you'll make it into a beautiful home and add lots of value to the property. Have fun with it.

As a 45 year old in a 1953 rambler style house, that place feels super modern! ;-) Also, 4 of us share one small bathroom so I'm jealous a single lady's guests get their OWN bathroom!

So excited as I love renovation content and I am so excited to see how you make your house universally accessible and beautiful and when I ever get a house of my own I want to be able to have anybody come over to my house without it being a struggle/unacesable

I wouldn’t suggest your guest bathroom JUST having a tub. Your guests will want to shower.

I really enjoy having a projector as my main TV. It's in the bedroom and is a good excuse for having a mostly blank wall, which I also find is restful. I do have a regular tv too, but I like not having the big black rectangle that TVs are when they're off. It is harder to see during sun hours, but I like it as helping to prioritize other activities. having an even bigger "screen" it makes things easier to see with or without glasses, and more immersive for special movie nights. IDK how Molly feels about projectors. I could see Molly getting a sick surround sound set up to enhance the audio aspects of movies and shows that offer that feature. I like having special candles or even teas to enhance a special movie, tv show or book even.

The thing by the door is a slot to put your mail and hooks for keys. It's just a basic catch-all so you can deposit what's in your hands when you come home in a central location without needing a table by the door.

new mr kate collab??! id be living for it! so excited for this new chapter of your life, molly.

I foresee a Molly Burke X The Sorry Girls collaboration coming down the pipeline!

Molly! I absolutely love your new home! The changes you are planning to make are very exciting and the place is in such good shape. For resell purposes though I would not remove the closet in the guest bedroom. When you resell the house in California if the room no longer has a closet it will no longer be considered a bedroom in the eyes of real estate. Same with your master bedroom if you remove the closet you will be decreasing the value of your home greatly. I also see that a lot of people are saying don’t get rid of the shower in the guest bathroom. I’d have to agree but I have an idea you might be interested in. I’ve been in hotels where the bathrooms have these gorgeous free standing tubs but the tub has an elegant looking gold or brown metal pipe attached going up towards the ceiling with a shower head attached to it….so it also makes it a shower as well as a bath. It looks really classy and is a compromise so that your home won’t lose value. I am really excited to see your kitchen! And I love the idea of the fire place going through the wall. It’s going to look beautiful! I know you don’t want the closets molly but I fear you might regret it one day when you move. Best of luck molly! 💜

I love that calming colour of the sage green in the bathroom so soothing

Will Adrian be coming to visit soon now that vaccinated Americans can come to Canada?

PLEASE do not remove the shower on the bathroom, for most people a bathtub with no shower is useless and it's going to really hurt your resale value

i would suggest pocket doors or barn doors, especially with your bathrooms to add more space. also for your guest bathroom, i would definitely add the shower attachment onto the free standing tub for when you have guests and for resale value. love the look of a free standing tub, but you for sure wanna make it more usable!

The thing in your entrance hall next to the light switch is basically a key holder and mail holder, so the bigger slot on the back part that you could kind of pull out and push back to the wall you can put any papers or mail you need and then the two hooks that stick out is for your keys not many condos where I’m from have them but I’ve seen them like that before and had to ask the homeowner what it was when I first saw it too.

Molly I would check and see if taking the office closet out will mean you cant list it as a 2 bedroom in the future.

The thinks on wall are for keys and moving/folding space is for holding your mail

I think the thing by the front door is to hold mail and your keys. The condo looks good and I know you'll decorate and make it look amazing ! Congrats!!!!

yayy im so excited for renovation series! especially univerally accessible and sustainable design! You could put a cavity sliding door for the ensuite bathroom, then you don't loose turning space in the bathroom, if the door is open.