Before & After - The Master Bedroom

This picture was taken in February of last year, but when we were getting ready to move here the first time, eight years ago...this room's walls were that dark brown fake wood paneling, and there was an orange shag carpet. So as part of our rent, Bryan and I repainted, hung new lights, and recarpeted to brighten the place up. Who'd a thunk we'd be undoing it less than a decade later...

Bryan's dad actually put this fireplace in, brick by brick, over 30 years ago for another family who lived here at the time. It was made to last through the millenium, but the house wasn't made to handle the fireplace :) It was so heavy, the floor was starting to sink which worried us. So, after a lot of agonizing going back and forth, we decided we had to take it out.

It was bittersweet taking it down, knowing how hard he had worked to put it in.

Just some of the layers of wallpaper we encountered.

Bryan and Asher taking down the paneling.

Painting with kids isn't easy...spackling with them is even better :)

Once we tore everything down, we found that the water over the years had damaged the walls, so one of the last things Bryan's dad helped us with was he cemented the entire wall where the damage was, preventing anymore sluffing or corrosion. Those walls will outlive the rest of the house. That's how he did everything...to last.

These were our fireplace guys. They did a beautiful job...but interesting individuals ;) Also, shortly after this time, the young women I served with in the Orchard 1st ward used us as a service project (don't you love it when that happens???) It really was such a blessing. Half of them took the kids and played games and kept them occupied...the other half came to the house and helped me paint the master bedroom and the study. I think teenagers are my very favorite people. I couldn't believe how much we all got done that night, and I can't begin to tell you how grateful I was for all of their help. Special, special girls...

Bryan, from the time we decided to get this house, wanted a library of sorts somewhere. We were quickly running out of places to put it, so when we found out we had to take out dad's fireplace, we figured this would be the perfect place for them, so he was off!

When Bryan finally finished, he wanted so bad to show his dad. I have no doubts his dad thinks they are wonderful.

and...

Again, the paint was an eggshell from Kwal, this one was called Renovation...ironic ;) The stone on the fireplace was from Harristone and it was the cape cod color. We finished the mantle and the bookcases in red mahogony stain.