Our_Restoration_Journey on LTK

Historic home renovation & decor, gardening, mid life shenanigans, and finds you’ll love. Find us @our restoration journey on socials!

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Pet hair

If you are like us and have pets, this new to us washer has been a game changer.

All that hair is from one blanket that I must admit, I hadn’t washed for a while. Yuck. So impressed with how much hair it pulled versus the inside of the drum or down the water line.

Love #LTKhome

#LTKdayinmylife

Restoring an old house can be fun.

Clark worked so hard with his aunt and uncle on the cabinets! They made them all by hand. Such a beautiful job. The color is Jasper Green by @sherwinwilliams 💚

It makes doing laundry a pleasure most days. Loving the gold hints of the hangers and the pulls throughout the room.

The washer is a new pet hair “catcher” and it does miracles with grabbing the hair.

#ltkdiy #ltkhome

This laundry room used to be a yellow nightmare.

Trees literally growing through the walls, indoor/outdoor carpet on the floor, plaster and lath falling apart, and just… filthy.

Clark tore everything down to the studs, installed new drywall, painted, and hand-built custom cabinets for 13-foot ceilings with his uncle. And @sherwinwilliams ? Gorgeous paint color - Jasper ❤️

Now it’s a historic home laundry room glow-up that actually makes doing laundry feel luxurious.

Old house renovation is not for the weak, but wow, it’s worth it.

Stay till the end to see the before.

#ourrestorationjourney #poundhomeandgardens #laundryroommakeover

#LTKdayinmylife #LTKHome

Windows updated with no drill blinds. We love them 🖤 they are sheer(ish) and take about 5 minutes to put in. We love them!

The trim and the inside trim are all painted Iron Ore by @sherwinwilliams - love it!

These sconces? They are rechargeable! They can be changed to multiple colors and easy to install. Perfect for the brick wall 🖤

Such a pretty look with a view!

This medallion was white and urethane so it was a better price and much cheaper. We got it from @homedepot and painted it in the Iron Ore with gold paint brushed.

The chandelier?! #capitallighting love love love 🖤

What a difference than her original purple wallpaper. A few more things to do and refinish the floors.

We installed one light in the parlor…
and suddenly I’m like…

✨ THIS IS A WHOLE VIBE ✨

Meanwhile…
the toilet needs a tablet, the house is still half torn apart, and I’m over here arranging books like I’m in a magazine.

This is what restoring an 1860 home looks like:

A little progress
A little chaos
A lot of “wait… I love this so much”

And honestly?
I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

(Okay maybe for running water on demand… but still 😅)

#oldhouse #homerenovation #historicHome #cozyhome #midliferenovation #realhomes #beforeandduring #parlormakeover

#LTKOver40 #LTKHome

This room was purple. The plaster ceilings were crumbling. The smell? OHMYGOSH bad 🤢

Now? Beautiful windows and view. Cozy. Dark and moody. We have more to do, but it’s perfect for now 🖤

I had a good friend ask me about the house. I don’t talk about it constantly like I used to. They asked why?

I’m working too much. There is so much to do. #75hard . Nothing is finished. I’m sad. My stupid health.

They said go home. Spend some time with her. Talk about things. They were right. I took a couple of videos. They aren’t perfect. I have a messy desk. But you know what? It’s gorgeous. It just feels good.

This is your sign. Take a breath. Love your animals. Love your spouse. Remember to enjoy the moments like this. #love

Everything takes time. But the mood is there.

#ourrestorationjourney #poundhomeandgardens #darkandmoody #oldhouselove #restoration

This had the screen to nothing for the last 8 months or so. It used to be a creepy window held together with a chain 😳 if you remember the 1960 murder gas station look.

It was the side entrance to the house in 1860. Assuming when indoor plumbing came about, they made the hallway and moved the door.

Now, the screen is down! It did offer privacy so the reeded glass firm is on the way! Stay tuned for the cleaning and paint. Until then, don’t look when we are showering! 😂

It’s been hot hot hot here in Central Illinois. We are in zone 6a, so we get snow in winter and heat and humidity in the summer.

We have rain barrels to collect water, and we also use the dehumidifier in the basement and front hallway for additional water! Gotta use all our options 😂

All the plants are from seeds that I started and I absolutely love the setup. Easy to pick and these keep the weeds at bay. Our other garden? Sooo many weeds. More on that soon.

Enjoy!

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal

We live in an old house and have had a lot of rain lately. I go around the edges of the house every week and the inside every 2 weeks. Helps with those little beatles mosquitoes. Be sure to get around the windows too!

#ltkoutdoor

This hummingbird feeder is a game changer!

Last year we had one or two and once we got this new feeder? We had FIVE at one time! The box includes instructions on making your own syrup. #ltkoutdoor

I’m thinking I need two more. 😉

Midlife hair is… a journey.
Curly in spots. Straight in others. Frizz everywhere. Hormones fully in charge. You’ve heard of Irish curls? That’s me.

I went to bed with my hair wet, but I always put the InCommon Magic Myst in my hair before I go to sleep. Some volume stuff too - ‘cause this 80s girl loves her big hair. Then when I get up in the AM before I do a quick dryer brush…. I use the Good Behavior.

Really the three combined is what makes it easy. It’s definitely not my talents!

If you’re in your 50s, dealing with menopause, and wondering why your hair suddenly has opinions, we are sisters.

Sharing what actually works for me, and let me know if this interests you or Kat, stick with renovation 😉

#postmenopause #lifeafter50
#irishcurls #hairchallenge #menopausehair

#LTKMidsize #LTKselfcare #LTKOver40

Sometimes the messy middle needs some love!

This 1860s home has been under restoration for a couple of years now and this room has been on hold.

Until I was totally embarrassed because someone asked to see it! 😂 so here we go. Enjoy and let me know your ideas and thoughts!

#LTKOver40 #LTKHome

No makeup. Natural light. 58 years old.

And honestly? My dry, sensitive skin has been STRUGGLING. We live in the Midwest and it’s been very cold and dry.

This isn’t our usual post, but I started following a new dry-skin routine and I’m already seeing a difference! Less peeling, more glow, and my skin finally feels calm instead of tight.

If you’re over 50, dealing with dry skin, sensitive skin, or texture that just showed up one day… you’re not alone. I’m trying this in real time and sharing what’s actually helping.

Would you want to see more real-life skin content like this? I’d love to share, we can try it out together ❤️. Happy New Year!

(Products linked here — no filters, no magic, just skincare.)

#LTKOver40 #LTKHome #LTKBeauty

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