Our_Restoration_Journey on LTK

✨ Dining Room Lessons ✨ The first photo? Yep… that’s what we walked into. Scary gross, peeling plaster, wallpaper hanging on for dear life, and yes, we actually lived in it like that. 🫠 The later photos? That’s the gift. Golden light spilling through 160-year-old windows, reminding me to pause and notice the little bright spots this old house gives us. And if you look closely… a rainbow sparkle showed up. A little bridge reminder of our sweet boy, Tiki 🐾🌈, who filled this home with love and was my companion for 18.5 years. What I’ve learned? Restoration is messy, exhausting, and sometimes overwhelming. But, there’s always light if you stop long enough to see it. 💛 ✨ OldHouseRestoration HistoricHomeLove RenovationJourney RainbowBridge HotMessAndIronman LTKHome

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Anyone else notice how low the handles seem? I guess when the door is 8’ tall 😉 and the house is built in 1860…

Quite a few doors had been painted over the years and our goal has been to bring them back to the original wood. We estimate about 4-5 layers of paint over the 100+ years

The @dumondinc Smart Strip has been our absolute favorite to use! Works quickly, doesn’t smell like the others and as you can see - makes a dramatic difference! And Dumond if you are listening - we’d love love love to work with you! 😉❤️

We use - Smart Strip, plastic wrap, small copper brushes, and a stiff putty knife for this job. Still have one more go round and lots of additional patience and then we’ll probably just do a clear coat. The wood is very old Douglas Fir and original to the house. So gorgeous!

This has been the best combination of paint remover so far! After this will be to finish the bathroom door. Coming soon!

Please share - we need to keep these beautiful old homes in the limelight! If you have any questions, let us know!

Amazing community that loves old homes like we do ❤️❤️

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

We’ve been wanting to make the front doors, the front doors again ❤️

Driveway is done. Next is concrete steps to the front doors (a huge side patio too 😉). We wanted to create an entrance that is grand and fits the story of the house. We love how it turned out. The wallpaper is so elegant for the hallway.

A bit different than it was before!

I’m having some feet issues and my doctor said to get Hoka’s. Ummm, not at that price point! I saw these and thought for $18, why not?

Love them! They are on clearance and have a really good selection of sizes. Run and don’t walk (get it? 😂)

I usually go up a full size in athletic shoes so I can put an insert in. Now that I have them, a half size is probably better but the full size is okay!

Let me know what you think

#LTKselfcare #LTKActive

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.

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

Not our “normal” update - but a look inside our life. With a Squeaks furball supervisor.

Clark inherited a 55 gallon fish tank years ago and this has very special memories for him. It’s moved place to place with us and we’ve had to replace the tank a few times.

A couple of weeks ago Clark noticed it had cracked! Aaack 😳 the floors and house aren’t level - who knew?! - so it had finally had its day and we urgently got a replacement.

Now it’s been a few weeks and this was today! We may not have been caring for them accurately, we thought clean meant new filters and scrubbing. That’s not the case.

But now? The tank looks great and the fish seem happy. Now he follows this protocol for the 55 gallon tank

- replaces 15 gallons every Friday with filtered water
- rinses one filter in the bucket
- sucks up the fish 💩 from the bottom
- doesn’t overfeed
- checks the chemical levels and adjusts the next day for improvement

Just a little share - do any of you have a fresh water tank? Love it? Hate it?

Or salt water tank?

Remind me to tell you about my childhood goldfish story sometime. 😂

#notournormal #fishfun

It’s been sooo hot this week. We live in the middle of farm land so we don’t really worry about neighbors seeing us.

But when you live in a home built in 1860 and it’s painfully hot and the electric bill is 💸 you have to do something. This is the east side of the house and the sun is intense until about 2pm.

With this woodwork? We needed no drill. Our windows are 37.5” x 90” (yes 90”) so we ended up with 37”x 64” so we could see outside too.

And the furballs. They need to see outside too. Obviously. 😉

Did we love these so much we bought two more for the parlor and blackout version for our bedroom? Yes. Yes we did. They will be here Friday 😉

Such a success!

We clean our house. Almost always it’s a losing battle of dirt and cat hair, but I know you all understand.

I saw this cleaner and knew we had to try it. Have I had it in the cabinet now for maybe 6 months? Yes. Yes I have 😑

Broke down and put it into those super heavy bags - wear gloves!! Don’t be a stinker like us! Sprayed it really well, closed it up and hid from the cats in a room with a closed door.

Yes. Of course now wanted to get in there because the door was closed.

In the morning 😳 the amount of gunk that was on the grill was disgusting. But, it just rinsed right off! Seriously, no scrubbing. ZERO. I used an old towel to dry off and then plopped it on the stove.

Pretty much zero effort. I should have rinsed outside for the first time, but this worked. If you have a nice sink - definitely outside so you don’t scratch it!

I’ll link it in stories and you can always go to our LTK for posts too. The link is in our description

Seriously. You’ll love this stuff.

It’s National Leon Day - Noel spelled backward!

I’m laughing because I looked back at my Christmas tree purchase from Home Depot was July 4th weekend! I didn’t want my tree and wreathe to be sold out again.

So here you go. You’re welcome 😂🤪

#LTKchristmas

They get bored quickly. We saw this was on a great sale on Amazon Prime so we tried it.

It bounces all over, makes a mouse sound and they are in love chasing it around. So cute!

#LTKcat

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 room was a mess when we started. The smell was awful, the plaster was crumbling and the wallpaper was peeling.

Now it’s one of my favorites because of the lighting. Plus the mantle from the 1860s

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

We took the screen down since it wasn’t needed anymore and had to put something in place so everyone couldn’t see what was happening in the bathroom! 😱

We’ve been spending so much so we needed something easy and this reeded glass film was perfect! We love it and was pretty easy to install.

Quite similar to wallpaper! If you need privacy, this is a win!

Don’t Blink

This week? Temped our soul. Way too many tears. Worried about the future and what is next. Stress over bank account balances. Praying that someone is okay. Watching a friend do very hard sh*t.

Don’t Blink. You could miss something amazing.

Hope everyone had a great week in a small town. A big city. With family and friends. Or spending some time on your own. ❤️

Love y’all

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! 😂

Restoring an old home is sometimes about the little things.

A room with a view. The gorgeous moldings. The way the chandelier creates a room.

It’s also about the counterbalance windows where the rope is broken. The glazing is coming off. The paint is peeling.

And then you bring it all back together. A room with a view.

The paint is Sherwin Williams and is called Egret White ❤️

This etched glass matches the front door entrance.

That side entrance was where our bathroom is now. In 1860 there was not indoor plumbing so it was a hallway and on the other side was the fireplace.

Can you see the ghosting of the pillars and how they moved the door and rebuilt in? 🤯 I included the original sketch so you can see that too.

Now we need to adjust that screen or something so you can’t see in (while showering! 😳) but you can see out and that gorgeous glass.

What fun things have you found in your old home?

#LTKrestoration

Gosh. So many pics come up on the one year and two year anniversary. It’s shocking.

Then you see something like this and say wow. We LIVED in that? Anything y’all have done that you look back on and say wow.

We’d love to hear about it! We all share in the fun 😉

Global Running Day!

I’m not much of a runner anymore, but I do walk every morning! I need shoes that can hold up to about 3 miles a day or roughly 20 miles a month.

I loooved Brooks Ghost running shoes, but I’m not in love with the price point or the new Ghost 17.

So here is a roundup of what I own or have owned… or they are cute and I save them for special occasions.

Enjoy! The Ryka’s are my current favorite. ❤️

#LTKdayinmylife #LTKActive

What keeps you going?

Is it daydreaming? Hoping? Praying? A combination of all the things?

We know we need to do this patio and the front entrance. We are going through the finances and how will we afford it? But we believe.

We know we need a great place to celebrate. We know a small town like Windsor is meant to have a following. We love our friends and family here.

We got this. Just dreaming a little harder. Keep sharing our story, every comment and inspiration keeps us going. All the love ❤️

We’ve been staring at this window for 2 years. I worked on the old caulk and prepping and Clark got to work on the rotted wood.

We had to utilize the old wood from a different project in the house. A 2x4 now is really a 1.75x3.5 and the old wood is a very hard true 2x4.

Sooo… to get a good patch we need the old 2x4 size. I hope that makes sense.

The wood hardener? Dream product. It helped so many “spongy” pieces around the house. That and Bondo was a huge help.

Stay tuned for the next step - but it went well today! Restoration of an old house is always a challenge.

We are getting there!

I had such plans in February and March. All the seeds. I was ready! The grow lights. The seeds. Everything.

I woke up today and it’s almost June. Jeez. I’m sore and didn’t finish but closer!!

Small wins! Anyone else do this? Off to shower and make some dinner. Please tell me about your day!

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. 😉

You know that question - what’s for dinner tonight?

This saves me at least once a week. This side is the defroster and it’s sooo fast! I usually have it defrost for an hour and then wait in the fridge for dinner.

The other side is a cutting board! It also has a knife sharpener and a garlic grater built in.

Magical? No. But saves me money and time? Oh yes.

#forgottoplanahead #lifehack

#LTKHome #LTKOver40 #LTKdayinmylife

I’ve gone back and forth on this forever.

Usually when I’m non committal or meh, it’s a no. But life is really a lot easier when you have a schedule.

Every day is one load of laundry
Monday is bathrooms
Tuesday is vacuum

And so on

Drop a 😇 for oh yes! And a 😈 for nope, not me!

If you want the link to my favorite things I showed here? Just let me know. Happy Cleaning!

Did you enjoy the song? 😉

#housecleaning #ourrestorationjourney #poundhomeandgardens

This room was blue peeling plaster and wallpaper. Raccoon 💩 falling through the ceiling and onto the floor. The smell? Oh my.

Now everyone that comes here says this is the room to relax. Enjoy. Meditate. Paint. Be an artist. I say it’s a great room for romance and love.

What do you think? Thank you again @therealseanhass and @caitlyngoldsmithhair for a wonderful and delightful weekend. Amazing pics of th two of you 💕

#poundhomeandgardens #love #beauty #ourrestorationjourney

#LTKHome #LTKOver40

Two years ago this room was purple and smelled terrible. Now it’s gorgeous and couples can tak pics and remember their love. ❤️

#oldhouselove #restoration

#LTKHome

I don’t think people realize what this actually looks like…

We’re restoring an 1860 house.
While working full time.
While being exhausted.
While having 47 projects started and none finished - anyone relate to that one? 🙋🏼‍♀️

Some days it’s beautiful.

Most days?
It’s dust, chaos, and wondering what we got ourselves into.

But we’re still here.
Still showing up.
Still trying to bring this place back to life.

If you’re into the real version of this journey…
not just the highlight reel…

We’d love to have you along on the ride with us!

#ourrestorationjourney #poundhomeandgardens #oldhome #restoration

Love this bathroom. It used to be a total disaster before the renovation - think indoor/outdoor green grass floor! 🤢 we get to take advantage of the 12’ ceilings and the morning light

#LTKOver40 #LTKHome

We have friends coming to stay with us! 🎉 Yes - friends!

So we are last minute cleaning. You know the drill. Mopping, vacuuming, toilets, laundry, etc.

What’s the one thing you always do? Hide everything in a closet? Asking for a friend 😉

Happy Saturday everyone!

#cleaning #ourrestorationjourney #poundhomeandgardens #funweekend

Have you taken a chance?

A ride or die chance?

Something that could ruin you? Or change people’s lives?

We need to hear from you. Because some days? We question our sanity.

Love to all of you on this journey. Living this with us. Understanding our lives. Giving.

#ourrestorationjourney #poundhomeandgardens #life #chances

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