Huck, the real boss of every project.

With the sale of E. Lafayette Circle, we are moving on from total home renovation projects. Behind there scenes, there have been many joys in doing this work. We have loved each neighborhood we worked in and the challenges of reworking homes for their highest and best use. We have found great satisfaction when the visions we had for a property became realities.

However, over the past eight years acquiring properties has become extremely difficult. For the financial piece of home renovation projects to make sense, you have to “buy right.” Property acquisition prices have climbed and the cost of materials has skyrocketed, while the labor market has tightened. Add in rising mortgage rates, and the tightrope one must walk to make a profit has become extremely narrow.

And our lives have changed. We have new opportunities in front of us. It is time to move on to our next adventure.

We learned so much.

We worked with some of the best people ever.

Thank you for following along with us.

Jane and John

My children and I have allergies so I know first-hand the importance of having great indoor air quality. We have made renovation decisions that support this. The hardwood and ceramic tile floors can all be mopped or wiped. Low VOC paints were used throughout. The HVAC unit has been serviced and cleaned. All the windows have been cleaned and are operable.

To reduce the electrical load, we have added LED lighting. We chose new appliances that are Energystar rated. Weather stripping has been added to the doorways.

Altogether, the home will be easy to care for and have lower utility costs.

Could it be an office?
Could it be a media room?
How about a craft center?
Private he or she space?
We are waiting to see how this great big 27’ x 9’3” space will be used. Located in a separate building a just few steps from the back entry, it has sustainable, easy-to-care-for, looks-like-hardwood bamboo flooring, fresh paint and its own refrigerator.

It is so exciting to see a flip house come together! Here are some updates:

• We found a way to add two more cabinets to the kitchen area. Can you say coffee bar?

• The built-in bookcases/media center/wet bar area in the living area is looking super. We left a big space to accommodate a large TV, making this a great space for friends to hang out. The four base cabinets have a black granite top and provide additional storage.

• John will be finishing the master bath with its two closets next week.

• The laundry/utility room located by the kitchen is working out well. It has a utility sink with stainless steel work tables on either side. Wire shelving provides additional pantry and storage space. Plus, there is a closet in the utility room that is just the right size for household tools and cleaning supplies.

Speaking of cleaning supplies, we have scheduled the final post construction clean up. This great place will be all spiffed up and ready for the holidays!

The glass shelves above the bar sink make a pretty display and storage area for glassware.

Yes, it’s been a minute since our last posting in July. As some of you may know, many of our homes have been contractually spoken for prior to their completion. Earlier in the summer we accepted an offer on the Great Space project and began working toward the home’s finish with the new owner in mind. This person’s circumstances changed, and the house is now available.

We welcome contracts prior to completion, and the renovation is to a point that we are can invited interested, qualified buyers in to visit. The home has two bedrooms and two full baths with a large living area AND and a large, separate, finished space suitable for an office, a studio or a game room. Since mid-town homes are usually short of storage, we have added closets and cabinets throughout the house. We have worked to keep its original architectural charm while making the needed updates.

While we are not yet ready to photograph the rooms (things are always their messiest before we finish), here are a few of features:

• A totally renovated kitchen that has butcher block and stainless steel countertops;

• A pantry and laundry room with a deep utility sink;

• A living area with a wet bar, entertainment area and bookcase;

• A master bedroom with a brand new private bath and two closets;

• A second, updated bath.

Below are several in-progress photos, click on each for more info. Interested in taking a look? Give John a call or text at 901-569-0211.

Great Space

This retro-style light

A second arched opening

A new tile floor

The wet bar

They're out

We looked at refacing (replacing the doors) the original kitchen cabinets as they were made of solid wood, but the lead time and costs were prohibitive. The materials will be recycled by EBOX

And the kitchen sink too

The kitchen demolition was completed in a day.

Something old

The electric stove was very old. So old it was hard-wired into the house. The new kitchen will have a gas stove.

Voila!

Once the sheet vinyl on the floor is removed, the kitchen space will be prepped for its new cabinets and appliances.

After a bit of a hiatus, we have undertaken a new old-house-into-new-home project. It is located in one of our favorite neighborhoods. After closing on the property, we were greeted by neighbors on the street who said that they were glad to see us back and working on a home. That felt so good!

But enough about us and onto the house. First, this house is in the best shape of any we have purchased. Because of this, we are setting an ambitious timeline for the renovation and hope to have all work completed by the first of September.

We have never renovated a home that was is such good starting condition.

Over the next two months we will repurpose interior spaces to improve flow and function. Currently, the house has two bedrooms and one bath. Our plans include capturing an awkward space to create a master bedroom with a private bath. A pantry and laundry room will be located next to the upgraded kitchen. The large den area will have a wet bar. The beautiful hardwood floors will be complemented with durable porcelain tile in the living areas.

But wait, there’s more! There is a large shop outback that will be upgraded so that it can be used for a home office, media room or kid’s play area.

Ambitious timetable? Yes. Ambitious plans? Will this make a great house. We believe so. We invite you to follow along.