Hello Lovely Resources for Before & After Renovation Glimpses

This post is a companion to THIS, and hopefully you aren’t beyond bored with before/after photos of our renovations. As an inspiration blogger, it’s unnerving to reveal our own humble efforts alongside fantasy tours. If you are newish follower, our last home was a neglected fixer we renovated entirely ourselves. Along the way, I blogged transparently about the highs and lows. I may have typed “never again…probably” often. How do we find time for the work while working full-time jobs? It’s our shared hobby and insanity. Separately, many of our interests diverge–my husband is the athletic, logical, and adventurous one. He’s an attorney who lives for rebuilding a car engine while I’m a poet homebody who must always be creating something new. Our passions converge with home DIY. Hello Lovely Resources for Before & After Renovation Glimpses peeks at our former fixer.

Classic white kitchen with fireclay farm sink - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink #classickitchen #kitchendesign #fireclaysink

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Before & After Renovation: Hello Lovely Resources

This project was a doozy since we were ever uncovering issues which had nothing to do with cosmetic upgrades.

Detail of white oak hardwood floor in farmhouse style master bedroom in Hello Lovely Studio fixer upper

Plumbing pipes were leaking into the electrical box. Faulty and failing subfloors. Mysterious clanking within walls. We replaced just about everything in the place!

Hello Lovely's open floor plan with living room, dining, kitchen, and hall - painted BM OC-151. #bmwhiteoc151 #whitepaintcolors — Try a Samplize sample of: **Benjamin Moore White OC-151** we used on walls, ceilings, trim, windows

So you truly are only seeing the top layer, and I wish you could know the million hidden tasks and details underneath it.

before pic of Hello Lovely's bathroom renovation — BEFORE – Hello Lovely Resources and Before/After Fixer Upper Photos

My husband and I are half crazy renovators who prefer doing home improvement ourselves.

Why?

Initially, we were DIYers because we were poor and drowning in student loan debt. But later, we found it gratifying to dream together and then make the vision and dreams come true.

How?

We have learned to do the work by reading books, watching tutorials, and mostly by gaining experience just watching ourselves do it. Below, we’ll revisit before and afters, and I’ll mention remodeling tools we rely upon.

during installation of stikwood statement wall in master bedroom of Hello Lovely Studio fixer upper

Tools of the trade for these real life renovators

Power tool I simply cannot live without…

HP Elitebook Folio. For years, I have been relying upon HP Elitebook to shop, glean inspiration, find video tutorials, and Google ‘how to remove stains from carrara marble.’

Smart Renovation Tools We Rely On

1. My Favorite Paint Resources

In my own box, you’ll find: a handsome vintage hammer with patina-ed handle worthy of a devoted blog post, finishing nails, paint color decks, trowels and paint brushes as well as tape measures. But my #1 favorite tool costs about $6 and helps to transform everything…

Wooster Brush Q3211-2 Shortcut Angle Sash Paintbrush, 2-Inch — Wooster Shortcut Brush

I LOVE THIS WOOSTER PAINT BRUSH and have used them for years. They are inexpensive enough to use for projects that wreck the bristles by the end. (Like old crusty wood shutters where you have to work the paint into the louvers.)

These are the best white paint colors I have used in my homes - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitepaintcolors

SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES will revolutionize how you select the just right colors for your interiors and exteriors. Seeing side by side samples prevents headaches and saves you from wasting money, labor and time.

Pink petunias in a pot in our French country courtyard garden with pea gravel - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Resources as well as before/after photos

For example, when I needed a paint color to paint worn out outdoor furniture for our courtyard, I wanted a color close to our home’s siding color.

French inspired courtyard by Hello Lovely Studio

I looked at samples of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, Farrow & Ball Cornforth White, and Farrow & Ball Hardwick White.

BM Revere Pewter HC-172 Benjamin Moore paint color swatch. #bmreverepewter #reverepewter — BM Revere Pewter CH-172

Cornforth White Farrow & Ball paint color swatch. #farrowandballcornforthwhite #cornforthwhite #warmwhitepaintcolors — Cornforth White

Hardwick White (Farrow & Ball) paint color swatch. #farrowandballhardwickwhite #hardwickwhite — Hardwick White

Notice how these colors look pretty similar? What could it hurt to simply choose one and call it a day? Once you line up samples side by side, suddenly you see their undertones and temperature so much more clearly! So much information from that simple step, and when you truly care about getting the details right so you’ll be satisfied for years to come, BOOM. The right color seemed to fall between Cornforth White and Hardwick White, so I mixed both of those together for the perfect custom color!

And after:

Hello Lovely European country bedroom with Stikwood shiplap (Hamptons), Zuma rug, Montara pillow on bed (Amber Lewis x Loloi) and Belgian linen chair. #europeancountry #romanticbedrooms

1. Stikwood (Hamptons, White)

2. Paint Color

3. Montara Pillow

4. Cashmere Throw

5. Amber Lewis Zuma Rug

6. Slipcovered Chair

7. Bedding

2. Serious Brawn

Heavy lifting and the bulk of physical labor is the domain of my better half’s muscular fortitude. He was actually the one who was most passionate about this particular home and had to convince me. My labor contributions? Demo, sanding, plastering, clean up, and all of the painting, planting, and more delicate projects.

Exterior of Hello Lovely Studio fixer upper

3. DeWalt DIY Home Essential

It is portable, powerful for ripping and roaring into home improvement, projects, and what we turn to.

Table Saw, DeWalt — Table Saw: FIND HERE

Hello Lovely's modern French bath with clawfoot tub and white roses. #modernfrench — **Benjamin Moore White OC-151**

4. Clean Up Resources

With a whole house DIY renovation, we have required more clean up on aisle three than I can say. We cannot go a day without a Dyson posse.

12 Gallon Wet/Dry Mini Vacuum — Wet Dry Vac: FIND HERE

Belgian linen and neutrals in my cozy breakfast nook with window seat - Hello Lovely Studio. #breakfastnooks #windowseats #belgianstyle #europeancountry — Hello Lovely

5. Royal Renovation Timesaver

The most important tool upon which my husband relied for that whole house DIY renovation? This NAIL GUN was key.

More Essentials for DIY

DeWalt Hand Sander — Hand Sander: FIND HERE

Cordless Rotary Tool Dremel — Cordless Rotary Tool: FIND HERE

Cordless Multi Oscillating Tool Kit — Cordless Sander

Renovation Before & Afters

Peek at what a little naivete, guts, grit, and smart tools can bring back to life…

Before pic of courtyard in Hello Lovely Studio's fixer upper — BEFORE

Knotty alder front door (Pacific Entries) and country courtyard by Hello Lovely Studio — **AFTER:** We gutted the entire courtyard with the exception of the Burning Bush (right), brought in a few plants and pea gravel, and upgraded the front door with a knotty alder beauty RIGHT HERE.

Find the French Tolix style metal bistro chair RIGHT HERE.

Our front door is made of rustic knotty alder and stained rich walnut - Hello Lovely Studio. — AFTER

Rustic stone wall in French inspired courtyard by Hello Lovely Studio — AFTER – Tools required: shovels, wheelbarrow, tamper, and muscles.

Snowy trees in my winter yard in Northern Illinois - Hello Lovely Studio.

Here is a garden bench similar to ours: RIGHT HERE.

Hello Lovely's French courtyard and knotty alder front door at the renovated fixer upper in Northern Illinois.

Front entry with knotty alder door, vintage table, and vintage French prayer chair - Hello Lovely Studio — **AFTER**. Tools required: drill, paintbrush, paint roller, carpet stretcher, and saw.

Walnut stained alder front door with speakeasy - Hello Lovely Studio.

Romantic, simple, French courtyard with pink accents for a tea party - Hello Lovely Studio. — **AFTER**

BEFORE. Nothing here stayed in the room, but every single item was re-purposed in the home, including the water damaged maple flooring…we’re sensible real life renovators!

Modern farmhouse kitchen with apron front farm sink and marble subway tile by Hello Lovely Studio — **AFTER**

Minuet Viatera quartz countertop in our classic white kitchen with Shaker cabinets and stainless appliances. #hellolovelystudio #whitequartz #countertops #kitchendesign #minuet #viateraquartz #lgviatera

Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.

1. Terracotta Urn Vase

2. 30″ Fireclay Farm Sink

3. Bridge Faucet

4. Polished Marble Subway Mosaic

5. Stainless Cabinet Hardware

6. Similar Rustic Accent Stool

7. White Ruffle Bowl

8. Wood Boards

9. Cast Iron Dutch Oven

10. Bosch 800 Series Appliances

11. Paint Color

BEFORE – I know it looks pretty, but all of that maple had to be ripped out due to water damage.

Serene, timeless, and tranquil white kitchen with window seat and European country style by Hello Lovely Studio. — AFTER

Timeless and tranquil French farmhouse and European country style in my white kitchen with window seat and Belgian linen chairs - Hello Lovely Studio. — AFTER

Serene European country inspired breakfast nook in my kitchen with Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio.

1. Grainsack Pillows

2. Flower Market Sign

3. Similar Antique Silver Chandelier

4. Woven Placemats

5. Metal Industrial Farmhouse Chairs

6. Counter Stools

7. Slipcovered Chair Set

8. Paint Color

before of catwalk at Hello Lovely Studio's fixer upper — During

before of master bedroom in Hello Lovely Studio's fixer upper — Master Bedroom During Renovation

Master bedroom with Stikwood wood plank wall and knotty alder door in Hello Lovely Studio fixer upper — **AFTER**. Find knotty rustic alder interior door options **RIGHT HERE**.

Master bedroom with white oak flooring and knotty alder doors - Hello Lovely Studio — Hello Lovely Studio – Find knotty rustic alder interior door options RIGHT HERE.

My serene Nordic French style bedroom with Benjamin Moore White walls and Stikwood accent wall. Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Studio

French country bedroom shop the look - Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchcountry #bedroomdecor #furniture #homedecor #interiordesign #gethtelook #shopthelook

1. Antique Grainsack Pillow

2. French Inspired Bed

3. Mirrored Vanity Tray

4. Narguilé Diptyque Candle

5. Stikwood (Hamptons) Peel & Stick Wood

6. White Quilted Coverlet

7. Nightstand

8. Double Dresser

9. Teak Stool

10. Door Hardware

11. Linen Slipcovered Chair

12. Accent Table

13. Paint Color

14. Knotty Alder Interior Door

Before pic of living room at fixer upper - Hello Lovely Studio — BEFORE: Living Room

Belgian style living room with linen upholstery, white oak flooring, and stone fireplace - Hello Lovely Studio — **AFTER** – Find fireplace surround optons RIGHT HERE.

Belgian style living room with chaise and antique Belgian sideboard. Hello Lovely Studio.

Here’s a gorgeous cabinet in the same spirit of our old sideboard from Belgium. This one’s new but made from reclaimed teak.

Flagler Sideboard — Reclaimed Teak Sideboard

Here is another possibility at a low price point.

Rustic wood sideboard or buffet — Rustic Sideboard

Kinston 74" Wide 4 Drawer Pine Wood Sideboard — 74″ Solid Wood Sideboard

French inspired and European country informed, this cozy living room with Belgian linen is simple and serene - Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Studio

Belgian linen upholstered furniture in a spare yet cozy living room with European country style by Hello Lovely Studio. — Hello Lovely Studio

Demo of living room floor in fixer upper by Hello Lovely Studio — BEFORE: Living Room Floor

**AFTER** – Paint color: Benjamin Moore OC-151

Living room and hallway to kitchen in fixer upper by Hello Lovely — **AFTER**

It’s so fun to look back at the before and realize all we accomplished at that wonderful home!

Exterior of our woodsy Nordic French style cottage - Hello Lovely Studio.

Distressed White French Country Chandelier

See more of our home right here, and shop the look HERE.

Project From a Famous Renovation Expert I Admire!

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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