The 1940s Fixer Upper: New Exterior, Backyard, and Sunroom
After over a year of construction, our 1940s Fixer Upper is finally complete! We took this home down to the studs, raised it back up again, and found a whole lot of joy along the way. Before I share these finished spaces, let’s talk about why this home was so meaningful: the story and people behind it.
The Story Behind this 1940s Home
We bought this 1940s fixer-upper from the original family who built the house. Dad, Mom, and their three boys spent 70+ years making memories in this home, and though they were ready to pass it on, it still holds a special place in their hearts.
Hearing their story made us want to renovate the home for more than a market flip. We wanted to give it some TLC so that a new family could move in, create their own memories, and love the space as much as the original owners did. Come see it now…
The Front Exterior
The exterior was a practice of patience. Due to supply chain issues, we had to wait 4 months for new windows to arrive. We also waited extensively for shingles and siding. But the results were well worth it:
Before (left) and After (right). The new windows and siding added a streamlined, updated look. And did you notice the door?
It’s blue! I love how this beautiful ocean-blue tone complements the grey siding and navy shutters. It feels joyful yet classic.
These urn planters were sitting near the front door of the house when we bought it. We saved them and placed them next to the steps as a tribute to the former lady of the house.
A Backyard for All Occasions
Once we removed the old shed and debris in the backyard, we could see that it was a great size and that the space is a real asset to the house.
Can’t you imagine three boys chasing fireflies here on a warm summer night? What delightful memories. So many new homes have postage stamp yards, but this one has enough room for entertaining, planting a vegetable garden, or placing a playset for children. We kept the cement pads from the shed and the former garage. They could be used for a she-shed, a basketball court, or an oversized patio with seating and a fireplace. Perfect for a growing family and fenced in for privacy.
This section of the sidewalk contains the handprints of the three boys who were raised in the house. It’s located along the driveway and the walkway to the front door. It’s hard to believe that the adults who sold us this home used to be the owners of those tiny hands!
A New, Multi-Functional Sunroom
I’ll be sharing more of the indoor spaces with you in my next blog post, but I couldn’t resist sharing this incredible sunroom with access to the backyard. However, it didn’t start that way.
In fact, it wasn’t a sunroom at all! But we knew it had potential...
Such a dramatic transformation! We added these large French doors to brighten up the sunroom with lots of natural light and a great view. We chose warm LVP floors for a welcoming environment. As for the rest, we left it open ended. Originally, I saw the space as a potential reading nook or playroom for small children, but we decided to leave it bare so that the next family would be free to design it to fit their needs.
To create the sunroom, we ended up moving the laundry room to the far back room, as it has the lowest ceiling in the house and an amicable separation from the living areas. (That also allowed us to make a 4th bedroom in the back, which could be for a teen, an extended family member to live in, or a quiet home office…but more on that later.)
In the sunroom, we also kept the wood paneling in the back room on the main wall and the ceiling. After numerous coats of primer and paint, we were pleased with the look. Preserving the paneling in the sunroom adds texture and character worthy of its coastal setting.
And do you see those wooden steps? They’re actually from oak bookcases that were in the original house! Just another way we preserved the original character of the home in a fresh, meaningful way.
In a couple weeks, I’ll be sharing the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms of this home, but for now, let’s wrap it up here. Thanks for coming along and sharing this home’s story with us!
P.S. Do you have a large renovation you’ve been itching to start? We’d love to connect and help you achieve your goals. Book a call with us here and let’s get to know each other.
Warmly,
Sarah