The Front Exterior of our Fixer Upper - Before, Post-Reno and Today!

Since we are coming up on our house anniversary, I thought I'd take a stroll down memory lane and share some "before and after" transformations of our fixer upper. It's been motivating to see how much we have actually done, considering that we are going into our eighth year of renovations! 😆 Today's post is a recap of our front exterior. I shared some video reels of the front exterior over on Instagram. Go check it out!

BACKGROUND

The backstory... In May 2013, we sold our new construction home in Southern California and purchased a 1955 traditional ranch-style fixer upper just a few miles away - in our desired location. We were outbid on three houses before we landed on this "diamond in the very rough". It was a crazy experience! California real estate is notoriously pricey and competitive. Couple that with being a well-established neighborhood where generations of families would rather pass down homes to raise children rather than sell, it's a difficult area to "buy into". We were fortunate to stumble upon this property, but we definitely had our work cut out for us. We have since been gradually renovating and updating this house - including the "unseens" - as our budget permits!

Here's a look at the front exterior transformation over the years...

BEFORE (CLOSE OF ESCROW/MAY 2013)

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements
Source: MLS Photo

POST RENO (PRE-LANDSCAPING)

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements pavers stone black craftsman entry door board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements pavers stone black craftsman entry door board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements pavers stone black craftsman entry door board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements pavers stone black craftsman entry door board and batten black and white

Blog posts:


POST-RENO (AFTER LANDSCAPING)

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING: Introduction & Befores
FRONT EXTERIOR (POST-LANDSCAPING)

In 2019, we also had a gate installed on our driveway...

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white
Front Gate Details

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

PRESENT DAY (APRIL 2021)

The landscaping has filled in nicely over the last few years. Welcome to our home today!

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white


mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white
The "tree" is just starting to bloom again. It blooms spring, summer and early fall.

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

One more before and after...

THEN - 2013

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

TODAY - 2021

mid-century ranch house exterior home remodel and improvements drought-tolerant plants landscape pavers stone pea gravel black craftsman entry door privacy gate board and batten black and white

It's come a long way! See video reels of the front exterior here.

2 comments :

  1. Red Maple4/24/2021 5:56 AM

    You've done a great job! The house and landscaping are very appealing.
    The front landscaping has filled in nicely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CAD Interiors4/26/2021 9:51 PM

      Thank you so much for the kind words! We have enjoyed living here, and are slowly but surely, continuing to bring this house up to date. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I truly appreciate it.

      Delete

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