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our house remodel: kitchen + dining room

Welcome to the final stop on this leg of the remodel tour – the kitchen and dining room!

This room sees the biggest transformation in this remodel. As a reminder, we started with the stairwell access in the living room and the dining room as a small bedroom. The main purpose of this entire remodel project is to redirect the stairs back to their original orientation – aligned with the back entry door. The previous owners had six adults living in this space during the pandemic. Can you imagine?! They needed this small room to be a bedroom and the kitchen to have more work and storage space. So they turned the stairs around and cretaed a little pantry above backend of the stairwell. We would rather have an official dining room than a 4th bedroom – and we think most folks that would want to live here after us would agree.

Insighed Designs - our house remodel - main level before

Since we are working on the stairs, we are going to take the opportunity and lower the walls on either side of the stairwell to unite the kitchen and dining into one big room.  Then the coat closet gets rotated onto the shared wall with the primary bedroom along with a built-in bench to create a bona fide dining room.

Their orientation along that wall allows the entry to get relocated to align with the front door. This new view into the backyard from the front door and uniting the two rooms make this modest home feel so much bigger than it actually is. Score!

Before we get too far into this new plan, let’s take a moment to look back and honor these rooms’ past lives. Here’s the oldest photo we could find – from when it was listed for sale in 2013. My guess is that these are the original cabinets from 1955; mainly because my friend has the same layout in a nearby neighorhood and her kitchen layout is identical – true story!

And this is how it looked when we bought the house back in 2022 and largely how it looks today…

And here’s how it could look with a modern makeover!

 

As for the dining room, it was shown as a bedroom in the 2013 listing…

…and with a very awkwardly placed, too big dining table in 2022.

But just look at how much bringing down those stairwell walls opens up the space!

Let’s stay here and chat about the dining room before getting too far into the kitchen.  Can you even with this new layout?!?! I seriously love how open it feels, how much more functional it is (a real dining table!), and these shades of green against a blank canvas paired with wood and black accents just make my heart so happy. The sleek lines of the table and low profile of the chairs bring function and simplicity to this relatively small space.  The playful mult-globe pendant light set in front of the old entry wall insert (love this so much!) as inset shelves set a mid century vibe and a fun juxtaposition of basic shapes.

One more moment to appreciate how much bigger this space feels….and this view from the new range location?! Yes. Please.

This view of the kitchen from the dining room isn’t too bad either, eh? I love the natural light this new modern yet mid-century french door brings inside. But the space between this door, the stairwell, and the kitchen is tricky. There’s no good way around it, literally. It’s tight. In order minimize to traffic jams here, we’re going to place a tall but thin pantry perpendicular to the cabinets along the sink wall. This allows the range to move next to the refrigerator, at the lowered portion of the stairwell wall.  If there were full depth cabinets in both of these places, it would be uncomfortable for even one person to move through. Like I said….it’s tight.

So we found a way to open it up! This set up is a great example of how a small space can maximize storage and still feel easy to move around. While open shelves aren’t for everyone, they actually function really well for those most used dishware and gives easy access to cookbooks. And an opportunity to add some touches of personal decor here, too! Who says a kitchen can’t have family photos??

 

Speaking of….did you know that we now have affordable kitchen accessories in The Collection? For just $125, you’ll instantly receive a clickable catalog with 8 items to refresh your kitchen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We can also help if you are dreaming of a full kitchen remodel! You can choose from our basic kitchen + bathroom package with 8 standard items or customize your package to change / add catalog items. You can also add space planning or work with us in person if you are within 25 miles of Madison, WI!

Each of our designs come with a photorealistic image of the room, design narrative, and a clickable catalog. You can then do the work yourself or give a copy to contractors for comparable bids!

 

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our house remodel: the living room

Welcome to the next stop on our house remodel tour – the living room!

In the redesigned living room, our main entry door opens directly into the living room. But as you can see in the photo below, the house came with a full-height wall – with super cool cutout shelves – that sits directly beside the front door. Like, literally there is just a tiny sliver of space between the door trim and that wall. This makes for a really tight and awkward entrance, so we’ve kind of always known that removing this wall will be our first real project (don’t worry, you’ll see the cut-out again soon). It will allow so much more natural light into the living room and make it feel so much bigger. AND we’re gaining a proper little entry area! We once again we’ve kept the walls neutral to allow the saturated accent colors really shine.

Photorealistic 3D Image

 

2022 Listing Photo

 

This is the view from the backside of that wall – from when we bought the house in 2022. Thankfully I could see past the blow up furniture, because she’s got real potential! We added wall to wall storage cabinets across the far side of the room. Together, they give the appearance of an extra long credenza and trick the eye into believing the space is bigger than it actually is. For similar effect, we placed oversized graphic artwork on either side of the centered window and highlighted them with overhead lamps. If the space can hold these big things, the space itself must be big, right?! A little trick of the trade…

2022 Listing Photo

 

Photorealistic 3D Image

The wall mounted tv sits above a vintage credenze and is flanked by ovesized period inspired wall sconces. Because this sits directly across from a large window, we will invest in blackout shades to combat glare. For seating, we’ve chosen a neutral colored sofa and a classic pair of mid-century modern arm chairs. And upholstered benches in the entry area can be pulled over for extra seating for gatherings!

 

The last view we have for you when you step in from the front door. And if you’re still reading this – congrats – you just got a glimpse into one of the last rooms on our tour! Prepare yourself – the kitchen and dining room are going to be gooooood.

 

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Whole House Design + THE (new) COLLECTION

Over the summer I tackled one of my biggest fears – public speaking. I presented a business challenge to a women’s networking group and asked if anyone had connections within the short-term rental industry. I was just hoping that would be able to meet with someone that could help me better understand the industy. What I got was far beyond anything I could have imagined!

A participant sent a message to tell me about Reliable Residence; a new company that pairs traveling medical professionals with furnished housing. Brilliant! Healthcare workers deserve every bit of the comforts of home – and a good nights sleep.

On a hope and a prayer, I sent a message on LinkedIn and asked if I could pick their brain over lunch or coffee sometime. The owner, Christina, replied and ultimately changed the direction of the next few months! She said that they were launching their website soon and expecting to be contacted by homeowners still needing to furnish their spaces. Would I want to meet soon? Would I ever!

We had a delightful virtual meeting where I learned that she herself is a doctor and has horror stories about various accommodations during medical school rotation travels. I also learned that their clients really value a ‘lived in’ space that genuinely feels like a home and not a hotel. That means artwork and accessories and all the things. And it would be great if all of those things were available to them in one place.

Then she asked a pivotal question: Do you offer multiple-room packages? So someone could furnish up to a 4-bedroom house all at once? You know what – I have been thinking about that for awhile – but haven’t quite figured it out yet. Feels like this might be a good time for that, eh? Mission accepted!

SO. How can a Whole-House Design be both comprehensive AND affordable?! Well, it took some noodling, but we think we came up with a pretty good solution!

 

Because the personalized designs take up the majority of our time, we will reserve them for the most impactful rooms: the bedroom(s) and living room. These personalized designs include photorealistic 3D images of the new rooms and a custom clickable catalog with direct links to 8 of the most impactful products for each room. That means all those ‘big ticket’ items will be unique to you and truly reflect your style!

. . . . and  T H E N . . .

We layer in those accessories and decor items with our pre-fab designs in THE COLLECTION.

The Whole-House Design package includes 4 Collection designs of your choice! These designs only have clickable catalogs, are pre-selected, and are available for anyone to purchase directly from our website. You can filter by Collection type, room type, color scheme, and total product cost!

As we mentioned, the Collection designs do not include a photorealistic image. This is because they live on the website at all times for all to see. So it is challenging to provide you a preview without quite literally giving it all away. So here’s where we landed. The product image includes extreme close-ups of pivotal products you you can get a sense of the vibe…

…and then the descriptions are jam packed with all the details we can muster! In fact, these descriptions are a real treasure trove. They also include the Total Product Cost and icons to show you which products are included. The last thing we want is for there to be any surprises when you go to make the purchases.

 

 

If you have purcased a Collection design directly from the website, you will instantly receive the clickable catalog in your email inbox! However, if you are choosing them as part of your Whole-House Design, you will receive your personalized and pre-fab catalogs together.

You can click on any of the images or descriptions to see each of the products we’ve selected for you! Now you can put together your new room on your own timeline – and breathe that sigh of relief.

 

 

If you are interested in a Whole-House Design package, schedule a Free 15 Minute Meet + Greet here. If all goes well and you’re ready to get started, you will need to submit a $1,000 deposit and schedule your consultation.

If your project will be virtual, email us photos and dimensions of your room. If you need assistance, we’ve got a photo guide and measurement template to help you out.

During the consultation, we will talk about your budget, style, and needs for your space. We’ll take a look at the style boards on our Pinterest page and talk about what you react strongly to – both good and bad. And if you have your own boards going, we’ll want to check those out, too.

 

Thank you so much for choosing Insighed Designs! If you have any questions at all whatsoever, do not hesitate to ask! And if you have a one-room project to tackle, we can help with that, too. Check out our Online Interior Design package!

 

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our house remodel: the bathroom

Welcome to the next stop on our house remodel tour – the main level bathroom!

3D floor plan

 

There’s no getting around it…this is a small bathroom. Little. Diminutive. Tiny. But that is just what you get in a 1950’s ranch home. And we’re okay with it. Would this former long-time apartment dweller love to have enough room to twirl in here? Of course. But it’s got sneaky storage solutions and overall serves our needs just fine! But before we dive into her future, let’s take a look at her past. Here’s what we found from the 2013 listing:

Bathroom - 2013 listing

 

And here’s how it looked when we bought the house:

Bathroom - 2022 listing

 

Honestly, not a lot has changed since then…we even have a striped shower curtain. Ha!

 

small ranch bathroom

 

We have a lot of ideas about which direction we want to ultimately take the design of the bathroom. In the meantime – here’s our most modern and neutral contender. The black frame on the sleek new window speaks to the black hexagon tile floor and the shower panel frame.

small bathroom

 

 

The biggest change in this design is also the biggest space saver: replacing the bathtub with a walk-in shower. The small black hexagon tile floor carries into the shower for a seamless appearance. This little visual trick also help make the room feel bigger. And we know this tiny little bathroom needs all the help it can get in the space department.

 

small bathroom with shower

 

Unfortunately, a larger vanity is just not an option; instead we ensure it allows for maximum storage underneath. The arched mirror doubles as medicine cabinet for toiletry storage and there is basket storage in the cubbies above the laundry chute (it’s original…score!).

 

small bathroom

 

We again kept the walls neutral to allow the saturated accent colors in the artwork really shine. Similarly, the classic beveled subway tile is the perfect backdrop for the classic pub style footrest we’ve repurposed as foot support for leg shaving. These brass tones are carried throughout the room within the plumbing fixtures as the historical feel balances out the new modern touches.

Are you dreaming of remodeling your bathroom? Here at Insighed Designs, we believe in affordable interior design and would love to help! You can choose from our basic kitchen + bathroom package with 8 of the most impactful product selections or customize your package to change or add catalog items. You can also add space planning or work with us in person if you are within 25 miles of Madison, WI!  Each of our designs come with a photorealistic image of the room, design narrative, and a clickable catalog. You can then do the work yourself or give a copy to contractors for comparable bids!

 

Get ready for the next stop on our tour – the living room!

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Kitchen + Bathroom Design

Back in 2023, we gathered bids from design-build firms to remodel our 1500 SF ranch home. We were quoted $85k – $150k alone for the 10′ x 11′ kitchen. And then there was another $5,000 – $8,000 cost on top of that for the design. While I’m sure their work would have been great and the housing market is strong in Madison, the reality is that it’s just not smart to invest that much in this home.  I think there’s a lot of folks in a similar position to us – deciding between doing the work themselves or hiring a small contractor.

Early on in my interior design career, I worked for remodeling contractors designing kitchens and bathrooms. I learned that these are not projects you want to go into without a plan – regardless of how big or small your budget may be. That’s why we are now offering affordable kitchen and bathroom designs. Because everyone deserves to come home and breathe a sigh of relief.

 

How can we offer affordable kitchen and bathroom designs? We focus on the major players. Our basic package includes a standard set of 8 of the most impactful product selections. Then, you can customize your package if you want to add or change catalog items. You can also add space planning or work with us in person if you live within 25 miles of Madison, WI!

 

 

When you’re ready to get your kitchen or bathroom design started, submit a 50% deposit of the basic package fee and schedule your consultation. If your project will be virtual, email us photos and dimensions of your room. If you need assistance, we’ve got a photo guide and measurement template to help you out.

During the consultation, we will talk about your budget, style, and needs for your space. We’ll take a look at the style boards on our Pinterest page and talk about what you react strongly to – both good and bad.

 

After the consultation, you will receive a mini-moodboard with two sets of the four most impactful catalog items. This gives you a little preview and an opportunity to give us feedback on which direction to take the design. How do they make you feel? Does one of the options really hit the mark? Do you love the floor of one but the cabinet of another? Don’t like either of them? Whatever it is, I promise we want to know. Because we already know the road to a successful design experience is paved with your open and honest feedback.

CONGRATS – the time has come! Your completed design package will be received in your email inbox. The personalized photorealistic 3D images and design narrative are formatted to resemble a catalog with the final page linked to each products’ brand website.

 

It should be noted that including brand links is a departure from our furnishing design packages, which link directly to a vendor’s website. The reasoning for this is that kitchen and bathroom projects are usually completed by a contractor – who will provide you a bid based on pricing from their established vendor relationships. So we have designed our basic package to be used as tool to help you gather comparable bids from multiple contractors. Once you’ve chosen a contractor, they can use it as a guide for their design team and/or material vendors.

If you are DIY proficient and plan to do the work yourself, we’ve got you covered too! You can customize the basic package to include direct vendor links for just $250. During your consultation, we will discuss if there are any local or nationwide retailers you would prefer to patronize.

Thank you so much for choosing Insighed Designs. If you are interested in more of our affordable interior design offerings, check out The Collection!

boho bedroom with colorful rug

 

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Cabin Interior Design: Tips to Create Your Ideal Getaway

 

A cabin is more than just a shelter in the woods; it’s a sanctuary that allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The right interior design can turn a simple cabin into your ideal getaway. Whether you’re building from scratch or renovating an existing space, several key considerations can help you create a cozy retreat that reflects your style and enhances your connection with nature. Let’s explore the essential elements of cabin interior design to craft a perfect hideaway.

cabin living room with large windows

Consider the View.

If you love cabins, you probably also love nature. Why not prioritize all that natural beauty as a main feature of your cabin’s interior design? The best way to do that? Windows! Incorporating as many windows as possible will allow you to enjoy all those serene views surrounding your cabin. Large picture windows and full-lite doors can create a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. However, it’s crucial to balance this with your sense of privacy. You may want to strategically position some windows or use frosted glass in certain areas to maintain seclusion while still enjoying the natural light.

Similarly, also think about the sightlines of the overall floor plan. Where will you spend the most time? Consider the view from the kitchen sink, the living room sofa, or from your bed as you wake up. Placing furniture to frame the best views not only enhances your experience but also encourages a relaxing atmosphere.

If you’re building a new cabin, take the time to study sun patterns throughout the day. Positioning your cabin to maximize natural light and the view will be worth it in the long run!

 

Consider the Style.

We think your cabin interior design should reflect a combination of the era of the home and your personal preferences. Here’s a few ideas to inspire you…

modern rustic cabin

Modern Rustic Cabin

This style is probably the most prevalent, and for good reason. The resurgence in vacation properties has meant a lot of older cabins are getting renovated. And we’re here for it! This style combines natural materials like wood and stone with clean lines and contemporary design elements. Think open spaces with exposed beams paired with clean-lined furniture  and a color palette inspired by nature.

 

Retro Cabin

If you love nostalgia, a retro style cabin might be for you. Incorporate classic cabin elements like green plaids, vintage signs, and wooden light fixtures. This approach can evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity, making your cabin feel like a cherished family retreat.

 

Scandinavian Cabin

Scandinavian design is very well suited for cabin interiors. This style promotes a minimalist approach, allowing nature to take center stage with large windows and a neutral color palette. It emphasizes simplicity and functionality while maintaining a cozy vibe. Think about using light wood floors, white walls, and black accents to create an airy space.

 

boho cabin bedroom

Boho Cabin

For those who prefer more maximalist style, a boho cabin design might be the perfect fit. Focus on incorporating vintage furniture pieces along with lots of different textures and décor. And if all ese fails….add a plant! If your cabin isn’t frequented often enough to care for live plants, don’t hesitate to explore the world of faux greenery.

 

Consider Your Comfort.

What’s the point of a getaway if you’re uncomfortable the whole time? Ensuring a cozy cabin interior is crucial for your relaxation. Start with quality furnishings: mattresses, sofas, and lounge chairs. You’ll want pieces that invite you to sink in and unwind. A well-chosen sofa can become the centerpiece of your living space, while a plush mattress ensures a restful night’s sleep after a day of outdoor adventures.

Next add in some warmth with cozy blankets and pillows. These textiles not only enhance comfort but also allow you to introduce color and texture into your space. Opt for natural fibers like wool or cotton, which are both durable and easy to maintain.

You can also consider incorporating your favorite creature comforts from home. They may need to be smaller, but appliances like a compact washer/dryer, a dishwasher, or a coffee pot can really elevate your cabin experience.

 

 

cabin living room with leather sofa

Consider the Budget.

Your cabin getaway is a time for relaxation, not financial stress. Take some time in the beginning of your journey to decide how you want to prioritize your interior design budget. Now, be honest with yourself about that budget and track your purchases along the way for each room.

Focus on investing in the major comfort pieces, like a quality mattress or sofa. These are the items that will make the most difference in your experience. Over time, you can transform your cabin’s interior design with accessories and décor that fit your style.

You can also look to quality secondhand wood dining table and side tables for a budget saver. Thrift stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces can be a treasure trove for unique finds that add character to your cabin design without breaking the bank.

Cabins often see plenty of wear and tear, so opting for outdoor fabrics, faux leathers, and  washable rugs are smart choices. They are not only practical but can also bring warmth and style to your space. As a bonus measure, you can use patterns to help camouflage those inevitable spills (aka memories).

 

Insighed Designs Home Page

Consider asking for help.
We believe in affordable interior design and would love to help create the cabin of your dreams! We source from familiar retail brands so that we have complete flexibility to choose the right items for your style and budget. Each of our designs come with a photorealistic image of the room and a clickable catalog. You can then piece together the new space in your own timeline.

 

boho bedroom with colorful rug

Find our pre-fab designs in The Collection. Here you can purchase your favorite design for just $50 and instantly receive a 6-item clickable catalog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or send us photos and measurements for a custom design with Online Interior Design. You will receive a 1-hour consultation, floor plan, detailed design narrative, photorealistic images, and a 12-item clickable catalog.

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our house remodel: the office

If you’ve been following along, you know that we’re planning to remodel our 1955 ranch home on the east side of Madison, WI. We’ve already talked about the new floor plan and design for the primary bedroom. We now continue our tour into the office – welcome!

 

Insighed Designs Remodel Primary Office Overview

Much like the room choice for the primary bedroom was obvious, the office knew its role from the beginning as well. Though its small footprint could also work well as a nursery or child’s bedroom. As you can see here, the previous two owners showed this room with a twin bed.

Insighed Designs - office remodel - before

 

 

Insighed Designs - office remodel - before

 

Insighed Designs - office remodel - before

When we bought the house, we decided this room would serve as my office. While I had furniture pieces that technically fit in the space, the room really didn’t function very well.

Insighed Designs - office remodel - before

 

Insighed Designs - office remodel - before

 

And we all know how I feel about that. So…to the drawing board we went! Having used the space for a few months, I knew it needed these three things:

  • a window seat for Willow
  • closed storage for supplies and a hidden printer
  • enough desk surface to fit a laptop and a freestanding monitor

We knew this iteration of the room would not be forever, so we kept the budget affordable. Incredibly, the combination of the Billy bookcase and a laminate countertop from IKEA sits just at window height for Willow. AND their Micke desk would just barely fill in the remaining length of the wall. Like, literally, within a half inch. And yes, in fact I did re-measure everything about a thousand times before pressing submit on that order – ha!

ID - space plan - before + after

This left the opposing wall open for more of that closed storage we need. Namely, the hidden printer. Now folks, I have dreamed of a vintage mid-century credenza for a very, very long time. When I realized this would be a great spot for the printer AND could actually fit into both this and the future vision for this office?! It took 2.5 seconds to decide to stretch the budget a little.

 

Insighed Designs - our remodel - office - desk view

 

 

Insighed Designs - our remodel - office - credenza

 

Someday, when the budget allows, we may consider adding custom millwork to the space. A wall-to-wall desktop is supported by a centered storage cabinet. Floating shelves fill the wall space above the desk.

 

Insighed Designs - office remodel 3D rendering

 

We kept the walls neutral to allow the wood tones to anchor the space. These heavier feeling wood tones balance out the levity of the floating desktop and shelves. Finally, the books, area rug, and artwork add just the right touch of bold color to the space.

 

Insighed Designs - office remodel 3D rendering

 

Who’s excited for the next stop on the tour? Up next….the bathroom!

 

3D floor plan

 

 

 

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our house remodel: the primary bedroom

Welcome to the second stop in our remodel tour! We’ll be talking about the design of each room on the main level, starting with the top left corner (the primary bedroom) and working our way around the main level to the new dining room.

Insighed Designs Remodel Primary Bedroom Overview

While the house technically has 4 bedrooms, it was pretty obvious which one would become the primary bedroom. One will become the dining room, the second only fits a twin bed, the third is downstairs and only the last one would fit a king sized bed. And this side sleeper really wanted to upgrade to a king sized bed. So, yeah. The primary bedroom was a pretty obvious choice.

We managed to find listing photos from two sales ago and here’s how they used the room. It appears they have a full or queen sized bed, two nightstands AND two dressers. Knowing the space, I can imagine it was quite challenging moving around the room.

Insighed Designs - primary bedroom - listing photos 2013 (2)

And here’s the ill fitting blow up bed from the listing photos from when we purchased the house in 2022.

Insighed Designs - primary bedroom - listing photo 2022

And here it is as the blank slate we started with! Since we were moving up to a king sized bed, there was really only one good spot for it: under the window across from the door. Now, some folks may say that a bed shouldn’t sit under a window. And I respect that. Doesn’t the light bother you in the morning? Nope; we added blackout shades. But how do raise and lower the shade? Ah, yes. Fair point. It’s not great, but also not impossible. And maybe someday we will incorporate automated shades?

But I digress. The king sized bed and two nightstands sit comfortably along that window wall. While the room doesn’t fit much more that, it works well for our needs. A fresh coat of paint and a few interesting pieces will make a big difference, don’t you think?Insighed Designs Primary Bedroom Space Plan

As for style, we want to incorporate mid-century pieces as a nod to the house’s roots, but lead with our own comfortable style. Which typically leans ‘light and bright’ with careful but fun additions of color. And this design certainly fits that bill! We kept the bigger components of the room neutral – warm white paint, natural oak floors, jute rug, and white bedding. Then brought in a contrasting bold black floral pattern on the curtains that sit behind a beautiful emerald green tufted headboard. The classic mid-century nightstands sit below a pair of modern globe pendants.

Insighed Designs Remodel Primary Bedroom Design

Which, by the way, you never really notice how much space a bedside lamp takes up until it’s gone. When you bedroom has a small footprint, every little bit counts. If you can relate – stay tuned! We’ve got some things in the works with you in mind. Everyone else stay tuned for the next room in the remodel design tour…the office!

Insighed Designs Remodel Primary Office Overview

 

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Our house remodel: the floor plan

Insighed Designs - Terry and Nancy

I met Terry in April 2020 and we were moving in together by July of 2021. After a year and a half in a beautiful but under-maintained turn of the century home, we finally found a home of our own. It’s a pretty standard mid-century ranch on the east side of Madison; in fact, one of our friends has the same layout!

 

I think our realtor was surprised when we told her we wanted to make an offer because honestly, the house didn’t show very well. It was in need of a good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. And then they staged it with sporadic blow up furniture and a too-big dining table.

 

Insighed Designs - our basement listing photo

– listing photo –

 

Insighed Designs - our dining listing photo

– listing photo –

Also, there were some fundamental problems with the layout. A full height wall right inside the front door made for a claustrophobic little hallway. Well, that and the stairs to the basement in the middle of a living room wall.

 

Insighed Designs - our entry per listing

– listing photo –

 

So yeah, pretty sure she was a little surprised.

 

But what we saw was that they had flipped the direction of the stairs to make a pantry space in the kitchen. So if we were to flip the stairs back and remove the entry wall, the main level would be more open and function better overall. [This is where having a background in remodeling was a blessing and a curse. Because I was all “oh, yeah. We can flip the stairs back easily and open this up for a better dining room.” Which is true, but apparently the cost of remodeling has gone up a bit in the almost decade I’ve been away. But I digress…]

Insighed Designs - our house remodel - main level before

 

And we also saw that there were already two full baths AND the basement was fully finished. Did I mention that it was also close to the lake, bike path, and our friends? Why would we ever pass it up?! So when our offer was accepted, we felt like we really lucked out! Thankfully, this house also happened to be the lowest offer we had made. So that helps with the remodeling budget. Now armed with a solid space plan, a decent amount of paint, and a bit of elbow grease, we will have managed to get ourselves a pretty dreamy little house!

Insighed Designs - our house remodel - main level - after

 

What all are you remodeling, you ask? Well, someday we will replace the kitchen and enclose the laundry room, but for now our plan is to:

  1. Remove the entry wall.
  2. Align opening to dining with entry.
  3. Move closet next to new dining bench.
  4. Reverse direction of stairs.
  5. Lower stairwell walls to half walls.

Where are we at now? Well, we have met with several remodeling firms but did not find a good fit. At this point, we plan to lean on my experience in managing remodel projects and will get individual bids to coordinate the trades ourselves. In the meantime, we will be sharing our plans with you, room by room. Stay tuned for our first big reveal . . . the primary bedroom!

 

Insighed Designs - 3D space plan - primary bedroom

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nancy@insigheddesigns.com

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