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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

 

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