Friday, September 28, 2012

Floored … The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

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Like many bloggers, I am a bit shy and reluctant when it comes to showing the hideous bits of my home that aren’t always “picture perfect”.  But, that is life, right?  A home is to be lived in and a bit rough around the edges at times.  As of late – like, lets be real here, the last two months – our home has been in shambles and in stages of ripping out cabinets, ugly 18 year old Berber carpet, painting, more painting and boxing up things that really aren’t needed anymore.  But the end results feel so great!  And I am beginning to feel a heavy weight being lifted from my shoulders….for the time being…till the next project is started. 


As I have shared in recent posts, we have been wanting to put down laminate floors in our living and dining rooms of our home.  This post is about just that…come along.
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Here comes the “being real” part of this post.  No matter HOW much I vacuumed and cleaned the beige Berber, there was always the feeling that they really weren’t getting that clean at all.  Enter now the evidence above…..grotesquely dirty, dirty carpet …and yes, there HAD been an area rug there.  Bet you wouldn’t have guessed that one, eh? 
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Let the games begin…..rip out that stuff!  No remorse here either!  Adios, good riddance, auf wiedersehen, so long….and I am not even feeling the remorse over this break-up.  Not. One. Bit.
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My husband is pretty handy when it comes to remodeling and he replaced the pinkish rock like tile (it was popular back in the 80’s…like big hair, Angel Flights and Ditto pants) and now the fireplace surround has a pretty ceramic tile in muted earthy tones.  Love!
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The picture below shows the lovely dated tile.  So not missing that break up either! 
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After months of searching for laminate (and boy I did not know just how many there were to pick from), we decided on a Mannington laminate floor in a butterscotch Hickory color.  I wanted one that had a cottage feel to it and one that would look nice with the new tile and our furniture.  We also liked the planking look of this floor.  It is pretty close to looking like real wood, too.
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Our installers were wonderful and did an amazing job laying the floor down.  If you need a good referral and live in the Central Valley of California, just let me know.  We could not be any more pleased with their work.
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All I needed to do now is to mop and get the floors ready to have the furniture moved back in. 
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And here is what the rooms look like with everything put back into place.  The area rugs are from Lowe’s and are an Olefin product that looks like natural sisal, but is much softer than a true sisal rug.  Less messy, too.
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Many of you shared with me how much you love having hardwood floors or laminate and I do appreciate all of the feedback that you provided.  We asked ourselves “what took us so long to do this?!”  Now that it is all done, we notice a huge difference in the feel of the rooms –very cozy - and how the house doesn’t smell like old carpet any more.  We also paid extra for a really good thick padding which keeps the noise down when walking on the floor.  As for the Scotties, well, they seem to be liking the floor as much as us as they can be found napping in certain spots during the day.
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 Next Wednesday I will be sharing with you the next remodel that we did.  It has something to do with the items below and I will share “the scoop” about all of that then.  Stay tuned as there will be a give-away right around the corner.  Something rusty, metal and with a cute face on it!
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Till next time….
me 6-12

Smiles for you!

Today I am linking up with "A Favorite Thing" at Claudia's blog, Mockingbird Hill.  Stop on by to see what other favorite things are being shared! 

63 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks great!! I do love my hardwood floors! I'm sure you'll enjoy having them. Can't wait to see your next project revealed!

chris

Unknown said...

Oh! Becky! You must be so pleased... It looks wonderful. Job well done girly! :)
~Liz

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Wow! I'll be tearing out my carpet tomorrow morning because of this post. I wish! Your after pictures are gorgeous, so warm and cozy.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

What a great flooring look. Your home just say aaaaah I am guessing.
Joy

TracyMB @ Crows Feet Chic said...

It looks amazing with your gorgeous cottagey bits! I have been trying to talk DH into laminate (he insists on hardwood) because I think it will be harder for the dog to mark it up. Yours looks fabulous! :)

Vee said...

Becky, it is beyond beautiful! How you must love it. So cozy, warm, charming...I could go on and on. Your hubby did a great job on the fireplace, too. (I didn't mind the pink, but the new is so much more neutral and will carry the house a lot further.) I'm going back to look at it all over again. I'd love to do something like this here.

Donna said...

What terrific redos! Thanks for sharing the photos of the transformations! We have all hard surfaces in our new home - hardwood and tile - and we love the easy maintenance. It's so much cleaner and easier on allergies!

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

Your floors are gorgeous! I know what a bear tearing out old carpet is, but the end result is worth it. Love, love, love your living room. I need to find or make a display ledge like you've got over your couch. Then I wouldn't have 50 nail holes in the wall.

Cute hair!

becky up the hill said...

Becky, this is thrilling. Going to show Steve. I am inspired!

Claudia said...

Becky, it looks fabulous! What a difference those floors make in the feel of your home. I'm sure that all the upheaval has been worth it.

We have berber carpet upstairs that I would like to say goodbye to. Unfortunately, Don likes carpets upstairs in the bedroom, so I have to hang in there with it.

Thanks so much for joining in this week, my friend!

xo
Claudia

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

It looks wonderful! I'm replacing some 16-year-old carpet in a couple of weeks. Would love to do wood or laminate, but it doesn't make sense for this particular space. I have told the carpet man we will take up the old carpet; that way I can clean underneath. I just know it's dirty under there!

Pondside said...

When we ripped the carpet out of our bedroom and laid hardwood I had the very same feeling of lightness/cosiness as you did. It makes such a big difference! I will be waiting for the next installment of your reno story!

Carol said...

Wonderful! I love my hardwood...so easy to take care of.

Vintage Novella said...

The floors look beautiful and I love your collection of rose paintings!

stefanie said...

it turned out beautifully!!! it looks so much bigger! and warmer!

Anonymous said...

Your home is so pretty! It looked pretty before too! I bet you are so happy its completed! Sharon

Elsie said...

Becky it looks Great!!! I bet Doogs and Fiona love the coolness of the floor. In winter you might find them sharing the rug. I love what you and hubby have done. We did remodeling about 4yr. ago and it is such an upset, but the end results are worth it. Such a cute pic of you at the end of the post. Smiles back at ya girly!

Connie said...

I. LOVE. IT!!! I'd love to do our home in wood flooring and that just may be our next project, after the new couch arrives. Ooooh, sugar, you've done wonders to that house. It's very much a style I love.

Coming over from Claudia's Favorite Things, also.

xoxo,
Connie

Jenny said...

Your new floors look beautiful! We're getting ready to do the same thing in a few weeks. Our floors are at least 40 or 50 yrs old - so our carpet is in pretty bad shape. I can't wait to be on the other end of this job but it will be worth all the hard work I am sure!

Sarah ~ Magnolias Attic said...

Your new floors look great! We made the switch from carpet to laminate a couple of years ago and love it!
Love the mantle over your couch, by the way!

Laurel Leaf Cottage said...

Gorgeous!! Your floors are absolutely amazing!! I love your home!! It's perfect!! It has a very warm cozy feel to it!! All the best =) Deanna

Amy said...

What a difference the new floors make. You did a good job!! I love them. Very cozy and great inspiration! ~Amy

Amber Lyon Ferguson said...

Amazing transformation!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I love your new floors! I am a wood floor fan over carpet any day. Your new tile on the fireplace looks great too!

Blondie's Journal said...

What a great difference, Becky! The rooms looks so warm and cozy! I fell in love with the mantel above your sofa with the paintings...how original and pretty!

We had berber carpet for a long time and it really is tough to keep clean. I was SO happy when we went with wood floors!

Happy Fall Weekend!

XO,
Jane

Olive said...

Your new floors look wonderful. We have them in our yellow house and I love how they clean up. I even scrape dried paint off easily as I am a messy painter. Visiting from Claudia's, Olive

Diane said...

Fabulous change! Gorgeous!

Into Vintage said...

I have to put those floors right up there with fresh paint -- such a dramatic transformation. You must be thrilled every time you walk in those rooms!

And what a cute pic of you, Miss B!! xo

Unknown said...

ok, I am so ready for this post !!! I, like you, have berber carpet, almost the same color as yours. It has been down 15-20 years, I don't even remember anymore!!!! So we have been debating, new carpet, hardwood, or laminate? Now I have to show this post to my husband!!! And, I have always loved your home, but, now it just looks awesomer, is that a word?

Babajeza said...

The new floors are beautiful. I like them dark.

Mabel Jane's said...

Our house is over 120 yrs old with hard wood floors that need to be refinished. I wouldn't trade for carpet any day. :-) Your rooms were beautiful before, but they're so homey looking now. blessings...Pam

Mabel Jane's said...

Our house is over 120 yrs old with hard wood floors that need to be refinished. I wouldn't trade for carpet any day. :-) Your rooms were beautiful before, but they're so homey looking now. blessings...Pam

It's Just Dottie said...

I have floors like yours in my kitchen and I so want them in the rest of my house. My husband loves soft carpet!!! Oh my gosh!!! What am I going to do.
Smiles, Dottie

Sandy said...

It is a lot of work to have new flooring put down with having to move everything out of the rooms. But it is worth it in the end. We have laminate flooring in our kitchen and I love it. Liminate is so comfortable to walk on and cleans up beautifully. Yours looks great just like having real wood floors but easy to care for and keep clean with your doggies. I like your red sofa and chair and those lovely flowered pictures on the ledge behind your sofa are to die for. Your home is just stunning and I'm so glad you gave us a tour.

20 North Ora said...

Becky - Your new floors and your redone fireplace look fantastic - but then, I knew they would.

Judy

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Oh my word, that looks AWESOME!!!

Well done, honestly I couldn't be happier for you- yay yay YAY!!!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Claudia sent me over, and I am so glad she did. I am loving your house.

Hugs,
Laura

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

I love how these floors turned out. I would love to do the same in my house, maybe someday.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Simply Shelley said...

Just beautiful..I detest the carpet in my little living room...it has been down since 1998...I am about ready to pull it up and paint the plywood floors under it :) Your home has always been a beautiful place to visit..I always,always love visiting you,via the internet :)Blessings dear friend.

Jocelyn said...

Love, love, love your new floors! We had real oak hardwood floors in our old house, and is the ONLY thing I really miss. I would have wood floors in a heartbeat. Love the look. Years ago we had urethane put over the wood floors and it preserved them so well. Very easy to upkeep. sign....... maybe one day we will have wood floors again ;-)

Have a great weekend!

Jocelyn

Kit said...

So lovely! Great choice and you are going love your new look as the years go by. :) Kit

Kim said...

Looks fabulous, Becky!! What a gorgeous floor you chose! And your decor is always so lovely - warm and inviting.

Art and Sand said...

We had Berber in our little cottage when we bought it - even in the bathroom. It was a pleasure to rip it out and we were fortunate to have oak flooring beneath the grotesque carpeting.

Your floors are beautiful!

cynthia lee designs said...

It looks amazing...and so beautiful!!
We took the old carpet up in our dining room, but still need to take it out of the living room. There is hardwood floors under all of it and I can't wait to get rid of the rest of the carpet.
~Cindy

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Oh wow! your floor looks wonderful.
We have wood floors in our home and love them-- we are on a pier and beam so...they DO get chilly in the winter time. But they are nice all the same.

you have a beautiful home. so nice to meet you. Pat (via AFT party)

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Becky,
Perfection! It looks great, I love the warmth of your new floor the color is lovely. Yeah it's all done,I bet you feel so relieved. Our crown is being painted right now and our house is all torn apart "again" and we have the "D" word all over. I can write my name in every piece of furnature LOL.
Sending love and hugs, Elizabeth

Stacey said...

Your floor looks fantastic and it is so fitting for your cottage. Don't you think it makes the house feel larger? I do. You'll love it!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Such a beautiful new floor! Renovations can make you feel like a new person. Love your cozy cottage rooms! Thanks so much for your nice comment! Made my day!

Kathleen Grace said...

Love the new floors! We are in the middle of scheduling the same thing, laminate floors to replace the dreadful 18 year old beige carpet. I am sure my allergies will be better:>) and seeing your floors gets me all excited for mine. It's gonna get ugly before it gets better, but it's worth it!

Chenille Cottage said...

What a beautiful transformation, Becky. How I love your new look and all the touches of red.
Blessings on this glorious Sunday.
Carolynn xo

Linda Carole Bloom said...

Your house is beautiful! The smartest thing I ever did was tear out our carpeting (with three big dogs). Best decision I ever made!

Low Tide High Style said...

It all looks beautiful...though I'd expect nothing less from you! I may have to go get one of those area rugs...so pretty!

xo Kat

Maria said...

Lovely laminate you choosed,i love it. Looks so good with your furniture and is easy to clean.
ugs
Maria

Anonymous said...

I believe you used the same Mannington flooring we put in our home. I love the Hickory color! Three years (10/09/09 to be precise) and several spills from the grandbabies and the floors look as good today as when we put them down. Hope you enjoy the floors as much as we have!

Kay - North Central Texas

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, I just stopped by and so glad I did-I saw that you had Scotties and live in Ca. so had to see more. I am a native Ca. girl(Northern)until five years ago when our family moved to Colorado. I am going to follow you; also have to say I love hard wood and although we still have carpet in our house, in our future home I plan to only have wood floors-I hate carpet. Come visit me; I look forward to getting to know you!
Noreen

Anonymous said...

You and yours are amazing !
You are doing a beautiful job and
if you need a "break" come on
up to my neck of the woods--
Twain Harte, I'll have some
nice cool ice tea nready for
you !!
Best wishes--Sierra Sue

Deb said...

Just popping by here to say that your home is gorgeous and I love the new floors. We have pine floors and ripped up our rugs awhile back to re-finish the wood. We are so much happier now as we have cats and a dog and carpet does not do well with animals. Lovely home. Deb (Ontario, Canada)

Leslie's Garden said...

You have a lovely home! I'm redoing a bedroom in brown and white, I loved seeing your pretty same color scheme. It gave me a lot of ideas. Your new flooring is gorgeous.

Diane said...

Wow oh wow, stunning! You have the prettiest home, prettiest blog, I am your newest follower. Now, I will go grab a tea and read some more. Hugs, Diane

Sandy said...

Hi, popping over from Claudia's Mockingbird Hill Cottage. Glad I did because your blog and home are lovely! Love the look of your new floors.

Haworth said...

Your floors look stunning! And laminate is so easy to care for. I put a laminate floor (antique oak) in my kitchen (over the most hideous linoleum ever created) and it's by far the best project I've ever done in the cottage.

TheCrankyCrow said...

Ok....I have a dilemma here...What to comment on first. So I'll go with first in my head. Is that YOU? How stinking adorable are YOU?! Love it!! So glad you shared that photo!!

As for the flooring...Yeah for you!! I only wish I had seen this post about 2 months ago. We had laminate flooring put down in our lower level (basement)and I was torn in so many directions I didn't have much time to research or look - ended up with something the contractor and my husband picked out - and I absolutely, positively HATE it!!! What I was looking for is what you have!! Ok...Now I'm in full pout mode... :o( Robin

Sandy said...

Your new floors look great! Laminate floors have come a long....way. Your floors definitely look like real wood because of the planks. I'd love to get a darker wood floor like that inmy kitchen. The rest of my home has the original oak wood floors. Love your decorating style too and your kitchen china cabinet is gorgeous. I need to paint my living room and can't decide on a color. I love red but want to get rid of my red accent wall. I need to decorate around red couchs. Love your living room. Although I love the look of white rooms, I need color and red is one of my favorites.