I have more fun before and afters from our build for you today! If you missed the first round-up of before and after pictures you can find them here. Next I’ll share my tips for building and I’m hoping to get that post finished this week but it’s taking me forever so it might be Monday. I could seriously write a book on the topic. :) Trying to condense things and make sense of all of the random building tid bits I want to share. Plus remember everything I tried to block from my mind soon after we moved in. Ha! ;) Since I love a good makeover, for now let’s look at some fun before and after shots which prove one definite thing when building or remodeling that I mentioned before – things always look worse before they look better. :)
{MUDROOM WINDOW AND DUTCH DOOR BEFORE}
{DURING}
{MUDROOM WINDOW AND DUTCH DOOR AFTER}
Ad standing where her locker would soon be. In her favorite smurf pajamas. :)
{MUDROOM LOCKER WALL BEFORE}
{DURING}
{MUDROOM LOCKER WALL AFTER}
Have to show the true magic of these lockers.. concealing all the stuff! Often they get messy but it’s ok. We close the doors and this room appears clean! Like I said.. magic! :)
And the complete room finished!
*More mudroom pics and details here.
{HALLWAY BEFORE}
{HALLWAY AFTER}
{OFFICE/CRAFT ROOM BEFORE}
{DURING}
{OFFICE/CRAFT ROOM AFTER}
Still working on decorating this room and hoping to share it next month. It’s having an identity crisis and isn’t sure if it’s a fun/colorful craft room for the kids or a grown up office for me. It serves both purposes so I’m trying to decorate it in a way that feels like both!
*More pics of our office/craft room here.
{FAMILY ROOM BEFORE}
{DURING}
{FAMILY ROOM AFTER}
{FAMILY ROOM FIREPLACE BEFORE}
{FAMILY ROOM FIREPLACE AFTER}
{FAMILY ROOM FRENCH DOOR WALL BEFORE}
{FAMILY ROOM FRENCH DOOR WALL AFTER}
{KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM BEFORE}
{KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM AFTER}
*More pics of our kitchen/family room in my recent Fall Home Tour.
Fun pic of our 5 panel craftsman doors in progress. This is how our painters set them up – in a circle to dry! I kind of pinch myself every time I open these doors. Can’t believe I actually have them in my house. I’ve seriously loved this style of door for so long! Years and years. Although that makes me sound really old. So not for years and years. Just years. :)
{STAIRS BEFORE}
{STAIRS AFTER}
{GIRLS’ TUB/SHOWER BEFORE}
{GIRLS’ TUB/SHOWER AFTER}
*More pics and details about this space here.
{BIKE TRAIL/FIREPIT AREA BEFORE}
{BIKE TRAIL/FIREPIT AREA AFTER}
{OUTDOOR FIREPLACE BEFORE}
{OUTDOOR FIREPLACE AFTER}
*More pics and details on our outdoor entertaining area here. 
Here’s a fun picture of my girls in our backyard before we started working on it. They loved “sweeping the dirt” of all things!
K. Ready to see a fun transformation? I’m so glad I took pictures during each stage. Here we go. From dirt to swimming pool!
{1)
{2}
{3}
{4}
{5}
{6}
{7}
Ta-da! Finished. Phew! Wish that really was as easy as to go through as the pics made it look.
A sweet gem I found going through all of these old building pictures. Just shared this on Instagram. This was the day we were finally filling the pool with water. Think these three were excited? :) I remember they sat there and watched fascinated for SO LONG.
One more fun transformation and then I’ll let you get on with your day! I know these before/after posts have been long. I was a bit picture happy during our build.
Who am I kidding. I’m a bit picture happy during everything. :)
Progress of the back of our house…
{1}
{2}
{3}
{4}
{5}
And that’s a wrap my friends! Like I’ve said before, there’s nothing like a good makeover. :)
I have to take a minute and thank all of you. So many of you have been reading this blog for a long time. You’ve stuck with me through all sorts of posts and pictures and randomness. You’ve seen my kids grow up. You went on this building journey with our family and were so encouraging and uplifting and kind along the way. Truly happy for us during this exciting time in our lives. I can’t tell you what that means to me. To know how many wonderful people I have reading this blog. You are the reason I love blogging and sharing so much. You have all become a very special part of my life. (If you read this blog often you most likely know me better than most people I talk to daily!) So thank you. Thank you so very much.
I have to stop now or I might tear up and my husband will bust out singing Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” like he always does when I start to get sappy.
But a lot of you knew that, didn’t you.
:)
Update: You can see the other posts in this series here:
2 Years! Building our house – before and afters (first post)
The 10 Most Important Things I Learned Building a House
Wow! What an amazing journey it has been to watch both your home and family transform! Thanks for letting us share in the fun!!! God bless you and your family!!
What a kind thing to say Susan! I always smile when I see a comment from you. Your thoughtful word always make my day. Thank you! Wishing all the best to you and your family too sweet friend! xo
Adore a good before and after and this is just about the best kind ever! It’s amazing to see the visuals of where you started and where you are. Of course, we don’t know all the itty bitty details that went along with the build, but I know I was and am impressed at your upbeat and positive attitude throughout. Thank you for sharing and being engaging, humorous and fun to virtually hang out with! :)
That is such a thoughtful comment Jeanne! As all of your comments are. :) Probably best you don’t know all the details.. ha! Kidding. Sort of. ;) Overall it was a great experience and I am so grateful I had the chance to do it. You too are virtually fun to hang out with! I absolutely love “chatting” with you every week. :) xo
I am pretty new to reading your blog and wish I could remember how I found you, but regardless I wanted to tell you how absolutely beautiful your home is. I am sure you are loving every minute of it. Keep the pictures coming, I for one enjoy seeing them. Can’t wait to see how your home is decorated for Christmas…hope you’ll share.
Thank you so much Cheri! I’m thrilled you started reading and reached out to say hello! So nice to “meet” you. :) I will definitely share my Christmas decor this year. I have so many fun ideas and can’t wait to get started! Thanks again for your kind words about my house. They made me so happy. :) xo
Love seeing the progress pictures next to the finished ones. The lockers are my favorite!
Kind of fun to see the transformation that way.:) Thank you Hanna! xo
it’s really been fun taking a look back Erin! Such a beautiful home and just as in life… it often looks worse before it looks better :-) it seems like just yesterday I found you by way of Jen at I Heart Organizing and I immediately fell in love with your organizing ways! That was right before you all started building, I think you were still looking at houses, and I’ve been here ever since, enjoying it all! I blame you for my love of all things Pottery Barn :-)
Aria it makes me so happy you have been reading for that long! I’ve loved getting to know you a bit through the comments. Your kind words always make my day! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such thoughtful comments. And I’m so sorry about turning you to the dark side with PB.. I just can’t quit that store! Ha! ;) xo
The whole home turned out so so beautiful.
So kind of you Kellie. Thank you! xo
Your house is amazing – just beautiful! I would copy your kitchen if we ever built.
I am curious to know the total square footage of your house.
Thank you so much Karen! I’m thrilled you like the kitchen! :) I’ve decided not to share the square footage.. for several reasons. I always say that it’s big enough for a great game of hide and seek.. ;) xo
Your home is a dream and absolutely stunning! So fun to see the hard work and effort put in to such a work of art. I know you have chosen to not disclose the total square footage of the entire home, but are you willing to draw up a rough rendering of the plans so that we can see how the whole house flows.
Thank you so much Maggie! I will definitely think about doing that sometime! At least for the main floor. I still have a few spaces to share.. but they need some attention first! :) xo
Erin, your house looks amazing! It is all so lovely! My husband and I have been looking into building our own home. Could you give us any tips on finding a good builder?
Thank you Emily! So exciting! I’m actually going to address that question in my next post so stay tuned! :) Happy for you! xo
Fun post, Erin! I may have told you before the building started that it’s a difficult process, but so worth it in the end! I still think of taking my son to our house, mid-construction, strapped in his baby carrier and now he’s running through it at top speed almost 7 years later. Enjoy every minute and thanks for letting us enjoy it with you! :)
I’m sure you did Jennie! It’s one of those things (much like having a baby) that you have to live through to actually understand all the ups and downs! Definitely worth it in the end and I’m so happy you are still enjoying your home and watching your kids grow up in it. Best feeling. :) Thanks cutie! xo
It is all beautiful but the dutch doors – swoon! Truly a beautiful home!
Thank you so much Bryn! Yes.. big fan of dutch doors. :) xo
Just love love this series! Keep it coming! :) It’s so fun to see the before scenes. Your home is most truly beautiful! Can’t wait until we start our build in the spring!
Yea! Thank you Lisa! I’m getting excited for you. :) xo
Erin your home is stunning. I can only imagine what you went thru with all the planning and building problems that I’m sure you dealt with. I love your outdoor space also. Really enjoyed seeing all your pics. Job well done. Enjoy .
Thank you so much Maggie! xo
I’ve been a follower of your blog for so long that I can’t remember when I didn’t read it! It is so fun to see your house become a home with all of your special touches. Your kids are too cute for words and it’s been a joy to watch them grow too! I admire your organizational skills and all you have shared with your blog buddies. You have helped me with your generous tips and ideas. I appreciate and enjoy your blog more than any other because of your sunny personality, great sense of style and your kindness that shines through your words. What a gift you are to us! Thank you!
Romi! What a gift this sweet comment is to me! Wow. I am so touched by your kind words. I know you have read forever and I always love hearing from you! It means so much that my blog has been helpful to you over the years. People like you make it so fun to share everything with! Thank you Romi! For always reading, for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment and for making me feel extra special today. :) xo
Love seeing the progress of your hous building adventure! Are you going to share your master bedroom? Keen to see how you have styled that room given the rest of the house. I need some inspiration :)
Thank you Andrea! I am planning on sharing it! It’s a work in progress at the moment so I’m hoping to finish a few things up and then post all about it. Will most likely share it after the holidays. :) xo
Erin, I am thrilled that you have started this series! We are at the beginning of this building process and your blog has given me all sorts of inspiration. Thank you! Your kitchen with the double islands is my favorite and I hope to put double islands in as well (my husband and builder both think I’m crazy but I’m sticking with it!) would you be willing to share the dimensions of islands and how much space is between them? I have no idea how I stumbled upon your blog a year and a half ago but I’m really happy I did! Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you Katie! I’m so happy you stumbled onto my blog too! Love my double islands! The only bad thing is that there are too islands to clean off every day. ;) Ok – my islands are about 3 1/2 by 7 with 4 feet in-between them. And I remember how stressed I was about that being enough space to walk around them! You’ll stress over lots of little details like that when you are building. But so exciting! Congratulations! xo
Please add me to your email list of subscribers – love to follow your decorating style
Thank you Justine! So happy you want to subscribe! To do that you have to go to the sidebar on the right of my blog where it says “Subscribe Via Email” and then put your e-mail address in the box below it. I’m working on having that located in a few more obvious spaces to make it easier for people! :) Thanks again! xo
I’ve been reading your blog for years, so I’ve seen all of this happening over time, but wow! Even more impressive/gorgeous to see the before and afters back-to-back like this. Your home is so stunning!
Thank you Jessica! I felt the same way.. crazy to see the back to back before and afters! Makes me feel a little less badly about decorating taking so long. We really have come a long way. Ha! :) Thank you so much for your sweet words about my house and even more for reading so long! Means the world to me. Enjoy your weekend cutie! xo
Hi Erin, just absolutely gorgeous and beautiful. Thank you for always sharing and enjoyed the journey :-)
Thank you so much Kai! And thanks for the sweet comment. :) xo
I’ve loved watching your house build (and also all the other things you share about too).. I can’t wait for the post on managing a build as we’re about to start on a big remodel and could do with some tips!!
Thank you Susi! I hope my building tips are helpful to you! xo