Our apartment: before and after.
A year ago we bought Vancouver’s ugliest apartment – in hopes of one day having a backyard and a big dog (in a city where crack houses run $800k and up). Today we’re celebrating our ugly baby’s first birthday (read more on why we call it that) – join in, take a look & get to love ugly.
A typical day: renovating the same 700 square feet you live and work in -
“Laundry? Would need to be able to find the washing machine. Ironing? All our clothes are in boxes. Lunch or dinner? There’s a table saw in the way of the kitchen. Bathroom break? Nope. Hold it in. Or climb over a 4’ stack of laminate. If you asked me to find shoes or even house keys, I just couldn’t.”
I don’t miss that. If we call today “after” – and I think we should – then it’s even better than I could have imagined. The apartment’s “before” photos astonish – mirrors and shiny wallpaper long since forgotten. Our little ugly baby – unbelievably good.
HIP HIP HOORAYYYYY!!!!
Happy birthday, Ugly Baby! Want some solid before & after?
The bedroom…
A much-hated popcorn ceiling, a carpet older than me and a very suspect shade of paint.
And the kitchen…
Same cabinets painted white? You betcha.
Budget kitchen renovation: with 4 miles of Ikea Lagan counters.
Dining area…
After a terrifying trip to the city dump – we dosed up on turquoise walls, and hacked an Ikea Bekvam cart.
And, the living room…
Guess what’s behind that there couch? Open space and a dining table chair? You’re on the wrong website. I’m not pretending we’ve finished – instead opting for the denial & indulgence a fake birthday affords. Just today, until Canada’s Heart of Darkness - the bathroom – calls me back. What changes & progress stand out most? To me -
- Day 40: Want to gawk? Come behind-the-scenes and halfway to hell.
- Day 60: Time for a rhyme? See the state of things in month 2.
- Day 95: Love all creatures? Meet our ugly house-guests.
- Day 133: Hungry? Try some renovation pie.
- Day 164: Squeamish? This one’s not for you.
Day 367? The best yet. Tomorrow I’m dissecting our 6 biggest mistakes (with absolutely perfect hindsight & far better nutrition). So – what do you think to our ugly baby apartment before and after? Let me know below, or subscribe now and lurk for decades. (Could be fun!)
Update: The bathroom’s finished! Examine the before/after of renovating an apartment bathroom.
Hey, you want a s'more? Some more of what?
Um, looks to me like you’re finished! Seriously, it looks fab!
You’re the expert in Job Done – so that’s good to hear. Thanks Liz!
Wowzsa. I’m in <3 over the bedroom! The closet doors look so good! And the color! Don't worry, I love the whole apartment, but the bedroom. Mmmm.
Also, love the living room part, the sectional, the picture frame wall, the whole thing.
Seriously good job.
This is very interesting — I thought the bedroom was leagues behind the rest in terms of “cohesive finishedness”…. so will ecstatically accept your praise. Thank you! And thank you some more!
Almost can’t believe it’s already been a year — and how much your problem child has changed in that time! Looks phenomenal! Promise you’ll do an in-depth post on those wall-to-wall kitchen cabinets soon?
Thanks Sally! Yes – cabinet details absolutely forthcoming. (If I’ve said that before, I mean it this time… I already took pics & everything).
Happy birthday, ugly baby!
You guys have done a really great job. Very impressive. Can’t wait to see the bathroom.
P.S. Your layout is so similar to mine (it’s a little creepy, actually) that I’m looking to the pictures for decorating inspirations (I thankfully am past the reno stage). I like the large mirror placed behind the night stand …. I currently have a narrow mirror standing on the floor beside the night stand. Hmmm. Is a trip to IKEA called for?
Thank you!
Re. layout I’ve heard that from quite a few Vancouverites…. must be the archetype floor plan. The mirror is just the old closet door shoved there “for now” but I like the idea of how it could/should look one day (when not on track rollers). Home Depot has huge framed mirrors as well if you want to price compare. You could play guinea pig on this one??
I am apparently hideously behind on your blog! I love the before & afters. Your aesthetic is lovely and I wouldn’t change a single thing about the choices you’ve made. The living area is well-laid out! Glad you got a desk out of the deal.
Thanks Claire! It’s funny the different perspective you get looking at a photo rather than the details you trip over every day =)
A desk on top the coffee machine…. I honestly don’t know why it never occurred to me earlier. Haha I can rotate from 9-5, left to right, sitting right between the coffee on one side and the wine rack on the other. Tough life! Highly recommend.
Absolutely incredible transformation!!! OUTSTANDING!!
Shelley
Thanks Shelley! Appreciate it!
Looks beautiful! Definitely looks very homey, can tell that you have really put your heart and soul into it!
Hi Aubrey! Thanks! I think it could still be a disaster site and as soon as you put an orchid in front of the camera it goes “Oh, ok, I can forgive anything”. They’re world peace in a pot, right?
This is amazing! Great eye for potential to move into this place! Fabulous before and after!
Thanks Vivienne! Best to start with a place you couldn’t possibly make worse, isn’t it? Apparently the old kitchen wallpaper was quite a Canadian phenomenon — other people have told me their parents had it in their kitchen growing up. Maybe it was museum quality!?
Wow! You guys have done a TON of work in a relatively short amount of time. Seems like it was only yesterday when I stumbled across your blog and saw the daunting task you had ahead of you (and shuddered a little on your behalf).
Bravo! Well done!
Hiiii Julia!!! It seems years – years! Swap shuddering for squealing & pop over from Ohio for a cocktail?? Thank you!! (Should I spruce it up with life-sized bears?)
Beautiful job. I’ve been looking for other apartment/small space bloggers, I’ll bookmark you and look around more later.
Hi Carla! Thanks glad you like it & hope you’ll be back soon. The only things that bite are the silverfish, and we’re working on their manners.