Last week, the movers came and got our belongings packed up and crated for our move to Germany, so I guess that means it’s really happening!
When I went back to the empty house to do the walkthrough with the homeowner, I took a few photos to catalog all that we accomplished in the house over the past year. Not to pat myself on the back, but really, we did a ton in just twelve short months!
Starting outside, because curb appeal is so important, the mailbox got a fresh coat of paint, a new flag, and vinyl numbers (see my mailbox posts here and here).
Before:
After:
The front porch got a new coat of paint on the floor and vinyl script spelling out the house numbers on the top step. I also gave the porch swing a new coat of white paint (see more of the porch here).
Before:
After:
The side porch also got a new coat of paint on the floor (see more here).
After:
The front door of the home opens into the living room. When we moved in, the living room and dining room were both bright yellow. I painted them right away (Rock Candy by Sherwin Williams for the living room, and Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams for the dining room).
Living Room Before:
Living Room After:
Living Room Before:
Living Room After:
See more of the living room here and here.
Dining Room Before:
Dining Room After:
In the dining room, I removed the painted wood cornice boards, and in the living room, dining room, and den/sunroom, I added new curtain rods and window panels (see more on those here).
Dining Room Before:
Dining Room After:
In the sunroom/den, I kept the original color (S/W Rock Candy) but did patch a number of nail holes and added curtains and a rod.
Den Before:
Den After:
Probably the biggest makeover was in the downstairs bathroom that you can catch of glimpse of through the door on the right. When we moved in, it looked like this:
I gave it a total facelift (read more about it here), and the after is so cute:
The kitchen and laundry room were the only rooms that didn’t get a coat of paint; they stayed blue. I did change the glass shades on the pendant lights over the counter, but that was it.
Kitchen Before:
Kitchen After:
You can see more of the laundry room here.
Moving around to the steps, I don’t think anyone will ever forget how they looked when we first moved in. They were super cheerful, but not my style.
Stairs Before:
Painting the stairs and the banister and installing the runner was an easy project but a very time-consuming one (see more here and here). It made a huge difference, though.
Stairs After:
Stairs Before:
Stairs After:
Just a quick side note: you probably noticed the difference in light from the before pictures to the afters. I shot the house at a different time of day and it made a huge difference in the light (the afters are a bit darker). Also, the “after” photos are just quick snaps on my iPhone as my fancy camera is boxed up in a crate somewhere. I just didn’t want anyone to think that the colors I chose made the house look darker when in fact the opposite is true!
Remember the pink master bedroom?
Master Before:
This room was painted (S/W Rock Candy) and got four new curtains. I also sprayed the existing wood curtain rods gold.
Master After:
The second bedroom was my daughter’s, and it went from green to S/W Sea Salt (she’s had that in her last four bedrooms so I promised her something different in Germany, even if it’s just plain old white!).
Bedroom #2 Before:
This room also got new curtains and I spray painted the wood rods gold.
Bedroom #2 After:
The third bedroom was our guest room and also our son’s bedroom when he was home from college. When he came home for spring break in March and never went back thanks to Covid, I will admit that there were a few times that we wished for an extra bedroom just so we could have little more space, but it was still well worth it to have him home for a few bonus months.
This room started out green and I painted it S/W Repose Gray.
Bedroom #3 Before:
Bedroom #3 Before:
Last but not least, the upstairs bathroom was pretty wild when we moved in. It would have been perfect for an artist, but I think that painting it was the right decision for a rental home since a neutral palette is usually best. I used Repose Gray in here, too.
Upstairs Bathroom Before:
I did have to paint the ceiling, too, since the painting extended up there.
Upstairs Bathroom After:
So all in all, it was a great year in Magnolia Cottage and we’re certainly going to miss this sweet little home. The convenience of living downtown and being able to walk to local shops and restaurants made downsizing well worthwhile–plus it was good practice for European-sized living.
You can see all of my Magnolia Cottage content here.
I’ll look forward to showing you our house (or apartment–who knows?!) in Germany soon. The way it works over there is that we have to live on base if they have an apartment for us within 60 days of our arrival. We’ll stay in a hotel until then and that’s also where we’ll spend our 14 days of quarantine. With any luck we’ll be able to move into an apartment sooner than 60 days, but after that period of time, if something’s not available on base, then we’re given the okay to search for a home on the economy (aka off base). As to when our stuff will arrive, that’s anyone’s guess, but I’m hoping by September.
Friday I’ll be back with my friend Kathie’s beautiful backyard. I’m greatful for generous friends who are allowing me to share their homes while I’m waiting for our next one!
Thanks for sharing our time at Magnolia Cottage, and thanks for stopping by.
Safe travels, Christy. Looking forward to your new adventures.
Thanks so much, Deb! We are safely arrived here in Germany, so I’ll be sharing more soon.
You would be a renters dream, you totally made over that little house while you lived there. I looks amazing. Now on to the new adventure. Can’t wait to follow along with you.
God Speed! Safe travels. I always enjoy you and Amy and your post.
Thank you so much, Sara! We are safely arrived and quarantining at our hotel. I’m thankful to be on the other side of things.
Take care,Christy
Thanks, Marty. We are safely arrived here in Deutschland, so hopefully it won’t be too long before I have a house or apartment to decorate!
You did a great job with the house. I loved all the changes. I’m sure the owner was thrilled with all the upgrades I really enjoy your style and creativity. Looking forward to Germany and being an arm chair traveler through your adventures.
Thank you so much, Rhonda. She was happy with everything I did and was also so willing to let me just do my thing–it was really a win-win. We are safely arrived in Germany so hopefully the adventures will begin very soon!
So looking forward to hearing and seeing all the “new” of Germany. You have such a design eye that I know you will do wonders with it if allowed. Safe travels and happy hunting in Germany!! We took our high school senior to Germany and we all just loved it.
I know you and your family will also.
Nita–that’s so good to hear. Annabelle is very excited; I’m hoping that we will be able to get lots of travel in with her this year, despite Covid. The upside seems to be that once you’re over here and have cleared quarantine, there are so few tourists that everything is crowd-free right now. Thanks for the good wishes!
Thank you so much for sharing before and after photos as well as details such as paint colors. Love and am amazed at all you did at Magnolia. Feel like I’m saying goodbye again to a dear friend like soooo many times when we were active duty. But glad to know friendships continue on. Be safe as you move to your new Army home and God bless you and your family. Will be looking forward to hearing good things.
Thanks for the good wishes, Mimi. I know you understand! The kids and were in NC for five years, believe it or not, so this was a particularly tough goodbye for us with so many dear friends in the area. But you know how it is–the upside is that we have friends all over the world and we’re already thinking about who we know in Italy, the Netherlands, France, and here in Germany. I’m looking forward to getting settled and sharing it all on the blog. Take care–Christy
The homeowner must be extremely pleased with all the improvements you made! Your talent and creativity continues to amaze me. I’m familiar with all the colors you used except the Rock Candy…will need to check that out! 😊 I would really like a different color palette here. I think you’re one of the strongest women ~ so many moves and changes over the years. I know you’re anxious to get settled in Germany and I am anxious to follow! Best wishes and safe travels sweet friend!
xo
Pat
Thank you so much, Pat. She was happy with everything I did, but I always say that it was a win-win since she was also so willing to say yes to all of my ideas. Rock Candy is a great color–almost white but with just a hint of blue. It brightens up any room.
Wow! You have such energy! I love all you did to your home, even knowing you would only be there for a year.
I can’t wait to see where you will be living in Germany. We had two tours to Germany. YEARS AGO! (Around the end of the Vietnam war.) First time we lived on the economy in Grossostheim, outside of Aschaffenburg. The second time in an apartment on base in Frankfort. He was a young officer and we had no children. I’m hoping to go back some day!
I also can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures. I know you will take every advantage of living overseas.
I pray you all have a safe trip, stay healthy, and that ALL of your things arrive without mishap.
Take Care,
Sharon
Aschaffenburg! They had the only McDonalds back then. Now they are everywhere. We were in Hanau ‘75-‘78, our son was born in Frankfurt.
It’s a small Army world, isn’t it? 🙂
Sharon–
Thank you so much for the lovely comment and the good wishes. We are safely arrived in Germany and had our first Covid tests today (we’re in quarantine until we get two negatives back). The weather is beautiful and it’s good to be back. We haven’t been stationed here before although my husband did a rotation here last year and we were able to visit. I am so excited for this opportunity. Looks like we’ll be in a stairwell apartment if one is available; we have to live on base if they have room for us. We will make it work and of course I’ll do whatever decorating they allow (good thing I don’t mind white walls!). We’re in Stuttgart so there’s plenty to do and see.
Thanks for the prayers for our things…you know I am a little worried about them!
Take care, Christy
First of all, safe travels to you and your family!
And gosh, I have lived in my house 3 years now and haven’t accomplished nearly as much as you did in one year! Lol
Looking forward to hearing about your new adventures in Germany! And fingers crossed your belongings arrive quickly and safely.
Thank you, Kas. I appreciate the good wishes. You know I am crossing my fingers that our stuff arrives safely, too! 😉
We are safely arrived and going through quarantine. It’s so good to be on the other side of this move!
Take care,Christy
I loved this little cottage. But I felt so much more calm after you painted. Those wild colors were too much. Praying now for safe travels to Germany.
Ha–yes, I felt more calm, too! We are safely arrived in Germany and quarantining at our hotel. We had our first Covid tests today (two negative are required) and all is going smoothly so far. I so appreciate the prayers!
Take care, Cindy.
Christy
Always nice to see posts about families moving in service of our country. We loved our 2 tours in Germany…Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, Bremerhaven and Hanau. It was a long time ago but we loved it as a family. Every holiday we hit the road and visited nearly all of the western European countries. McDonald’s visits were rare for u s but in one small town, walks to the village for market day or after school ice cream and a cappuccino for me were pretty frequent. We could even hit up the local castle in another spot for a romantic dinner or afternoon ice cream. The communities were close knit, a bonus. I don’t know if flea markets are still a big thing or not. If they are you will love them! So many wonderful treasures to be found. Best wishes on your new adventure!
Thank you so much, Linda! We are safely arrived and already counting down the quarantine days in our hotel. We’re in Stuttgart so I expect there will be plenty to do and see when we get out. From what I’ve heard, the flea markets are still a thing and have recently started back up again. You know that I got rid of a bunch of stuff before we left so that I’d have room in my weight allowance to bring some treasures home!
Thanks for the good wishes, and take care–Christy
Wow Christy! You certainly did a lot. We have been in our home for 2 years….almost and mostly painted and replaced nearly every appliance in the house from AC/Furnace , water heater to kitchen appliances. A great lay out of money but needed. I wish you all the best in your new adventure! Safe travels as well. I look forward to your Germany posts.
Heidi Colton
Hi, Heidi–
You have gotten so much done in two years! And yes, that sounds like tons of money but probably very well spent. I know you are enjoying new kitchen appliances for sure!
We are safely arrived and on Day 2 of quarantine…so far, so good. Thanks for the good wishes!
Christy
Thank you for sharing all that you do! It’s been so inspirational but being honestly, intimidating too. I wish I had your defined sense of style… I’m all over the place! I like farmhouse, mediterranean, french, ranch, etc… etc… etc… LOL. Godspeed in your travels, you and your family will be in my prayers.
Thank you for the good wishes, Gloria! I feel like my design style is all over the place, too, but a comfortable home is really a mix of all the things that we love best. So I have no problem putting an antique next to a piece from Walmart (in fact, I do it all the time). I’m sure some time in Europe will only confuse the issue more as I fully intend to take advantage of the flea markets!
We are safely arrived and quarantining in our hotel. I appreciate the prayers!
Take care,Christy
Oh Christy. Been a bit out of the loop lately. I wish we could have met for lunch! Was planning on another blogger lunch then that darn virus hit.
I wish you a most wonderful experience in your new adventure. Safe travels and stay safe and will be keeping up with you and how you will transform another home.
Good luck Christy.!
Thank you so much, Shirley. We are safely arrived and spending our quarantine in our hotel in Stuttgart. It’s actually very nice and the weather is perfect. I can’t wait to visit some of the European flea markets; I got rid of a lot before we moved so I’d have room in my weight allowance to bring treasures home.
You have had good reason to be out of the loop! I hope that you are feeling back to yourself; you have been in my prayers regularly during these months. Until next time!
XO,Christy