Renovation Rescue: From Garage to Greatness

Continuing our remodel at West Park, the crew raised the ceiling in the living room making the already wide open space feel even roomier! I envisioned the tall planked ceiling with nickel-width spacing between boards to give it a fresh but evolved-over-time vibe. Our amazing crew brought this dream to life, quite literally using nickels to ensure perfect spacing. Their patience with my specific (and perhaps high maintenance request) was truly admirable - if they ever rolled their eyes, they hid it well!

As the space began to take shape, I faced a new challenge: how to make our expansive open layout feel inviting. I'd fallen in love with the idea of a built-in entertainment system, but our budget was not cooperating:)! That's when Keith, my ever-practical partner, suggested an unconventional solution.

Remember that old toy storage unit we'd relegated to the garage? The one we were planning to get rid of during the move? On a whim, we decided to see if it could fit our new space. To be honest, I was not on board or excited about this idea but Keith was so kindly willing to move (which was tons of effort) the large piece from our garage to West Park, so I obliged! And wouldn’t you know, it was a perfect fit! Sure, it was a bit ratty after its stint as a garage organizer, but the potential was there.

BEFORE pics from the garage rescue piece!

With a little creative thinking and the help of our carpenter, we transformed this outdated piece into a custom-looking built-in. New cabinet doors, simplified trim, and a fresh coat of paint worked wonders. The best part? It cost a fraction of a custom unit while providing all the storage and display space we needed.

It may not be perfect to the design eye, but it's quirky, functional, and comes with a great story. It's a testament to the power of reimagining what you already have.

Who knows? We might replace it someday, but for now, I like our repurposed treasure and the character it adds to our space.