ewm :: Page 4 :: Elizabeth McGuire

Author Archive for ewm – Page 4

Before/After

02 // 28 // 15

comments // 12

Apparently it really does take months to unpack, but I think we are now as close to settled as we’re going to get. As promised, I’ve got lots of before and after photos for you. It’s so weird seeing the old photos of our home, even though most were taken just a year ago. The rooms are familiar and strange all at once.

A quick overview of the remodel: We started with 1,650 square feet (3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 living room and 1 small loft that we used as a bedroom). The goal was to get all the kids upstairs, rearrange the downstairs for better traffic flow and add a second living space. We also wanted to brighten up the entire house and pare down our furnishings to make everything look more cohesive. It was a tall order, but our awesome team made it happen. Because of neighborhood restrictions, we were limited on the amount of square footage we could add, but we were able to fit 3 new bedrooms and 2 new baths upstairs in 830 sf. (Hooray for a creative architect and a determined homeowner!) We went from 1,650sf to 2,480sf and love the final result. It feels like our old house vibe, but better…What more could we ask for?

EXTERIOR BEFORE:

EXTERIOR AFTER:

ENTRY BEFORE:

ENTRY AFTER:

LIVING ROOM BEFORE:

LIVING ROOM AFTER:

LIVING ROOM BEFORE:

LIVING ROOM AFTER:

DINING ROOM BEFORE:

DINING ROOM AFTER:

DINING ROOM BEFORE:

DINING ROOM AFTER:

OFFICE BEFORE:

OFFICE AFTER:

KITCHEN BEFORE:

KITCHEN AFTER:

STAIRS BEFORE:

STAIRS AFTER:

MASTER BEDROOM BEFORE:

MASTER BEDROOM AFTER (now TV room):

MASTER BEDROOM BEFORE:

MASTER BEDROOM AFTER (now TV room):

UPSTAIRS BEFORE (photo is 5 yrs old, but gives size perspective. This was the entire upstairs):

NEW VIEW LOOKING UPSTAIRS:

And then some AFTER photos that don’t really have BEFORE shots…

NEW MASTER SUITE (created by combining two small downstairs bedrooms and a hall bath):

THE 12-YR-OLD’S ROOM:

NEW BATH (GIRLS):

NEW BATH (BOYS):

THE 10-YR-OLD’S ROOM:

THE 6-YR-OLD’S ROOM:

GOOD LUCK CHARMS BEFORE:

GOOD LUCK CHARMS AFTER:

Thanks for taking the ride with us! If you want to see previous posts about the project, check out these…
Makeover Madness
Dismantling
I Spent Three Solid Days Obsessing Over Grout Color So You Don’t Have To
Moving Home

Also, big thanks to our team:
Paul DeGroot, Architect • Gary Zygmont, Urban Home Builders and Houzz, which fueled my obsession and inspiration for every last design detail.

Comments (12)

Throwback Thursday: Namesake

02 // 19 // 15

comments // 2

So many things I love about this photo, which I shot a little over 6 years ago….

My wee one was only a few weeks old, and we had gone on tour to show him off to loved ones who couldn’t travel to see him. Here he is meeting his great-Grandpa, who shares his middle name. When I hear the phrase circle of life I think of small moments like this…beginnings and endings all blurred together, propelled by the love and energy of everyday life. Forget the big, bold stuff. Richness lies in these tiny atoms of beauty and grace.

* * *

If you like this, how about sharing it?
Don’t want to miss an update? Subscribe to my emails here.

Comments (2)

What my dog is wondering right now…

02 // 02 // 15

comments // 6

What time does the school bus come?
Do I smell a snack?
What’s so funny ’bout peace, love and understanding?
Is it nature or nurture?
How long til Liz makes me get off this yummy rug and on to my bed?
Why does everyone in the house have a regular bed except me?
What does “weight-management” dog food mean?
I bet Isis from Downton has a sweet deal. And a king-sized bed.
How did Katy Perry changed clothes so quickly during the Super Bowl show?
What the hell, Sarah Koenig?
Does anybody really know what time it is?
How long until dinner?
Plant, animal or mineral?
Remind me again why Pluto can’t be a planet?
How does gravity work?
Why is it OK to chew on that rectangular thing but not this one?
If everything evolved from amoebas, how do we still have amoebas?
Squirrel? Squirrel??
Is it mind over matter or matter over mind?
Why does Liz think I need music on when she leaves the house? I’m a dog.
And the mailman is coming in 3, 2, 1….
I hope I peed on enough spots this morning.
I totally could have caught that chicken if I hadn’t been on the leash.
Why the hell are there chickens living in the middle of our city?
If a cat meows in the neighborhood and nobody hears it, did it really make a noise?
What’s the frequency, Kenneth?

Comments (6)

Replacing the irreplaceable

01 // 27 // 15

comments // 8

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen this photo. I have an affection for heart-shaped rocks and photograph them whenever I spot one. This particular limestone treasure sits on the property line between our wonderful neighbors and us.

Unfortunately we are losing these neighbors soon and I’m seriously bummed about them leaving our street. They aren’t going far, but anyone who has been lucky enough to have an amazing next-door neighbor knows how special the relationship can be.

So, now that their house is on the market I’ve offered to help screen the shoppers. It’s a crazy world out there and you never know who you’re going to get. To make it easier on all of us, I even drafted a handy questionnaire. For my readers’ benefits, I’ve included the correct answers. If you are a good candidate or know one, I just might put in a good word for you!

1. Do you have kids? Between the ages of 6 and 12?

Correct answer: Yes and Yes. No offense to the young professionals, the empty nesters, the intentionally childless, or the families with babies who make a midlife uterus do nostalgic flip-flops. But yeah…we are looking for neighbors with young kids.

2. Do you like kids?

Correct answer: Oh I get it. Trick question…because not everyone who has kids actually likes kids and not everyone without kids dislikes them. But yes, I like kids. Especially the noisy ones.

3. Is your kid perfect?

Correct answer: Are you serious? What a dumb question. No…Is yours?

4. Will you freak out if my kid acts like an ass to yours?

Correct answer: No? Maybe? I hope not, but if I do, I will be able to talk about it like a grownup. See answer above: kids are not perfect. And newsflash: neither are grownups.

5. What will you do if we see each other early Sunday morning, braless and in jammies retrieving our newspapers?

Correct answer: I will wave from afar. Unless I have really good gossip that cannot wait.

6. Do you keep avocados in stock?

Correct answer: Yes. And if yours is firm and mine is ripe and you need it for a recipe tonight I will gladly trade you.

7. Do you have a dog? Does it sometimes bark?

Correct answers: Yes and yes. It’s a dog…sometimes dogs bark. But I put it inside or give it a bone to chew on when the noise gets too much.

8. Would you mind if you found my kids digging through your recycling bin for building supplies?

Correct answer: No problem, as long as they aren’t drinking from my wine bottles.

9. Do you appreciate the difference between the all-day playdate vs. the 30-minute, outside-only playdate?

Correct answer: Oh yes! The all-day, in-and-out of the house/yard/pantry playdate is awesome and so wonderfully old school. But then there are days when the house is actually clean and you want it to stay that way for more than 5 minutes. And let’s face it, sometimes we need our space. Those days I’m all, “Stay outside! Thirsty? Turn on the hose! Hungry? Wait til dinnertime!”

10. Will you invite me to every single jewelry/kitchen gadget/clothing party you host?

Correct answer: I am allergic to those kinds of parties.

11. If my kid politely asks you to buy whatever kind of scout/charity thing he’s selling, will you buy one?

Correct answer: Every single time.

12. What’s your stance on toilet papering the house and trees?

Correct answer: I don’t if you don’t.

13. Are you going to blog about me behind my back?

Correct answer: I won’t if you won’t.

Comments (8)

Hammering

01 // 15 // 15

comments // 6

Sometimes you just have to start. Pick up the damn hammer and put a hole in the wall. How hard can that be? It’s only a tiny hole. Sure, it might end up being in the wrong place…too high, too low, too wonky. There is always potential for error. In fact, you may get a few holes into the project and realize you have the entirely wrong kind of equipment. You may have to pull everything out and start completely over, in the process making a mess or making a scene. Cleaning, patching and cussing invariably follow. If you are lucky, there will be no permanent damage.

But you have to start. You have to remember that this is not your first time. You’ve sat right here, usually in a January much like this one, and you’ve made plans and charted goals. You are not a rookie. You know that starting is the hardest part.

Yet. You are experienced enough to know that once you do finally start, once you make that first hole, you’ll eventually hang something on that hook, and it’s quite possible this something will look like garbage. Perhaps its no fault of the artwork, but once it’s placed, it simply may not work in the spot you imagined. You may find yourself starting all over again. You may have to scrap the plan entirely.

You may even (gasp) have to live for a while with a bare hook on the wall…goading and taunting you for your inability to finish something. That’s certainly one way to look at it. It’s often my default. But you could also take that bare hook as a sign of determination and optimism…a sign of starting. A sign of doing the hardest part.

A sign of picking up the hammer and hammering away.

* * *

Happy New Year, readers!

I’m looking forward to a new year of storytelling through words and images.
Thanks for being here and inspiring me to start…and then to keep going.
Liz xoxo

Comments (6)

All is calmish and bright

12 // 22 // 14

comments // 2

Only an optimistic fool like myself would expect to move into our house the week of Thanksgiving and have everything JUST SO by Christmas. Maybe other people can pull off that kind of magic, but they must be the kind of people who do their gift shopping in October (why don’t I ever do that??) or who don’t get struck with the Family Flu the week before Christmas (the family that fevers together believers together).

So yeah, this week optimism took a hit and reality stepped in. Somehow, unpacking the last dozen boxes loses priority when you realize you still have multiple VIP gifts to purchase and Amazon Prime cannot save your sorry ass this time.

Which explains this room below…formerly known as our master bedroom, eventually to be a TV room, and currently Staging Area for all our random crap that doesn’t have a home yet or hasn’t been snuck off to Goodwill.

As an antidote to that room, I’ve tried to carve out some spaces of calm among the clutter. These bookshelves are one of my top favorite things to come out of the remodel. When I need a little dose of tranquility, I go sit in front of these shelves and think…We might not be settled, We might not have any presents under the tree, We might not have planned our Christmas Eve meal for 12, We might still have Christmas cards to address…but by God at least all the red books are lined up together just so.

Here’s hoping that your holidays are filled with cheer and that you find your own happy little place of calm when you need it.

Liz xoxo

Comments (2)

Moving Home

11 // 19 // 14

comments // 5

This is our final, crunch week for the home remodeling project that has been consuming our lives for the past year…Hooray! We move in this weekend, just a few days before Thanksgiving…Hooray? Of course I’m so ready to be back in our house, but the holiday timing is not ideal. Or is it??

A few great reasons to move the week of Thanksgiving…

1. You are totally off the hook for all cooking responsibilities. (Sorry family, the pie pans are packed. Hello, Whole Foods!)

2. You have no time to shop or get sucked into Black Friday drama.

3. No need to haul the Christmas tree out of the attic..it’s already sitting in the driveway!

4. You already have the gifts that every kid on your list wants anyway…giant, empty cardboard boxes!

Wow, I’m feeling better already.

I have been lax in posting photo updates here, but hopefully you’ve seen some of the updates on my Instagram feed. Here are a few of those progress photos. There are lots of tweaks and touch-ups happening right now, so I’ll post true After shots once we are in and a bit settled. Stay tuned!

BEFORE:

NOW:

BEFORE:

NOW:

BEFORE:

NOW:

BEFORE:

NOW:

Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope you have a moving-free holiday. Or if you do move, may you enjoy your store-bought pie, canned whipped cream, and cardboard box gifts.

Cheers,
Liz

Comments (5)

I spent 3 solid days obsessing over grout color so you don’t have to…

10 // 28 // 14

comments // 17

When you tackle a complicated project like, say, tearing the roof and walls off your house, you want a large team of experts on your side.

As seems to happen in many life-altering adventures (parenting comes to mind), you start with a few hand-picked experts. And then your team grows. Slowly and organically at first and then suddenly reaching cartoon proportions.

That’s exactly where we are now. My team of invested experts now includes, but is not limited to: architect, builder, husband, vendors, subcontractors, friends with great taste, friends with strong opinions, family members, children, neighbors who I adore, neighbors who I don’t even know, designers on Houzz, strangers who comment on designers on Houzz, the lady in the checkout line at Home Depot, the guy at the veterinary clinic who overheard my phone conversation….

For better or worse, as we near the end of the remodel, this team is still right beside me, weighing in on every last little decision.

Me: So I’m doing all white subway tiles in the kitchen and the new baths. Same size everywhere. You know…clean, crisp and affordable. Classic and modern all at once. I’m looking for a sense of continuity. I love it…decision is done!

Expert 1: Actually the grout color will make all the difference. It can radically change the look of the whole room. Radically! Don’t believe me? Let me show you 5,000 photos as proof.

Expert 2: White on white is really the only way to go.

Expert 3: Only boring people do white. You aren’t boring.

Expert 4: I tell all my clients to go one step darker than the color they most like.

Expert 5: I tell all my clients to go one step lighter than the color they most like.

Expert 6: I tell all my clients to go with their gut.

Expert 7: Dark grout doesn’t show dirt.

Expert 8: White grout can be bleached.

Expert 7: Dark grout is more modern.

Expert 9: Dark grout is too modern.

Expert 7: Light grout is too traditional.

Expert 8: Light grout is more versatile.

Expert 10: This brand of grout doesn’t stain.

Expert 11: Don’t believe them–all grouts stain!

Expert 12: Black grout will look like the ’80s threw up in your kitchen.

Expert 13: Look at this photo of black grout! It’s perfect!

Expert 3: It really boils down to what you want the tile to say about you.

Expert 14: It really boils down to resale value.

Expert 15: Did you decide how thick your grout lines will be?

Expert 4: You don’t decide how thick your grout lines will be. Expert 17 will decide how think the lines are.

Expert 8: You should DEMAND to know the thickness of your grout lines before you go any further!

Expert 3: Silver grout? Yesss! That color is so you!

Expert 2: Silver? It’s really the only way to go.

Expert 12: Silver? This was my favorite all along, I just didn’t want to sway your opinion.

Expert 8: Silver? It’s all over Houzz, but don’t worry you are still original.

Expert 16: Silver? Do you mean Silver or Titanium or Platinum or Pewter?

Expert 6: I know you want Expert 16 to make this final call, but Expert 16 is not going to live in your house with this grout color. You are going to live here and see it every day. I cannot stress the importance of this decision. You need to dig deep and rally. Cancel today’s plans, get back in the car, go to the showroom, and pick a color. You will not regret it.

Expert 16: Ok great. Silver it is! Now let’s talk about floor colors…

Expert 3: Why are you crying?

* * *

It’s a blog hop! My friends have also done something wildly awesome or awful so you don’t have to. Read about them here…

I Wrote Another Godforsaken Blogiversary Post So You Don’t Have To – Ann Imig

I Toured Washington DC in a Night Bus So You Don’t Have To – Wendi Aarons

I Listened to KidzBop So You Don’t Have To – Midlife Mixtape

I Had Food Poisoning While Sitting On A Diaper Genie So You Don’t Have To – Smacksy

I’m Surviving October So You Don’t Have To – The Flying Chalupa

* * *

Silver it is.

Comments (17)

Throwback Thursday: 5 years

10 // 23 // 14

comments // 4

Phew…I’m back! Life got crazy for a variety of reasons, and my blog got the short end of the deal, but I’m happy to be here now!

Today, in honor of Throwback Thursday AND my 5-year blogiversary, I’m looking through my old posts with fresh eyes. I’m discovering and rediscovering all kinds of treasures…

I’m finding that of course some things change and others stay the exact same. Siblinghood continues to be equal parts harmony, chaos, discord and joy. That’s why we call it Sibling Revelry, right?

I’m finding excellent and timely reminders about parenting and forgotten photos that need no caption.

I’m finding that I hardly recognize the faces in my early blog days.

And I’m finding that some things really never get old. No wonder these are my kids’ favorite three posts:
Next lesson: What is lame?
See also: “Totally bogus”
I mean, seriously

I’m finding that I STILL get traffic on this post and frequent requests for the bumper stickers. (I’ve still got them if you want. Long live Tami Taylor!)

But mostly I’m finding that I’m grateful to have this blog and people who cheer it on. I’ve always been happiest at the place where stories, family and art intersect. Thanks for sharing that space with me!

* * *

Comments (4)

First Days

08 // 25 // 14

comments // 9

Today my oldest child started middle school and my youngest started kindergarten. Go ahead and ask me how I’m doing. If you were here in person you wouldn’t have to ask because my red, blotchy eyes say it all.

My middle child, however, is earning Golden Boy status because the only mama drama he has generated lately are tears of relief that his class is filled with his closest buddies. As if that weren’t enough, last night he hugged me and thanked me, unprompted, for a really awesome summer. I mean seriously.

At bedtime my 5-year-old explained how he did NOT want to go to kindergarten in the morning. He wanted to stay home with me and the dog and play Legos all day. Deep breath. I promised that he would have fun. That his teacher practically invented fun.

“Yeah, Ok,” he replied, “But what about the missing you part?”

Then I went to tuck in my almost 12-year-old, who had been holding it together and keeping herself busy all day. I crawled into bed with her, and her voice caught when she spoke. “I’m nervous. It’s a big day, Mom.”

“Yes, it is,” I said. “It’s a big day, but it’s also just a day. There are lots of things that will be familiar….You have been to school before (you are great at school). You have had new teachers before and you’ve made new friends before. You have eaten in a cafeteria and carpooled and rode a bus and you’ve even spent an entire day last spring at this school. You know you can do this because you’ve done much of it before.”

That seemed to help. And after a few more curtain calls, all three of them were asleep.

And then the house got quiet and my own tears came. Big, fast ones that came bursting from that deep pool reserved for all things maternal.

“It’s too much,” I told Hubs. “I’m not ready for all this change.”

He rubbed my back and said, “It’s a big day, but it’s also just a day.”

“You’ve taken them to school before. You’ve said goodbyes. You’ve walked away. You’ve worked without a swirl of kids around you and you’ll remember how to do it again. You’ve had a quiet house before and you’ll remember how to enjoy it again. You might even remember how to have lunch with friends. You know you can do this because you’ve done much of this before. And…you’ve given them a really awesome summer.”

Yes. Yes. True.

But what about the missing them part?

* * *

Comments (9)

Author Archive for ewm – Page 4

Before/After

Throwback Thursday: Namesake

What my dog is wondering right now…

Replacing the irreplaceable

Hammering

All is calmish and bright

Moving Home

I spent 3 solid days obsessing over grout color so you don’t have to…

Throwback Thursday: 5 years

First Days

Search

Archives

Recent Posts

Connect

Search