Okay, so you might think I am crazy. You might not understand. But I find my happiness on the water. I have decided that much like “dog people” “water people” just understand. So I understand that some of you may not understand that my heart just pitter patters and jumps with joy at the idea of my favorite word. Lake. Ohhhh yes that is my word. That is where I find my complete and utter happiness. Now I want you to know that my favorite word has made my house shopping quite complicated. Because you see, house shopping on “water” is different…. you are limited…. I have started debating things like lake water quality more than ever before. And water quality determines one {maybe} two lakes in your area if you are really lucky like my husband and I were. And once you decide which lake you would like to live on, if you are like me, you find out that lake homes are priced WELL above normal homes. Perhaps you could afford a “nice” house off of the water, but on the water…. well WATCH OUT! because you can be sure the quality of home in your price range is NOT going to be even close to the same quality… butttt if you are like me again, then you will try to picture your perfect house NOT on the water and then the imperfect house on the water and not even have to debate which to choose, because the water is where you would want to be….
no thinking, no debating, no choice in the matter, give me a lake view and I will choose a fix-er upper at a mid range price over a palace anywhere else…. soooo this gives you a GREAT idea of where my husband and I ended up with our home shopping.
I am excited and a little nervous to show you the before BEFORE photos….
These are the photos of THE HOUSE, as we saw it during our tours.
{yes we were those buyers—I think we spent 3 separate nights just walking through this place}
This is the house as I picture it NOW, the move in date is May 11th and until then I stare at these photos and dream of what I would like to do. The DIY-er in me is SCREAMING in excitement with the ideas….oooohhhh the ideas and potential that I see in this home!!! I KNOW this house is going to be my dream house…. just give me a few months….or maybe more realistically years?!?! I will have it JUST like I would like it and in the mean time I will wake up each morning and enjoy the sunrise while drinking my coffee and think…. this is it… this is my word, this is my happy, this is my love…. lake living makes it worth it…. and the DIY-er in me makes me excited and happy to take on the challenge….
So here is the question–
won’t you join me?
Because EACH and EVERY room of this house needs to be RE-DONE with a crafty scrappy happy touch…. and oooohhhh will it happen. Andddd WOWOOOWW will this fix-er upper become my dream first home!!! I just know it!
{project numero uno…. the ONLY functional bathroom in the house {as of right now}…needs a facelift and fast!!! Yessss this is project numero uno for me}
Project number TWO— kitchen, yes, the kitchen will get a TEMPORARY Re-VAMP until I save up and can afford a ROOM takeover makeover to get my dream kitchen…. but the good news?! The space is THERE….. and the space is perfect…. soooo all I need to do is dream and save… and ooohhh I can do that!
Living room…. lets get rid of those walls… shall we?! Ohhh yes that will be happening… {hopefullly} even before we move in…. (famous last words right?!?!) buttttt we will try…. we have a 2 and 1/2 week window to “work” on the house prior to moving in… and the walls are coming down if I have anything to say about it!!!
Which will be quickly followed by a REAL fireplace renovation! Ohhh but my husband thinks he will enjoy the wood burner until it is gone…. (I say fine as long as he doesn’t get too attached!!!)
and this is my future first floor bedroom craft room….
{ugghhh there is wall paper under those red walls that needs to be taken down NOW}
Ohhh and then there is this perfect laundry room just waiting for a makeover…. ooohhhh this one will be so so simple…!!! I can picture it all perfectly and I can hardly wait!!!
Lets see and did I mention that there is wall paper under almost every painted wall…. I am seriously considering just putting up new walls and skipping the whole wallpaper peeling part of things…Let me know if you have any other ideas!!!
Anddddd this is where I will end the tour tonight—-this is ONLY the first floor…. there is still a whole other floor full of projects and work that I will show you later
AND a potentially dreamy 3 seasons porch….. that will come in a following post too!
Sooooo what do you think? Are you overwhelmed yet? Do you see the potential?
Well, I am a ‘dog’ and a ‘water’ person so I completely get you!!! Jaime, this house is so charming and the view is incredible. You are going to be doing amazing things with your new ‘canvas’. I can’t wait to see what you have in store. Congrats on your new home, so excited for you!
I love it! I would have picked this one too! I love water, I think you have great potential here. I can’t wait to watch the transformation!
Love it,
Debbie
ps. I just wish I lived closer so I could help you!
ohhh you so so so made me smile!! Thank you!!
Location, location, location! Great choice Jaime.
You did good girl! What a wonderful home. I see scads of potential upon potential. Bonus, it’s not gross.
Did you SEE my house? Nothing scares me =)
Congrats to the moon and back on your new home!!!!!
Water! It’s what I LOVE too! I won’t move again unless I can be on deep water (salt water river here)! It’s the one thing I dream of, so I totally understand your fascination… You will have this house Jaime ready in no time! So happy for you, my friend!!
I’d live on a shack on the water – what a perfect choice! The Hubs called our house a “crack house” when we bought it so I understand what you’re up against! It will all be worth it in the end and you’ll have a blast during the process too!
Can’t wait to follow along on this fun ride!
Check out Refresh Restyles dock – you’re both water gals.
Kelly
It’s totally dreamy! You have such great style I totally can’t wait to see all your touches transform it into a beauty! I know you’ll make it amazing!! So excited for you! XO, Aimee
oh yes…you lucky girl! i have lived on the water several times in my life….water is so soothing, calming and beautiful…it can turn into a churning tempest, but oh how i loved every face of it…
we now live in the desert southwest, yup….and sigh…..but…..the lake is about a mile down the road and the beautiful pool makes me happy…you go, young lady…..make that house a home…..it will be beautiful for years to come…..best of wishes…
Is the top picture your actual view?? If so that is so utterly amazing!! I am sure it won’t take you long at all to make that place so cute!
The nice part is the house seems at least liveable while you’ll be doing the renovations!!! I’m so happy for you both, and I love that you didn’t compromise your heart’s desires!!! You’ll enjoy living on the lake so much – it’s how I grew up and I’m a “water person”, too! I can’t wait until you get started so I can begin to see the transformations – this is going to be fun!!! So excited for you, so excited!!!
Girl, I’m so happy for you! I just bought a house that needs about the same amount of revamping as yours. I’m so excited, as I know you are, too! I’m definitely going to be paying close attention to what you’re doing. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!! Isn’t it fun!!!
Ohmygoodness! I am so excited for you, friend!
What an amazing adventure this is going to be!!!
Can’t wait to see all of the renovations — I have no doubt that is gonna be one AMAZING place when you’re done with it!
Hugs!
Bec
I am totally a water person, so I completely understand! I would LOVE to live on the water! Congrats on the new house – I can’t wait to see what you do with it!
No need to explain at all-I’m a water person too. Can’t wait to see the ‘afters’.
Oh Jaime! How lucky are you to be near water! I would trade my home…which I love for just about anything to be on the water…there is nothing more peaceful. I can’t wait to see what you do…I know it will be amazing!
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real
You got a lake-front house!? I am thrilled for you, just thrilled. There is so much potential, it is going to be perfect when you get finished and any house with a craft room is a dream house, in my opinion. It looks like you have two wood stoves? Are you keeping either? I love the dutch door in the laundry room, very cute. Good luck with the move!
You will love being near the water. It is such a different lifestyle than living in a city or a suburb. Life on the water is laid back and relaxing. As a dog owner myself of water loving Goldens, you will make them smile and their tails will wag with joy at every ball that is tossed into the water to fetch.
You have a big job ahead of you but that is part of the fun of finding the ultimate place. You get the chance to put your stamp and style on it.
Enjoy and look forward to watching the progress!
I see tons of cottage warmth and good bones! Yes lots of wallpaper that is a pain to get down, but the water looks awesome and what a view as you diy! Good choice. I am jealous of that cabin up north feeling it brings me to!
This looks like so much fun! I am totally a water person too…we have a houseboat that we spend a lot of time on in the summer and I would so much rather have a lake home!! Can’t wait to see the after!
Maggie
http://www.thehellonheelshousewife.blogspot.com
OMG! That is my dream! WATER WATER WATER! Just give me a porch facing the lake and a cup of coffee and I’m happy!! The bones of this house is FABULOUS! Not sure where it is… but let me know if you need help!
GREAT potential. I can see why you chose the fixer upper on the lake. Would love a porch that looks out over the lake.
Great bones. Love the Stove…. But really love the ceiling wood planks!!!
I’m a dog and water girl. I also have a shack on the water that I enjoy..good luck and enjoy the journey! I cant wait to see the changes. LuvLife
You are much to critical! You call that a fixer upper? That’s called FUN. It’s so cozy and cottage feeling (or looking at least). Your going to be so happy with it when it has Jaime touches. I’m so glad to see you get into a home like this. It has the feel of lake hamburg. Small, cozy etc. Your last rental just wasn’t you two at all. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Have fun with that wallpaper! You won’t believe how many hours that alone is going to take…so be patient. This renovation- decoration will be a LONG project. Do it right, do it the way you want. Don’t just do something to be fast. You will be shocked at how fast the years go by. You have potentially the rest of your life to make this house YOURS.
GOOD LUCK. Can’t wait to visit!!!!
I also LOVE the ceiling in the laundry room. Please keep that:)
How absolutely exciting!!! Can’t wait to see the “after” pics…or even the in-process ones.
Jaime!! I can see all the goodness that’s going to happen already!! There are so many features in the house that will exude the crafty scrappy happy charm when you’re done with it – the brick, the wainscotting… CANNOT wait to see what you do!!!! your before and afters will make you so happy and until then….”the lake!!” that there is some good stuff, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh I see major potential! ALL cosmetic and soooo fun to do
LOVE LOVE LOVE that wood burner!!! Can’t wait to see more pics.
xoxoxo
Jessica
ps. I’m soooo ready for some thrifting….you????
Jaime,
I am truly so excited for you! I could see the vision when you gave us the tour and I will be your loyal follower along your “before and after” journey
blessings,
karianne
I’m water people too, so I know exactly how you feel about living on the shore of a lake
One of these days, I’m going to live on the water too. I even know exactly where and what house – but unfortunately, that house falls into the “WELL priced above other homes” category! But really, I’ll take just about any house as long as I can be by the water 
I think you’ve found a real diamond in the rough – your new home will be fabulous once you’ve worked your DIY magic on it
Have fun!
I totally get it! We live across the street from a river, and I don’t think I could live anywhere that didn’t have H2O!
I can envision all the Craft Scrappy Happy goodness you have planned. Looking forward to seeing all that you do to transform this house into your home. Congratulations!! Lake living will be spectacular.
When we bought our home, every wall was covered in original 1950′s wallpaper. We spent countless hours removing it because it wad cured onto the plaster walls.
Ruth
I definitely see the potential! It looks like you’ve made such a smart purchase. Can’t you just imagine the house’s awesomeness after you get your hands on it? I can. And I wish I had a suggestion for all of the wallpaper. I removed multiple layers of wallpaper from every single surface of a house we renovated, including the ceilings…truly back breaking. Good luck to you.
Karah
WOW!!! it looks awesome! what fabulous potential! i can’t wait to see you make it your own!
So excited, so much potential. And the bathroom already has wainscoting, you are already a step up on most bathroom renos. I love the lake, I totally hear you. For my husband the word is “view” so that’s how we wound up with a view:) When you know yourself, just go for it.
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Oh, Jaime, it’s perfect! And you have the best “BEFORE” photos in all the world! I can’t wait to see this home get your touch.
So much amazing potential! The bones are there. And that laundry room? How amazing that it already has all those cubbies and shelves and places to hang clothes and an amazing front loading washer and dryer! Score!
Linda
Can’t wait to see how you progress. I enjoy your photos etc.,
Congratulations! How exciting! Fun is afoot!
My dream, yet to be realized, is a lake home too!!
Jaime
Congratulations on your new home. It looks sooo relaxing, you will need to invite us to come up. Hey, maybe Nate will help with repairs while I relax on the lake.
BTW I enjoy the ideas on your site- great job
Linda B.