The Story…
We were home owners for 3 beautiful years before the market crashed. We loved our small ranch style home in Saginaw, Michigan. It was our first home. It was tiny. We had a dog and no kids. But God had plans for us 1 1/2 hours away in Metro Detroit. We listed our house and when all was said and done, we owed the bank several thousand dollars to break even.
Flash forward to the present.
My husband is a youth pastor and we live in the “Parsonage.” AKA a home that is owned by the church, traditionally lived in by a member of the clergy. My dad is the senior pastor at our church and he very graciously gave up his rights (we didn’t kick him out I promise) in pursuit of the joys of home ownership. God provided a home for us while ours was still on the market. We are blessed by a home that is the perfect size for our family, and for hosting gatherings and get-togethers. Because it does not belong to us, we are just the tenants, any updates are either approved by the church or come out of our pocket as a donation. I have done a lot of updates that are DIY, cheap, and involve only paint!
Upstairs Bathroom Before:
Upstairs Bathroom After:
I used an oil based enamel on the counter tops,
updated the hardware and painted the cabinets.
Living Room Before:
Living Room After:
I painted the paneling using Kills, and several layers of paint.
I also ripped up the carpet and painted the fireplace
surround using a “high heat” spray paint.
Kitchen Before:
Kitchen After:
I updated the hardware, installed new laminate flooring,
installed a microhood, and used a combination or chalkboard paint
and vinyl chalkboard clings. I also painted the walls and my parents
had new light fixtures installed.
Family Room Before:
Family Room After:
School Room:
See more about the school room HERE
Basement Before:
Basement After:
This is the minimalist basement project.
We live under a flooding threat at all times, so putting a lot of money into this basement would be too risky. We spray painted the ceiling black, painted the walls and the floors and laid down a carpet remnant which has been pulled up several times to dry out. IKEA picture frames and large prints from Costco, old furniture and a giant TV from the 80’s complete with Super Nintendo make this a perfect kids hang out!
My secret to keeping it clean?
Put the kids to work!
Reality Check
This is what it looked like 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after taking pictures.
Do you feel better now?
Do you feel better now?
Kim
You have done a great job making it your own! It is amazing what paint can do. I love your use of color. Thank you so much for the reality check. I just started blogging and found myself discouraged at times after visiting blogs that make everything look perfect. While I am cleaning one room of our house, the kids are usually destroying another. My 3 year old daughter loves to clean windows too.
Sarah Lemp
Thanks so much Kim! As a blogger, we have to make things pretty looking for the camera but that’s just not reality… I try my best to be transparent about things :)
Cindy
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you posting the “real” pics. I think when you see all these house tour pics and everything is so prestine, you feel like a failure because your house doesn’t look that way. Your house and my house are the same and I’m so glad someone else is dealing with the same struggles!!!
megan @ meganreablog.wordpress.com
Hi Sarah!
First time to your blog :) You’ve done a great job with the Parsonage, way to make it your own! :) My hubby and I are Pastors in Metro Detroit too. Looking forward to future posts!
Sarah Lemp
Hi Megan! Nice to meet you, that is really cool! Always fun to meet local people. I’m on my way over to your blog right now :)
Brenda @Schooling a Monkey
I love your reality check! I think when you live in a place constantly, there is no way you can keep it clean all the time! I am amazed at how much better things can look with just a bit of paint.
eva
We are also extreme cleaners. I was just telling that to my husband today. There are days, well maybe day, that our house is clean and then all of a sudden the entire house is a complete mess. I love your blog i found it on sugarbeecrafts.
Sarah Lemp
Thanks so much Eva! I’m glad you stopped by and glad to hear your found us through Sugarbee :)