Our New Flip House Gets a Fresh Start

We had so much fun renovating our first flip house that we couldn't wait to do it again. Except it turns out finding the right opportunity sometimes takes a little patience. So after a few months of itching to get our hands on a new project, we finally found one that fit the bill.

Introducing our new flip house...

My daughter calls it the birthday cake house because she thinks it looks like a yellow birthday cake. I think that's a pretty happy thought, so for now that will be its official name.

This house just needs a few cosmetic upgrades (and a good cleaning!) and it will be a darling home for a family, or anyone looking for a bright, open floor plan and a cozy feel. Here's what we plan to do to make the birthday cake house a sweet treat.

(Look out, here comes the ugly!)

Curb Appeal

We'll make the entrance to the home a little (or a lot!) more inviting with the addition of a pergola for shade and architectural interest. I'm thinking we'll remove the security fencing along the front entryway, although we'll keep it on hand in case the new owners choose to reinstall it. We'll also add a little landscaping interest, in the form of large potted plants, and a small seating area.

Living Spaces

We'll open up a few walls inside to let more light in, and make the whole area feel more open.

We'll change the arch between the main living spaces into french doors, to emphasize the separation between the rooms, while still letting light and traffic flow through.

Kitchen

This kitchen/breakfast area is a good size, but it feels so dark and closed in with the red paint, dark countertops, and that weird little peninsula.Since the cabinets are in great shape, we'll simply update them with fresh white paint. Light gray granite countertops will transform this dated kitchen into a bright and inspiring work and space.

Then we'll add a large pass-through window to the next room, which could be either a large dining room or living room. This will allow lots of light and an open feel, without losing storage and counter space.

In the eat-in area, we'll reclaim the space that was chopped up by the peninsula for a breakfast table area, and add a barn door to the laundry room to add both style and space-saving functionality.

Baths

Both the hall bath and the master bath have good bones, but just need a serious cleanup and style refresh. We'll update both vanities with granite tops, new hardware and faucets. The bathtub in the hall bath needs an overhaul, so we'll remove the tub and integrate the new tub with the existing surround for an update without breaking the budget.

Updates throughout the Flip House

Basically every surface throughout the house is getting a good cleaning and fresh new paint. From ceiling to baseboards, it'll all look and feel brand new. We'll also replace the light fixtures throughout, as well as the flooring and baseboards. This is a great floor plan, so we simply need to make it look and feel as good as it functions, and then we'll be ready to welcome the next family to their new home.

Whew! We've got some work to do! I'll be back soon with some fun in-process pictures, and I'm sure I'll have a few stories to tell along the way. Be sure to follow by newsletter, or on Instagram with #505flip to see our updates and progress!

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