This project was extra special because we got to work with our friends and neighbors, the Leggs. We first met Matt and Laura when our dog, Jack, kept wandering over to their land to visit their dog. Before long, our kids were playing together, and we quickly learned that Matt and Laura are just the sweetest, friendliest neighbors.
The Leggs have nine acres with two houses on the property. They live in one and had started renovating the smaller home for Lauraโs parents, Tom and Debbie. They had already gutted much of the house and taken down a few walls when they realized the project was bigger than they expected and wanted some help. We were more than happy to jump in!
Exterior
Before

Built in the 1970s, the house was ready for some big updates. The Leggs werenโt fans of the red-orange roof, and while they loved the original stone, we knew there wouldnโt be enough to wrap around the home once we expanded it. So we opted for all new siding instead.
We moved the front door so it no longer opened into the kitchen, added a gable above it, installed all new windows, replaced the siding, extended the house into the covered carport, replaced the roof, freshened up the landscaping, and painted everything a gorgeous deep green that gives it the feel of a cozy cabin in the woods.
Since we lost the stone from the main wall, we brought charm back in other ways โ leaving the stone on the chimney and hanging the familyโs original dinner bell in the front yard. The Leggs had kept that bell from Lauraโs childhood โ the same one Lauraโs mother would ring to call her father in from the farm for dinner. We modernized it just a bit by swapping the fraying rope for a custom horse lead from a local equestrian supply shop.
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Family Room
Before

Once we started working inside, we discovered the floors were rotting and unstable. It meant removing all of the original flooring in this room โ and throughout the house โ and installing new floor joists. Now, with the new floor and new large windows, this space feels so much bigger and brighter than before.
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Dining Area
Before

The Leggs wanted to keep the fireplaceโs original stone, but it felt dark and the orange tones made the whole space feel dated. We filled in the mortar with a lighter shade, gave the stone a soft whitewash, and added a white oak mantel to brighten everything up while still keeping that nice texture.
Dave built the dining table out of elm wood, and I absolutely love how it turned out. Itโs the perfect size for the room, with that old-country charm that feels just right in this space.
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Kitchen
Before

This tiny kitchen has everything Laura and Matt need โ a small island with seating, new appliances, fresh white countertops, and white upper cabinets paired with dark green lowers that add warmth and depth to the space.
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Primary Bedroom
Before

Laura and Matt asked for darker colors in their bedroom, so we painted the walls, ceiling, and doors in one deep, rich tone. Paired with their vintage pieces, the room feels cozy, layered, and like the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day.
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Primary Bathroom
Before

We didnโt have a lot of space to work with, but it turned out just right. The green-painted wood siding along the walls ties beautifully to the kitchen cabinets and the exterior of the home, creating a sense of continuity throughout. Laura loved the white tile in the shower and the gold fixtures, and of course, we included that cute old light that originally hung in the kitchen.
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Back Porch
Before


Replacing the back porch was so important to the Leggs. With all that beautiful farmland, you need a place to sit and take it in, especially when you can do it alongside your grandkids.
And of course, whatโs a porch without a swing? Dave built a large one and added the sweetest detail. Tom and Debbie love horses โ Tom is a large animal veterinarian โ so Dave crafted wooden horseshoes, carved each grandchildโs name into them, and attached them to the swing. Itโs such a meaningful little reminder of the people they love most.
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