Whenever I come across a nice house like this that simply needs a little love (and updating), I start fantasizing about how I’d make it beautiful again. I thought that this one, described as a “Center-Hall Colonial,” would be perfect for our popular 5-Changes Game.
If you’ve never played before, it’s simple. Take a look at this house and then tell us: If you could make only 5 changes, what would they be?
The house was built in the 1920s. It was on the market in Ohio for $412,000 but recently sold.
All of the windows in the dining room make it a sunny spot in the house. I’m happy to see the hardwood floors in here, too:
There are 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The house has a 2-car garage and a big backyard.
The kitchen was updated at some point. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really suit the style of the rest of the house:
This bathroom has been updated, too. (I’m actually squinting at this photo, the walls are so bright!)
I’d love to have a covered side porch–and to see this one prettied up. I grew up in a neighborhood of older homes where they were common:
I think this house could look great with a little updating, don’t you? What 5 changes do you think would make the biggest difference?
UPDATE: Some of my readers gave this house some curb appeal. See what it looks like with shutters and new landscaping here.
If you like the 5 Changes Game, check out the house that was Stuck in the ’80s and Jennifer Lopez’s 1970s Colonial.
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Wow I’m first! I would re-vintage the bathrooms and kitchen, take out the carpet to expose the hardwood floors, replace any and all brass light fixtures with vintage and replace the curtains/window coverings with shutters.
1)I would gut the kitchen and do something like these cabinets – http://www.kraftmaid.com/ideasandinspiration/inspirationbyroom/kitchen/cabinets/inspirationbyroom094.aspx?sort=LightToDark&filter=All&entry=d11a0f9a-3ec9-49e5-912b-e8962d267d2d&iskitchen=False&shape=. I think the door detail echos the front facade of the house.
2) For heaven’s sake get rid of the green carpet. If the wood floors aren’t in good shape, a wall to wall seagrass rug comes to mind, although I would have to spend longer considering durability, moisture, etc.
3) The living room, dining room and entry could use some color on the walls. Something pretty and neutral (a historically inspired color).
4) It appears that the bathrooms could use to be THOUGHTFULLY remodeled. Using architecturally appropriate materials in a fresh way so it works for the long term.
5) A landscaping designer could really make the curb appeal of this house stunning. I don’t know where to start with the shrubs and wonky bushes, that is for a professional to fix.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..All you need is love =-.
1. Remove all the carpet
2. Remove the drapes, especially those over the french doors
3. The major emphasis should be on the kitchen and bath. Neither reflect the period
of the home and while updated, should maintain architectural integrity.
4. Clean and timeless white subway tile, and honeycomb ceramic tile floors with some black accents.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Happy Valentine’s Day =-.
1) I’d first pull up the carpet in each and ever room!
2) I’d strip the wood trim in the foyer and go back with the original stained wood and door.
3) Add the vintage look back to the kitchen and baths – does this count as one or two changes
4) Add charm to that porch!
5) Use creamy neutrals to the interior and exterior walls!
I would love living in this house!
.-= Nancy Hood´s last blog ..Baby Fields =-.
1. Out with the green carpet!
=-.
2. Re-do the bathrooms
3.Fix up the kitchen, including the layout thereof.
4. Add trees and other plantings to the yard.
5. Fix up the side porch.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Hearts Around Our House
I’d have a sandblasting party on that side porch to reveal the natural stone! Then I’d paint em’ bright green and yellow…just kidding….
: )
Julie M.
.-= The Little Red Shop´s last blog ..The Dog Days of Winter… =-.
I love this house and agree with all the fixes mentioned, but color, color, color, color and color are my 5 suggestions.
I love, love, love this game and this house.
1. Get rid of the putting green.
2. Add some character to the fireplace.
3. Make sure everything new is period appropriate.(see how I was able to redo just about everything with that one. Tee-hee)
4. Add some soft neutral color to the walls.
5. Lose the draperies.
I love this house. Especially the porch, I could see myself sitting out there and enjoying the fresh air. I had a fun time thinking about the 5 changes and this is what I came up with:
1. Take out that ugly carpet and put in wood flooring.
2. update the kitchen
3. update the bathrooms.
4. put in some better light fixtures
5. paint the walls
I usually love stone on the outside of homes but something isn’t right about the type of stone used around the front door. Also, I’m not a fan of tudor exteriors. Inside as many have said “Get rid of the green carpet”! Ditto for the bright yellow bathroom.
Teacup Lane (Sandy)
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Tinkerbell =-.
paint, remove carpet. redo bathroom one definatley black and white tiles. redo kitchen. I like this house would love to redo it.
.-= mishelle´s last blog ..What a Weekend.. I had it out with the china cabinet… =-.
That porch is gorgeous!!! I would take out the astroturf carpet and just have hardwoods and warm up the walls a little with some paint. I would also have to tone down the bathroom! Yellow is ok, and even highlighter yellow has its uses – but not on the wall! Love it!
.-= Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish´s last blog ..Apartment Friendly Art Installation =-.
I’m withe the rest of the gang about that green carpet! I’d also add a front porch, relandscape front yard, paint the bathroom a less strident color, and add glass-paned cabinet doors in the kitchen. Gorgeous house anyway though!
.-= Queen of Fifty Cents´s last blog ..FEELING THAT GARAGE SALE LOVE =-.
1.) Warmer exterior house color.
2.) Good bye green carpet.
3.) New wall paint. After your retinas recover from the YELLOW. BATHROOM.
4.) Is that vinyl on the kitchen floor? Out! Replace with slate.
5.) Paint cabinets, new tile counter top.
.-= kitliz @ DIYdiva´s last blog ..Insanity Continues =-.
What an uberFun game!! First of all, it’s a fantastically adorable home. There seems to be fairly sizable rooms in spite of being a somewhat modest house from the 20′s. Overall the bones are good, as they say. But…
1.) I love the layout / shape of the facade, but not much else. The roof is modern and flat in appearance. I’d rip that one off and add a nice slate roof. Also, while on the roof, replace existing gutters / drain pipes with copper.
2.) The stone on the lower half of the center section is nice-looking, but I don’t get why it’s only on that one part. Ideally, I think that if the entire house were covered in that stone it would look smashing, but that seems to be a ridiculous amount of work. So, I think I’d just remove the stone and tudor designed timbers above.
3.) Next, to add that charming stone look back to the house, and attempt to tie in with the stone of the side porch, I’d add stone stairs and a stone porch floor (only) to the entrance. I think it should be as wide as the center section of the home, porch floor and wide sweeping stair(s). You could add a pair of big cast iron urns with ferns, hydrangea, or something simple.
4.) Tackle the landscape. I think that instead of doing the rambling English garden trick on this house, it should have something more refined, slightly stately; boxwood hedges, and a tree or two.
5.) Man, I sure can go on… Since I’ve only got one wish left, and I’d like to use about 50 on the inside, I guess I’ll just stay outside. LIGHTING. Some fantastic sconces for the entrance, and lighting for the landscape and facade of the house.
That was fun!
.-= Scott Fazzini´s last blog ..Saint Valentine’s Day =-.
First I would remove/change/cover the stone at the front of the house. Haven’t decided exactly what I’d do – but a change is needed.
Definitely remove all the carpeting
Add crown moulding
And update both kitchen and bathroom (I guess that’s 2 to complete my 5)
I know this is cheating, but I would also completely re decorate
Oh boy….1.I would start with the front. An english cottage garden with a huge windowbox on that front high window dripping with roses and lavender and ivy…inside I would remove all the carpet and drapes Waay beef up the fireplace…maybe with similar stone to the back porch. Then tackle the kitchen (bank of windows…in keeping with house, remove all uppers and sofit…make a stone nook for a lacanche stove…dreaming right?)
.-= linda@LimeintheCoconut´s last blog ..A little green…a little warm =-.
I love this game!
Here’s what I would do.
1. Add a little roof over the front door, to make a real porch, or at least a a real stoop.
2. Pull up all the carpet and restore the hardwood floors that are sure to be underneath.
3. Restore all the wood trim to a nice dark stain.
4. The kitchen and bathroom should be totally redone. New Cabinets, floor, fixtures the whole deal.
5. Color. With the notable exceptions of the bathroom and that hideous carpet there is no color anywhere. I want to paint, or add wallpaper to all the walls.
What fun! I would:
Rip out that carpet, for heaven’s sake.
Paint. And paint some more. All that beautiful white trimwork, just begging to be set off with paint. Historical colors by Benjamin Moore, here I come!
Change hardware, including a number of light fixtures.
Make that side porch sing by furnishing it as an outdoor living room.
Add some vintage touches back to the kitchen. It’s not that bad, really, it just needs to be de-modernized.
This is a fun game, Julia! It’s more fun to dream about what I would do in someone else’s house than to actually get down to business in my own!
.-= Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..Whose day? =-.
I like this house (and I love this game!):
1. Get rid of the green carpet…I had the EXACT carpet in this house when we moved in. It was the bane of my existence. Putting down a neutral carpet changed the entire look of this place.
2. New counter tops in kitchen. Play around with layout.
3. New paint…esp. in the bathroom!! Give a bit of color in some of the other areas.
4. Add another bath OR replace all the light fixtures
5. Add a mantel to the fireplace.
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Espresso Training School =-.
Ummm, isn’t this a 1920′s center hall TUDOR style?
Melinda–
I wondered the same thing. It was described by the agent as a Center Hall Colonial, though, so maybe he knows something we don’t. -Julia
The side porch is very interesting!!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..New Web Design for Geezees Custom Canvas Art – Something good to say?? =-.
Awesome idea for a game…
1. First and foremost, along the lines of everyone else, that green carpet would be the first to go. Refinishing the beautiful hardwoods underneath is a must (hopefully they’re in decent shape!) and laying down some vintage-inspired oriental rugs.
2. The second thing would be to warm the place up. It looks so cold and sterile. Nice shades of warm preservation colors on the wall, add visual interest to a couple of accent walls with some great wallpaper.
3. Tackle that bathroom… White subway tile, a nice calming color, new vintage-inspired vanity/mirror, and can anyone say claw foot tub?
4. The kitchen would need a little attention too. LOVE Jamie’s suggestion with those beautiful glass door cabinets. A new backsplash perhaps, and some color thrown in somewhere. Perhaps some nice clean subway tile juxtaposed with some colorful small appliances. Again, the whole feel of this house is totally sterile. They just need some color notes popping throughout each room.
5. Spruce up the curb appeal! I love the idea of an English style garden to match the Tudor inspired exterior, but just enough organized chaos to keep the home looking neat and kept.
What a gorgeous house! I’d buy it in a second if I could!
I am a cheap sh*t. In the living room, I would pick a color from the sofas to redo the walls. Maybe a taupe. That should tone down the carpet. The bathroom? Tape them up and add a white (or blue grey) lattice pattern over the yellow. If it was still head-achy, then maybe a glaze over that, in a blue to tone it down. Kitchen: It has a yellowy beige tone on the floor, with what looks like a pinky tone on the cabinets, with all that black. Ugh! I would strip the cabinets back to wood. And, redo the back splash into something deco. The DR? Pick a couple of colors from the run, redo the seats to go with it, and paint the walls. The porch needs color and flowers!
Ok, it appears we ALL have the same idea.. so let me just say, ditto, ditto, ditto… man that green carpet sure is ugly huh!
what? You dont like that green carpet? I think its charming!
…if you were COLORBLIND!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Belly up to the bar, peeps!! =-.
1. Lose the green carpet
2. Build up that fireplace into something great
3. Change the kitchen cabinets to a more traditional or shaker style and paint the walls a nice creamy neutral, for God’s sake, give it some color!
4. Get rid of kitchen flooring and that door and bring in a nice hardwood or bamboo floor and a lovely divided light French door
5. Paint the bathroom a nice soft blue and add some niches in the walls and bring in some artwork and a less sterile window treatment
1. I had to put on a coat it looks so cold in that home. Some warm neutrals on the walls with a coat of paint two shades lighter on each of the ceilings. That would warm things up and allow the wee crown to pop.
2. Away with the carpet! If the floors are in bad shape then have them professionally refinished.
3. Bring back the period feeling in the kitchen and baths.
4. That poor neglected fireplace! It needs some love to become the focal point it deserves to be.
5. Lose the brass everything.
1. Get rid of that hideous green carpet.
2. Put in funkier floor rugs.
3. Tone down that bathroom wall paint color.
4. Put down a cool rug or two on the porch
5. Tame or remove that right corner shrub.
Great house!
1) Kitchen and baths re-done
2) replace carpeting with wood
3) Add moldings
4) Paint and paper where appropriate
5) Add landscaping
Redecorating is just a given as each family will make it their own
.-= pattie and allie´s last blog ..?? Happy Birthday ? Sweet Sixteen ??~ Metamorphosis Monday =-.
5 things… The house really doesnt need a lot..
1. Green carpet- OUT
2. Bathroom painted something other than bright yellow
3. wainscoting and crown molding in dining area
4. kitchen updating to match the style of the house
5. build a mantel over the fireplace.
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Powder Room – From Beige to Blue =-.
1. Give that green carpet the heave-ho. Almost anything would be better.
2. Paint the interior rooms. This house is in desperate need of color that is not in the carpet.
3. New kitchen cabinets and counter top.
4. Some outside color/curb appeal. Really, this house needs a little outdoor “punch”. Maybe paint the stucco?
5. New window treatments.
What’s my budget?! Shoe-string:
1) get rid of the green to expose the hardwoods
2) paint the walls/ceilings
3) paint the front door a fun color
4) build a big mantle around the fireplace
5) add moldings
~angela @ peonypatch
What a great house!
The first thing I would do is paint, paint, paint–It’s all to white. Rip up the carpets, redo the floors. Redo the kitchen and baths. And a little more tending to the front landscape.
Beyond the obvious (green carpet, exterior color and landscape, florescent bath, complete kitchen remodel), I’d “bust out” the kitchen if possible even if it meant only adding bayed areas. I’d alter the archways, perhaps adding more if rooms felt dead-ended. I definitely agree with one post about sandblasting the painted stone porch.
Where in Ohio is this house? I live in NE Ohio. I love all the windows and exterior doors. That yellow bath looks like a bad addition though!
Well, since you didn’t say I had to have a budget, I’ll share what I’d change!
1. clean out the bushes in the front and maybe paint the white a neutral but classic color like a tan of some sort
2. take up the ugly, ugly green carpet and put hardwoods throughout the rooms!
3. Liven up the interior with some color! White, white everywhere! How about some coordinating color palettes in warm cinnamons, cremes, to tie the rooms together but to also give them flavor?!
4. Oh, the kitchen! It’s a shame to tear out new products, but it doesn’t add to the beauty of the timeframe of this house. I think mainly it’s the black countertops, so at least put in silestone browns with flecks of gold pretty countertops or beautiful granite, and if you can change the cabinets too!
5. I was squinting too at the bathroom! BRIGHT! I’d take out the tub and put in a stand up shower, change the flooring to a marble with tilework in the new shower to make the room elegant, change of course the wall colors and put in new countertops and vanity to make it ELEGANT!
Well, now I just spent a bunch of moolah that wasn’t out of my pocket! That is the best way to spend money, right? Someone else’s! Suzie
Oops, forgot to mention Monday’s post. Cute idea featuring a boathouse. Floating Homes were featured at the 2008 Cleveland Home Show which my husband and I attended(for remodeling purposes). They were pretty neat, though a little cramped for my liking. Great idea for snowbirds IMHO. Located in the Port Clinton/Sandusky area.
What a charming little House!
1. For the landscaping I would take out everything!
-Add some arbors, climbing roses, hydrangea’s, ivy etc.
-Make it like an English Garden!
2. Peak under that green carpet for wood. If not wood, replace it with beautiful wood!
3. Take down all of those Granny Curtains!
4. Get some neat light fixtures!
5. Rip out the kitchen, the bulk heads, paint Do the house in a mono-type scheme with splashes of color. Light subtle color. (Blues, greens)
.-= Sunshine´s last blog ..Reminiscing =-.
Let’s see hmmm.
1. I would paint the house a boring woodsy color, not to brown, maybe a little grey
2. I would add transom windows on all of th lower exterior windows to bring in as much light as posible.
3. Wood floors redone to a nice light as it won’t show scratches as much.
4. The porch would be draped sunbrella fabric curtains on wire and a dash and albert rug to pull it all together, paint the floor first.
5. Add a mantel over the fireplace with perhaps some stonework like the front of the house.
How much fun was that…..after that color color color
.-= Annelise´s last blog ..Punch Bowl Part 2 of Missing Part 1 =-.
First I’d call it some sort of tudor. The only thing “center hall colonial” about this must be the center hall.
1. what a travesty that they painted the stone on that porch! Bummer.
2. repaint exterior. Dark brown/cream? is a red door too cliche on that style house?
3. bye bye barfy carpet. That living room HAS to have hardwood under there.
4. bring the kitchen and bath into the proper period.
5. build a decent mantel and fireplace surround in the LR.
Wow Julia, the beauty of coming late to the party is getting to read everyone elses comments first. My fave five for this house?
1-add some trees to the front landscaping..maybe a birch or maple on one side and an evergreen on the other.
2- rip up the carpet to expose the hardwoods in the living room
3- add big molding to the living and dining rooms and paint them a nice shade of mocha
4- add big molding to the fireplace and make it a feature in the room
5- add a natural marble floor to the kitchen
then of course the entire house would need painting, lighting, window treatments and furniture….I’m just sayin…it does look like it has good “bones” though.
Susan
.-= black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..SPRING CLEANING? =-.
I pretty much mirror what others have said…
!
1) Green carpet must go!
2) Bathroom is ghastly… must paint ASAP.
3) Get rid of the dark counter tops in the kitchen.
4) Add color, color, color! But not that funky “yeller” in the bathroom
5) Update the light fixtures a bit. I would love to see some hanging lanterns on that beautiful covered porch.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..What I See =-.
1) Carpet – remove. Match hardwood floors in entry and dining.
2) Update fireplace with mantel, surround, etc.
3) Paint. Every room. Something other than white or YELLOW.
4) Do some fairly simple fixes in the kitchen to bring it back to its proper era. I see no reason to do a gut job. Fixtures, cabinet pulls, paint, accessories would do the trick. It’s much to modern for this colonial. And oh-so-current blah.
5)Update lighting fixtures. Get rid of 80s brass.
And I hope whoever bought this will actually decorate it. This is screaming, “The last time I had a makeover, Reagan was in office!”.
Is this house really a Colonial? Looks like a Tudor-style to me.
.-= Debbie Bailey´s last blog ..Review of The Shack =-.
Again, folks, that’s how it was described in the listing. Call it whatever you want! -Julia
This is so pretty! I’m thinking money is an object so paint and paint some more. Of course rip up the green carpet. I love the idea of going to the paint store and using one chip card with different intensities to flow colors from room to room. Even the outside would be night and day with a paint job. Maybe some windowboxes with cottagey English ivy and flowers……I’d also update the light fixtures but mostly establish a tight, cozy color pallet. Think I’ve watched one too many episodes of “Designed to sell”!! I love the entryway, too. I’m big on entryways…they give you a sneak peek of what’s to come. Was that five? I’d love to see the “after”.
1. Out with the green carpet – as everyone has suggested
2. Put color on those walls, something to contrast with the white trim
3. Add a little molding to the kitchen cabinets and paint them to give them a more antiqued look
4. Add some wooden rockers to the porch
5. Tone down the color in the bathroom
I think you could actually make this place look pretty fabulous without spending much at all!
.-= Lesley @ TheDesignFile´s last blog ..Design Translation: Pick a bed for our new room =-.
1. Dark shutters outside with black hardware.
2. Tear up carpet and replace all hardwood with dark wood as well as in kitchen.
3. Put a carved stone surround around the firepalce in living room.
4. Change counter top in kitchen to white marble and do a back splash in same marble but in small tiles.
5. Any other paint color in bathroom besides the one that is there, something soft.
.-= colleen´s last blog ..BEAUTIFUL WINDOW IDEAS!! =-.
The outside is where I would start… I couldn’t help getting a little creative.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4364190514_e86d8a3277_o.jpg
.-= Bethany´s last blog ..The calm voice of impending doom =-.
Well this one would be so easy to update. Install new light fixture in entry and dining room, tear out green carpet, paint walls, new flooring in kitchen and a backsplash. Some wicker on the front porch. Great bones:)
.-= Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Kiss and tell =-.
1. re-paint exterior white as ashlar color
2. replace gutters and downspouts in copper
3. paint or paper entry hall & vestibule as ashlar masonry
4. remove wall-to-wall carpet and stain floors dark
5. paint steel muntins glossy black, interior & exterior
Get rid of the green carpet
Add a mantel
New interior paint through out
New kitchen flooring
New mirror in bathroom
What fun
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Pancakes for Supper…Fat Tuesday =-.
I love the outside!
1. Get rid of the ugly green carpet in the front room! Replace it with wood.
2. Paint the walls of the front room and dining room a softer, warmer color.
3. The kitchen is painful! If nothing else, get new counter tops and paint the walls and cabinets a color that would blend with the connecting areas.
4. A nice wall paper with a subtle pattern would make the bathroom look more like it belongs in the same house as the picture.
5. I love the back porch! I’d cover it and get more comfortable retro-looking furniture.
Hi Julia this place is nice but it needs TLC – lots of soft colour on the walls , dark polished floors with nice rugs change the kitchen to an Art Deco style while we are at it might as well do the bathroom Art Deco the front does not look very inviting a bit of colour and lots of landscaping lots of roses and geraniums maybe a water feature and lose those light fittings you guys have the best lighting fixtures that I’ve ever seen… on that note I should say it needs a bit of work but I’m sure it will come up a treat… boy that was hard work…. I need a cuppa after that… Regards Esther from Sydney..ps Julia we have a paint place here called Porters Paints a lot of these style houses are painted with Porters and they are beautiful.
Wow, just found your site and all my favorite houses are here! It really is wonderful.
Ok, I’ll play. Wow, it hard to stick with just 5.
1) Exterior makeover: shutters/color in landscaping (if I had to pick one it would be shutters)
2) Hardwood throughout
3) Restore period details: mantel, door (kitchen), lighting, ceiling medallion in dining rm
4) Warmer netural paint inside & out
5) Update/upgrade kitchen & bath restoring period details
When you say 5 things it makes me think what would you do to flip it. So had that in mind with my 5 picks.
Oh my god! Ahhhh so beautiful…. I want to live there now! Ha, if only a huge check for millions of dollars fell from the sky right now, then that even be possible. Ahhhh…if only.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Top 5 Posing and Directing Photography Tips =-.
1) flagstone sidewalk and front steps
2) Some better overhead lighting
3) Get rid of the carpet. Hopefully, there’s wood under there that matches the wood in the hall and dining room. Otherwise, put in new, but refinish them all at once, so they looks somewhat consistent.
4) Stone surround on the fireplace
5) I kind of like the kitchen – if those are soapstone counters. If they’re laminate, replace them. If not, my #5 would be to sandblast that awful whitewash on the stone porch
First off take out the green carpet ; restore the floors. Add original 1920s lighting such as pan light fixtures with reverse painted shades. install shaker cabinets with tile counters with possibly a vintage range. In the bathroom I would put back the subway tile and ceramic floor, install a vintage original pedestal sink with ceramic faucet, a 1920s built in tub and an original toilet. paint walls appropriate colors and keep all wood work painted. In the 1920s painted woodwork was in vogue; usually doors were a dark mahogany for a crisp look. overall a beautiful home that just needs some cosmectics to bring back its 1920s charm.
Looking for landscapong advice for our Garrison Colonial and found this link! I love the program you used to try out ideas. Where can I find it?
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