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8.18.09

Before & After: An Old Bungalow Finds Its Bliss

A house covered in snow

I love a good before and after. But I was even more excited to see this bungalow’s makeover because I’ve been following its transformation on the blog Bungalow Bliss.

This is what it looked like to begin with: a solid, triple-gable bungalow built in an historic neighborhood of Indianapolis back in 1919 (above).

And here is what it looks like now, thanks to the hard work of its homeowner, Rachael:

green bungalow with red brick porch

Rachael did a lot of the work herself, which makes the makeover even more impressive. I really love the new landscaping, too:

front porch and front door of bungalow

front porch with outdoor seating

Thanks to Rachael for sharing these photos with us.
Visit her blog Bungalow Bliss to see more!

Categories Before & After

A glass dining room table with vase
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Comments

  1. Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says

    8.18.09 at 8:40 am

    Wow, I didn’t know about the Bungalow Bliss blog and now I can’t wait to check it out! What a beautiful job Rachael did with her home. And yay, thanks so much for joining my blog party! 🙂
    .-= Liz @ It’s Great To Be Home´s last blog ..Blog Party: Inspiration Tuesday!! =-.

  2. Dagny @ Beautiful Living says

    8.18.09 at 8:47 am

    WOW! How amazing is that?? Can’t even belive it’s the same house??
    .-= Dagny @ Beautiful Living´s last blog ..I want it! =-.

  3. Amy says

    8.18.09 at 9:21 am

    Oh wow! That is fantastic! And *very* impressive that she did most of the work herself. Great job Rachael!
    .-= Amy´s last blog ..Saturday =-.

  4. bungalowbliss says

    8.18.09 at 9:24 am

    Julia, thanks so much for featuring the bungalow’s exterior overhaul. It’s an honor to be considered ‘inspiring’ by you…you have been one of my favorites (and a fabulous blogging example for this newbie) since I first stumbled upon Hooked on Houses over a year ago.
    .-= bungalowbliss´s last blog ..Bright Copper Kettles =-.

  5. songbirdtiff says

    8.18.09 at 9:35 am

    This is a beautiful transformation! I bet they breathe a sigh of relief each time they drive up to their remarkable home. (Relief as in it’s over!)
    .-= songbirdtiff´s last blog ..It’s Time for a Giveaway! =-.

  6. kasey at thirftylittleblog says

    8.18.09 at 9:51 am

    This definitely falls in the inspiration category!
    .-= kasey at thirftylittleblog´s last blog ..Buying the House… A big "no way!" from FHA =-.

  7. Kristin says

    8.18.09 at 9:52 am

    Love the bunglaow. That looks amazing. I especially like the depth of the porch. It makes it really functional.

  8. Erin says

    8.18.09 at 10:54 am

    This is such a great makeover! I love that green color, it’s so soothing and natural.
    .-= Erin´s last blog ..Cozy Details =-.

  9. Jocelyn Stott says

    8.18.09 at 10:56 am

    Wow – that looks great. I just want to curl up on that porch with some coffee and a book.
    .-= Jocelyn Stott´s last blog ..Antique Appreciation =-.

  10. christy says

    8.18.09 at 11:37 am

    It’s gorgeous – I totally love it. I’m heading over to that site now. That’s the kind of house I can see my family living in one day!
    .-= christy´s last blog ..Dreamy home design =-.

  11. Pat says

    8.18.09 at 10:42 am

    Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous makeover, Julia. I’m going to visit Rachael’s blog, to see more. I love these wonderful old bungalow’s.

  12. Pamela says

    8.18.09 at 11:57 am

    Such simple changes, such a huge transformation!
    Charming!
    .-= Pamela´s last blog .. =-.

  13. Melissa Miller says

    8.18.09 at 3:05 pm

    How fabulous! Love the porch! 🙂
    .-= Melissa Miller´s last blog ..~*~*~Metamorposis Monday~*~*~ ~Garage Floor Paint Treatment~ =-.

  14. Laura @ the shore house says

    8.18.09 at 3:57 pm

    I want to cry happy tears for this bungalow! She looks so happy now.
    .-= Laura @ the shore house´s last blog ..One cool yard sale. =-.

  15. Pam @ This Humble House says

    8.18.09 at 7:27 pm

    Wow…that’s an impressive makeover! I love bungalows!
    .-= Pam @ This Humble House´s last blog ..Giveaway! =-.

  16. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    8.18.09 at 9:21 pm

    Bliss, indeed! Love the “after.” She looks fresh and updated…the before shot was so tired and sad. Off to read more about it. 🙂
    .-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Ah Ah Ah Ah, Stayin’ Alive (While Canning) =-.

  17. Jennifer says

    8.18.09 at 10:21 pm

    It’s really weird seeing these houses in another part of the world as they area I live in, in Sydney, Australia is full of them. Most of them are what we call “liver” brick as the bricks are the same colour as a liver. Must have been something to do with the colour of the clay in the brickworks. Nice to see what other people do to them.
    .-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Spring is in the air =-.

  18. Maura says

    8.19.09 at 3:41 am

    cute! wish I could see inside! Those green pots on her doorsteps totally caught my eye and then I remembered why.. I have them hahaha fun!
    .-= Maura´s last blog ..Too many posts and so little time =-.

  19. Cindy says

    8.19.09 at 5:13 am

    What a fabulous transformation~ I love bungalows, they have so much charm. Cindy

  20. Suzann @ The Olive Cottage says

    8.19.09 at 7:33 am

    Oh I would love to have a home like this. I must go see more. Thanks for sharing.
    .-= Suzann @ The Olive Cottage´s last blog ..I’m an Explorer =-.

  21. rue says

    8.19.09 at 8:39 am

    AMAZING. Thank you for posting this Julia 🙂

    rue
    .-= rue´s last blog ..Did you think I forgot? =-.

  22. Jen @ After The Alter says

    8.19.09 at 2:31 pm

    Wow! That looks amazing! Just like the HGTV show curb appeal! 🙂 Great job! wonderful colors!
    .-= Jen @ After The Alter´s last blog ..Wedding Gifts..How Much Is Appropriate? =-.

  23. Candy @ SoBella Creations says

    8.20.09 at 9:16 am

    I love bungalows. The porch looks fantastic and I love the front door.
    .-= Candy @ SoBella Creations´s last blog ..The Giveaway Post =-.

  24. Things That Inspire says

    8.23.09 at 7:46 pm

    OK – great minds think alike! I went to ‘Between Naps on the Porch’ to post a Buckhead bungalow transformation, and could not believe that we are on the same wavelength this week! Love this little bungalow. There is definitely a trend towards small and beautiful these days, isn’t there?
    .-= Things That Inspire´s last blog ..A Bungalow Transformation =-.

  25. Marsha says

    8.23.09 at 8:04 pm

    LOVE IT! The front porch looks so inviting and the house is so warm and pretty now.
    .-= Marsha´s last blog ..MAKE! =-.

  26. Susan says

    8.23.09 at 8:14 pm

    Wow, Rachel really knew what she was doing…this is a beautiful transformation! I love the attention to detail…like the wonderful, large window box. Love the colors she chose, too. I think my very favorite part of all is that she removed the screening and took the porch back to it’s original look…awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Julia…loved it!
    Susan
    .-= Susan´s last blog ..Welcome to the 32nd Metamorphosis Monday! =-.

  27. Terry Kearns says

    8.23.09 at 10:05 pm

    Three cheers to Rachael. I so like the beefy window box. And she even got rid of the snow.
    .-= Terry Kearns´s last blog ..Make a screen into a wall hanging =-.

  28. Mary's Tea Cottage says

    8.24.09 at 12:00 am

    Beautiful make-over of a darling bungalow..anyone would be happy lingering on the inviting porch…I’m going to hop on over to Bungalow Bliss right now!

    Mary
    .-= Mary’s Tea Cottage´s last blog ..Met Monday Hutch Makeover =-.

  29. lynne@lynnesgiftsfromtheheart says

    8.24.09 at 7:20 am

    What a beautiful transformation. The front porch is definetly a drawing point for me. Thnaks for the heads up about the Bungalow blog… Happy MM.. hugs ~lynne~
    .-= lynne@lynnesgiftsfromtheheart´s last blog ..~~A Better Cut on Metamorphosis Monday~~ =-.

  30. Cheri Peoples says

    8.24.09 at 8:19 am

    It’s amazing what a little insight and love can do.
    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri
    .-= Cheri Peoples´s last blog ..Exciting NEWS $100–Plus the KNOCK OFF KNOCK OUT party is ON =-.

  31. Jane says

    8.24.09 at 12:45 pm

    Wow, what a transformation!

    Jane

  32. Michelle @ Sweet Something says

    8.24.09 at 6:58 pm

    Nice! I’ll check Rachael’s place out…

  33. Karen says

    8.25.09 at 7:38 am

    It doesn’t even look like the same house. It now looks like something the architect meant it to look like. Great restoration. I am going to check out her site right now. Thank for leading us to this great blog.
    .-= Karen´s last blog ..Dining Room – Lessons Learned =-.

  34. Kelee Katillac says

    8.25.09 at 8:04 pm

    Neat!!! Love the restoration! Makes me smile~

    love,kelee
    .-= Kelee Katillac´s last blog ..$100 Hobby Lobby Giveaway: Creating Our Travel Dreams Into Reality… Make a Visual Reminder at Home =-.

  35. Nathan says

    8.31.09 at 10:42 pm

    Kinda not fair though that the before picture was taken in the dreary winter. But even still, the paint, removal of the screens and landscaping made a HUGE improvement. Very nice.

  36. bungalowbliss says

    9.1.09 at 6:56 pm

    Thanks to all for the compliments on the project. I appreciate all the feedback!

    Nathan, I’ve been sure to include a “fair” springtime picture here: https://bungalowbliss.wordpress.com/home-tour/exterior/
    .-= bungalowbliss´s last blog ..The Evolution of a Guest Room =-.

  37. Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage says

    5.25.10 at 8:43 pm

    So Pretty! I wish I had a porch like that!
    .-= Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage´s last blog .. =-.

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