Welcome to Our Restoration Journey
Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee (or a hammer if you’re feeling adventurous), and join us as we breathe new life into Gram’s century-old farmhouse. This isn’t just a renovation it’s a love story between past and present, where creaky floorboards meet fresh paint, and every nail hammered carries a memory.
We’ll take you room by room, peeling back decades of wallpaper, pulling up carpets that have seen more holiday dinners than we can count, and uncovering whatever secrets the walls have been keeping. Some discoveries will make us laugh, some might make us cry, and a few will probably make us wonder what on earth people were thinking in 1963.
Every step every splinter, every stubborn nail is about more than building a house. It’s about preserving a place where the next generation of children will run barefoot through the halls, where future grandkids will sneak cookies from the kitchen, and where the echoes of Gram’s laughter will always live in the walls.
Come along for the dust, the drama, and the joy we promise it’ll be worth the mess.
Our Family’s Heritage: Restoring a 1900’s Farmhouse
Join us as we breathe new life into Gram’s home preserving history while creating new memories. Every plank and nail tells a story of craftsmanship, perseverance, and love for our heritage, guiding us through challenges and triumphs along the way.
Restoring Gram’s Farmhouse
Posts
August 16th 2025:
Pulling Back the Layers: Starting Our First Renovation in Gram’s 1900’s Farmhouse.
There’s something magical about stepping into a home that has stood for over a century. Every squeaky floorboard, every uneven wall, every drafty window carries with it the weight of memory. When my husband and I decided to take on the project of restoring Gram’s 1900’s home, we knew we weren’t just tackling a renovation we were honoring family history while building a space that could welcome generations to come.
The very first project? The floors.
Armed with gloves, crowbars, and more determination than experience, we began pulling up the layers of old carpet that had covered the hardwood for decades. It wasn’t a solo job we had family by our side: my husband, his mother, and his uncle all rolled up their sleeves and got to work. What could have felt like a daunting task turned into something surprisingly special. There was laughter, storytelling, and the kind of teamwork that reminded us this house isn’t just wood and nails it’s a living part of our family.
As the carpet came up, so did pieces of the past. Underneath, we uncovered hardwood floors that had been hidden away some sections glowing with a shiny, golden finish, others scarred with scratches, stains, and years of wear. Each board told its own story: where children might have played, where furniture once sat, where Gram herself walked countless times.
Not every inch is perfect and that’s okay. In fact, it’s part of the beauty. The contrast between the gleaming boards and the worn ones feels symbolic of the journey we’re on. Some parts of this house will shine easily, while others will need patience, repair, and love. Just like family.
This is only the beginning of a much bigger adventure. As we continue to peel back layers, make repairs, and breathe new life into Gram’s home, I can already feel how special this process is going to be. It’s more than a renovation. It’s a way of weaving the past into the present, creating a home that will hold both old memories and new ones yet to be made.
For now, I’m standing on these uncovered hardwood floors scuffed, shiny, imperfect, and beautiful and feeling deeply grateful that our first step in this journey was one taken together, with family.
Day Two: More Floors, First Walls, and a Lunch Full of Ideas
Day two at Gram’s house brought more sweat, dust, and a whole lot of laughter. We continued tearing out the old carpeting, rolling it up piece by piece to finally let those century-old hardwood floors breathe again. Some of the boards are still shining like they were just polished, while others are showing the wear of a hundred years of footsteps, stories, and family gatherings.
This time, we had extra hands Aunty Danielle and Cousin Faith came to pitch in. With the four of us working together, we some progress and even started peeling back some of the wallpaper. (Thank you Danielle and Faith!) Each layer feels like unwrapping a little bit of history. Some sections came off easily, while others reminded us just how much love (and paste!) went into this old home.
By midday, dusty and tired, we all sat down with sandwiches for a well-earned break. Over lunch, my mother-in-law and I found ourselves dreaming out loud about design ideas. We tossed around everything from paint colors to how we want the kitchen to lighting trying to balance modern comfort while still honoring the soul of this house. It was one of those simple moments that felt special: tired hands, full stomachs, and a shared vision for Gram’s home.
There’s still plenty of work ahead, but with each carpet rolled up and each strip of wallpaper pulled down, we’re one step closer to seeing this house’s true character shine through again.
8/23/2025 Another Day on the Floors
We spent the day back on the floors again, still pulling staples one by one. It feels like such a small task, yet it’s slow, stubborn work that tests your patience. Right now, we’re convinced this might be the hardest part of the restoration but maybe that’s just because we’re only at the beginning.
In the middle of all the dust and effort, my son made a sweet little discovery a tiny old ring tucked away in the rug we were removing. It was such a fun surprise, a small reminder that this house holds so many stories from the past, just waiting to be uncovered. I’ll share a picture of it here on the blog so you can see.
What makes this work bearable, and even meaningful, is the help we’ve had from family. I find myself wondering how do you ever thank people enough for giving their time, their strength, and their encouragement to help bring new life into an old home? Each pair of hands makes the work lighter, and each laugh or shared story makes the day brighter.
Later, when the house was quiet, I sat near the window and listened to the wind chimes outside. There’s something grounding about those gentle sounds after a day of scraping and pulling. It reminds me why we’re doing this not just to restore a house, but to create a home that will hold future memories, laughter, and quiet moments like this.
As my husband and I talked through next steps, we also let ourselves dream a little about what’s ahead: the rooms we’ll finish, the details we’ll add, and the life we’ll build here. It’s a mix of hard labor and hopeful vision, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.
How to describe such beautiful doors:
Opening Up the Light
One of the most exciting parts of restoring Gram’s farmhouse has been discovering the little touches that bring both beauty and character into the space. Over the last week I have been focused on the French doors and what a difference they’ve made.
There’s something timeless about them. The way the glass panes let the light pour in makes the old wood floors glow and connects the rooms in such a soft, inviting way. Standing in front of them, you can almost picture the gatherings they’ll frame family dinners, grandchildren running through, quiet mornings with a cup of coffee and a view of the yard.
Restoring this home has been about more than fixing walls and floors it’s about creating spaces filled with warmth, memories, and love. These French doors feel like a perfect symbol of that: opening up the house while keeping its history intact.
9/6/2025 Saturday with Grammy Lee & Little Faith
This Saturday was one for the memory book. Grammy Lee, Little Faith, and I spent the day working together in what will one day be our bedroom, the room that once belonged Gram. Our task? Removing the stubborn old wallpaper that had clung to these walls for decades.
The job was trickier than we expected. The paper was sticky and resistant, but with a little patience, plenty of soaking, and some good teamwork, we finally pulled it all away. Beneath it, we uncovered a soft, light pink wall, quietly waiting to see the light of day again.
As we worked, our conversation wandered to the past. We tried to piece together the story of the home’s previous owner and what might have brought her to Gray, Maine, all those years ago. It’s still a mystery, but one that makes this old farmhouse even more intriguing.
After lunch, Jesse and I headed back up the hill to tackle what will eventually be the spare room. Unfortunately, the border and wallpapered wall there didn’t prove to be much easier. Still, with determination, we kept at it. At this point, we can officially say the kitchen, master bedroom, and what will be a cozy room with two twin beds are complete. We’re getting closer!
9/13/2025
Falling in Love with Gram’s House
So far, our work on Gram’s house has been simple but steady, pulling up old carpet and peeling back wallpaper, room by room. It doesn’t sound glamorous, and truthfully, it’s hard work. But with every strip of wallpaper that comes down and every floor revealed beneath the carpet, I find myself falling deeper in love with this home.
I’ve always loved Gram’s house, but now that I’m getting my hands dirty, that love feels different. It’s growing stronger. Each visit makes it easier to picture what the rooms will look like once they’re finished, bright, welcoming, and full of life again.
We’re still at the very beginning, but even now, I can feel it. This isn’t just a renovation project, it’s the start of bringing new life into a place that already means so much.
Wallpaper, Thrift Finds, and Fall Vibes 🍂 9/21/2026
This weekend I headed to Gram’s house with Gabe (15) while Honor (almost 12) and Norah (10) stayed home. Jesse and Ethan were away at a family wedding. Congratulations, Logan and Rylie!
The sewing/craft room is still waiting for me, but I just couldn’t seem to get into it today. Gabe kept me company, though his version of “help” mostly looked like chatting about everything under the sun. We decided to start with something manageable, peeling wallpaper in what will one day be the office.
Fall is just around the corner, and I love the crisp air and shorter days of the season. Hopefully next weekend I’ll have a little more energy to tackle the paper again.
On a bright note, we did score some amazing pieces from a wonderful woman who closed her thrift shop in Utah. Little by little, with every project and every find, this labor of love feels closer to HOME. 🍂 🏡 ❤️
Layers of Wallpaper, Layers of Love 9/29/2025
We finally finished taking down all the wallpaper in the bedroom! Next weekend we’ll be heading into the hallways, the downstairs foyer, and the little bit left in the living room. We are so close to being done with all the wallpaper, and it feels amazing.
The next step will be cleaning all the walls to get the last of the glue off, then starting to assess for damage and make repairs where we can. I must admit, I’m already excited for the next big project; taking down all the doors and starting the (probably agonizing) process of stripping off all those layers of paint. I can just imagine the natural wood underneath shining through again. That might have to wait until spring, along with the floors, but the vision of it keeps me motivated.
The conversations continue with my mother-in-law, Becky, as we work side by side. Her help is both amazing and humbling, and it makes this whole process feel even more meaningful.
This old farmhouse continues to feel more like home with each bit of progress we make.
The Light at the End of the Wallpaper
It finally happened, we finished taking down all the wallpaper upstairs in Gram’s house! Every strip that came off felt like one more step toward bringing this old home back to life. It’s been a slow, steady process full of laughter, dust, and plenty of surprises and this weekend, with the help of my amazing mother-in-law Becky and my husband Jesse, we hit a huge milestone.
As we worked, we uncovered all kinds of little “treasures” written on the walls, names, dates, doodles, and notes from years gone by. Each one felt like a whisper from the past, a reminder that this house has held so much life and love long before we started our own story here.
With the upstairs officially wallpaper-free, we’re heading downstairs next, the dining room, foyer, and that last stubborn little border in the living room. I can finally see the light at the end of this wallpaper tunnel!
It’s hard work, but every layer we peel back brings us closer to making this home truly ours, and somehow, it feels like Gram is right here cheering us on.
10/26/2025 The Foyer, the Quilt, and the Quiet
A new week and another day of wallpaper removal, this time in the foyer. Or the front entrance, depending on who you ask. But I have to admit, I love the word foyer. It feels elegant and warm, like something out of an old novel. I never imagined I’d be living in a beautiful old home with one of my own, but here we are, slowly uncovering it, one stubborn strip of wallpaper at a time.
I started the day alone, early in the quiet of the house. The air was cool and calm, and as the morning light came through the old windows, it reminded me of the holidays creeping closer, that familiar mix of anticipation and comfort. There’s something about working alone in this house that makes me feel deeply connected to its history, almost like it’s breathing alongside me as I work.
By noon, my mother-in-law Becky joined me, and together we made a good dent in the foyer walls. We finished the day the best way possible; snacks and long, easy conversation at her house. Through all of this scraping, peeling, and restoring, I’ve realized that we’re building more than just a home; we’re building a bond. That might just be my favorite part of this whole process.
And in between all the renovation work, I finally or mostly finished my first quilt! A project I started on a whim has turned into something truly special. I can already picture my children someday fighting over it, each wanting to hold onto a piece of the warmth, love, and time stitched into every square.
It’s funny how these small, steady projects, pulling wallpaper, sewing seams, sharing snacks, start to weave together into something much bigger. This house isn’t just being restored; it’s becoming a home filled with stories old and new. And with every day’s work, I can feel that truth settling in deeper.
💛 Thanks for following along as we bring Gram’s house back to life one wall, one memory, and one stitch at a time.
A Cold and Busy Sunday at Gram’s House
It was one of those cold, gray, rainy, Sundays that feel made for staying inside except at Gram’s house, there’s no such thing as a quiet day right now. We had a full house and a full to-do list, and by the end of the day, the dining room was finally finished! 🙌
This project has truly become a family affair. My mother-in-law Becky was there (of course my right-hand partner through it all), and my sister-in-law April jumped right in, too. Even though she is visiting from out of town! Somehow, in between laughter, storytelling, and breaks, the last bits of wallpaper came down and the room felt brand new again.
One of my favorite moments of the day was when Nate, our nephew who was also visiting from out of town, helped tackle one of those tricky, hard-to-reach spots that had been mocking us for weeks. Sometimes it really does take a fresh set of eyes and a little extra height to get the job done!
While we worked downstairs, PaPa was upstairs starting on the next big phase: sanding down the old floors. The sound of the sander humming above us was oddly comforting a sign of progress echoing through the house. Those floors have seen decades of family life, and soon they’ll shine again, ready for new memories.
By the end of the day, we were all tired, dusty, and a little chilled from the drafty old house, but my heart felt full. There’s something really special about working side by side with family, turning an old space back into a living, breathing home.
Every step, every cold, busy Saturday, Sunday brings us closer to seeing Gram’s house restored and filled with love again. ❤️
Another Saturday in Gray…. 11/15/2025
Finally finished the wallpaper removal and wow, what a journey. I rented a steamer today and couldn’t help but laugh at how much easier this would’ve been if we’d just started that way. But maybe that’s part of it… learning as we go, doing our best, and trying to take pride in the messiness of the process.
What really gets me, though, is the help we’ve had along the way. My incredible father-in-law Darrell has been working tirelessly on the upstairs floors. Watching him sand and refinish every board with so much care leaves me genuinely emotional. This home is becoming beautiful not just because of the work going into it, but because of the love people are pouring into it.
I’m so grateful for the help, the hard work, the patience, and the hands that show up even when the projects feel endless. Every day, this house looks a little more like our future, and I’m humbled by everyone who’s helping us get there.
11/23/2025……..Another Weekend Filled With Sand!!
The last couple of days have been all about the floors, again and somehow they’re looking better and better with each pass of the sander. We’re getting so close to the finish line I can practically feel that matte top coat already. I keep catching myself daydreaming about the moment we finally get to step back and see them fully done, glowing softly, all the character of this old house shining through.
And of course, once the floors are finished, I can already picture us moving right on to the stairs, the foyer, the downstairs bathroom, the dining room, the living room… it’s like watching the house slowly wake up, room by room.
But truly none of this would even be possible without our absolute rock stars: my father-in-law Darrell and sweet Grammy Lee. The work, the hours, the patience, the expertise they’ve given us so much. Jesse and I look at each other all the time and say, “We could have never done this without them.” And it’s completely true. The help they’ve poured into this house is the kind of love you can see in the walls (and floors!) every single day.
This place is becoming more beautiful, more “us,” and more of a family project than we ever imagined. I’m just feeling so grateful and excited as everything comes together.
11/30/2025 Reaching the Sealant Stage: A Transformation Unfolding
We’ve finally made it to the stage of putting sealant on the bedroom floors, and I can hardly believe how far we’ve come. The moment the first coat went down, everything shifted, the wood seemed to wake up, showing off colors and grain we hadn’t even imagined were hiding there. This stage has made such a dramatic difference, and it feels like the house is finally beginning to tell its story again.
Looking back, the process has been anything but simple. Pulling out the old carpet, prying up what felt like a million staples, scraping stubborn spots, and hours upon hours of sanding… every step tested our patience and our energy. But standing here now, watching the floors glow, it’s so clear that every bit of that work was worth it.
And truly, we didn’t do this alone. We couldn’t have done this alone. My amazing mother-in-law Becky and the unstoppable energy of Papa Lee carried us through this project more times than I can count. Their help, their encouragement, and their willingness to pour their time and skills into our home has meant more than I can ever fully express. I am endlessly grateful for them, grateful for every moment, every hour they’ve spent helping us bring these old floors back to life.
As you’ll see in the photos, the transformation is incredible. These floors feel like a reward, not just for the labor, but for all the love that’s been poured into this home. And I can’t wait to see what comes next.
12/07/2025 Renovation Update at Gram’s ✨
Well… renovations always come with a few surprises, and this week was a reminder of that! The flooring materials we’ve been eagerly waiting for all week didn’t get delivered due to some unexpected shipping issues. So instead of finishing off the upstairs floors, we’re taking a little forced pause and waiting another week. Renovation patience is a real skill, right?
But we definitely didn’t let the day go to waste! We shifted gears and spent time testing some paint stripping on the stairs and a couple of the old doors. And honestly, look at the progress! As you can see from the picture, we had some real success. Underneath the layers of old paint, the original wood is already showing signs of its charm, and it’s giving us so much motivation for what’s ahead.
At one point I found myself sitting on the floor in what will someday be my bedroom. Right where my bed will eventually go, just imagining how the space will look when it’s finally finished. Thinking about paint colors, the light in the room, and how it will all come together made me feel both peaceful and excited. Even in the middle of dust and delays, there’s so much hope in these little moments.
More updates soon! ✨🏡
12/13/2025 A New Week, A New Plan
A new week at the house means more restoration, more dust, and more lessons in patience. We were hoping to move forward with finishing the floors, but the floor products we need are taking another week to ship. Instead of sitting still (which is not really our style), we decided to pivot and start sanding downstairs so everything will be ready to go once the materials finally arrive. Sometimes with old houses, flexibility is the only way forward.
While the downstairs sanding is underway, I’ve been continuing my own project on the stairs. I’ve been stripping layers of old paint, and wow… it is truly a whole thing. It’s slow, messy, and requires way more patience than I realized, but seeing the progress has been so encouraging. Little by little, the stairs are starting to show their potential, and that keeps me motivated to keep going.
That said, this process has also made me very aware that doors are in my near future and if I’m being honest, I’m already dreading them. If you’ve ever stripped paint from doors or stairs and have tips or tricks, I am all ears. Any advice is welcome and appreciated.
Even on the weeks when plans change, it still feels good to be moving forward. This house continues to teach us how to slow down, problem-solve, and trust the process. One step, one stair, one sanded floor at a time.
I hope you all enjoy the progress pictures!!!
Restoring Gram’s Legacy: Our Journey with a Home Built in 1900. 