Behind the scenes

Follow along for a behind the scenes look as we tackle renovation projects from start to finish. We'll be sharing every step of the way, from design inspiration and planning, to construction, sourcing, and styling. Our goal is to chronicle our projects and share ideas and information that others might find helpful.

#dwelloctoberstudio Elizabeth Fair #dwelloctoberstudio Elizabeth Fair

A divided entry at a #dwelloctoberstudio mid-century modern fixer-upper

Although this one level house looked small from the exterior, it was deceivingly large on the inside, with spacious rooms and a great floor plan. The front door of the #dwelloctoberstudio mid-century modern fixer-upper opened into the living room and featured a floor-to-ceiling divider that created a separate entry area with a coat closet.

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#dwelloctoberstudio Elizabeth Fair #dwelloctoberstudio Elizabeth Fair

Simple #dwelloctoberstudio '90s builder grade house cosmetic updates

As part of this #dwelloctoberstudio '90s builder grade house transformation, we also updated the second floor of the home. The changes upstairs were mostly cosmetic and included new windows and doors, new white oak hardwood flooring, new trim with a clean, modern profile, and fresh white paint. It's amazing how something as simple as switching out door hardware can have such a dramatic impact on modernizing the look and feel of a home!

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#goldengirlscondo Elizabeth Fair #goldengirlscondo Elizabeth Fair

It’s all about the view at the #goldengirlscondo

Through a short sale, we purchased a condo located in a mid-century modern high-rise building right on the beach in Lynn, MA. When we first saw the home, we fell in love with the ocean view and the layout and couldn't wait to tackle this project and transform the dingy, dated unit into a colorful, sun-filled space. The #goldengirlscondo floor plan was reminiscent of a luxury hotel suite, with two bedrooms and bathrooms separated by a spacious living area and a small enclosed kitchen space.

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#witchymodernhouse Elizabeth Fair #witchymodernhouse Elizabeth Fair

Upstairs at the #witchymodernhouse

When we first purchased the #witchymodernhouse, we initially planned to add a shed dormer to the second level in order to make the house a two bedroom. The building already had a walk up attic that would make this possible. But while working with an architect, we realized it made more sense to rebuild the second floor entirely in order to increase the amount of usable living space.

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#witchymodernhouse Elizabeth Fair #witchymodernhouse Elizabeth Fair

A #witchymodernhouse spa

Since the #witchymodernhouse included only one full bathroom, we wanted to make this space as spa-like and luxurious as possible. An oversized walk-in shower served as the focal point of this bathroom design. We carried the star pattern cement tile used on the floor of the bathroom into the shower itself to make the room feel spacious and cohesive.

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#witchymodernhouse Elizabeth Fair #witchymodernhouse Elizabeth Fair

Living the #witchymodernhouse life

While working on this project, we discovered that the right side of the building was actually the original structure and that the left side had been added on at a later date. As a result, the two halves of the #witchymodernhouse were on slightly different levels. This layout seemed like a natural division for a kitchen and living space, so we ended up keeping the floor plan pretty similar.

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#sisterhouse Elizabeth Fair #sisterhouse Elizabeth Fair

A classic bathroom design for the #sisterhouse

When we purchased the #sisterhouse, it only had one bathroom, which was located on the second floor. The bathroom had last been remodeled in the 1960s and featured a powder blue bathtub, vanity, and toilet. Personally, we loved the mod look, but the fixtures were starting to rust after 60 years and the plumbing needed to be updated. When redesigning the bathroom, our goal was to bring back classic finishes that tied in with the home's Craftsman roots.

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#sisterhouse Elizabeth Fair #sisterhouse Elizabeth Fair

Meet the #sisterhouse

Shortly after completing the #startercondo, we tackled our next project, the #sisterhouse. We fell in love with this house the minute we stepped foot inside. An American Foursquare built in the 1920s, the house had been owned by another pair of sisters before we purchased it.

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