Our Century-Old Farmhouse Fixer: A Deep Dive into Year One Renovation Progress

Welcome to an exciting update on our ongoing journey to breathe new life into a charming, yet challenging, 100-year-old farmhouse! Embarking on a farmhouse fixer project is no small feat, especially when dealing with a century of history, and we’re thrilled to share the significant strides we’ve made in just our first year on this incredible property. From crucial foundational work to strategic expansions and the restoration of historical elements, it’s been a period of intense labor, invaluable learning, and immense satisfaction. If you’ve ever dreamt of transforming a vintage home or are currently navigating your own home renovation journey, then settle in. You’re about to discover the detailed progress we’ve achieved in the last 12 months, along with some candid reflections on lessons learned and a peek into how our family rallied together for a special event.

Throughout this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the nitty-gritty details of each major project, from the initial planning stages to the rewarding moments of completion. We’ll also openly discuss unexpected challenges, the solutions we found, and most importantly, what we might have approached differently with the wisdom of hindsight. Beyond the construction, we’ll share a heartwarming story about how our entire family pitched in to prepare the farmhouse for a small, intimate December evening wedding, showcasing the home’s nascent charm even amidst its transformation.

Farmhouse Fixer: A Detailed One-Year Review

Embarking on a vintage home restoration is a journey filled with highs and lows, and our 1900 farmhouse fixer has been no exception. Join us as we recap the key milestones and challenges of our first year, providing an honest look at what it truly takes to bring a century-old property back to its former glory, and beyond.

1. The Pivotal Decision: Buying the Farmhouse – November-December 2017

The decision to purchase this particular farmhouse was a complex one, fraught with both exhilarating potential and daunting realities. We knew from the outset that this wasn’t just a simple cosmetic upgrade; it was a full-blown farmhouse renovation project. The property presented a list of significant hurdles that would give many prospective buyers pause, yet we saw beyond the immediate flaws to the hidden gem underneath.

Key issues we meticulously considered included:

• No Foundation: This was perhaps the most critical structural challenge. The house essentially sat on a rudimentary pier-and-post system, not a solid, continuous foundation, leading to uneven floors and structural instability. This meant we’d need to lift or painstakingly underpin the house to install a proper foundation, a costly and time-consuming endeavor.
• Crumbling Vinyl Siding: The exterior was cloaked in aged, deteriorating vinyl siding, masking any original character and offering little protection. We envisioned stripping it all away to reveal (and hopefully restore) the original wood siding beneath.
• Few Original Features Left: Unlike some historic homes, this farmhouse had seen numerous alterations over the decades, stripping away many of its charming, original details. This meant we’d have to carefully research and recreate period-appropriate elements to restore its vintage charm.
• Rough Interior: Inside, the house was a patchwork of outdated finishes, worn flooring, and questionable repairs. It required a complete gut renovation to bring it up to modern living standards while respecting its history.
• Too Small Master on Main: The existing master bedroom on the main floor was impractical and cramped, necessitating a creative solution for expansion or reconfiguration to serve as a comfortable retreat.
• Bathrooms and Kitchen Need Updating: Both the kitchen and bathrooms were severely dated, dysfunctional, and in desperate need of a complete overhaul. This represented a substantial portion of the interior renovation budget and effort.

Despite these significant challenges, our hearts were captured by the property’s undeniable charm and potential. We absolutely fell in love with the breathtaking view from the expansive windows, the serene rural location (which, as real estate agents always say, is everything!), and the inherent charm of a cute old farmhouse just begging for a second chance. It felt like a calling, a unique opportunity to save a piece of history and create our dream home. The vision of what it *could* be far outweighed the current state of disrepair, cementing our decision to take the plunge into this exciting farmhouse fixer adventure.

2. Settling In and Strategic Planning – January 2018

After the initial thrill of purchasing the property, January 2018 marked our official move-in, signaling the true beginning of our farmhouse renovation journey. Living on-site, even in a temporary manufactured home just 100 feet away, allowed us to immerse ourselves completely in the project. The first few months were less about demolition and more about meticulous planning and navigating bureaucratic processes.

For those curious to see the raw reality we faced, we documented the initial state:

• Here’s the link to the interior tour video where you’ll see all the nitty-gritty of what we needed to do to transform this space. Be warned: it’s not as picture-perfect as the exterior might suggest!
• And here’s the link to the exterior tour video where we initially shared some of our early plans and dreams for the property. (Spoiler alert: some of my early assumptions about the original window configurations were actually incorrect – a common learning curve in historic home restoration!)

The first six months post-move were predominantly dedicated to crucial groundwork. Our top priority was finding a skilled and reliable professional to install a new foundation, a task proving significantly harder than anticipated. Many contractors were either unwilling to work on such an old structure or proposed solutions that involved raising the house, which we wanted to avoid to minimize potential damage and cost. Simultaneously, we embarked on the complex process of drawing up detailed plans for the interior renovation that required permits, submitting them, and patiently awaiting approval. This period also involved extensive research and gathering of supplies, from lumber to windows, ensuring we had everything ready once the green light was given. This groundwork, though unseen, consumed far more time and energy than we had initially budgeted, teaching us invaluable lessons about the timelines involved in a major home improvement project.

3. Foundation and Garden Beginnings – June 2018

By June 2018, after months of searching and planning, we were absolutely thrilled to finally break ground on the most critical phase of our farmhouse renovation: the new foundation. We found an incredible mason who specialized in older homes and possessed the unique skill set to build a solid, continuous foundation without the need to lift the entire house. This was a monumental victory for us, as raising a house introduces a host of complexities, potential structural damage, and significantly higher costs.

Our mason, a true craftsman and a one-man operation, offered a solution that was not only considerably cheaper but also preserved the structural integrity of the existing frame with minimal disruption. The trade-off was time; this meticulous process took a full four months to complete. However, watching him carefully work, brick by brick, creating a robust and level base for our century-old home, made every moment of waiting and every penny spent absolutely worth it. The peace of mind that came with knowing the house was finally resting on a solid foundation was immeasurable.

Beyond the house itself, we also turned our attention to the surrounding property, envisioning a thriving garden space. You can get a glimpse of our aspirations in this yard & garden tour video. While we made some initial progress, a crucial element, the deer fence, regrettably remained unfinished. This meant that any serious planting had to be put on hold, as the local wildlife would undoubtedly make short work of our efforts. Our hope is to prioritize the fence in the coming months, allowing us to finally begin spring planting and cultivate the productive garden we’ve been dreaming of for our farmhouse property.

4. Unveiling and Restoring the Siding – July-September 2018

With the foundation work underway, limiting interior access, we redirected our efforts to the exterior of the farmhouse. July through September saw us tackle the crumbling vinyl siding, a task that was messy but incredibly rewarding. Peeling away the layers of modern covering was like uncovering a hidden treasure; beneath the vinyl, we discovered the mostly-intact original wood siding on the two-story portion of the house. This was a significant win for our historic home restoration goals, as preserving original elements was a key priority.

My husband, Brian, even captured a clever shortcut for vinyl siding removal, which you can see in this short video. His ingenious tip made the labor-intensive process much more manageable. Our builder then took over, meticulously restoring the original wood siding wherever it was salvageable – specifically on the front two-story section and the two charming dormer sections. The areas that couldn’t be saved, along with the new extension, were planned to be covered with classic board-and-batten siding, creating a beautiful contrast and honoring the farmhouse aesthetic.

A crucial detail in restoring the exterior charm was also the reintroduction of window moldings in their original, historically accurate widths. These seemingly small changes had a monumental impact on the farmhouse’s curb appeal, instantly elevating its character and providing a glimpse into its past. We were absolutely delighted with the transformation; the house finally began to look like a true farmhouse, shedding its drab vinyl skin for a more authentic and appealing facade.

5. Foundations, Utilities & a Grand New Entrance – September-October 2018

As the foundation work continued, September and October brought a flurry of activity, both inside and out. One of the most visually impactful projects during this period was the installation of our stunning new front door. With the invaluable help of friends, we tackled the DIY task of centering and installing it ourselves. This new entryway was an instant game-changer; it dramatically transformed the curb appeal of our farmhouse, providing a warm and inviting first impression. Beyond aesthetics, the door also features generous glass panels, allowing a flood of natural light to stream into the living room – a welcome change that truly brightened the interior. Seeing it completed (scroll down a bit more for a finished look!) was a huge morale boost in our home renovation journey.

Concurrently, our dedicated foundation builder finalized the back wall extension. This strategic bump-out, adding eight crucial feet to the rear of the house, was designed to significantly enlarge the master bedroom, addressing one of our initial concerns about the room’s inadequate size. While this work might not be glamorous, it’s absolutely essential for the functionality and comfort of the future living space.

We also delved deeper into the “underpinning stuff” – the vital but often unseen infrastructure of a home. This included extensive work on the electrical systems, ensuring modern safety standards and sufficient power for our renovated spaces, and the installation of new heat ducts. These foundational tasks are critical for a comfortable and efficient home, requiring meticulous planning and execution even if they don’t offer the immediate visual gratification of a new door or restored siding. It’s all part of the intricate dance of a comprehensive farmhouse remodel.

6. Extension Framing & a December Wedding – November-December 2018

As the year drew to a close, November and December brought us closer to seeing tangible results of our interior renovation plans. We were delighted to finally secure a contractor to begin framing the master bedroom extension. From the exterior, those eight additional feet might not seem like a significant change, but within the confines of the house, they made an enormous difference. This crucial expansion provided ample space for both an enlarged master bathroom and a generously sized walk-in closet, transforming what was once a cramped area into a luxurious and functional suite – a testament to the power of thoughtful home extension planning. You can see the initial framing work in the image above, where the expanded footprint for the closet is clearly taking shape.

Amidst the ongoing construction and dusty environment of our farmhouse fixer project, an unexpected and heartwarming event added another layer of urgency and joy: hosting a small December wedding for my nephew. This required an intense, focused effort to prepare the entry door and the surrounding siding to be presentable, creating a beautiful backdrop for the festive occasion. Our family pulled together, cleaning, decorating, and adding festive lights to transform the entry porch into a magical space for the evening ceremony. It was a wonderful milestone, allowing us to share the nascent beauty of our transforming home with loved ones even before it was fully complete. You can see some of the enchanting moments and how the lights made the evening truly special in the wedding photos I posted on Instagram.

Looking back, we’re incredibly proud to say that despite the numerous challenges and the sheer scale of the project, we actually met all the major goals we had set for the first year of our 1900 farmhouse renovation. This achievement was a huge morale booster and validated our efforts. (For a more detailed look at these goals and a recap of the year, you can explore my 2019 Goals & 2018 Recap post.) We are, of course, immensely grateful to have our comfortable manufactured home just a stone’s throw away, providing a peaceful retreat from the ongoing construction.

Looking Ahead: Our 2019 Farmhouse Renovation Goals

As we transition into year two of this ambitious farmhouse renovation, our focus shifts from foundational and exterior work to the interior transformation. Our 2019 goals are ambitious but achievable, building on the solid groundwork laid in the first year. These next steps will truly begin to shape the living spaces and bring our vision for a modern yet historically sensitive farmhouse to life:

• Finish the Newly Extended Master Bedroom: This includes insulating, drywalling, flooring, and all the finish work for the expanded master suite, culminating in passing the necessary permit inspections. We envision a serene and spacious retreat, complete with the generous walk-in closet created by the extension.
• Gut and Redo the Main Floor/Master Bath: A complete overhaul is planned for this critical space. We aim to design a bathroom that is both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing, reflecting the farmhouse style while incorporating modern comforts and fixtures.
• Make a Storage Area into a Laundry Room: Transforming a currently underutilized storage area into a dedicated, efficient laundry room is a top priority. This will involve plumbing, electrical work, and intelligent design to maximize space and functionality.
• Start on the Kitchen: The heart of any home, our kitchen renovation will commence in 2019. This will be a major project involving demolition, new layout planning, custom cabinetry, appliance selection, and creating a truly inviting and practical space for cooking and gathering.
• Get All the New Windows Installed: Replacing all remaining old, inefficient windows with new, energy-efficient ones is crucial. This will improve insulation, enhance comfort, and dramatically boost the aesthetic appeal of the farmhouse, bringing in more light and framing those beautiful views.

Of course, each of these goals involves countless smaller tasks – selecting and installing doors, choosing and laying floors, applying finishes, installing intricate moldings, and managing all the details that make a house a home. It’s a daunting list, but we’re fueled by the progress we’ve made and the vision for the finished home. We’re so glad to have you along for every step of this exciting farmhouse fixer journey!

For more frequent updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses into our farmhouse remodel, be sure to follow us on Instagram at @AnOregonCottage, like our page on Facebook, pin our ideas on Pinterest, and to never miss an update, subscribe to our newsletter.

(NOTE: This article was originally published as episode 49 in our former podcast series. It has since been rewritten and updated to include video content and provide a more comprehensive review of our farmhouse renovation progress.)