Our 100-Year-Old Farmhouse Renovation: Summer Progress & Garden Success

Welcome back to the ongoing saga of our beloved 100-year-old farmhouse fixer-upper! This summer has been a whirlwind of activity, marked by significant milestones in our whole-house renovation journey and delightful progress in our newly deer-fenced vegetable garden. While neither the house nor the garden is ever truly “finished” – that’s the joy and challenge of a historic home and a thriving landscape – we’re celebrating every step forward. Join us as we recount the major accomplishments and share the lessons learned from our summer endeavors, bringing us closer to transforming this charming old house into our dream home.

Embarking on a whole-house renovation, especially one involving a century-old structure, is always a marathon, not a sprint. We knew this from day one, and it’s a perspective that allows us to truly cherish each small victory. This year, one of our greatest joys has been savoring the bounty from our vegetable garden. After a disheartening battle with deer last year that left many of our plantings decimated, the successful establishment of our deer fence has been a game-changer. Now, we’re not only enjoying fresh produce daily but also diligently preserving sauces, freezing vegetables, and stocking our pantry for the colder months. This simple pleasure underscores why we pour so much effort into both our home and our land.

Summer Farmhouse Renovation Recap: Uncovering History and Building for the Future

Our farmhouse renovation isn’t just about updating a space; it’s a journey of discovery, blending historical respect with modern functionality. This summer, we made significant headway in several critical areas, from structural upgrades to aesthetic transformations. Each project, no matter how small, contributes to the overall vision of restoring this home’s original charm while ensuring its longevity and efficiency.

The Great Wall Reveal: A Glimpse into the Past

One of the most exciting and perhaps nerve-wracking projects this summer was the removal of wallboard in our living and dining room. The photo above captures this moment, showcasing the original wood wall that served as the backdrop for our recent video update. Why embark on such a messy and labor-intensive task, you ask? There were two primary motivations driving this decision, both deeply rooted in our commitment to historical authenticity and personal aesthetic preference.

Firstly, and most crucially, we yearned to understand the original construction of the house and assess if the underlying wood walls were salvageable as a finished surface. Our hope was to uncover beautiful shiplap, a classic feature of many old farmhouses, that we could simply paint to achieve that coveted rustic-chic look. This dream, unfortunately, did not materialize as expected.

While every wall we’ve meticulously uncovered in this farmhouse has indeed been made of wood, none of it has been the neatly milled, tongue-and-groove shiplap we envisioned. The living room walls proved to be no exception, and in many ways, they were even more revealing of the home’s various evolutions. We discovered multiple old doorways that had been crudely filled in with a jumble of random wood pieces. The video tour provides an even clearer picture, showing how sections of the left side of the wall were pieced together from three to four-foot strips of wood haphazardly nailed next to each other. This discovery, while dampening our shiplap dreams, offered a fascinating insight into the practical and often improvisational building techniques of a bygone era.

So, while we cannot utilize these walls “as is,” the revelation wasn’t without its silver lining. We’ve gained invaluable inspiration from the original construction. This house was built with wood walls and wood ceilings, and this authentic detail will now guide our design choices wherever possible. We are committed to replicating that original aesthetic, albeit with modern materials and a more refined finish, honoring the spirit of the home’s heritage.

The second compelling reason for removing or covering the existing wallboard was its distinctly modern texturing. This particular style of texturing, popular in recent decades, felt utterly out of place in a century-old farmhouse. The clash between the home’s inherent character and this contemporary finish consistently bothered me. Sometimes, I wish I could simply overlook such details and make life easier, but my passion for preserving historical integrity and creating a cohesive aesthetic simply won’t allow it!

Key Accomplishments: Progress on Multiple Fronts

This summer’s efforts weren’t limited to dramatic reveals; they also included a host of essential, behind-the-scenes work that lays the groundwork for future phases of our farmhouse renovation. Each completed task brings us one step closer to a functional, beautiful, and energy-efficient home.

Farmhouse Remodel Milestones:

• Rough Electrical Permit Passed: This was a huge hurdle! Obtaining this permit signifies that our electrical rough-in meets all safety codes and is ready for inspections, ensuring a safe and modern electrical system for our old home. It’s a testament to careful planning and execution.
• Framing Permit Passed: Another significant milestone, confirming that the structural integrity of our new addition and any modified framing adheres to building regulations. This allows us to move forward with confidence in the bones of our renovation.
• All Insulation Installed in New Addition: We’re thrilled to have completed the insulation in our new addition. This critical step dramatically improves energy efficiency, reduces heating and cooling costs, and enhances overall comfort. We’ll be calling for the final insulation permit inspection very soon!
• Consulted with Builder about Kitchen Remodel: The heart of the home, the kitchen, is next on our planning agenda. Our consultation with a skilled builder helped us refine our vision, identify potential challenges in a historic space, and strategize the optimal flow and functionality for our future kitchen. We’re eager to integrate modern amenities while preserving the farmhouse aesthetic.
• Started Removing Wallboard: As detailed above, this ongoing process has been both challenging and enlightening, gradually revealing the original structure beneath the surface. It’s dusty work, but immensely satisfying to peel back the layers of time.

Farmhouse Garden Progress: A Bountiful Harvest Thanks to Persistence

Beyond the sawdust and construction, our garden has been a vibrant testament to growth and resilience. After last year’s setbacks, this summer has seen our vegetable garden truly flourish, providing us with an abundance of fresh, organic produce. The transformation from a deer-ravaged plot to a productive haven has been incredibly rewarding.

Farmhouse Garden Highlights:

• Completed the Deer Fence and Gates: This was undoubtedly the biggest garden project of the year and an absolute necessity. The substantial deer fence, complete with secure gates, has successfully protected our crops from hungry visitors. While the main structure is done, we still have plans for a charming arbor entrance and need to fortify lower areas with chicken wire to deter persistent ground squirrels.
• Completed More Raised Beds and Planted: We expanded our garden with additional raised beds, which offer excellent drainage, reduce weeding, and make gardening more accessible. These new beds are bursting with life, boasting a variety of tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and an assortment of other delicious vegetables.
• Started on a Garden “Coffee Patio”: We embarked on a unique and eco-friendly project: constructing a small “coffee patio” using broken concrete. This creative use of salvaged materials not only gives new life to old concrete but also creates a charming, informal seating area where we can enjoy our morning coffee amidst the garden’s serenity.
• Harvested and Enjoyed It!!: The ultimate reward! From juicy heirloom tomatoes to crisp cucumbers and tender beans, we’ve been harvesting a steady stream of fresh produce. The satisfaction of growing our own food, free from pesticides, and knowing exactly where it comes from is truly unparalleled. This year’s harvest has been exceptional, making all the hard work worthwhile.

For a comprehensive look at our garden’s evolution, its current layout, and our exciting future plans, be sure to check out our detailed Garden Tour Year One. It showcases the progress from empty beds to a verdant oasis.

This summer has been a period of immense growth, both literally in the garden and figuratively within the walls of our historic farmhouse. Each day brings new challenges and new triumphs, reinforcing our commitment to this long-term project. We’re learning, adapting, and continuously falling more in love with this unique property. The journey of transforming a fixer-upper and cultivating a thriving homestead is deeply rewarding, and we’re grateful to share it with you.

For more updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and inspiration from An Oregon Cottage, follow us on Instagram @AnOregonCottage, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t miss out on any part of our journey – subscribe to our email newsletter to keep up with everything!

(NOTE: This article has been updated and expanded from what was originally episode 61 of our former podcast, incorporating new details and video content to provide a comprehensive summer recap.)