DIY Farmhouse Remodel: Unveiling Two Years of Transformation and Hard-Earned Progress

Welcome back to our journey! We’re excited to share a comprehensive update on what we’ve achieved during the second year of our ambitious DIY farmhouse remodel. While much of this progress might not be Instagram-ready “pretty,” these crucial foundational tasks are absolutely essential, meticulously laying the groundwork for the truly exciting, finishing touches that are finally within reach.

We’re thrilled to bring you another progress report, complete with an accompanying video, recorded directly from our partially finished new master bedroom. While we initially thought this would be a super cool backdrop, we quickly realized it’s quite echoey – apologies in advance for the sound quality! Despite the acoustic challenges, we wanted to give you an authentic, unfiltered look at the significant strides we’ve made over the past two years on our beloved century-old farmhouse.

Admittedly, a lot of what we’ve accomplished falls into the “behind-the-walls” category. These aren’t necessarily the dazzling, aesthetically pleasing transformations that often capture attention on social media. Instead, they are the vital, often unseen, structural and systemic upgrades that ensure our farmhouse is not only beautiful but also safe, functional, and efficient for decades to come. Of course, the sheer scale of this project means we still have a considerable amount of work ahead of us, but we’re immensely proud of the foundation we’ve built, both literally and figuratively.

Throughout this challenging yet rewarding DIY process, we’ve learned invaluable lessons, not just about construction and design, but also about patience, problem-solving, and perseverance. We’ll also delve deeper into the intricate pros and cons of taking on the role of your own general contractor, offering insights that could be incredibly helpful for anyone considering a similar path.

Farmhouse Remodel Progress Year 2 Video Overview

NOTE: As mentioned, the sound quality in our unfinished space is a bit rough, especially at the beginning of the video. Please bear with us – we promise you do get used to it as you continue watching!

Farmhouse Fixer Year 1: Laying the Groundwork

Before diving into the specifics of year two, let’s quickly recap the monumental achievements of our first year. Without a doubt, the single biggest undertaking and accomplishment during that initial phase was the complete overhaul and restoration of the farmhouse’s foundation. This wasn’t merely a repair; it was a fundamental stabilization project that ensures the longevity and structural integrity of our century-old home.

This massive foundational work allowed us to proceed with other significant exterior improvements. We successfully removed the old, unsightly vinyl siding that had masked the home’s original character for too long. With the vinyl gone, our skilled foundation builder was able to meticulously restore much of the original siding beneath and, importantly, add beautifully wide, historically accurate moldings. This instantly elevated the home’s curb appeal and brought back a sense of its historic charm.

To further enhance the exterior, we installed a stunning new, centered front door, which immediately became a focal point. We also took on the challenging task of redoing the porch siding ourselves, a true test of our DIY capabilities. These efforts culminated just in time to host a memorable, intimate wedding ceremony in our then-open living-dining room in early December, proving that even mid-renovation, our farmhouse could be a place of celebration and warmth.

For those interested in a deeper dive into these initial year one happenings, here are some helpful links:

• Our New Farmhouse Fixer & The Before Tour
• Brian’s invaluable tip for removing vinyl siding on You Tube
• Landscape Machinery 101, Boulders, & Updates for Our Property
• A Farmhouse Wedding: Celebrating Amidst Renovation
• Farmhouse Fixer Year 1 Review + Video: A Detailed Look Back

Our Biggest Regret So Far: A Hard-Earned Lesson

Every extensive DIY project comes with its share of decisions, and inevitably, a few regrets. For us, the biggest thing we’ve regretted to date is the decision to raise the ceiling in the master bedroom. What initially seemed like a spontaneous, exciting idea – “Let’s make it taller!” – quickly proved to have far-reaching and expensive consequences.

So far, the cons associated with this seemingly simple whim have vastly outweighed any perceived pros. The immediate impact was a significant increase in costs, not only for the structural work involved in raising the roofline but also for subsequent trades. Electrical layouts had to be reconfigured, requiring more wiring and labor. Windows, which were initially ordered based on the original ceiling height, had to be reconsidered or customized, leading to delays and additional expenses. Furthermore, all the finishing materials – from drywall to trim – had to account for the new, increased height, adding to both material and labor costs. This decision serves as a powerful reminder of how one seemingly small change can create a cascade of unforeseen complexities and budgetary strains in an old house renovation.

We also share more in the accompanying video about the nuanced pros and cons of being your own contractor, a role we’ve embraced fully, with all its joys and challenges.

Farmhouse Remodel Progress Year 2: The Unseen Foundations of Comfort

Year two of our farmhouse renovation journey has been characterized by meticulous attention to the critical, yet often unseen, infrastructure that modern homes require. While not the “pretty” stuff, these advancements are fundamental to the comfort, safety, and efficiency of our revitalized home.

1. Exterior Trim Completion and Priming: We kicked off the year by completing the exterior trim on our new addition in March. This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was crucial for protecting the structural integrity and providing a finished look. Over the summer, we dedicated time to priming all the new trim, a vital step for weatherproofing and ensuring a durable, long-lasting paint finish. As you can see in the photo above, this also highlights the thoughtful placement of the extra windows we incorporated after our decision (and subsequent regret) to raise the bedroom ceiling, adding much-needed natural light to the space.
2. Overhauling Foundational Systems: The bulk of year two was dedicated to tackling the core systems that our century-old house desperately needed to bring it up to modern standards. This included:
   • Electrical: A complete re-wiring of the house was necessary to replace outdated, potentially unsafe knob-and-tube or early-century wiring. This involved installing new circuits, outlets, and lighting infrastructure to meet contemporary safety codes and power demands.
   • Plumbing: We undertook a significant plumbing overhaul, replacing old, corroded pipes with new, efficient PEX and copper lines. This ensures clean, reliable water delivery and drainage throughout the home, from future bathrooms to the kitchen.
   • Heating and Cooling Updates (HVAC): Installing a new, energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system was a major undertaking. This complex process involved designing ductwork, installing a new furnace and air conditioner, and ensuring optimal climate control for year-round comfort.
   • Insulation: Improving energy efficiency was paramount. We focused on upgrading insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors to reduce energy loss, improve thermal comfort, and significantly lower future utility bills. This also helps with sound dampening, creating a more peaceful interior environment.

   Each of these critical upgrades required detailed planning, skilled execution, and rigorous inspections. Furthermore, navigating the permit process for these extensive projects has been a time-consuming but essential part of ensuring all work meets regulatory standards and passes official approval. This is often where being your own contractor truly tests your organizational skills and patience.

3. Kitchen Demolition and Structural Engineering: Another monumental task was the complete demolition of the existing kitchen space. This wasn’t just about removing old cabinets; it involved meticulously working with structural engineers to obtain approval for removing a load-bearing wall. This significant structural change required careful planning and the installation of a massive support beam, opening up the space dramatically for a modern, open-concept kitchen and dining area. This will be a game-changer for the flow and functionality of our home.
4. Salvaging History: Stripping Old Doors: Amidst all the heavy construction, we also embarked on a more delicate, preservation-focused task: painstakingly stripping the layers of old paint from various salvaged doors we discovered. This labor of love revealed beautiful original wood grain and character that we plan to reintegrate into the farmhouse’s design. You can go here to see how that turned out and appreciate the effort involved in bringing these historical pieces back to life.

In essence, year two has been about creating a solid, modern infrastructure within the historic shell – admittedly, nothing particularly “fun” to photograph, but absolutely critical for the home’s future. The progress, though hidden, is profound.

But rest assured, we are absolutely confident that year three will be the year of the “pretty” finishes! We’re envisioning the installation of beautiful wood-covered walls, carefully mimicking the original shiplap in areas where we weren’t able to salvage the historic elements. We’re excited to lay down gorgeous wood floors that will bring warmth and character to every room, and to reinstall our salvaged, refinished doors (now that we’ve ensured all door openings are appropriately sized!). The meticulous process of adding interior trim, baseboards, and casings will follow, tying everything together. Most excitingly, we’re eagerly anticipating the completion of usable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing bathrooms and, finally, a fully operational kitchen!

Speaking of the bathroom, we have an incredibly special project planned: transforming a stunning vintage dresser into a unique and charming vanity. This combines our love for repurposing with practical design:

I stumbled upon this gem on Facebook Marketplace, and it fits absolutely perfectly into our designated bathroom space! The quality of its construction is actually superior to a previous dresser we successfully converted into a vanity, which speaks volumes about its potential. Furthermore, I’ve already got exciting plans for a custom paint treatment to address its damaged top, which will not only restore it but also infuse it with even more unique character and charm. This blend of old and new, salvaged and reimagined, is at the heart of our farmhouse aesthetic.

For more ongoing updates and inspiration from An Oregon Cottage, be sure to follow us on Instagram @AnOregonCottage, connect with us on Facebook, and explore our ideas on Pinterest. Don’t forget to subscribe to our email updates to ensure you never miss a moment of our farmhouse transformation journey!

(NOTE: This article was originally derived from episode 68 of our former podcast. It has been extensively rewritten and updated to provide a fresh perspective and align with current video content.)