The Journal Begins

If we were truly on top of our game, we would’ve began this journal 16 months ago when we picked up our striking, one-story brick ranch here in Richmond, Virginia. But I guess we were too caught up with home work (literally) to even think about recording our progress online.

When we picked up the place in May of 2006, we were its 3rd owners in its 50-year-old history. We were fully charmed by its strong bones, and happily challenged by its complete lack of style (the striking backyard was also a plus). We moved in with big dreams of what it could become. And a mere 12 hours after closing, it was already on its way…

Simply to get a sense of where we were starting – check out this shot of our old den.

No wonder we frequently referred to that room as the hunting lodge in the first few weeks of homeownership. But if there is anything we have learned throughout the process of making our old house a home, it is that you should never underestimate the power of a few coats of paint.