Dori the Flip House: week 12

I hope you enjoy these weekly updates as I learn to navigate through the business of flipping houses.  My latest flip house, Dori sports the 3 L’s in real estate, but will need more than a bit of creativity to make the house sellable. You can find more about this house and about my 4 previous flip houses here. Have you entered my giveaway yet?  I'll pause for a moment while you go do that.

Welcome back!  On to this week's update.

I'd be lying if I said this week was exciting in the least.  By the end of next week, however, everything should be just about set with the exception of a bit of painting, staging accessories, and final touches.  Only a few things happened this week

This week, the engineered wood floors in the living room and hallway are starting to get installed and hopefully will be all set by the end of today.  I'm using my go-to flooring guy once again.  After installing the wood floor at Clark myself, I know how to install them, but I also know that I move at a snails pace and I have to list this house sometime!  That's where pros come in.

Meanwhile outside, the garage got new siding on the back and a brand spankin new door that isn't all busted up.

As per my usual as of late, I've been painting.  And as per usual on these houses, I feel like the painting will never end.  I did finally settle on a toned down front door color (which compliments my custom shutters perfectly) and gave the old gal a modern spin on house numbers.  They may be my current favorite thing on this house and they're making me really want a silhouette machine so I can make stuff like this myself.

Aside from finishing up this flip in the next week or so (!!) I have several other fun things up my sleeve in the next few weeks!  Stay tuned!

Happy weekend!!

5 Years, a Pineapple, & a Giveaway!

5 years ago today I wrote this little blog post about how I was going to push myself out of my comfort zone and put myself out there even if I was just talking to myself.  Somehow, along the way, something pretty magical happened and I'm not just talking to myself or my family.  I can't thank you guys enough for coming back week after week, checking out my flips, my projects, and my random tangents! To commemorate 5 Years of Serendipity (pun intended), one of you guys is getting a present!

Everyone needs a pineapple.  Have you noticed they're kind of a thing these days?  Pineapples are the new foxes.

So when I saw this little gem at the thrift store, I couldn't pass it up!  This petite pineapple bowl is the perfect size for your keys in your entryway, your jewelry on your nightstand, or just a pretty little catch-all.

Naturally it needed a bit of pizzazz, though.  It was cute to start, but everything could use a pop of color and a bit of shimmer, no?

With a little bit of frog tape, spray paint, and liquid gold leaf, now one of you will have a very fancy pineapple.

Enter to win this zazzy little guy below!

Thanks so much for 5 years of your support and love!  Here's to many more!

Dori the Flip House: week 11

I hope you enjoy these weekly updates as I learn to navigate through the business of flipping houses.  My latest flip house, Dori sports the 3 L’s in real estate, but will need more than a bit of creativity to make the house sellable. You can find more about this house and about my 4 previous flip houses here. After this week, I can't be showing you full rooms anymore- I don't want to ruin the final reveal in a few weeks!  Listing in 17 days!!! (oh crap I have a lot to do)

The biggest transformation of the week was the bathroom.  All the fixtures are installed and working.  There is a medicine cabinet (hiding behind the blue film). There are working lights.  What more could you want?  Only a few small finishing touches and staging and I can put the "done" stamp on here!  My methodology in here was to go for the wow.  I didn't use the lowest-end finishes because in a house like this it would feel cheap.  By upgrading a few things like the shower head, I'm creating a lot more perceived value.

Personally, this week I've been getting my hands rather dirty with painting in between doing client design work.  I finally added my touch of color to the curb appeal with the front door.  I already toned down the color once and am debating toning it down one more notch.

Back inside, the kitchen got countertops and more plumbing. (yay plumbing!!!)

Now you get to see almost the full effect of the new breakfast bar.  I've also been busy picking up a few craigslisted pieces for staging.  You know I can't help myself.  Once they get a wipe-down, 2 of these quirky little stools will be the perfect place for my imaginary future buyer's imaginary kids to sit and do homework.

I see lots of painting in my future.

Have a wonderful weekend!