Exterior Revivals: Before and After of Home Facelifts
Who doesn’t love a good Before and After photo, especially when it comes to homes. For nearly 10 years, I found my passion in restoring and remodeling homes in our neighborhood. My business, Picket Fences, would breathe new life into older homes. This concept was long before “flippers” came onto the housing scene. With every home, I would take great care to renovate with integrity.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mimi-and-her-wallpaper-600x585.jpg)
While I was in high school, my parents bought a 1771 historical Colonial home that needed extensive renovation. Mom and I would spend countless hours discussing this restoration project. I felt so grown up knowing that Mom bounced ideas off of me, but in retrospect it was probably because Dad wasn’t as interested in the details. However, that was the beginning of my love of historic home remodeling.
The photo above is my mother who stripped off numerous layers of wallpaper and found the original wallpaper in our front hall. We assume the design was from the late 1770s as it was hand printed. She carefully removed a full repeat and sent it to Schumacher. Schumacher reproduced it and called it “Norwich” after our hometown. I think there may have been a few free rolls given to us. My mother was very resourceful.
Our Own Home~Bella Terra
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_5235-600x638.jpeg)
Bella Terra, built in 1910, is the 4th renovated home for us. I have also purchased, remodeled and sold 6 others. In looking through old photos, I thought you would like to see some Before and After shots. Granted some of them are before digital cameras, but for the most part, you can see the improvements. To read more about the restoration of our home, click here.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_5243-600x800.jpeg)
The Berridge Remodel
Curb appeal and the attractiveness of the exterior of any home creates a lasting first impression. If it doesn’t catch your eye at first glance, then you can anticipate that the rest of the house is probably subpar.
Here is the original entrance of a long brick ranch-style home that I remodeled in 2008. An unattractive security screen door, unsafe sidewalk, deteriorating rafters, and small scale light fixtures add to the ugly entrance. But being a brick, ranch-style home on a large lot on a very pretty street, made me excited to take on this project.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA3-600x800.jpg)
In order to create a wider entry, custom double doors are fitted. We then add an overhang to break up the long, low, linear lines of the roof of the house.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA5-600x800.jpg)
Notice the improved walkway, the fresh paint and the well-lit entry. Here is the street view…..Before…
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA6-600x450.jpg)
And After…Notice the new windows, siding, roof, house, landscape lighting and the addition of shutters. This was one of my favorite remodels. It has 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and the most amazing mud/laundry/craft/office room with a gorgeous back yard. A new family just recently purchased it and they love it as much as I do.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA7-600x450.jpg)
The Myrtle Remodel
This sweet small ranch has such potential but is obviously dated and in a state of disrepair. Here is the front entrance before.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA8-600x450.jpg)
Here is the after. The colors were inspired by a home on my favorite street in Stonington Borough, Connecticut. Since the windows are single paned, I replace them with new energy efficient casement ones. New wider shutters, a batten barn siding, a new asphalt roof and weathervane give the home a fresh appeal. The oval window provides some curves to a rather angular house. Adding a custom shuttered front door provides security and ventilation at the entrance.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA9-600x450.jpg)
In this remodel, I create a new master bedroom and bath out of the original garage. Closing the existing carport provides off street parking for two cars.
The Central Avenue Remodel
Here is another long, low brick ranch from the 1950s. The front door is a cheap, hollow core closet door. Odd stacked stone below the brick facade is a bit of a visual distraction. I am not wild about the roof, but after some research, I discover it is a very expensive composite with a lifetime warranty.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA10-600x453.jpg)
It takes some creativity to mask the stacked stone and do so using a wainscoting technique. Once painted white, it gives the house a more formal traditional look.
I am a big window person. To me, windows are the eyes of the house. If the windows are cheap or the wrong style, the house feels off. New windows provide greater energy efficiency, which is important during our Phoenix summers.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA11-600x450.jpg)
Black shutters, paned windows, a new front entrance and pretty landscaping, the entry looks much more appealing. The roof is no longer an eye sore because your eye is drawn down to more attractive details.
The Willetta Restoration
This 1920’s Jeffersonian gem requires a massive restoration. Behind the main house is the guest cottage. There was an apartment attached to the front of this building, making it an awkward space.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Willetta-44-of-52-600x398.jpg)
When we demolished the building we discover the original garage and barn doors. Unfortunately we could not salvage the hinged doors as they are too damaged.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Wguestbefore-600x450.jpg)
Here is what it looks like now as a newly converted guest cottage. New windows and doors, siding, landscaping and a custom built arbor, increase the curb appeal of this sweet structure. To read more about this Willetta home restoration, click here.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/BA12-600x450.jpg)
The main house, built in 1922, had been vacant for over 20 years and was in a state of disrepair when I purchased it.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Willetta-6-of-52-600x398.jpg)
Finally it has been brought back to its original grandeur. Removing the aluminum siding showcases the original clapboard. A new roof, repaired columns, appropriate lighting and a new 2 story addition on the back makes this a historical charmer.
![](https://lifeatbellaterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/WillettaTwilight-1-600x400.jpg)
I love any and all Before and After pictures~~ of people and makeovers, homes, just about anything. As I sort through the thousands of photos, I will continue to share other remodels with you.
To see another post on Before and After pictures from the internet, click here.
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This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday #645
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Mary you always do an incredible job! I am in the middle of my own home renovation. I wish I would’ve found beautiful wallpaper like your mother and you found! We just found a lot of unusable materials, the whole house needed to be gutted. So, we found a dumpster rental in fountain hills az and have been working hard on it, I wish I took better before and afters but I’m so excited for the project to be finished!
Tammie, oh how exciting!I LOVE renovating homes. Granted some of the days are long (and expensive), but the outcome is so rewarding! I, too, wish I had taken more before pictures too. Would love to see it!
It’s ALL ABOUT the end result!! I rather associate it with child bearing labor pains…9 months later…you’re ready to go at it again… Beautiful “Afters.!” franki
Franki, funny but the Willetta remodel took exactly 9 months and it did feel like birthing a baby! But we soon forget and I’d love to do another one!
Beautiful! You did such a good job on all these homes. I have always wanted to do this, but am too intimidated!
Michele, I LOVE remodeling homes and am always looking for my next one. However, with the market flooded with investors paying top price, it’s hard to find one that is reasonable. I put in high quality finishes and it’s hard to eek out a small profit.But, I keep looking!
These are beautiful tours de force into the restoration of and breathing new life into amazing homes. I especially enjoyed following the links. To be able to see the details of and more of the processes you followed and careful thought you put into these historic houses is a rare opportunity. Thank for sharing. I plan to forward this to my friends.
Alan, thank you for your sweet comments! I hope your friends enjoy this post.
I’m exhausted looking at all the beautiful work you have accomplished.
What a gift you have in looking for the best to be done in making your home represent you.
Penny, thank you so much!
Mary, you’re so talented, these are fabulous remakes. It’s so wonderful you were able to pursue your true love of renovating houses!
Karen, that means alot coming from someone who has such a beautiful home! Thank you!
Seriously, wow. Absolutely beautiful. I would love to have known which U.S. states these homes are? (I just like to know basically where they’re situated.)
And I definitely would have liked more pictures of the big white dog!! 🙂
Wendy at the Inspired Eater (women losing after fifty)
All the homes are in Arizona in Phoenix. We have such a variety of architecture here but in my neighborhood is it mostly low profile ranch homes and historic estates.
Cooper, our Akbash, is a real cutie. You are right, I need more photos of him! Thanks for visiting today and I look forward to checking out your website.
Wow, I love what you did to the guest cottage on the third house, looks so much better! I remember the last house! It turned out so well too.
You do such a great job with remodeling! Your work definitely shows how much you really enjoy it.
Thanks for sharing these photos…I got a few ideas for curb appeal for my own home 🙂
Each one is more impressive than the last! Love these Mary.
You are amazing Mary!!!