Some homes show their age in every board and seam, and that is part of their charm. A woman who shares her projects as @byaimee.elizabeth recently opened the door on her lake house in Louisiana, and she was upfront from the first minute: it is a work in progress.
The place began life in the 1970s, or thereabouts, as a trailer. She believes it started as a single-wide, and at some point an addition was built onto it. That addition is now the main bedroom. It is a humble beginning for a home on the water, and she walks guests through it with a lot of warmth and a sense of humor, even joking about the heat outside before heading in for the air conditioning.
“Keep in mind, it is a work in progress,” she tells everyone, and then she starts the tour on the screened-in porch.
@byaimee.elizabeth
Starting on the screened porch
The porch is where the changes begin. She admits right away that things are a little messy, since she has had a lot of packages arrive this week, and there is a trash pile to prove it. Housekeeping aside, the porch tells the story of a home being slowly made her own.
The walls were originally green, and a bit of that green is still visible nearby. She found the space felt really dark, so she painted one wall white. It is a small move with a big payoff. Some of the items on the walls were left behind by the people who lived there before her.
Her bigger idea for that wall is to run boards across the entire length so she can hang plants and other pretty things. It is the kind of plan that costs little and changes a room a lot.
Meet Maverick
No house tour is complete without the real boss of the place. Her dog, Maverick, makes an appearance and gets plenty of praise: “You’re such a good boy.” He even has his own little door, which lets him head in and out as he pleases.
From there she moves inside, including a bathroom with new light fixtures and a towel hook she points out with obvious pride. She mentions ordering a few items from Wayfair along the way. By the end she thanks everyone for coming along, and says she hopes her page brings a little lightness to their day.
Lessons from a trailer turned lake house
You do not have to own a lake house to borrow a few of her smart moves. Here are some ideas that work especially well in older manufactured homes and trailers, or any home with small, dim rooms.
- Paint is the cheapest transformation. Older homes from the 1970s often have darker paneling or bold color. Lighter paint, even on one wall, bounces light around and makes a room feel bigger. If you have paneling, a good primer matters.
- Change the lighting early. New fixtures, like the ones she added in the bathroom, are one of the fastest ways to make a room feel fresh. Swap in warm LED bulbs for an easy glow.
- Use the walls for greenery. Boards, rails or simple shelves let you hang plants without using up floor space, which is a gift in a small home.
- Do one room at a time. A work in progress is still a home. Finish the porch, then the bathroom, then the next space, and enjoy each as you go.
- Do not skip the unglamorous checks. With a home that started in the 1970s, it is smart to have the roof, wiring, plumbing and floors looked at by a qualified professional before you invest in decor. Moisture is the big enemy, especially in warm, humid climates.
- Plan for the pet. A pet door, like Maverick’s, is a small touch that makes daily life easier. Just be sure to install it correctly so it is sealed against bugs and drafts.
Why a rough start can be a gift
It also helps to set a realistic budget before you begin. Pick the three changes that will make the biggest difference to how the home feels each day, such as light, storage and a comfortable place to sit outside, and do those first. Decorating comes last, and it is the part you can do slowly, one thrifted find at a time.
Starting with a home that has history means every change is yours. Homes that began as trailers are often very affordable to buy, which leaves room in the budget for the things that make a place feel like home. Keep a simple list of projects, mark them off as you go, and share your progress with people who cheer you on, as she does.
It may not be finished, but it is hers, it has a dog door and a lake outside, and that is a pretty good start.
More Stories You May Like
- Couple Bought 10 Acres of Land and Ended Up in a Fence War With the Neighbor That Is Now on Part Seven, and Their Advice to New Landowners Is Simple
- Home Inspector Finds A Gas Meter With A Broken Top Held Together With Tape, Then Learns Nobody Ever Called The Gas Company To Fix It
- Business Consultant Says He Wants The Contractor Working On His House To Make A Healthy Profit, And His Reasons Have Homeowners Rethinking The Cheapest Bid
Leave a Reply