Our Suburban Cottage

I fell in love with our suburban cottage the first time I saw the MLS listing online. Seriously, I would have bought it before ever setting foot inside of it; I just knew it was the place for us. I was going through a horrible divorce and I desperately wanted a house where I could create a home for my son and I.

Sure, the house had outdated wallpaper, brass fixtures galore and ugggly laminate countertops, but I was able to see past all of that. I knew I could make it our own, even on a super tight, single mom budget. I don't believe that beauty has to cost a lot of money - beauty just requires a good eye, lots of creativity, and a whole lot of elbow grease.

I knew this first hand from my experience updating our old house, where I spent about $400 to transform this hideous, I-didn't-even-want-to-walk-in-to-it bathroom:

Into a room that makes you say ahhhh:

And where I was able to bring this kitchen into a new century for around $100:

So far in our new home, I've eradicated the place of 1980's wallpaper, updated paint, and switched out light fixtures...all by my sassy little self.

BEFORE

AFTER

And those ugly laminate bathroom countertops? I couldn't afford new ones (not even cheap laminate), but being greeted each morning by burgundy laminate just was NOT an option. So...I painted them. Yes, I painted my countertops. Don't worry, the process I used is plenty durable and I'm loving the results.

BEFORE

(doesn't it give you a stomach ache just looking at it?)

AFTER

(better, although the bathroom is still a work in progress)

The point of this little story? I believe everyone deserves a beautiful home regardless of their financial situation. With a little creativity and elbow grease anyone can create beautiful surroundings that make them happy and feel like they're HOME.