Red, a renovation story

Looking back, I can hardly believe we lived in this house for over a year. Time slipped by so quickly. “Red,” as we called him, was rough around the edges—what started as a dated, poorly renovated house that was literally falling apart slowly transformed into a contemporary home that finally belonged on its beautiful acreage location.

The outside needed so much attention that we spent more than two months working on it before we ever focused any attention on the inside to make it hospitable enough to sleep on the inside. Our little camper served as a refuge until the summer heat made it unbearable. From there, we worked our way from the outside in, and from the top down.

The front porch was our first big project. Phase one revealed some unwelcome guests—ants had eaten through most of it, and years of water damage left us no choice but to rebuild. Phase two will bring new deck boards, railings, lights, doors, windows, ceiling, stairs, and paint.

Next came the garden doors—a milestone worth celebrating. The old sliding doors had been so poorly installed that water damage spread deep into the structure. It took far longer than expected, plus a few too many trips to the hardware store, but we made it right. We then completely rebuilt the back deck that extended the kitchen and dining space into the beautiful outdoors. 

Renovating isn’t glamorous—it’s a lot of dirty work. Dumpster after dumpster, we saw the progress. One of the best moments was when the new porch stairs went in and visitors could finally walk in the front door without a ladder.

Attached to the house was a ramshackle greenhouse built from antique windows. Quaint in theory, but in reality, it was unsafe and blocked the view. Taking it down opened up the sight lines to the acreage beyond.

Around the same time, I discovered many flowers that the previous owners planted as well as wildflowers scattered across the property. Sadly, we had to remove a huge lilac that grew too close to the house, but with the help of friends, we shaped new flower beds. I wanted the plantings to be soft yet simple, low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and well-suited to Alberta’s climate and sunlight.

Prepping the exterior for paint was a long process—repairing siding, caulking, cleaning—but worth it. We chose a dark brown body with a crisp white porch, grounded by a black front door. The garage got the same treatment with new shingles, siding, paint, windows, and lights, finally pulling it into the same story as the house.

Inside, the first project was the floors. The laminate was cheap and worn, and though we uncovered parquet beneath, it couldn’t be saved. We replaced everything with durable luxury vinyl plank in a rustic finish that tied the house back to its natural surroundings.

Painting followed quickly after. My husband jokes, “If it sits still long enough, she’ll paint it”—and he’s not wrong. I grew up decorating and refinishing furniture with my mom. She was fearless and I feel very at home with a paint brush in my hand. The beige walls throughout were replaced with a warm white that kept the light but gave the home a cozy glow.

Some jobs were less enjoyable—like stripping layers of textured paint from the dining room walls. With a heat gun and putty knife, I made slow progress, but it was worth it. The wood stove also got some love and polish, becoming one of my favorite features.

The primary suite was ready after five months. It was a large and luxurious retreat in the treetops and felt good to finally settle in. From there, the finishes began to come together: modern touches paired with rustic details like the stained tongue-and-groove on the living room vaulted ceiling and the redesigned railing and stairs that we painted black.

By November, we were ready for the kitchen. We refinished the counters, installed a new sink, faucet, light, and eventually a dishwasher. In the powder room, I kept the original gray-green tile but added gold fixtures, a retro globe light with gold accents, and forest-inspired peel-and-stick wallpaper—stylish yet noncommittal.

The lower-level staircase was one of the biggest challenges. Poorly modified at some point, the treads were uneven, and the landing was so low most people hit their heads. Rebuilding it took time, but it was worth it. A proper staircase should be something you never have to think about.

By February, the basement was nearly complete. The guest room had been a disaster—popcorn ceiling, stained carpet, bad electrical, cobwebs everywhere—but transformed into a warm, inviting space. For the second bedroom, a blanket ladder doubled as cozy décor and cleverly concealed the electrical panel.

Throughout it all, we added little touches: artwork that spoke to the natural surroundings, antique books styled for their covers and textures, picture shelves built into an odd wall indent, cozy drapes for warmth and texture, and modern elements balanced with rustic charm.

The house became an ever-evolving work of art. Things shifted, moved, and adapted as we lived in it. And while renovating demanded a lot of sweat, dirt, and patience, every finished corner made it worth the effort.