Home makeover: Renovation that took just 4 months


Some things just get better with age, but that still means you have to work at it. Case in point, this 100-year-old house, which got a stunning modern makeover by its new owners Meg Jannott and Joe Benghauser.

Listing
The red-brick fireplace feels outdated next to beige walls.

The charming, 1,350-square-foot place located in Royal Oak, Michigan, was transformed in about four months. “We are very lucky in that our families helped us out tremendously and we were able to do a lot of work ourselves with their help,” the couple told TODAY Home over email.

Diana Liang Photography DianaLiang.com for Apartment Therapy
Crisp white walls make the home feel brighter and fresher!

One of the most dramatic (and inexpensive!) things they did to the three-bedroom, two-bath home is paint it. In the living room, they chose a white hue to cover the beige walls, and the update instantly brightened up the room.

“It’s amazing what paint can do,” they wrote, adding that they want to go back and add an accent color to a wall. For now, they find the white bright and fresh.

Listing
The home is 100 years old, but it lacked character before.

To give the home a sense of character, they furnished it with classic wood pieces that feel rich and inviting.

Diana Liang Photography DianaLiang.com for Apartment Therapy
With mid-century wooden furniture, the couple added some personality.

One of the challenges of having such an old house is the uneven floors, but the couple has embraced the quirk — at least for now. The floors remain the same as they were when the two bought the home, although they’ve added some carefully chosen rugs that match the aesthetic of the space.

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Uneven floors were a challenge.
Diana Liang Photography DianaLiang.com for Apartment Therapy
Thoughtfully chosen rugs can add color and interest in a room with old, uneven floors.

Both graphic designers, the couple designed everything on their own. “We didn't have a set look in mind, necessarily, but all of our things have sort of been coming together as we go,” they wrote. “Our inspiration sources continue to be Pinterest and Instagram (as well as) blogs that we follow. For us, it's been a matter of living with something for a while and moving it around until it feels right.”

And that leads to their biggest piece of advice for others who want to update. “Don't rush,” they said. “Try to fill your home with items that have meaning. It makes your home more personal to you when pieces have a story to tell.”

See more pictures of this gorgeous makeover at Apartment Therapy.

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