A House Renewed: Cindy’s Home Gets New Life
80s Home Remodel Reveal | Before and After
A Renovation Founded on Love
When we set out to renovate Cody’s mom Cindy’s 1980s-era home, it wasn’t just about giving new life to cabinetry and paint. For us, it was about honoring Cody’s mom as she faced the unexpected loss of her husband, Stacy, and creating a space that reflected both her strength and her story. For Cindy, a widow navigating memories in every corner, this renovation was more than a design project; it was honoring the memories of the past and a fresh start for her moving forward. While we were honoring Cody’s mom, we were really trying to make the house more functional for her as a new widow and also fulfilling dreams she’s always had about her ideal home. We were trying to take care of her. She loves to entertain and has never had a large kitchen designed with that in mind. We wanted to give her that. We also wanted to fix some of the awkwardness in the floor plan of the house. Previously, she had to walk through the master bedroom to get to the back bedroom, and those bedrooms shared the primary bath. She didn’t have her own space. With the reconfiguration of the back bedroom to be the primary suite, and reconfiguring of the hallway in that part of the house, she now has her own private primary suite.
Memory in Every Detail
Walking through Cindy’s home, you could almost hear “Papa’s” voice and the sound of Horse Racing on TV. This renovation would continue to help her start a new chapter where more stories can be created.
After Stacy passed, Cindy returned to the house, now filled with reminders of the past. That’s when the idea of renovation transformed from hopeful to necessary—necessary for creating a fresh chapter while honoring what came before.
Choosing a Timeless Palette
Together, we researched timeless colors and finishes that would look beautiful for many years to come, while welcoming warmth and light. The result was a palette that brightened up the space, and design choices that aimed to make this special house more functional for Cindy.
While the detailed list of paint colors and finishes is available through the links below, some highlights include nuanced neutrals and gentle accents that reframed the rooms without erasing their soul.
Design Highlights
Another goal of this remodel was to create a home where Cindy would be able to live and age in place for years to come. Some design features we used to do this were making sure walkways and kitchen aisles were plenty wide for getting around despite any future potential mobility issues.
We also used lever door handles instead of knobs, which are easier to use. All cabinets have hardware for easy opening and closing. And we used a Microwave Drawer which is great because as we age our hands get weaker, and we don’t want anyone reaching up and spilling hot liquid on themselves. Additionally, the microwave sits below the counter and if anyone is in a wheelchair, they will be able to use it.
Because the bedroom that is now her Primary Bedroom used to be a garage, the floor was about 2 inches lower than the rest of the house. This tiny step was a big tripping hazard so we had it raised to be level with the rest of the house.
Outside, new exterior lighting brightens her entryway, adds safety, and welcomes her home each evening with warmth and light.
Key Remodel Highlights
Bathrooms: Calm and Functional
The bathrooms became spaces of relaxation and rejuvenation, with vanity lights that created a soft glow, and sconces that brought warmth to quiet moments of rest. The updated bath faucets added modern elegance while maintaining a timeless feel. Cindy often mentioned how these small details made her feel as though she had stepped into a serene retreat within her own home. Cindy works hard during the day. She now has to do a lot of the things her husband used to do on the outside (tending the garden, sweeping the porches, etc.) in addition to the cleaning and cooking she did on the inside. At the end of the day, this was about her being able to relax and wind down with a hot bath. The soaking tub became a quiet sanctuary for Cindy.
Bedrooms: Rest and Renewal
For Cindy’s bedroom, the dresser light fixture was chosen to strike the perfect balance of style and calm. The addition of almond-colored window shades with a blackout liner gave her the flexibility to welcome sunlight during the day and enjoy restful darkness at night. We love how easy these are to operate which improves functionality.
Living and Dining Areas: Letting light in & Rightsizing the space
The living room received new life with thoughtful upgrades, including a TV framed by a sleek TV frame that turned technology into art. (The old tv was too big for the room.) Ceiling fans were replaced with modern, energy-efficient designs (shop the ceiling fans here), bringing fresh air and lightness to a space that had felt heavy and outdated. In the living areas, the challenge was that we were working with 8′ ceilings, the room was cluttered with furniture, and the finishes were all very dated (wallpaper everywhere, 80’s wall of mirrors, inadequate lighting, dated fixtures). We really needed to bring light into the area. We did this with paint colors, replacing the front door with one that lets more light in. We added more recessed lighting throughout. We also removed the plantation shutters on the front windows to allow more natural light in. We upgraded the look of the mirror wall to bring it up to date while allowing them to still reflect natural light, which brightens up the room.
The dining room chandelier became a centerpiece of family connection. This stunning fixture brought an inviting elegance to the space, perfect for the family dinners Cindy longed to host again.
Kitchen: Heart of the Home
And finally, Cindy’s kitchen was way too small for the amount of time Cindy spends in her kitchen and she had almost no pantry space. We gave her a nice large walk-in pantry (check it out in the video) Her former, “makeshift” pantry used to be in the master bathroom closet! We also doubled the size of the kitchen. You can open the refrigerator doors and still have plenty of room for circulation, unlike the cramped kitchen before.
Cindy’s kitchen is now truly the heart of her home. And, she can now have guests seated to keep her company at her new, massive, 11’- 4’ island while she does her magic in the kitchen. She has tons of storage space in her cabinets now. A woven basket added both storage and texture. And, cleaning up is a breeze now that everyone can fit in the space to help! We installed a new sink from Lowe’s that tied practicality and style together beautifully. We updated cabinet pulls, installed with the help of a hardware jig, added modern polish and function. Check out the drawer microwave & refrigerator used in addition to the lighting.
More Than a Renovation
Grief is rarely linear. The renovation became a metaphor for Cindy’s journey through loss. Some days are brighter, others more solemn. Cindy’s home renovation was part of her process to step into a future with hope and strength, while remembering and honoring the past. Every thoughtful addition carried meaning.
A Home with New Vision and Memories to be Made
When the renovation drew to a close, Cindy’s home looked so different. Cindy was excited! Her tears were tears of joy and disbelief that her house was transformed the way it was. Cindy struggled to visualize and picture how things could be, so when she saw things for the first time, it was a mix of shock, awe and joy. The soul of the 1980s house endured in its architecture and subtle flourishes, yet now it carried layers of love, empathy, and new beginnings.
We had family waiting in Cindy’s new living room for her after she had enjoyed a tour of her freshly updated home. Watching her step through her refashioned doorway, we saw strength returning. We could see her realizing she was going to be okay, that she was surrounded by people who love her, and knowing her home would suit her needs for many years to come.
Design Dreams Come True
This renovation was never merely about aesthetics. It was love given form: in light fixtures that offered gentle warmth, in cabinetry hardware that symbolized fresh starts, and in carefully chosen colors. This renovation was about fulfilling her dreams, about making the house function for her in the transition to a new phase of life. It was about making the house a place where she can share life with friends and family in a new environment that is more spacious, bright, beautiful and functional.
Through it all, we weren’t just renovating a house. We were helping Cindy step into her next season with hope. Here at The Old Barn, we’d love to help make your NEW home a haven, too. Contact us today!
Links:
Full renovation video: 80s Home Remodel Reveal | Before and After