Calderwood Cottage: A Full House Tour Revealing Every Inspiring Detail

Welcome, fellow home renovation enthusiasts, to the much-anticipated grand finale of our Calderwood Cottage journey! Today, we’re throwing open every door and shining a light into every corner to showcase the completed transformation of this beloved flip house. From the moment we first stepped into this property, we envisioned a space brimming with character, functionality, and a touch of modern rustic charm. What started as a promising project quickly evolved into a labor of love, marked by unexpected discoveries, resourceful solutions, and a truly collaborative spirit. This tour isn’t just about the finished product; it’s a celebration of the vision, the hard work, and the passion poured into every inch of Calderwood Cottage. Let’s dive into the details, starting with the inviting hallway that serves as the central artery, connecting the private quarters and the convenient guest spaces.

Every step of this renovation was an adventure, including some of the more acrobatic feats required to document our progress. Getting video footage while skillfully climbing the ladder into the upper loft area was certainly tricky, providing a few laughs and highlighting the hands-on nature of our work. It’s these small, memorable moments that truly define the spirit of DIY home improvement.

The Hallway: A Seamless Transition with Rustic Flair

The hallway isn’t just a passageway; it’s a thoughtfully designed space that sets the tone for the private areas of the home. Here, architectural details and practical elements converge to create a welcoming corridor. The consistent flooring throughout ensures a fluid visual connection, while subtle design choices hint at the charming surprises awaiting in each room.

One of the standout features immediately noticeable is the creative use of reclaimed materials. We believe in preserving history and infusing unique character into every space, and the hallway proudly showcases this philosophy.

For instance, we breathed new life into one of the home’s original doors, transforming it into a stunning barn door for the guest bathroom. This design choice was not merely aesthetic; it’s a brilliant space-saving solution, ideal for hallways where a traditional swinging door might impede traffic flow. The rustic charm of the barn door, complete with its black industrial hardware, beautifully complements the overall modern farmhouse aesthetic we cultivated throughout Calderwood Cottage.

The Guest Bathroom: A Symphony of Style and Functionality

Stepping into the guest bathroom reveals a meticulously curated space, where every element contributes to a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Our incredible teammate, Julie, masterfully handled all the tile work, including the truly custom bathtub surround. Her dedication to precision and design is evident in every grout line, turning a functional necessity into a focal point of art.

We carefully selected Liberty Hardware “Providence” bathroom accessories, chosen for their timeless design and durable quality, which perfectly align with our vision of understated elegance. The vanity and sink, sourced from IKEA, prove that stylish and practical design doesn’t have to break the bank. These pieces offer clean lines and ample storage, making the bathroom both visually appealing and highly functional. Wes, in particular, fell in love with the striking waterfall faucet we chose – its unique design adds a touch of modern luxury and visual interest to the space. It’s a detail so captivating that it’s already on my shortlist for our upcoming master bathroom renovation.

Continuity in design is crucial for a harmonious home, which is why we repeated the distinctive Cementina tile in this bathroom, mirroring its use in the laundry room. This choice not only creates a pleasing visual link between spaces but also reinforces the cottage’s consistent aesthetic. The black and white palette, accented by the textured tile, offers a sophisticated yet accessible feel, proving that classic color combinations can still feel fresh and modern.

Bedroom Two: A Sanctuary of Industrial-Vintage Charm

Directly across from the guest bathroom lies Bedroom Two, a space that holds a special place in my heart – it’s quite possibly my favorite room in the entire house. There’s an undeniable magic here, a perfect blend of industrial edge and vintage warmth that creates a truly unique sanctuary. The design choices in this room speak to a thoughtful balance between raw elements and refined comfort.

What truly elevates this room are the exposed beams and the captivating vintage light sockets that are artfully draped across them. This lighting scheme is more than just illumination; it’s a design statement, reminiscent of old factories or rustic workshops, yet perfectly at home in a cozy bedroom. The original intention of 8 bulbs created a rather brilliant (and overwhelming!) amount of light, necessitating a last-minute installation of a dimmer switch. This practical addition allows for ambient lighting, transforming the room from brightly lit to softly aglow with a simple flick, catering to any mood or time of day. Adding a playful touch, keen observers might notice the “washer” cow head, a temporary loan from my own guest bedroom, showcasing how staging can bring personality to a space.

Clever Storage and Original Details

This bedroom, while embracing an open and airy feel, doesn’t compromise on practical storage. It boasts a fairly sized, traditional closet, essential for keeping the space tidy and organized. To maintain the industrial-chic theme, we outfitted the closet doors with two “Industrial” knobs from Liberty Hardware. These knobs, with their robust aesthetic, perfectly complement the vintage lighting and exposed elements of the room.

Another ingenious feature in Bedroom Two is the custom-framed pocket door, utilizing another one of the home’s original doors. Pocket doors are superb for maximizing floor space, particularly in smaller rooms or areas where a swinging door might intrude. This particular installation required some careful planning to ensure the door opening was sufficiently large on the inside to comfortably accommodate the doorknob. The result is a seamless and elegant solution that I absolutely adore, marrying the charm of old hardware with modern space-saving functionality. This attention to detail, from the salvaged door to the precise hardware placement, truly elevates the room.

Bedroom Three: The Ultimate Kids’ Retreat with Loft Access

At the end of the hallway, we discover Bedroom Three, a testament to creative design and maximizing every inch of space. This room, originally conceived as a small office, has been brilliantly transformed into an imaginative and highly functional kids’ room, complete with custom bunk beds and a playful loft.

Within a cozy nook, we framed a built-in bunk bed system. The lower section currently houses another bed, perfect for siblings or sleepovers, but its versatile design means it could easily convert into a desk area if the room were to serve as a home office, as we initially considered. However, seeing it now as a bunk bed, it’s undeniably super cute and perfectly suited for its current role.

The true genius of this room, and what makes it a perfect kid’s haven, lies in the addition of its unique open closet and the ladder leading to the loft above. Julie, with her incredible craftsmanship, constructed the ladder using some of the beautiful reclaimed old lumber from the house, further imbuing the space with history and character. This integration of repurposed materials not only adds aesthetic appeal but also speaks to the sustainable ethos of our renovation.

Ingenious Storage and DIY Ingenuity

To optimize the space further, I designed and built a custom cabinet that fits snugly behind the ladder. A thoughtful 5-inch gap was intentionally left between the cabinet and the ladder, ensuring that climbing feet wouldn’t accidentally kick the cabinet, enhancing both safety and user comfort – a small detail that makes a big difference in functionality.

The hanging bar in this open closet is a prime example of our creative problem-solving and willingness to embrace unconventional materials. We utilized heavy-duty electrical conduit, which offered the perfect blend of strength and industrial appeal. The process of bending this conduit, however, came with its own memorable challenges! Julie, on her very first attempt with a $60 conduit bending tool, managed to break it. Undeterred, she and a friend resorted to using a sturdy tree in the yard to get the job done – even braving a lightning storm, despite my frantic warnings! This anecdote perfectly captures the spirit of resilience, resourcefulness, and the incredible support system we had during this renovation. It’s these kinds of stories that truly make a house a home, filled with character and a sense of shared accomplishment. This unique “closet” for a small bedroom is undeniably cool, wouldn’t you agree? I absolutely love it!

The Versatile Loft: A Hidden Gem

Ascending the custom-built ladder, you arrive at the loft – a delightful bonus space that adds significant value and versatility to Calderwood Cottage. This area is far more than just a storage nook; it’s a genuine extension of the living space, designed for comfort and functionality. We thoughtfully installed a three-way switch here, allowing anyone utilizing the loft as a sleeping area to easily control the lighting after settling in. Furthermore, the inclusion of an air vent ensures that this elevated space remains perfectly comfortable year-round. We did have a minor hiccup during the flooring installation when we discovered the drywaller had inadvertently covered the vent – a common renovation challenge, but one we quickly rectified.

The loft space itself is quite generous, offering ample room for various uses. It could easily accommodate an air mattress, providing excellent overflow accommodation for extra guests, or it could be transformed into a tranquil reading nook. However, our favorite vision for this elevated retreat is as an awesome kids’ play space – a secret hideaway where imaginations can run wild. It truly embodies the spirit of maximizing every square foot in a creative and engaging way.

The Exterior: Curb Appeal and Outdoor Living

Having explored every charming detail within, our tour now moves to the exterior, where the transformation of Calderwood Cottage is equally impressive. The house sits on a generous acre of land, offering a sense of privacy and connection to nature. While the property included a separate garage, our focus remained squarely on the main house and enhancing its immediate surroundings. We gave the garage a fresh coat of white paint to match the house, a simple update that ties the property together aesthetically, though no major renovations were undertaken there. Our primary exterior project, beyond the house itself, was the construction of a massive deck, designed to fully embrace outdoor living.

The sprawling deck is a true extension of the home’s living space, offering an expansive area for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the serene surroundings. After finishing the deck, we furnished it for staging purposes, creating an incredibly inviting outdoor retreat. While the staging furniture wasn’t left behind (which would have been impractical for a sale), the space itself is undeniably awesome, designed to be enjoyed for years to come. And with a fabulous view of the picturesque landscape, it truly is an idyllic spot to unwind.

Front Porch Transformation: Revitalizing Curb Appeal

The front porch underwent one of the most dramatic transformations. When we acquired the house, the porch had been unfortunately closed in, creating a stuffy, enclosed space that was anything but welcoming – frankly, it was hot and a bit “stinky”! Our decision to tear out the enclosure was instantaneous, aiming to restore the home’s original charm and vastly improve its curb appeal and ventilation. We also removed the old, dilapidated brick steps, which were on the verge of collapsing, ensuring safety and a fresh foundation for the entry.

New steps were seamlessly integrated with the newly constructed deck, creating a cohesive and inviting entry point. A small, humorous detail involved our rain cups. We had ordered one a long time ago but didn’t install it until the final days before listing. It wasn’t quite long enough, prompting a hasty local search for an extension. The resulting mismatched cups were a minor imperfection, a testament to the fast-paced nature of a flip project, but certainly not something to dwell on – especially when the overall curb appeal is so striking!

Beyond adding elegant new lights and a fresh coat of paint, the front exterior received one crucial upgrade: a stunning black front door. This bold choice instantly elevates the home’s presence, creating a classic, welcoming focal point that perfectly contrasts with the crisp white brick. The simplicity of these changes demonstrates the powerful impact thoughtful design decisions can have on a home’s overall aesthetic.

The Heart of the Journey: Community, Challenges, and Collaboration

One of the most heartwarming aspects of renovating Calderwood Cottage was the incredible sense of community we encountered. Installing a new doorbell, for instance, proved surprisingly exciting. Hearing it ring and greeting a neighbor who simply stopped by to say hello felt incredibly special. It truly highlights the amazing people in this area! Julie, who typically resides in Los Angeles, was constantly remarking that “only in Tennessee” do complete strangers casually pull over for a half-hour chat about anything and everything. This genuine friendliness extended to countless people who would honk, wave, and yell encouragement as they drove past while we worked outside. Many even pulled right into the driveway, curious to learn more about our project after watching the transformation unfold, eager to hear our story and plans for the house. At least four different individuals stopped specifically to inquire if the house would be available for rent.

While renting was indeed our initial plan, the journey of Calderwood Cottage took an unexpected turn. We continued to uncover more and more damage – from structural issues to pest infestations – requiring significant additional investment in repairs and replacements. This unforeseen scope of work led us to pivot from a rental property to a full-fledged flip. It has been an extensive journey, undeniably. Julie and I poured not just our time and skills, but a literal measure of blood, sweat, and tears into bringing this house back to life. Every challenge overcome, every creative solution found, has woven a rich tapestry into the fabric of this home.

While Julie and I undoubtedly make a fantastic renovation team, creating a finished product we are incredibly proud of, we’ll be taking a brief hiatus from joint projects. My immediate priority is to complete the outstanding projects in my own home – a promise I’ve made to myself and to Wes, and one I frequently remind Julie of as she’s always on the lookout for our next adventure! Adding to our temporary pause, Julie also requires surgery on her finger, which she unfortunately broke back in January. It healed poorly due to lack of immediate care, significantly limiting its bend. It’s truly surprising how much a non-bending pinky finger can impede daily tasks, especially in a hands-on renovation environment!

I’m immensely excited to put the finishing touches on my own home and then, with renewed energy, look forward to our next thrilling adventure with Julie. Our collaboration is always filled with fun, learning, and immense satisfaction, and I couldn’t be happier with the beautiful home we’ve created at Calderwood Cottage. It stands as a testament to what dedication, creativity, and a little bit of grit can achieve.

Continue the Calderwood Cottage Renovation Journey

If you’re eager to delve deeper into the entire Calderwood Cottage transformation, from the initial demolition to the final touches, we invite you to explore the full series. Each post chronicles the exciting, challenging, and rewarding steps of this incredible project:

Introduction to Calderwood Cottage

Demo Days:
Part 1,
Part 2,
Part 3 (Termite Attack!),
Part 4, and
Part 5.

Round 2: Framing and Core Construction:
Part 1,
Part 2,
Part 3,
Part 4, and
Part 5.

Round 3: Finishing Touches and Major Installations:
Part 1 (Budget & Schedule),
Part 2 (Floors),
Part 3 (Deck Completion), and
Part 4 (Building Beams).

And the first installment of the Completed House Tour!

Thank you for following along on this incredible Calderwood Cottage adventure. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to us. Stay tuned, as I’m now incredibly motivated to get my own house DONE!