The Melrose property really was a diamond in the rough needing a complete facelift to the exterior and landscaping. The interior needed paint, moldings, and updating to the kitchen and baths. The home went from a dingy outdated colonial to a bright and comfortable home with a Cape Cod feel. This home went from Drab to Fab!
Before: Outdated exterior colors, broken walkway, tattered shutters, old roof, shabby storm door, unappealing front door, over grown shrubs, small windows (right) and rotten porch pillars.
After: Freshly painted exterior and repaired shutters, new roof, new brick walkway, trimmed hedges, new porch pillars, light post by Walpole Wood Workers and larger windows (right).
Before: A poorly lit kitchen with a drab dropped down ceiling. This kitchen had old formica counter tops with a very old refrigerator and stove. The whole space needed a face lift and freshening up.
After: The dropped down ceiling was replaced with blue board and plaster. Recessed lights were inserted and a pendent light added over the sink. The refrigerator and range were replaced with GE stainless models. The cabinets we’re painted and new hardware added. The countertops we’re replaced with butcher block.
Before: The porch and back strairs were in rough shape. You can also see the small windows in the den (left). This porch had to be ripped off and disposed of. It was too small and in poor shape to use it as an entertaining area.
After: The porch was replaced with a large deck. Ipe ( a brazillion hard wood ) was used for the  decking with a hidden fastener system. The colors we’re changed. Grass grown. A patio, privacy fence and arbor gives it a Cape Cod feel.
Before: The backyard was overgrown and was more like a campground. This pic is after we cleared low branches, ripped out vines, bushes and weeds. You can see the chain link fence which was the neighbors. We had started to build some stone planting beds into the hill.
After: Lush green grass provides a wow factor in any landscaping project. This was grown from seed. A cedar fence was installed for privacy and to hide the chain link fence. Trimming, planting and pruning shaped this backyard into a little oasis.
About Randy Tibbetts
