The first words in my head were "Holy, wow!" It looks like a great communal space where lots of activity will be taking place.

But where did that cool acorn fireplace go?

I actually gasped looking at this. Well done.

I'm not trying to be snarky, but I like the before better, especially the exterior (although the difference in seasons is not helping the after). In general, I feel like it had more character and charm before, while the after feels more generic.

Jane Magazine used to have a "makeunders" feature where they made tiny tweaks to a woman's appearance as a counter point to "makeovers" where women ended up looking nothing like themselves.

I think home decorating and renovating are ready for a "makeunder" trend, too.

I really like both the before and the after. I'd live in either one in a heartbeat.

I'm a huge fan of tile floors so I'm sad to see them go, and I feel like some of the uniqueness has been taken away... but the end result does look great! I especially like the black around the cabinets, and the extra windows.

Good job :)

I wish I could see more of the before - I liked the tile floors too and although the kitchen has nice cabinets & all, that massive island in the center of the room has made the living room into a really nice bowling alley...

Wow, surprised that some liked the before. How did the exterior (or interior) have more character and charm before? It was so overgrown you couldn't even see much of the house and what you can see was just freshened up with paint. And the simple fences go well with the house.

I *despise* tile floors in the living room! It's so cold and non-homey. the makeover is sooo much better! The floors look great and the kitchen makes me green with envy. I especially love that wood (what kind is it?). I think the island is a great modern way to make a galley kitchen functional and obviously you can still fit a couch with room on either side so the space works.

The ONLY thing I don't like about this is the dining room area. Wish you hadn't put that weird wall in. Otherwise it would be a really nice open home.

Yeah, I'm not much for tile floors in a space that large. The wood is def. a better choice imo. The space as whole is a bit on the sparse side of color for my taste, but is very well done nonetheless. And where can I find the cone fireplace?

Aw. I liked the floor before. I like it after too though.

That was a clever idea to turn on the lights. They probably should have done it before the renovation and it would save some money.

Lights! Awesome idea. I liked the tiled floor. Wood floor is nice, but it has been done to death....like gray paint.

I like both the before and after, too, but the after more.

I liked the tile floors... sad to see them go for (very nice, but much more conventional) wood. Ah well; whatever works for the owners...

I like the interior more now, the wood floors are nice, but the kitchen is just a bit too much wood on top of it. I actually like the exterior much more before. It was overgrown, that's right, but it's not too difficult to cut back some large bushes. The fence is terrible imo with a slight chance for improvement while it grays.

Love the "after". Tile floors anywhere but the bathroom and maybe kitchen are huge "NOs" in my book.

Sadness. This is terrible. I hope your love affair with flame wood was worth it.

That flame will burn out and where will you be? You'll be without fabulous tile floors, an acorn fireplace, and a soul.

That's where you'll be!

agree not a fan of flame wood as anything more than an accent, and don't understand the weird fences in the front.

I think the problem with the exterior, for me, is that I can't tell what the fence is supposed to be doing. It's limiting space, but it's not blocking view for privacy, and it's not even connected to hold something in. It's just... there. It's a visual statement, but it's one that doesn't make immediate intuitive sense as being 'part' of anything.

Far better to leave a lot of the previous growth (and in Austin summers, that shade is going to be missed) and extend it, using bushes or greenery to enclose the space. As it is, the fences just scream "hey! I'm a fence!" but the lack of a clear purpose makes their screaming rather pointless.

Inside: I love wood floors, but with two big dogs and a dog door... I've come to the realization that there is a definite value to tile floors. They may be cold and hard underfoot, but they're a lot less upkeep, and less ugly than bare/sealed concrete.

Gorgeous work, materials and sectioning of the space. Kudos to the Stuart Sampley Architects.

Beautiful art they used in the remodel too. Similar to European contemporary works from this gallery in LA http://www.artspacewarehouse.com/

For those interested in more info and progress photos of the project....

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=105480&l=f3272d1bee&id=110558724200

wow! I am totally inspired. I have been searching for home & have been put off by ugly tiles throughout the house.

I miss the Darth Vader fireplace.

"I think the problem with the exterior, for me, is that I can't tell what the fence is supposed to be doing. It's limiting space, but it's not blocking view for privacy, and it's not even connected to hold something in. It's just... there. "

I'm guessing that the fence is there primarily to indicate the new end of the driveway as there may have originally been a garage in that ell which appears to been converted into another room?

i'm in the "tile's got to go" mindset, as well. while i'd personally be glad to live in a house with no shred of carpet, tile throughout bugs me from a design standpoint. especially given how glossy they are (gives me the impression of a giant water closet).

Stuart, you really should have added the closet kitchen that was painted black in this house as well as the laundry/pantry area that was not accessible to the kitchen.
The house is a beautiful conservation of the
original builder, A. D. Stenger, open and easy flowing. It is family as well as guest friendly.

KK

I like a lot of things they did to the place, but hate a lot of them too.

Especially the outside- it now wouldn't merit a second glance whereas it was so enchanting beforehand. And the fences are hideous.

And the loss of that beautiful fireplace is saddening- please tell me that you at least sold it to someone who will cherish it!

But I do like the kitchen and the wooden floors.