Let there be light is what the title of this post really should be!
It really is amazing how bringing light into a house can change the mood of a room. What was once a dungeon like experience now is filled with natural light. I finally got windows installed in my downstairs den and I am just thrilled with the outcome. It’s more dramatic than you can imagine and it’s another project that has been on my wish list since moving in this house over 2 years ago. Little by little, this house has been transformed into the cutest little cottage ever.
And truly adding windows is one of the BEST things I could have done to improve the den space and the exterior view is also improved. Curb appeal to the max!
I have to give a huge shout-out to Lowes and Pella for helping me on this project. Through my relationship with Lowes, I was able to work directly with Pella and order these windows from them. I chose the same type vinyl windows I already have in the house and these fit in just fine with the existing windows. I got them in and hired my own installers, the same father/son team who built my front porch (Name and Phone # in the link) last year. Mike and Dave did another fabulous job for me and even though I have to wait on them to get to my smaller projects, they are well worth the wait. They do great work and are reasonable too. So, I did pay for the installation of these windows, but Pella comped the windows for me and that is a HUGE blessing.
Just for fun, here’s a shot of the original exterior of my house…..before I started any improvements outside. Poor, sad little neglected house!
This pic was taken late spring last year before I had the landscaping put in, but after the front portico was added and the house was painted. Notice the blank wall below the top floor to the left. That’s my den space, no windows at all on this side of the house.
But now it does. I copied the same windows from the top and ordered them in the right size to fit the space and I think it turned out fantastic.
Not only is my den now filled with natural light, the exterior of my house looks so much better balanced too. If you have a room that needs more light, I’d highly recommend adding new windows. It’s just a little inconvenience and mess, but well worth it!
Spring has sprung in Georgia and with all the rain we have gotten, along with warmer temps, my grass (and weeds) are really coming alive. I have to get out there and start cutting the grass soon.
The Kwanzan cherry tree in my front yard is exploding in blooms now. I know many of you are still experiencing winter and I’m so sorry you’re still freezing.
We are fortunate in the south to have nice spring weather and we welcome it every year. Nothing like spring to perk me up!
Longwood Gardens sent me some tulip and hyacinth bulbs last winter and I planted them before it got too cold. It’s been fun watching those come up and bloom!
Ok, so back inside, I’ll show you some of the process of getting these windows installed. They measured and lined up the new windows with the existing top windows on the outside. I am so glad they know what they are doing, they line up perfectly. If I had to measure something like that, it would be SO wonky! They prepped the windows and added 2×4’s for the framing and did all of that in one day, then came back another day to actually cut through the siding and add the new windows.
Prepped and ready from the inside.
Cutting through the siding to make way for the new windows.
This big window was a special order from Pella and the middle section is double paned glass to match the existing older window above, flanked with 2 single windows that open. The light coming in here now is incredible!
Inside looking out.
Here’s a reminder of where I started in this room. BEFORE
It was SO dark and dreary in here with only one small window. Not anymore…….
So, I took some new shots down in the den just to show you the progress and how great it looks with the new windows in there. Light makes me so happy and I’m just giddy over this! No more dungeon.
This space is not finished yet at all, but I cleaned up enough to show these pics. I am doing some major decuttering in my living room, office, and this room, so I’m getting rid of several things. Having a window behind this chair is just the best. I will definitely be using this chair more now.
That flowering cherry tree is right outside and what a view!
This room is not completely cleaned up, but you get the idea. That picture leaning in the corner is going to have to go, I think, since I have no where to put it now. Ruby is getting her table which is also in that back corner. The only thing I’ll leave in the corner is the plant.
I added the coral console table between the windows. And my plan is to get new bamboo shades for all these windows and new window treatments, simple panels. I’m looking at fabric now.
I swear the room feels SO much bigger with the windows in. It’s amazing how that happens! I have been moving furniture around too and you can see that the china cabinet that was in the living room is now down here. I moved my French buffet up in the living room and it was a great move. Should have thought of it before, but getting these windows in made me rethink all my furniture in those rooms. I like the switch so much better.
So this is a glimpse of how the windows look and how much light comes in here now. I’ll do another final look once I get the window treatments up in here, which might be a little while.
This is a big room and I sure am glad to have it. It’s a cozy and comfortable space.
So, back upstairs, the old sliding glass door also got replaced. This original to the 1979 house slider had seen better days. The weather stripping was falling apart outside and it was hard to slide, not to mention it was speckled and cloudy too. So happy to have a brand new Pella sliding door in here.
The guys took out the old and put in the new one.
And the new one is beautiful, the Architect series from Pella. It slides so easy and is so nice and substantial, not to mention gorgeous. It has the feel of French doors and the clear glass is so nice after looking out cloudy windows for 2 years. Several people asked me why I didn’t do French doors, but with the tight quarters of my dining space and screen porch, it just made sense to do sliders again. Swinging French doors would be hitting something and I didn’t want to deal with that.
This is a beautiful door and I love it! The door is slightly darker white than my trim, so I may have to paint it to match my trim exactly.
View from the living room. It’s always hard to capture this pic, with light coming in the room.
The guys added a Craftsman type molding around the top and sides of the door and I love how that turned out too.
Sturdy bronze handle on the door. The exterior of the door is black metal. You can choose what color combos you want with Pella, so I chose black.
Threshold with lock in place.
So, that’s a peek at the new sliding glass door. It feels like Christmas around here!
And the last window to show you is in the laundry room. I added a single window in here and it’s amazing too how just this window adds so much to this room. This space is a mess because I’ve been dumping extra stuff in here until I can declutter everything, but I’ll be getting this space cleaned up again soon. Saying goodbye to some extra stuff! I think I’ll put the fabric bench under the window and switch up this basket storage piece to the other wall. That can come later.
So, that’s a look at how adding windows can dramatically improve spaces. I’m such a light lover that adding light just gives me such a feeling of happiness….light just does that to me, how about you?
If you are in the market for new windows, I would highly recommend Pella. Lowes carries Pella and you can check with your local stores for all the information on them. I absolutely love my Pella windows, they fit right in with my existing windows and look great!
Note: This project was sponsored by Pella Windows and Lowes and Pella supplied my windows and sliding door. I hired my own installers to do the job.
Rosie S says
I echo everything others have said, plus, the value you have added to that house! Amazing! And you will love the window in the laundry room to…makes the room a room, and not a cave! Wish I had a window in mine! 🙂 Great choices….and the sliding door is also wonderful.
Sally says
ABSOLUTELY unbelievable!!!!! What a transformation to the outside. Love it so very much. You have a wonderful “eye” for all you do. Thanks for always sharing. Fantastic!!!!!!
Lisa E says
As so many others have said, WOW! The transformation outside is amazing. It definitely needed the change to balance things out. What wonderful changes you have made, everything looks beautiful. Of course all of the lovely light inside is amazing as well. I’ve wanted to change my French door (one side is stationary, the other opens) in my dining room for the reason you mentioned. I found that same French door look slider and was all excited. However, since the door is fine and still works, my hubby isn’t interested in replacing it. Womp, womp! To open it and allow for cross ventilation, if I want the door completely open, I have to move a dining room chair. 🙁 Ah well, maybe down the line I can convince him. Again, beautifully done!
yarlette says
Wow Rhoda , what a dramatic change. Your home looks so much bigger now. You have to be so proud of all you have done to this home. I know your neighbors have to love this. Always look forward to seeing what you are up to.
Catherine says
You have truly turned that house into a HOME!
Everything is looking incredible, and I couldn’t agree with you more–
lots of natural light and big windows make all the difference in the world!
Catherine
Diane says
Your house looks so symmetrical now. It looks fantastic!
Diane Schulz says
Your house looks all grown up and finished now. The den is amazing and you were so smart to us a slider in the dining room. The laundry room window will be the one you will really really be thankful for. Kudos
Nancy says
Fabulous!! Everything turned out so well. Light does remarkable things and helps lift our mood.
~not Nancy From Ohio anymore but Nancy From ARIZONA now! 🙂
melinda says
Transformational, Stunning, WOW! Nothing seems to do this the justice it deserves. What it did to the outside of the house is stunning!!! The inside looks great too!
Dawn says
Beautiful! So much light!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
What a most remarkable difference the windows have made to both the interior and exterior of your home…So added such great curb appeal!….Beautiful Rhoda!
Segreto Secrets says
Looks amazing! I can’t believe the transformation – especially from the exterior!! I bet you are loving all of those views into pretty Georgia Spring!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
Paula Lusk says
Oh My Gosh, Rhoda! The windows turned out gorgeous. They make a huge beautiful difference Outside and in. Just amazing.
Jeanie says
What a difference! I love a house that gets a lot of light.
anita lemmen says
beautiful Room, wish you had four window panels, I would be interested in them
Carole says
Rhoda your house is so pretty I know you are both thankful and proud and well you should be. Everything you do just makes Huge improvements. This is a house anyone would enjoy living in now. Oh and Rhoda Allison is slowly improving thank you
Sandi says
It all looks amazing! What a huge difference the windows make, inside and out. You obviously have great vision!!
Marcie says
What a transformation, I love your decorating style. What you’ve done with your home is just amazing! In a future post can you blog about your decluttering process? I’ve loved all of your accessories and enjoyed your thrift and antique purchases. The time has come for me to thin out my once beloved treasures also but how do you decide what to let go and what to keep? Thanks!!!
Rhoda says
Marcie, I’ll try to do a post on that. It’s hard! I still have things I love, but I know it’s time to let them go. I just don’t have the room and want my rooms to feel more uncluttered. It’s an ever evolving process for me!
Theresaer says
Like comments above, WOW, this is an amazing transformation to your beautiful home. The windows make the interior and exterior of home look so much larger, thanks for sharing with your faithful followers. This is the first blog I read each day, looking forward to a new adventure in decorating.
Jill Jones says
Breathtaking, Rhoda! Love the flood of light in all three rooms. Can’t wait to see the den all decked out. Love it 🙂
Susan Lusk says
If your house could, I think it would thank you! It looks like it was always supposed to be this way, which is a huge compliment (in my book) of a renovation. Hmmm… I think your house is smiling now.