Take a look at our journey transforming a traditional Cape Cod–style house: dramatic exterior updates and a handful of interior improvements that made a big difference.
Welcome to a new recap of our home transformations. In this post I’m sharing what we completed in 2021, the second full year we lived here. If you missed the first-year recap, I covered those early changes in my year-one home tour.
Writing these roundups helps me appreciate the progress we’ve made. Looking back at the before-and-after photos makes it clear how much we accomplished in a single year.
My goal with these updates is to inspire you to shape a home you love. Major projects can feel overwhelming between work, school and family life, so I focus on small, achievable goals and refresh those priorities every few months.
If you want ideas for setting home goals, I published a series of posts during 2021 that walk through that process in detail.
Before and After Home Tour: 2021
A quick refresher: the house was built in 1996 and when we bought it many rooms were painted in yellow or green—lots of hunter green. Some of those colors still remain, but we focused on replacing the most dated finishes while keeping the home’s original charm.
Although we’re bringing green back in more modern, subtle shades, we’ve removed the harsher yellow trim and hunter-green accents from the exterior. The house’s bones are excellent: refinished hardwood floors, newer carpet upstairs, and a layout that works beautifully. That meant most of our work could be cosmetic—paint, lighting and small design updates—rather than structural changes.
In 2020 I focused on painting as many walls as possible to remove the most distracting colors. In 2021 I set out to make the exterior reflect the updated interior style, and that became our biggest focus for the year.
Now when I pull into the driveway, I smile. We removed the yellow trim and green shutters, refreshed the landscaping and made the exterior clean and classic. Below are the main projects we completed in 2021. Click any numbered title in this post to read the full reveal on each topic.
Note: this post previously included disclosures and product references which have been consolidated here for clarity.
1. The Exterior Makeover
Transforming the exterior was the centerpiece of the year. Our red-brick Cape Cod has great symmetry and structure, but the outdated yellow trim and green shutters needed to go. We repainted and shifted to a classic black-and-white palette that complements the brick and the home’s traditional style.
We also pressure-washed the steps and replaced damaged lawn areas with zoysia sod after a lawn care mistake left patches. It was an expensive and time-consuming fix, but the new grass has filled in nicely and the yard now complements the refreshed exterior.
On a fun note, we even captured the house dressed in its first real snowfall since we moved in—such a proud moment!
2. The Front Porch Update
The front stoop received a fresh look to match the new exterior. We replaced the tired original light fixture with a classic lantern-style fixture, added traditional planters and layered in simple porch decor to boost curb appeal.
Adding a new welcome mat, a brass knocker and low-maintenance porch greenery made the entry feel more polished with very little effort.
3. The Kitchen Makeover
The kitchen refresh spanned mid-2020 through mid-2021 and included painting, new lighting, decor updates and seating. Some items took longer than expected to arrive, and we adjusted plans a few times, but the final result is a cozy, classic kitchen that feels light and functional.
I may update the sink, faucet and refrigerator in the future, but for now paint, accessories and a refreshed eat-in area made a dramatic difference without a full remodel.
4. Powder Room Reveal
One of my favorite transformations is the tiny powder room. This compact space let me experiment with painted trim, wallpaper and DIY picture-frame moulding. It was a bold change that tested a few new techniques and set the tone for upcoming projects like the dining room.
5. The Stair Runner
I debated whether to DIY a stair runner or hire professionals. After testing a few options, I decided to bring in a design company to install the runner I loved. The finished result ties the main level together and remains one of my favorite choices from the year.
6. Haint Blue Porch Ceiling
Besides the exterior and powder room, the only other painted interior surface this year was the back porch ceiling. A subtle “haint blue” adds a soft, traditional touch that’s more visible in person than in photos. We also covered the old yellow with fresh white as part of the exterior update.
7. Dining Room Furniture
We replaced oversized farmhouse pieces from our previous home with more traditional, appropriately scaled furniture. When my mom offered heirloom dining furniture that had belonged to my great-grandmother, I happily accepted it. The new pieces better suit the room’s proportions and style, and I’ve already started sourcing finishing touches for the dining-room makeover.
More Dining Room Posts:
- A Traditional Spring Tablescape (and the End of an Era)
- Gold & Greenery Christmas Dining Room
- 17 Beautiful Dining Room Chandeliers
Two years ago the focus was heavy on painting and swapping light fixtures to establish a solid phase-one look for each room. Last year we concentrated on the exterior while still completing a handful of meaningful interior projects. With the outside now at a comfortable stopping point, I’m excited to return to interior updates and create more standout rooms in the year ahead.
Thank you for following along on this 2021 recap. I’m eager to share the next phase of makeovers soon—stay tuned!