I love a really good before and after.
Nothing better.
Truly.
I could wrap myself up in them and head out on the town with a diet coke.
It’s what keeps me watching the Hallmark channel for hours on end and clicking on any link on Facebook that says something like, “you won’t BELIEVE what this house looks like now” and reading design magazine after design magazine.
And wait until you see the before and after I have for you today.
“You won’t BELIEVE what my friend Cynthia’s Inn looks like now”….to see it just click here.
PS Thanks for the idea, Facebook. 🙂
The project started last year.
My friend Cynthia Weber shared her heart and her love story with me and how she was “jumping” to a new home and a new chapter of her life and a new design project, the Little Inn of Bayfield.
I can never, ever, ever resist a jump story.
Or a before and after.
So let’s start with the before.
Here’s the dining room of the Inn a year ago.
I thought it was pretty and airy.
I would love a glass of sweet tea and a piece of rhubarb pie at table eight, please.
Here’s another before picture.
I love the architecture and the history and those floors.
But….wait until you see the after.
Wait until you see what Cynthia created with this space.
She kept some of the classic elements (like that flooring and that amazing brick wall).
And added new tables and chairs.
And some new statement pieces.
The space feels so modern with clean lines and dark, rich textiles.
Classic.
Elegant.
Now I need Roasted Chicken with Asiago Polenta and Truffled Mushrooms at the table near the window.
(total aside: I have no idea what asiago polenta is….I just googled fancy chicken recipes)
Just look at the beautiful hutch with rows and rows of glassware and bathrooms with the reproduction vintage faucets and beautiful patterned tile.
Every detail is perfection.
Every line and space divine.
Thank you Cynthia for letting me share your story and your journey and a little before and after….
….from the little Inn that could.
You go girl. 🙂
PS She’s also completely currently re-doing the most amazing house, too.
You can follow along with her journey….here.
PPS After pictures used with permission from A Simple Photograph.
Before pictures used with permission from The Little Inn of Bayfield.
You have so many friends with so many talents. You are blessed. :)
wow which is evidently slang for way over wonderful! happy weekend! maybe at a wow inn!
WOW.... Gorgeous!!! AND THAT FLOORING..... sighhhhhhhhhh :)
I've been following Cynthia and I love her blog! The Inn's transformation is amazing! Looking forward to seeing her home come together!
You have me blushing Cecilia! So sweet of you! and a BIG thank you for following along… you made my day brighter:)
Happy Friday my beautiful Karianne!! Thank you so very much for sharing my redesign project for The Little Inn of Bayfield! It was a fantastic creative challenge to enhance the historic elements while updating the amenities . As for your teaser about the Kitchen renovation at our home… I am over the moon excited!! It will be a huge adventure since the house was built in 1878… big surprises seem to be around every corner, it's like peeling back the layers of time!! And, once the kitchen is done… I'm starting on the gardens!! ;) Thank you again… you are simply the best!!
Simply beautiful!
My first thought was, "Oh PLEASE don't change the floors!" And she didn't!!! Wonderful before-and-after!!! I want to go there! :)
While it is nice, I much preferred the original!
ouch!
The inn looks absolutely wonderful!! I too would love to dine and just enjoy the entire atmosphere. Now, asiago polenta-- since you're a "southern girl" think creamy grits with a sharp cheese that's melted all through it. Yum! Yum! Yum!! If you find it on the menu I can guarantee you'll love it. :-) This is a perfect story with a very happy ending!!
I LOVE this and I love looking at her projects!!!! This is the place I am in right now!!! My old farmhouse is good... nothing drastic needed to be overhauled but I am working to make it GREAT!!!! Good... to GREAT!!!! That's the plan:-) I love all her ideas. So thanks for sharing. Jillynn
It sounds like we are both working on restoring historic farmhouses… I am excited to share the ups and downs with you as we go along! Thank you for your wonderful comment here and also on my blog… you are so sweet!! :)
Just wish I knew how to get my glassware to sparkle like that. Love that sideboard and the gorgeous blue used on the banquettes. Now I am off to see the home re-do. Thanks for the connection!
I too follow Cynthia's blog and love the transformation. But what did Cynthia do with all those ladder back chairs?? I love them!!
Hi Julia, I loved the ladder backs too… the problem was they were very rickety and the seats were disintegrating . They also were not at all comfortable to sit on which is a big problem when you want your patrons to be able to relax and enjoy their dinner!! ( The chairs were reproductions not antique BTW) They were sold at a yard sale along with other items that were not being reused in the new design. It was a lovely way to give the community an opportunity to pick up a memento of the Inn!
What a gorgeous transformation and what courage! I will definitely follow Cynthia on her magnificent journey! : )