A few of the “treasures” we’ve found in the first few weeks of demolition! Hopefully it’s a lucky penny!
- newspapers showing unbelievable property prices (even adjusted for the inflation!)
- Tayto crisp packets from the 1980s
- Cigarette box from the 1970s
- 1970s football card
- 1968 Irish penny
Pretty sure it’s worthless financially, but it’s lovely to find and have some insights into the history of the house and its inhabitants. We haven’t even started lifting the floorboards yet, so I’m sure there are plenty more “treasures” awaiting us!!
#irishrenovation #renovationproject #renovationdiary #midcenturyhome #renovationjourney #irishhomes #1950sbungalow #homerenovation #houserenovation #wicklowrenovation #vintagenewspaper #irishtimes #vintagefootballcards #kennyburns #oldnewspaper #tayto #pingin #irishpunt #luckypenny
Because of the….
🌱 WEEDS 🌱
They grow so fast!!
It is such a pain to cut/strim as it takes forever to dry so the opportunities to keep it under control are so limited!
#gardening #trampoline #ingroundtrampoline #strimming #irishgardens #irishweather #cutthegrass
📷 Before! ✨
Our vision? Transform this 168m² bungalow into a light-filled, storage-smart family home while honoring its mid-century roots.
#wicklowRenovation #1950sBungalow #HouseTour #BeforePhotos #RenovationBefore #IrishRenovation #MidCenturyHome #RenovationProject #TimeWarp #OriginalFeatures #WicklowHomes #SeaViewProperty #RenovationVision #BungalowTransformation #before ”
🪨🏡 This tipper-loading session captures a key lesson I’ve already learned at this early stage in our renovation journey.
🪨 One rock at a time, making steady progress... until that final boulder that just wouldn’t budge no matter how determined I was.
I circled back to it a few times, tried different angles, worked on other rocks, and eventually accepted it wasn’t happening and moved on with the rest.
💡 *The renovation lesson?*
Know when to push through and when to acknowledge “this one’s beyond me.”
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t trying harder—it’s knowing when to call in help, try a different approach, or simply accept it’s not meant to be and move on.
🙋♀️ What’s your renovation “too-heavy rock” moment?
The challenge that made you pivot or call for backup?
#irishrenovation #selfbuildireland #knowyourlimits #retrofit #homerenovation #diyhome #renovationdiary #midcenturymodernhome #renovationproject #houserenovation #selfbuild #homeimprovement #renovationjourney #renovationdiaries #lifelessons #learningcurve #strongmum #womenwholift #realworkout #beyondthegym #lifelessons #knowyourlimits #irishblogger
💡 It’s as simple as…
🎨 Paint sticks and permission to draw on the walls! ✨
“We’re ALLOWED to draw on the walls?!” Their faces as they created family portraits (and broke the rules!) made this strange house feel a bit more like *our* future home. 🏠❤️
More moving-with-kids tips we learned:
🧸 See it through their eyes - kids don’t visualize potential like adults do
🍎 Always pack snacks (and toilet paper) for house visits!
🌳 Create tangible connections (we hung a rope swing in the garden)
📚 Use children’s books about moving to explain the process
🎨 Let them leave their mark!
🏡 And if your new house is already perfect? Chalk on the driveway works just as well! ✨
Any other tips for introducing your kids to your new home? ⬇️
#MovingWithKids #NewHome #ParentingHack #FamilyHome #MakingMemories #HomeRenovation #KidsActivities #MovingDay #ChildhoodMemories #FamilyTime #RenovationProject #HomeOwnership #MovingTips #CreativeKids #ParentingWin #KidFriendly #NewBeginnings #HomeSweetHome #MindfulParenting #movinghouse #paintsticks
When your last house was an A-rated new build… 😂
#irishrenovation #renovationproject #renovationdiary #midcenturyhome #1950sbungalow #beforeandafter #1950sbungalow #selfbuild #wicklow #irishconstruction #homeimprovement #homerenovation #diy #before #itwillbeworthit #wecandothis #irishhomes #
✨And just like that we’re ready for the asbestos removal crew today!
#asbestos #AsbestosRemoval #RenovationReality #1950sReno #SafetyFirst #RenovationJourney #HouseRenovation #IrishRenovation #RenovationDiary #OldHouseNewLife #asbestostesting #HomeRenovationTips #RenovationProgress #DIYRenovation #RenovationLife #HomeImprovement #RenovationAdventures #OldHouseLove #BungalowRenovation #PeriodPropertyRenovation #wicklowrenovation #IrishHomes #AsbestosSafety #ProjectManager #RenovationPlanning #BeforeTheTransformation
⚠️ NO SURPRISES: Our renovation survival strategy! ⏰💰
Double payments (rent + mortgage) every month this renovation drags on means one thing... we're obsessed with avoiding delays!
On the blog today, I'm sharing our battle against "happy ears" (that dangerous condition where you only hear the good news and filter out the warnings 🙉).
What's saving our sanity (and wallet) so far:
- Opening up walls BEFORE finalizing plans 🔨
- Tackling asbestos early instead of mid-project panic 😱
- Getting suppliers lined up to prevent our contractor standing idle ⏳
Link in bio for the full article on how we're front-loading decisions to keep moving forward.
Have you fallen into the "happy ears" trap during a renovation? Share your story below! 👇
#renovationreality #1950sbungalow #renovationjourney #midcenturyhome #projectmanagement #renovationbudget #renovationtips #homeimprovement #oldhouselove #renovationplanning #renovationlife #renovationdiary #fixerupper #asbestosbingo
🪚🌳When your Dad tells you he’s going to check out the garden work to be done and surprises you by just doing it!
Thanks Dad!
#irishrenovation #garden #gardencleanup #gardenclearance #thanksdad #renovationproject #overgrown #bestdad #diydad #familyaffair #gardenwaste #renovationproject #gardenmakeover #irishhomes #gardenprep
