Here at - saboteamos.info, we have to admit: There's an awful lot of home-improvement talent out there among our readership. You submitted more than 300 of your own remodels. Then you voted on your favorites. Here's a look at some of your top picks for family and living rooms.
After you've gotten a gander at these renovated rooms, you can see more—and submit your own—at .
Who: Jim and Ann M.
Where: Wenatchee, Washington
Our 1928 Cotswold cottage-style house needed a space where our kids—ages 13, 11, and 7—could go to get away from the adults. We were renovating upstairs and had hired a crew, and they had to gut the 900-square-foot basement to get at the wiring and plumbing, run heat ducts, and rebuild a load-bearing wall. The "while we're at it" mode of thinking kicked in.
Who: Jim and Ann M.
Where: Wenatchee, Washington
After the contractor tore out the old walls, we were surprised by a crack in the floor: Tree roots had invaded our sewage line, so a hole had to be ripped in the floor and a new line installed. The new section of concrete didn't match, so we covered it with a cherry-finish floating floor. We replotted the space as a bar, wine cellar, home theater, and pool-playing zone, all with the feeling of an English pub. In the theater area we installed built-in cabinets to house the projection TV electronics, plus an L-shaped couch; our oldest daughter likes to have "movie marathons' with her friends. The billiards area is frequented by our youngest, who's become quite a pool shark! What started out as a kids' retreat ended up an adult hideout as well.
Who did the work: We hired help
Who: Lisa C.
Where: Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
After removing the wood paneling and three unforgiving layers of painted wallpaper from the walls of my 1889 Queen Anne Revival, my twin sister and I found an enormous crayon-drawn turkey, signatures from as far back as 1889 and hidden pocket doors! Drop ceilings revealed a live wire, crumbling plaster and asbestos to boot - but that was just the beginning, there were holes in the plaster everywhere and after a bat flew in we started the long process of repair. We patched for weeks, made an archway, rewired everything and made a built-in to hide some pipes.
Who: Lisa C.
Where: Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Being professional faux painters came in handy because we were able to salvage the trim without stripping off 100+ years of lead-based paint. We painted faux-wood-grain on it instead. Everyone who enters can't believe it's not the original wood. Next was the crumbling ceiling and after putting100 plaster screws in to sure it up, we covered it with Styrofoam tiles faux-antiqued to look like tin. The two original tiled fireplaces were slowly stripped and varnished and a rich faux-leather finish was applied to the parlor walls under a chair rail. Crown molding in both rooms added the final touch. Next up, the kitchen.
Who: Jeannine and Paul F.
Where: Fairfax, California
We gutted and redid the whole house for about $70,000. We did a lot of the work ourselves. The living room with new hearth, new hardwood floors, and new fixtures was way under $5,000.
Who did the work: I hired help
Cost: Under $5,000
Who: Sara M.
Where: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Our project consisted of a complete remodel to 1970's living room and family room. In the living room we eliminated the entrance hall, replaced the front door and added decorative columns. The family room was completely gutted and refinished. We replaced the existing wood fireplace with a sealed gas unit and new mantle.
Who: Dave W.
Where: Waterford, Michigan
Though this may look like a "man cave," my wife and 2-year old son also enjoy time in our newly finished basement. I'm really happy about putting in the play area instead of the originally planned wet bar. This way our son has a nice place to occupy himself when we're downstairs watching a movie in front of the fireplace. I started this project a couple of years ago and did all of the work myself...except for installing the new breakers. The most time-consuming aspect of this project was building, staining, and lacquering the wood ceiling panels. I couldn't have been more pleased with the results, though.
Who: Tye and Elva D.
Where: Albany, Oregon
We renovated our enclosed back porch not long after we purchased our 1908 home. In addition to a failing foundation, the back porch was unheated, with rotten pressboard flooring, asbestos ceiling tiles, and faux wood paneling on all the walls.
Who: Tye and Elva D.
Where: Albany, Oregon
. We replaced all of the subfloor and reinforced the foundation underneath this portion of the house. We pulled down all the wood paneling back to the studs to add insulation and to replace the old plumbing and wiring in the walls. We added a radiator for heat. The asbestos ceiling tiles were removed, and we were delighted to discover the original beadboard ceiling of the porch underneath. We added wainscoting and were able to fabricate trim for above the windows and the doors that would match the existing woodwork in the rest of the house. We fixed all the windows--replacing the cracked window panes with wavy glass and restringing all the old cords. We also refinished the back door which was painted with a kaleidoscope of paint colors over the years. We enjoy this room very much and spend a great deal of time out here all year round (now that it is heated and comfy).
Who did the work:I did most of the work myself
Cost:Under $5,000
