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Leonia Renovation

18 projects · 315 photos

A full-property renovation in Leonia, NJ — kitchen, baths, bedrooms, exterior, every room over multiple phases.

Attic as I bought it — exposed rafters, plank floor, gable window. No insulation worth the name.

Attic Cleanup and Insulation Package

5 photos

attic

Drum sander and partially sanded planks. Saved as much of the original floor as I could.

Attic Flooring and Final Reveal

22 photos

attic

Framing and Insulating the Attic

22 photos

attic

Gutting the Attic Down to Frame

20 photos

attic

First runs of shiplap going on the kneewall over the insulated framing.

Shiplap and Paint in the Attic

20 photos

attic

Drop ceiling out, joists and ductwork exposed. Stacked the tiles in case any could be reused.

Gutting and Finishing the Basement

56 photos

basement

Original upstairs bath before — subway tile surround, mosaic floor, and a radiator under the window.

Rebuilding the Bathrooms

23 photos

bathroom

Kitchen taped off and tarped for the ceiling paint job. Cabinets stayed in place.

Bedroom Paint and Window Restoration

12 photos

interior

New main panel landed and signed off. The old service was a mess of mismatched circuits.

Rewire, Panel, and Inspections

5 photos

electrical

House from the back showing the aged cedar shake roof and the detached garage.

Exterior, Roof, and Grounds

13 photos

siding and exterior

Front of the house before any of the exterior work started. Old wrought iron and overgrown beds.

Fence, Yard, and EV Charger

7 photos

yard and landscape

Hairline crack running down the corner seam. Where I started chasing the leak from.

Tracking Down a Kitchen Ceiling Leak

9 photos

drywall

Old cabinets still standing on one side, demo wall stripped to studs on the other. Worked it in halves.

Building the New Kitchen

4 photos

kitchen

Living room as I bought it — pressed tin ceiling, original archway, and good bones.

Living Room With the Tin Ceiling

6 photos

living room

Cabinets out, wires capped, floor pulled — first room down to bones.

Gutting the Main Floor to Studs

52 photos

demo and renovation

First coat of mud on the new ceiling. Three coats and a sanding to go.

Drywall and Finish on the Main Floor

2 photos

drywall

Moss and debris piled up against the chimney flashing — classic slow-leak setup that had to come off.

Tearing Off the Slate Roof

17 photos

roofing

New gray runner on the oak stairs after I refinished the treads and kept the original balusters.

Upstairs Bedrooms and Stairs Refresh

20 photos

bedroom

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