House Update: Stairway/Basement

I recently mentioned that we were doing some demo work on our house, so I thought I'd give a few before and during pics (and someday, after!) so show our progress.

The stairway to go down to the basement was full of this uggo paneling:

 that we've tolerated for the past two years... but that's it.

Two weeks ago, Joe tore out all the paneling, giving us the brightest area of the house.

probably checking his manicure... kidding Joe!  I have no idea why you're looking at your hand.

It's still not pretty or finished, but it's already a vast improvement. The walls are dirty and could use a fresh coat of paint, but at least it doesn't feel so dark and like I'm going back to 1975 every time I go downstairs.
Also on the list: do something about the light switch that's hanging out of the wall. Very safe.

Above the stairs is a coat closet, but the bottom is low enough that most adults have to duck their heads when going down. It also is low enough to limit what furniture can get through the stairwell. We decided to knock out the existing floor of the closet, then plan to build it up a bit so it will be easier to get through.

Looking down the stairs:

excited to soon be able to walk down without danger of hitting his head

 And from the closet:

oh, hey Mom. Thanks for all your free labor. 

We also have plans for the big room downstairs. We're thinking of another room to hang out, play, watch TV, and have an office area (that we actually use). When we moved, it looked like this:

More dark paneling, little ugly wall sconces, one tiny can light, gross carpet, brick planters for the fake ferns- this room has got it all.

We have carpet to put down, the paneling is torn out, and Joe also knocked out all the brick (no more fake plants- so sad). The picture really doesn't do justice to how dark it was down there. We had a few lamps, so if we ever wanted to use the room we had about five switches to flip to get it reasonably lit. (First world problems? You bet. Annoying? oh yes.)

And for a current photo:

Let there be light! Six new can lights, all on the same switch. 

Obviously, something has to be done with that wall so it's not just bare studs- part of it will be glass block. I also forgot to mention that shortly after we moved, my mom painted the paneling on the walls (it was more of what was in the stairwell) to brighten things up for Joe, who was working from home at the time.

Even though there's still a lot of work to be done, and there's still construction debris lying around, the room feels so much bigger, brighter, and cleaner already. It will be fun to see where we can take this.