It’s hard to believe that nearly four years have passed since we first stepped through the door of our Vermont house. In some ways, it feels as if we only just unpacked our boxes; in others, the sheer transformation makes it difficult to even remember what the house once looked like. What began as a dated ranch with untapped potential has slowly, project by project, evolved into a home that feels distinctly “us”—modern, yet warm; practical, yet inviting.
When we purchased the house, we knew we weren’t just signing up for new paint colors and a few decorative tweaks. This was a true fixer-upper, a space brimming with possibility but begging for attention. We rolled up our sleeves, mapped out a vision, and committed to building a home where Nordic minimalism meets New England farmhouse charm.
A Labor of Love
Craig deserves much of the credit for our home’s metamorphosis. He’s the one who gutted or partially gutted nearly every room in the house. Bathrooms, kitchen, basement, trim, and awkward built-ins all went under the knife. Since then, he has:
- Installed brand-new flooring throughout the house
- Converted the garage into a bedroom and bathroom
- Renovated the kitchen and main bathroom
- Built a patio and deck
- Designed the landscaping for the front yard
- Created a mudroom and storage space in the basement
- Removed outdated popcorn ceilings
- Replaced every window and updated the siding
Most recently, summer projects included an outdoor shower (a game-changer for Vermont summers) and a large garden that has quickly become one of my favorite corners of the property.
It’s exhausting just to list it all, but seeing these spaces come to life has made every late night and early morning worth it.
Inspiration and Style
From the very beginning, inspiration played a key role in shaping our home’s identity. We’ve always gravitated toward what I like to call “Nordic New England Farmhouse”—a style that layers the simplicity and clean lines of Scandinavian design with the cozy textures and rustic charm of a New England farmhouse.
We’re not strict minimalists by any means, but we love the way Nordic design emphasizes light, calm, and natural materials. Add in the traditions of New England—weathered wood, timeless farmhouse touches, and practicality—and it feels like the perfect marriage for our lifestyle.
Of course, working within the framework of a small ranch presented challenges. Pinterest boards are full of sprawling farmhouses and airy Scandinavian villas—beautiful, yes, but often unrealistic for our modest home. Instead, we learned to use those dreamy images as inspiration, adapting their essence into ideas that actually worked within our walls.
From Deck to Dining Room
One of the biggest changes we made was converting our original deck into indoor living space. The deck, while spacious, needed major refinishing, and we kept asking ourselves if it could be put to better use. The answer was a resounding yes.
That deck is now a bright, welcoming dining and living room—a place that feels like the true heart of the home. With plaster walls, a painted wood ceiling, wide windows, and oak flooring, the space embodies the warmth we always envisioned. A reclaimed wood dining table anchors the room, while a ceramic pendant light floats overhead like a piece of art.
This conversion not only gave us more square footage but also allowed us to reimagine how we live in the house. Suddenly, gatherings feel more comfortable, meals more special, and the flow of daily life more seamless.
The Kitchen That Sparked It All
If the new dining and living space is the heart of the home, the kitchen is its soul. Early in the design process, I drew inspiration from Jacey’s lake house kitchen. Her cozy dining nook—with its Windsor bench and round table—was exactly the kind of charm I wanted for our Vermont home. That idea became the springboard for our own kitchen remodel, blending function with the kind of warmth that makes people linger long after dinner has ended.
Looking Ahead
Four years in, it’s tempting to pause and simply enjoy what we’ve built. Yet, as any homeowner knows, the project list never truly ends. We’re already sketching ideas for new updates this fall and winter, from fresh décor choices to finishing touches that will continue to refine our vision.
And honestly, that’s part of the fun. Home isn’t about crossing the last item off a checklist—it’s about evolving, layering memories and design decisions until every room feels like a reflection of the people who live there.
An Invitation
Sharing this journey has been one of the most rewarding parts of the process. From the late-night Pinterest deep dives to the before-and-after reveals, documenting our Vermont ranch’s evolution has allowed us to connect with a community of people who love design just as much as we do.
If you’re also passionate about cozy, thoughtful spaces, we’d love for you to follow along—whether it’s on Pinterest for the inspiration boards that fuel our projects or on Instagram at @thecozyranch, where we share updates in real time.
And if you have a favorite design blog or Instagram account, let me know. Inspiration is everywhere, and often the most meaningful ideas come from those who are also knee-deep in their own renovations, searching for light, comfort, and beauty in the everyday.
Closing Thoughts
When we first walked through the doors of this house, it was hard to picture what it could become. Now, four years later, it feels like home in the truest sense—a blend of Nordic calm and New England heart, built not just with wood and paint but with countless hours of dedication and love.
The transformation isn’t finished, and maybe it never will be. But that’s the joy of it. Home, after all, is a living, breathing story—and we can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes us.
