Upcycled Abode, wrapping up 2020!

As I spend this cool, rainy, October day catching up some project files and accounting, I realize we have already moved into the 4th quarter and are quickly closing in on the end of the year! Where has the time gone!? We have improved so many houses so far this year, with a handful in the works right now. As I think of all that has been accomplished, I believe we are truly making a difference in our communities, and this felt like a good time to reflect on some of the latest work. 

We came into 2020 in the middle of a special project – turning this little shack into a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, accessible floor plan home, for my sweet Nana. At 85 years old, she drew up her floor plan and together we designed the perfect “little big” home for her. I just ADORE this front porch and the pops of color in the kitchen and trim! 

Around the same time, we had been wrapping up a 2019 project in Rising Sun, IN. Highland Avenue was officially our first “home town” renovation since we became Rising Sun residents ourselves. The city was great to work with. We met many neighbors, and were so happy with the final product, which sold to a great young couple.

As we had pauses during the construction of Nana’s little Greendale home, we completed two customer jobs – finishing a full basement, including a bathroom and wet bar for one client, and a full kitchen renovation for another client. We are not focused on taking client jobs, but we really enjoyed these special projects. 

In the midst of those projects, we took on Mary Clair Ln. We renovated this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house on about 5 acres in Aurora, IN. About 1/3rd of the way into the project, we had a buyer! My sister and brother-in-law fell in love with this location and trusted that Upcycled Abode would turn the place into a house they’d be happy to call home. So, we did… 

Last December we had purchased an adorable OLD farmhouse in Moores Hill, that was pretty far gone. It sat on a few acres, with an incredible gothic arch window. We held onto this little gem debating our plans, and ended up selling it to a neighbor as-is in the spring. We hated not to save it, but we did save parts of it, and the neighbor was thrilled to expand their lot.

We then picked up a rental property in order to invest more locally and diversify with some long term sweat equity. We cleaned up and renovated a small house on Poplar, in Rising Sun. Happy to be close to home again, and happy to provide a nice, low maintenance rental, to a great tenant!

Through the process of meeting potential tenants at Poplar Street, a house on S Walnut Street, in Rising Sun, was brought to our attention to save. We jumped on the opportunity, as others before us had wanted to tear it down. We had our work cut out for us, but we have recently passed city inspections on the improved structure and all new mechanics and are now moving forward with the pretty parts!

While Walnut Street is currently in the works, we have part of our team working on a beautiful brick craftsman in Greendale. This house, on Tebbs, was brought to us after the previous owner started improvements, but with a toddler and new baby on the way, it became too much. They knew it had more potential, and wanted to see it met, so we now have the pleasure of doing it justice!

Next in line will be a second property on Tebbs. We have completed the clean out, and started making design plans. This two bedroom, one bathroom home will likely become our next rental.

Finally, this brick ranch, on Park Grove, in Greendale will likely be the last project we start in 2020. We have just recently closed on this purchase, and it’s a total blank slate inside. Hardwood floors. No kitchen. No bathrooms… Nothing we can’t fix! 

I think we can all agree that THIS has been QUITE the year for so many reasons! Without going into depth on specific events, I do believe we are watching a very historical year unfold with all that is going on in this country. We are navigating the unknown as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. We are being bombarded by media bringing our attention to serious (and many sensitive) issues amongst us, along with heightened political awareness with the coming election. These events have created both separation and unity at times. Many of us have carried a lot of concern and uncertainty. Many have struggled this year, and many have had to make some big life changes. “Normal” daily routines are out the window for a lot of people. I know for certain, that as a company, and as individuals, we’ve carried a bit more weight this year. 

Despite additional obstacles, for Upcycled Abode, this has been a year of major growth, lessons learned (often the hard way) and gratitude. In recent challenges, I believe we’ve gained clarity in what is important to us, and more grit as we continue to build our lives. We are surrounded by great people, supporting our mission to save as many homes as possible in our local neighborhoods. Our workload has not slowed during this pandemic. We had some difficulties with access to some building materials from March to about mid-summer, but we were otherwise blessed to continue business (mostly) as usual. Our team of contractors and subcontractors has also grown this year. This past June, we celebrated (well, I guess I should say, acknowledged in quarantine…) the one-year anniversary of Nathan leaving his full time career as an industrial electrician, to become full time Project Manager and General Contractor for Upcycled Abode. We have done more projects this year than ever before. I have to say, I am extremely proud of our ability to adapt and overcome – and we are very grateful for the flexibility and hard work of our team as we’ve created this company to be the ultimate renovators, turning houses back into homes! 

For those of you who have been following our story on social media, sending us leads of properties that need saved and sharing our finished products, THANK YOU! Your support has meant the world to us! For those of you who are new to our mission, please consider following us on Facebook (link) and Instagram (link). We will continue to share our projects before, during and after renovation, as well as announce any available properties. And, YOU may share Upcycled Abode with anyone you know who has found themselves with unwanted property. We may be their solution!