One couple made major home improvements to their home before they even thought about making it energy efficient.
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The Wilsons liked the whitewashed brick façade and bay windows of this Cape Cod-style house. The 1940s kit house had about 1,000 square feet and needed TLC, but it was in a great neighborhood with lots of character.
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Before: Living Room
The living room had dingy walls and blue-gray trim and felt cramped because of the kids' playpen and play tent. Note the built-in bookshelf — this will be taken out to make a door to the adjoining kitchen to improve the house's flow on the first floor.
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After: Living Room
Notice the new entryway where the built-in bookshelf used to be. Small homes benefit from open floor plans, which Jeff's house didn't have originally.
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Before: Kitchen
The old galley kitchen (7' x 10') was in dire need of an upgrade. The wall of cabinets was directly behind the built-in bookshelf in the living room so these had to be removed to create a more open kitchen.