Chanel and Kyle: At Home Session

At my job at Ball State, I have a wonderful graduate assistant, Chanel. She’s worked for me for over three years and, in every way, is the little sister I never had (I have an older sister I adore, for those keeping tab). We’ve gotten close in the years we’ve worked together (as I often do with the students I mentor) and seeing her navigate her early 20s with her sweet, long-time boyfriend, Kyle, reminds me SO much of Nick and I when we were that age. Ahhh…fond memories

Last spring, Chanel told me she and Kyle bought a house they were fixing up. In the months that followed, she’d update me here and there on projects (“We knocked the ceiling out” or “The floors got redone this weekend“). I knew the two of them put a lot of love, sweat and work into the project but had no idea just HOW much until Nick and I visited in December for a home tour. My jaw fell to the floor when I saw just how AMAZING the place looked. And, realizing the shoestring budget these two transformed their place on, I was all the more stunned (as was Nick, who mentioned in the car on the way home, “Yeah, no way did I have a place that looked that nice at 23!“)

A few weekends ago, I told Chanel I had the itch to shoot again, had some new equipment to test out and, “Oh yeah, can I come take pictures of your gorgeous new place?” She happily obliged and here’s the result of our afternoon together. Chanel, I adore you! So happy for you guys as you settle in to your HIP new place!

In a few sentences, explain to me your house (age, style, etc.) and a few of the biggest changes you made to it?

Chanel: Our house was built in 1895 and is located inside the Pendleton Historical District. It was originally a two-room home that was expanded in the ’20s. A few of the major projects right away were returning the walls and ceilings to original height and style, while also refinishing the hard wood floods throughout. Then we completely overhauled the kitchen [Kyle's dad is a contractor so he and his dad did a lot of the work together].

Chanel and Kyle’s dogs, Lexus (in above photo) and Audi (below). Two sweet pooches for two sweet people (Kyle is an artist and makes cute dog portraits for people, including our beloved Daisy and my friend Betsy’s pugs. If you’re interested in your own custom pooch portrait, let me know and I’ll connect you with Kyle!) What are 2 or 3 of your new “favorite” things about the house now that you guys have wrapped up work on it?

Definitely the kitchen and the built-in in the living room. We love our new kitchen layout and design [Chanel's mom designs kitchens and did a great job helping design theirs]. And the built-in in the living room was a great re-purposing job that we filled with personal items. [ISN'T IT TRéS CHIC?]

How did work on the house bring you closer to Kyle?

We worked as a team, while learning new skills with the help of Kyle’s dad. For example, I learned how to replace the glass in the french doors and put down the flooring in the kitchen. It was nice to work on a common goal since we usually have different professional goals. [Chanel's studying to become a speech pathologist and is a craft genius (she MADE that paper wreath below); Kyle is a newspaper designer -- and has mad design skills ]I always love when I step in a home and see genuine personal accents everywhere. I loved seeing some of Kyle’s artwork hanging in their bedroom. How cozy is this space?

What do you think your budget was for the remodel projects? What kinds of steps would you recommend for others doing home stuff to save money?

Conservatively, we spent around $3,000 on the remodel and furnishings [OMG THAT'S ALL?!! was my response when she told me that!]. We would recommend doing as much work yourself as possible. Without our free labor that number would have been exponentially higher. Craigslist and Goodwill are your friends, half of the things in our house came from there [I am SO impressed with how good these two are at this! I swear Chanel has the "Craigslist" touch! ha]. You just have to search for what you want and strike quickly. And anyone remodeling should check out one of the Habitat for Humanity Re-Stores like the one in Indy.

You two are so adorable….I can’t wait to photograph your wedding some day! One of those AWESOME Craigslist (or maybe it was ebay) finds. Chanel loves owls — and I loved spotting them throughout the house. (and their kitchen table above is an antique drafting table they refinished — a hand-me down from Kyle’s grandpa, an architect …so much personality in all the hand-me downs. Love it!) Okay, here is where the “I’m impressed” meter went up a notch. Chanel had this idea to turn old tea cups into kitchen lights. AND KYLE MADE THEM FOR HER. On that note, I asked, “You are definitely marrying this man, yes?” (and Kyle shared he only broke one teacup in the process…which, of course, were all bought at Goodwill! They’re so smart!) Chanel and Kyle, THANK YOU for letting me come by and get creatively inspired again — both in taking your pictures and just poking around in that awesomely creative space you call home. Go get yourselves a home blog already and when you guys are on HGTV, I can say I knew you when

***If you know of anyone who’s rehabbed a home like this (or is just super proud of their place), please share! I’d love to do more creative, out-of-the-box work in 2012 and at-home sessions are on that list!***

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