LABOR OF LOVE

grandiose, like knocking down walls, but rather simple cosmetics: updating light fixtures, replacing doorknobs and hinges rather than whole doors, or repurposing/refurbishing furniture rather than buying new.

It’s all about working with and not against whenever you can.

“We actually just elevated what was and made it new again,” Abi Mattis says.

They also made the most of the spaces the house came with. Upon first moving in, for example, Abi Mattis admits to wanting an open floor plan rather than two separate living rooms.

“What we found is we don’t want to be with everybody all the time,” she says. “We want a place where the adults can go sit in a separate space from kids and actually have some privacy.”

Rather than fill it in with sheetrock, Michael Mattis also took a somewhat awkwardly placed shelving area in one living room and filled it with a built-in wine rack.

JUST TAKING IT ON BIT BY BIT AND NOT RUSHING, LETTING THE HOME ACTUALLY TELL THE STORY IT NEEDS TO TELL. “ “

– Abi Mattis

“I think what’s the most fun about our situation in our home: anybody can do this,” Abi Mattis notes. “Just taking it on bit by bit and not rushing, letting the home actually tell the story it needs to tell. Because every home is different, and you highlight the things that need to be highlighted.”

Abi and Michael Mattis made their final renovations about a year ago, right before COVID-19 made almost everyone homebound. Having finally settled into their space with a toddler and new baby, they decided to enjoy their home for a bit before selling.

“It’s really just been a safe haven for us,” Abi Mattis says. “And, we’re really excited for the next family to come through and make it their safe place and their safe haven. … I think that’s what we want to do with every home that we put on the market: be really proud of it and really feel confident in the next family coming to live there.”W