During the Pandemic, This Couple Found an Unexpected Home

At the start of the pandemic, Paige Baratta and Tripp Simmons were desperately looking for a house. Unfortunately, most of their options were unavailable. Time was running out, and they were getting exasperated.

In one case, the house they wanted had twenty offers listed! Had it been anyone else, they would have counted their losses and given up but not this dynamic duo.

The couple landed on a two-story American Foursquare abode with all the hallmarks they sought. It was spacious, classy, and, most of all, affordable. Sadly, there was a catch.

So with that, our titular characters decided to hit the road and try their luck elsewhere. After all, if you struck gold once, you might be lucky to hit the jackpot a second time.

The home cost them a cool $320K, and by October, they had finalized all the necessary transfer details. Looking at the images of the house, the Prairie Box was a good deal.

According to Paige, the repairs and renovations cost a pretty penny. However, if they played their cards right, they’d have their money back quickly.

To save on cost, the couple decided to take matters into their own hands and do most of the work themselves. Had they hired a contractor, the renovation costs would have skyrocketed?

The house was over a century old as it was built in 1915, meaning there were many outdated parts. All these parts had to be documented and worked on lest things fall apart along the way.

Interestingly, the previous owner moved out when she was 96. She lived in the house for several decades but still managed to maintain its original structure.

After six decades on this property, it’s a miracle that Pearl (the previous owner) hadn’t stripped away the original woodwork. Additionally, the fireplaces were still in good condition. That being said, the house had been empty for almost a year.

Expectedly, a thick layer of dust covered every inch of the abode, and the couple needed to deal with that situation before stepping in. On the other hand, the woodwork was begging for mercy as a termite infestation had taken over.

The big day finally arrived; it was time to sign the paperwork. All due diligence had been done and was down to the last step. The couple decided to sign the papers in a park to mark such a momentous occasion.

After careful assessment, the couple knew what they were signing up for, and as soon as they got the keys, they got to work. They were going to be hands-on with the project, so the sooner they started, the better.

As much as they might sound like amateurs, this dynamic duo is familiar with home renovations. Their most recent work was on their property in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

No sooner had the work started that a major hurdle landed on their lap. The house was covered in asbestos panels which are not something to be taken lightly. This was a risky endeavor that posed a health risk!

Luckily, the gods smiled down on them, and the task was completed without any mishaps. Moreover, most of the wood panels behind the cover were in excellent condition.

The couple’s budget couldn’t allow them to dilly-dally, so after sorting out some of the major parts, they moved into the home. This was barely a month after they had gotten the keys!

On the other hand, renting in the area was out of the question since they were also quite expensive. According to realtor.com, the median rent for condos is around $2600.

The couple worked on one bathroom and bedroom to ensure the transition was seamless. This allowed them a living area as they worked on the rest of the house in phases.

Before long, Baratta and their partner got acquainted with the neighborhood and started learning some interesting facts about the home. For one, it was built for working-class people.

The renovations took approximately one and a half years, which is interesting. The couple even decided to give their project a name, dubbing it Mahogany Mansion.

So far, most of the house is in tip-top shape, but a few elements here and there need some touching up. The upstairs laundry room is one example of a section needing work.

Instead of going gung-ho and tackling the renovations like a wrecking ball, the couple went about it in stages. First, they charted a course that would allow them to do this.

Surprisingly, the pair did most of the work, surprising them. This was not due to budget constraints but rather the unavailability of contractors due to the pandemic.

During their renovations, the interesting couple got to know the grandchild of one of the previous residents. The lady visited the home while the renovations were still underway.

The home is now looking lovely and is similar to its original design. Baratta was keen on maintaining the original aesthetic but giving it a touch of her identity.

The kitchen also got a modern makeover with painted cabinets that are trending. Surprisingly, Baratta quickly pointed out that she should have opted for a different style to stand out from the rest.

Nonetheless, Baratta is proud of their accomplishments and refers to interior work as the grand millennial style. The bold colors, thrifted furniture, and interesting patterns highlight this.

We mentioned thrifting, right? Well, Baratta is a big fan of thrifting, and that’s why most of the stuff in her home is thrifted. Most furniture and decor were sourced from friends or antiques and second-hand stores.

From start to finish, Baratta uploaded progress pics on their social media handle to keep friends and family updated. Before long, the project had amassed a neat following. At one point, a neighbor nominated them for a local preservation award which the couple won.