New windows, a fresh

coat of paint, and a

restored stair railing were

the first updates Kevin

and Heidi Noonan made

to their 143-year-old

house,

above.

Heidi instantly fell in love

with the columns and

i4-foot ceilings in the

living and dining rooms,

above right

here to begin? That was the question when

Heidi and Kevin Noonan and their three

kids—ages 5, 9, and 12—moved into an 1867

house on a tree-lined street in California,

US.

Heidi had fallen hard for the Victorian-style

architectural charms and lofty ceilings. But when the Noonans hauled in

all their belongings, the realities of an old house began to sink in: small

rooms, minimal storage, an outdated kitchen, and tons of updates to be

carried out. “The hardest part was figuring out how to tackle the infinite

list of to-dos,” Heidi says.

The Noonans made a pact to be patient and prudent, handling

updates in phases and spending wisely so they'didn’t burn through their

budget. For Heidi, that meant taking a go-slow approach to decorating.

“You learn to work with what you have and make the best of it,” says the

former clothing merchandiser who has a passion for decorating. “I’m

not a trained designer, and I don’t follow any rules.” Her mantra: I just

use and do things I love.”

The wheels were spinning even before the boxes were unpacked.

“When we were moving in, I kept looking at the horrible kitchen

cabinets and thinking ‘How can I make them look better?”’ Her freebie

fix—removing upper cabinet doors—has become a favourite “aha”

solution, making dishes accessible and the room seem more open.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

JANUARY

2011

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