One man and his dog...and sledgehammer!

Let the renovations begin - with the help of Bob of course.

One guy, his trusty dog, and a mighty sledgehammer!

Excitement bubbled as we eagerly set out to transform Riverbank Cottage. Armed with our tools and two unlikely helpers—Bob the dog and the newest addition, 10-week-old Hallie—we wasted no time after snagging the keys.

We knew the place needed work, but the extent of it surprised even us. The moment we stepped in, it was clear this wasn't going to be a simple makeover.

We're no strangers to hard graft, but when the upstairs floor feels like a trampoline and bits of ceiling rain down whenever someone takes a step, even we admit defeat. Time to call in the pros. Surely it wasn't this bad when we first laid eyes on it? Blame it on the seven layers of wallpaper or maybe our overly optimistic view.

The verdict?

The builder's diagnosis hit hard. The entire house needed stripping back to its stone foundations, ceilings had to come down, and we essentially had to start from scratch.

Not exactly the news we wanted, but sometimes tough decisions are for the best.

Despite the setback, having a blank canvas isn't all doom and gloom. While we wait for the builders to work their magic, our minds are racing with possibilities. Maybe we'll move the stairs, raise the ceilings, or even add some French doors. The options are endless.

And did the sledgehammer come into play?

Oh, you bet. Joe finally got his moment to shine, knocking down walls and extending the kitchen. It was oddly satisfying.

Amidst the chaos, we stumbled upon a few hidden gems worth preserving—like the flagstone floors, terracotta tiles, and a majestic fireplace. And while some of the wallpaper choices were questionable, a few sparked inspiration.