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We Have Walls Again! (+ a Giveaway!)

This post is in collaboration with National Gypsum PURPLE XP®. #askforpurple

Last week, we shared our experience with National Gypsum PURPLE XP drywall products, and today, we’re so excited to share the results in our garden apartment! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, there’s nothing quite like making it through the dirty, grimy renovation process, only to finally turn that corner and see clean sheets of drywall hiding the studs. There’s certainly an exciting element to every step of a renovation – from planning to demolition to fine tuning to completion – but watching drywall go up is always that moment where things start to click! It’s not too much longer before paint (or lighting or furniture!), we’ll say. It’s a time when the dominoes all start to fall in the right direction, and to be real, it’s a bit of a relief knowing that you’ve made it through the toughest parts of renovation.

Now the fun can begin.

The mudroom at the back of the unit is shaping up to be the sweetest little space, allowing us to access the whole house utility room without ever needing to disrupt our tenants. We chose to outfit this area with PURPLE Hi-Impact XP drywall, a product recommended for spaces that may see a lot of traffic from car doors to pool cues to bicycle handlebars. Reinforced with fiberglass mesh, it’s a top-notch solution for a garage or rec room, but we also see this as a pass through for our future tenants who may be navigating their bicycles through this small room. As a rental unit, we wanted to opt for the strongest option!

The interior exterior door was left off the hinges while tile work finished up, but eventually, the single lite door you saw here will get outfitted with an exterior handleset. Just inside the mudroom, you can see where we added a pocket door to access the utility space, and on the other side of this slim pass through, there are two light switches – one for the light we’ll install overhead and one for a light to illuminate the outside. (We’ve already installed another one of these cobalt babes to mimic the same on our patio!)

You might remember that the half wall is going to be an integral part of the kitchen (more on that soon!), and to the left of that is our furnace closet. During the renovation, we removed what used to be a large bi-fold door that spanned the entire box you see below. We nixed the bi-fold in favor of a simple one-panel door, and we had our contractor rearrange the ductwork to allow for a built-in pantry next to it. Because furnaces can get pretty noisy, we opted to finish off this area with PURPLE SoundBreak XP, a drywall that reduces the sound between rooms – keeping noise in or out, depending on which way you want to look at it.

The kitchen will have cabinets all along the wall where we used the PermaBase PLUS Cement Board, and the backsplash will get tiled:

Looking in the other direction, you can see that we carried the PURPLE Hi-Impact XP from the mudroom onto the half wall. This small section of wall will have a cabinet and about two rows of tile (which is still perfectly safe to use on the PURPLE board), and there will be a 2-3″ return on the end of the cabinets that will get painted with wall color. We went with cement board everywhere else in the kitchen for added strength and durability, again, because #rental.

Lastly, remember that unsightly gas meter? This front wall was framed out with 2 x 3s and covered with PURPLE SoundBreak XP to help eliminate street noise. A small access panel will still allow us to read numbers off the meter (if needed, as it’s wi-fi enabled), and once we extend the baseboards around this wall, it will look like it’s always been there:

To help jumpstart your own home renovation projects, we teamed up with National Gypsum PURPLE XP to supply one reader with a PURPLE tool kit (full of essentials for the DIY-er) and a $100 Visa gift card! Using the Rafflecopter widget below, enter as many ways as you’d like. This giveaway is eligible for those located in the United States and runs through Friday, June 16th until 5pm CST. The winner will be announced within this post and contacted directly. Good luck and happy entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

big thank you to National Gypsum PURPLE XP® for sharing their drywall enthusiasm with all of us, and the same to all of you for supporting our sponsors. We used Hi-Impact XP, SoundBreak XP and PermaBase PLUS for our needs, and all walls were prepped and sanded with ProForm XP Ready Mix joint compound. Find all PURPLE products here and suppliers in your area here!

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  • Lisa Brown6.13.17 - 6:16 AM

    I could us a little PURPLE in the garage
    following via instagram as https://www.instagram.com/lisalubrown/ReplyCancel

  • Rebecca A6.13.17 - 6:19 AM

    We are also working on our garden unit right now! We own a 3 flat in Bridgeport (Chicago). After some pretty massive plumbing fixes Nod some old termite damage, we could def use this! Can’t wait to see you’re finished unit!ReplyCancel

  • Katie Richards6.13.17 - 6:32 AM

    We’re looking at framing in our basement, which included my husband’s office and a play space for our two super active boys. I feel like Purple would be a great investment down there!ReplyCancel

  • Nate6.13.17 - 6:57 AM

    The noise blocking drywall would be awesome in the living room!ReplyCancel

  • Vid6.13.17 - 6:58 AM

    I’d drywall some of the crumbling plaster in our old house!ReplyCancel

  • Elaine6.13.17 - 7:37 AM

    This garden unit is going to be amazing. If only all landlords put this much thought / consideration / planning into their decisions!ReplyCancel

    • Kim6.13.17 - 8:29 AM

      Thank you, Elaine, we sure hope so. There’s still quite a bit of work ahead for us!ReplyCancel

    • Jen6.13.17 - 11:38 PM

      Amen, Elaine. I totally understand not wanting to sink a lot of money into a rental, but as someone who has lived in rentals almost her whole life, it’s disheartening how many landlords will do the cheapest, ugliest, most half-assed fixes they can get away with (like some of the things Kim and Scott encountered in renovating courtesy of the prior owner). I really believe our interiors matter to our sense of wellbeing and peace of mind. A rental apartment may be primarily an investment to the owner, but it’s a home to the tenant/s. I’ve had to wonder over the years how some of these landlords can look themselves in the mirror every day. (And to be fair, I feel just as much disdain for tenants who do not treat their rentals with care just because they do not own them.)ReplyCancel

  • Kelsey G6.13.17 - 7:45 AM

    In my new laundry room addition that I am about to build!!ReplyCancel

  • Laura C6.13.17 - 8:27 AM

    Have you published a floor plan of this space? Apologies if I missed it. I’d love to see one – it would help visualize all the different spaces you’re describing. Thanks!ReplyCancel

    • Kim6.13.17 - 8:29 AM

      We did a walk through of the space right here, which should help a bunch! We’ll also be sharing more on the kitchen, bath and laundry rooms as we get to them – all very soon!ReplyCancel

  • Haley6.13.17 - 8:39 AM

    This is looking great so far! You have some lucky tenants. I would use the PURPLE in our garage. I’m dreaming of turning the space into a studio.ReplyCancel

  • Michelle A6.13.17 - 8:40 AM

    I never thought drywall could be so exciting, but since buying my home last August, it’s definitely become something I love thinking about! I would use the Purple XP to redo my dingy garage!ReplyCancel

  • Paige6.13.17 - 8:47 AM

    Your walls look amazing!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.comReplyCancel

  • Stephanie B6.13.17 - 8:57 AM

    I’m hoping to reconfigure my closet and bathroom layout!ReplyCancel

  • Mara Smith6.13.17 - 9:03 AM

    This would be perfect to finish my husband’s gym in our basement! We laid floors down, but still no walls.ReplyCancel

  • Grace6.13.17 - 9:03 AM

    I love what you have done so far! We are in desperate need of some drywall to finish my son’s room. The town we live in used to have gas meters inside the home. They decided to move them all to outside of the home, came and tore out his bedroom wall, but gave us no money or assistance in repairing the wall. To top it off, they left pipes that stick out slightly, so we will have to build a bump out to cover them! It is an entirely unexpected project and expense, so we could definitely use the help to restore his room!ReplyCancel

    • Kim6.13.17 - 9:24 AM

      Wow, that sounds horrible! I can’t imagine that falls in line with their protocol. I’m sure you have, but could you try reaching out to them again, or even going to a city representative?ReplyCancel

  • Alleira6.13.17 - 9:43 AM

    I could use a little of the Soundbreak PURPLE in our master/guest bathrooms for, uh, the obvious reasons. They are directly adjacent to one another and you can hear EVERYTHING.ReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth6.13.17 - 9:56 AM

    If I won this, I would use the purple in my parents’ place – they recently had to tear out a bunch of floor and drywall, and redo their crawl space due to a mold problem. The mold is cleared up, but the room is a mess!ReplyCancel

  • Carolyn Stoner6.13.17 - 10:01 AM

    We’re about to embark​ on finishing our bathroom with the help of your favorite contractor!ReplyCancel

  • Aimee6.13.17 - 10:04 AM

    Maybe I could use purple in our garage… just studs right now!ReplyCancel

  • Linda6.13.17 - 10:23 AM

    I could use PURPLE in our bathroom. Does it ever need a little work.ReplyCancel

  • Jason6.13.17 - 10:42 AM

    We could definitely use Purple throughout our basement. It’s a dungeon right now!ReplyCancel

  • Alex6.13.17 - 10:51 AM

    We are closing in our carport and would LOVE some Purple for that big project!ReplyCancel

  • Crystal6.13.17 - 11:01 AM

    Wow how exciting, it’s coming along so quickly!ReplyCancel

  • Kate6.13.17 - 11:06 AM

    Looking good!!! Can’t wait to see all the finishes.ReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth6.13.17 - 11:11 AM

    I would love to use the Soundbreak in our master bedroom and laundry room. We’re currently sharing a bedroom with two little boys while we wait for funds to finish the rest of the house, and the idea of a private space sounds wonderful!ReplyCancel

  • Emily6.13.17 - 11:41 AM

    What a cool product! I’d love to use it in our master bedroom and bathroom renovation.ReplyCancel

  • Kelly D6.13.17 - 11:50 AM

    I could use this when we finish our basement.ReplyCancel

  • Bianca Munoz6.13.17 - 12:01 PM

    I could use some purple in a bedroom we are remodeling. Thank you!ReplyCancel

  • Bethany6.13.17 - 12:40 PM

    I could use the sound proofing Purple our basement we need to finish as sometimes my husband sleeps there during the day sometimes from working all night.ReplyCancel

  • Heather Hollands6.13.17 - 12:47 PM

    I need some purple love on the hall walls. Thanks for the chance!ReplyCancel

  • Stephanie Olson6.13.17 - 12:56 PM

    How fun! I could use a little purple in our bathroom and our kitchen, and maybe even the dining room (where I want to install a pocket door). The rental is looking awesome!ReplyCancel

  • Angie6.13.17 - 1:33 PM

    I purchased a new to me home 3 years ago and have remodeled a ton. The majority of the flooring and almost every light fixture in the house house been replaced. The master bathroom was gutted and remodeled. Every room but one was painted. All sinks were updated. I had a new TREX front porch with railings installed. But I have a few more projects to finish. Would love to win the giveaway. Thank you!ReplyCancel

  • Stephanie6.13.17 - 1:40 PM

    This is so fascinating and helpful for new DIYers! I’d use PURPLE in my basement. Trying to finish it out ourselves! GULP!ReplyCancel

  • Ashley Wilson6.13.17 - 1:48 PM

    I’m so excited for this project- it’s really coming together nicely!ReplyCancel

  • Gayle Parrish6.13.17 - 1:58 PM

    Thanks for the info. I’m getting ready to tear out and replace some walls and these new products will be jut the ticket!ReplyCancel

  • Katy6.13.17 - 2:05 PM

    This is so timely for me – I record audiobooks as a side job/hobby, and this summer the biggest project on my to-do list is to build an actual studio area in my basement instead of converting the guest bedroom every time I need to record. The soundbreak drywall sounds like the most perfect thing to help block outside noises (and to keep some noise in, haha!) Thanks so much for posting.ReplyCancel

  • Chris6.13.17 - 2:12 PM

    Could use it in one of our bedrooms.ReplyCancel

  • Charlene6.13.17 - 2:14 PM

    I could use some for my parent’s new home!ReplyCancel

  • alicia szemon6.13.17 - 2:44 PM

    i think it would be cool to have purple in the bathroom or the front door!ReplyCancel

  • Rosie6.13.17 - 3:05 PM

    I’m looking for a fixer upper, and not sure where I’ll want to use it. We once took down plaster wall, the plaster dust in your hair and face, etc., what a mess!ReplyCancel

  • Stephanie Grant6.13.17 - 3:52 PM

    I would use a little PURPLE for our master bedroom where we are currently remodeling in a more updated style.ReplyCancel

  • Kristin6.13.17 - 3:52 PM

    Looking forward to seeing the final project. It is looking good. Btw, I have loved the wood tile in all of the rental properties I have renovated. I am looking forward to putting it into our basement as well! It looks beautiful in your space.ReplyCancel

  • Eunice6.13.17 - 4:06 PM

    I could use some purple in the bathroom I want to remodel!ReplyCancel

  • Katie C6.13.17 - 4:09 PM

    My bathroom could use some Purple!ReplyCancel

  • Christine6.13.17 - 4:21 PM

    This is looking great! The hi-impact drywall sounds perfect for our garage…though we use it as a workshop much of the time so it’s never in any state to get fixed-up itself.ReplyCancel

  • carol clark6.13.17 - 4:26 PM

    id use this for our garage be perfect for itReplyCancel

  • Allison H6.13.17 - 4:30 PM

    The place is really shaping up!! hooray! i would love to use some of that purple on the plumbing wall that back up to our dining room.. you can hear when the showers is on, when the toilet is flushed.. and i’ll leave the rest to your imagination! :)ReplyCancel

  • Dee Johnson6.13.17 - 4:37 PM

    I could use a little Purple in my basement.ReplyCancel

  • Jenny Free6.13.17 - 5:04 PM

    We need to (eventually) make a laundry room and bathroom out of extra storage space in the basement!ReplyCancel

  • Crissie Woolard6.13.17 - 5:08 PM

    I would use Purple in My Bathroom and my Living room. This is very exciting!ReplyCancel

  • Sharon Flasche6.13.17 - 5:22 PM

    Drywall that can solve all the apartment dwellers problems! I love the idea of redoing all my walls in sound proofing drywall.ReplyCancel

  • Caroline Bedard6.13.17 - 5:50 PM

    Between my husband’s music and loud business calls early in the morning, (he works at home) and the loud pipes in the bathrooms, I would really like to put in sound blocking Purple. Life would be more pleasant!ReplyCancel

  • Casey6.13.17 - 5:55 PM

    Love this giveaway!ReplyCancel

  • Gina M6.13.17 - 6:17 PM

    I could use some purple around the walls in the apartment over our garage. My brother lives in there, and it could use some extra sound-proofing.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot comReplyCancel

  • Rana Durham6.13.17 - 6:32 PM

    i could use it in my bathroom and kitchen.ReplyCancel

  • Jessica Mcfarlin6.13.17 - 7:02 PM

    I could use the purple in the Garage & playroom!ReplyCancel

  • Emma P6.13.17 - 8:23 PM

    Sound reducing drywall… this will perfect for our bathroom redo in our 100+ year old house!ReplyCancel

  • Trenda T6.13.17 - 8:54 PM

    We could use a little in out playroom!ReplyCancel

  • HS6.13.17 - 8:55 PM

    I could us a little PURPLE in bedrooms.ReplyCancel

  • jan6.13.17 - 11:39 PM

    I would use purple in our laundry room.ReplyCancel

  • Mandolin L6.14.17 - 12:45 AM

    I would love to win this for my sister. She just bought a new house in the country that she and her husband are renovating on a budget. They can use all the help they can get!ReplyCancel

  • kesha6.14.17 - 4:42 AM

    We are refinishing our Master Bath! This would be great for that project!ReplyCancel

  • Eileen6.14.17 - 4:51 AM

    It’s great to know more about the different kinds of wallboard so I can pick the best kind for each job! I’d use some purple in the bathroom & pantry, for impact AND mold resistance!!ReplyCancel

  • Sarah6.14.17 - 8:32 AM

    We are about to undertake a kitchen renovation and like the garden appt ours is also at the front of the house and gets a LOT of traffic. The high impact would be perfect in this room!ReplyCancel

  • Laura6.14.17 - 10:10 AM

    I would love to use the SoundBreak Drywall in our office because my husband works from home.ReplyCancel

  • Pamela6.14.17 - 1:11 PM

    What a great product! Could use this in garage Reno!ReplyCancel

  • Jan6.14.17 - 2:03 PM

    I would use in a bathroom reno.ReplyCancel

  • Carolyn H6.14.17 - 2:52 PM

    We could definitely use it for finishing off our storage room!ReplyCancel

  • alex c6.14.17 - 3:06 PM

    our garage is unfinished and we would love to finish it make a dual purpose space!ReplyCancel

  • Alexis6.14.17 - 3:35 PM

    I could use some PURPLE in my home!ReplyCancel

  • Niki6.14.17 - 3:35 PM

    We are just buying a home now, as I type this, and I have realized any little help you can get makes such a huge difference, this would be a great boost in our upcoming renovation projects.ReplyCancel

  • Jon6.14.17 - 5:15 PM

    I am going to refinish my detached garage this summer. I can use purple for this job!ReplyCancel

  • Wendy Stewart6.14.17 - 5:22 PM

    We have s few projects we need to tackle. Our unfinished basement, Chicago back porch and our garage.ReplyCancel

  • Rachel6.14.17 - 6:33 PM

    I could use some purple in my basement bathroom reno.ReplyCancel

  • Kirsten6.14.17 - 7:33 PM

    My wife and I just bought our first home! We are so excited to do some of our very own DIY as soon as we get a little settled. Your blog has been such a source of inspiration for us!ReplyCancel

  • Alicia6.15.17 - 9:44 AM

    I could use some “purple” in my basement :)ReplyCancel

  • Stacey Roberson6.15.17 - 3:12 PM

    I could use a little Purple in our guest bathroom. It needs some refreshing and new color.ReplyCancel

  • Tracie Cooper6.15.17 - 7:26 PM

    My kitchen and master bathroom could use a lot of purple!ReplyCancel

  • tisa6.16.17 - 10:18 AM

    We need to update the tile in our master bath. Purple would be perfect to use as part of the update. Great job by the way. I can’t wait to see this completed.ReplyCancel

  • Meghan6.16.17 - 3:58 PM

    I could use it in a basement renovation!ReplyCancel

  • DealinDiva6.16.17 - 4:31 PM

    I could use some purple in my kitchen, I just ordered a eggplant colored mixer so it would be perfect.ReplyCancel

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Kim and Scott

We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

Join us as we renovate and nurture vintage homes across Chicago + SW Michigan!

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