About the Split

In late 2013 we bought a split-level in the Twin Cities. It had good bones, a great yard and absolutely everything else wrong with it.

The kitchen was avocado green. The bathroom had three layers of wallpaper (the bottom one was gold foil). The hallway doors were hollow, the ceilings were popcorn and there was, briefly, a family of mice living under the sink. We did not love it. Honestly? We kind of hated it.

Why "Hate to Love the Split"?

Because that's the plan: take a house we didn't love and fix it, one room at a time, until we can't imagine living anywhere else. This blog is the record of that: what we tried, what it cost, what worked and what we'd never do again (looking at you, indoor spray paint).

What you'll find here

• Room-by-room renovation stories with honest how-tos, from IKEA Akurum cabinets to board and batten.
• Yard and garden projects like installing cement pavers and trimming lilacs.
• Crafts like framing great grandma's recipe.
• Random thoughts: Minneapolis restaurants, bike rides, books and travel.

Under new ownership

Hate to Love the Split changed hands in 2026. The 2014 to 2016 posts are the original renovation diary, kept online and lightly edited for clarity; everything published from October 2026 onward is written by the current owners, who are not the original authors. Prices, products and advice in the older posts reflect the time they were written.

Say hello

We read every email. Reach us at info@hatetolovethesplit.com.