We bought an abandoned 100-year-old school for $175,000 and turned it into our dream home

A couple who bought a 100-year-old abandoned school for $175,000 has completed three years of renovations to make it their home.

Stacie Grissom, 36, and her 35-year-old husband, orthopedic surgeon Sean, purchased the former school in August 2021 after moving back to Franklin, Indiana, from New York City.

Stacie said she had always wanted to live in a quirky home but never anticipated buying a school, which at the time of purchase came complete with four classrooms and a cloakroom.

The former Manhattanites transformed the 4,000-square-foot building into a lavish home, which features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a stunning kitchen and an expansive living space. 

Stacie and Sean finally completed the renovations earlier this month, admitting that it was a 'chaotic' process but they were happy that it had come to an end. 

Stacie Grissom, 36, and her 35-year-old husband, orthopedic surgeon Sean, purchased the former school in August 2021 after moving back to Franklin, Indiana, from New York City

Stacie said she had always wanted to live in a quirky home but never anticipated buying a school, which at the time of purchase came complete with four classrooms and a cloakroom

She noted that she was thrilled that she and her husband could make the building feel like a home for them and their two children: Arlo, three, and Margot, two.

Stacie, a marketing and PR consultant, said: 'I am glad it is wrapping up, I could not have coped with another year of renovation.

'Our lives have been very chaotic, we have been raising two kids and doing a renovation. I am excited to just have our families over for big parties.

'I am excited to have Thanksgiving and Christmas here, make big meals and show people the beauty of Indiana. We want to fill the school with love and laughter.'

Stacie and Sean had been living in New York for 10 years and wanted to move back to Indiana to be close to family.

While looking for properties, the pair came across the old school - which was closed in 1934 - and bought it in August 2021 and immediately got started on transforming it into a home.

Stacie explained: 'There was a lot of stuff still left in the property that we needed to clear - it needed a lot of work. It needed a new roof and foundation work.

'We stripped the school down to its original bones. We put a new roof on, strengthened the foundations, and placed new windows.

The former Manhattanites transformed the 4,000-square-foot building into a lavish home, which features four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a stunning kitchen

Stacie and Sean finally completed the renovations earlier this month, admitting that it was a 'chaotic' process but they were happy that it had come to an end

She noted that she was thrilled that she and her husband could make the building feel like a home for them and their two children: Arlo, three, and Margot, two

While looking for properties, the pair came across the old school - which was closed in 1934 - and bought it in August 2021 and immediately got started on transforming it into a home

'We have put insulation in, finished the interior framing and built the kitchen ourselves. Once the windows are refitted next week we will be moving in.'

And while the couple was more than ready to get settled in their new home, Stacie recalled the stressful renovation project and revealed that it wasn't all smooth sailing, especially because it occurred during the pandemic. 

She explained: 'Some unexpected things happened during the pandemic. Things took seven times longer than you originally thought they would take.

'We found a 72-inch snake skin in one of the walls. We haven't seen that large of a snake yet but we do have some critter tenants that we need to work on.'

After having run into a slew of problems, the couple focused on the style of the home.

Wanting to preserve the vintage aesthetic of the school, Stacie and Sean decided to keep some of the original flooring. 

And while the couple was more than ready to get settled in their new home, Stacie recalled the stressful renovation project and revealed that it wasn't all smooth sailing

Wanting to preserve the vintage aesthetic of the school, Stacie and Sean decided to keep some of the original flooring

Stacie and Sean had been living in New York for 10 years and wanted to move back to Indiana to be close to family

Although the family was moving into the school-turned-home later this month, Stacie revealed they can't relax yet as there is still a lot of work to be done

She said: 'We refinished one of the original classroom's pine wood floors. Unfortunately, we were not able to save a lot of the floors so we put new ones in - they had water damage and were crumbling.

'We have been trying to use a lot of second-hand items from old schools to put around the home. The dining chairs I got were from an old school in Slovenia.'

Although the family was moving into the school-turned-home later this month, Stacie revealed they can't relax yet as there is still a lot of work to be done. 

She said: 'Us moving in is just the beginning. We have so many projects we want to do, we also want to add things to the home that celebrate the school.

'We want to put details in that will tell the story. It has been a whole village effort to renovate the school. I feel so grateful to be back around family and have their support.

'I am at the end stages of being like: "Wow we are a little crazy to be taking this on."'