So I’m doing it. I’m writing about my new house. It is so on the brain that it’s hard to think about other, more meaningful things anyway. I guess for an audience that enjoys looking for a paci in a pile of junk, seeing photos of my new house will be a change that is welcome.
It has been easier to write about my current house because I love it and it is home. I love this house too…but not yet like I WILL love it. So here it is in all its over-grown glory.
It was built in 1963, the year JFK was assassinated. I’ve always loved reading about American history in the 60′s so there’s that. Our plan is to tear out a lot of the plants…not all of them, as there are hydrangeas and delightful looking bushes with little white bell-shaped buds. We are also going to paint the brick to match the siding. Can’t wait to do that.
Some of my favorite things about this house?
This white picket fence. It is homey. And that building there? It’s the room off the garage, better known to us as the man room. We’ve never had a man room. Or a garage, for that matter.
This is the breakfast area in the kitchen. Love those floors and the room gets great light, too.
When I looked through the front window of this house (that was empty but not for sale, by the way), this is the first thing I saw. My heartbeat sped up and I realized maybe there was more to this house than meets the eye. We had our eye on it for months before we went inside. The owner had moved out but had not put it on the market yet. So we tracked her down and begged her to let us walk through in a very we-want-to-see-your-house-REAL-BAD-but-we’re -not-really-interested kind of way. We had to play it cool. I don’t think she fell for it.
So she met us there. And we looked. And we liked. And we prayed. And she liked us. She set a price. Then we set a price. Then she accepted, not because she liked the price but because she liked us and wanted a family to live there and be happy. Because she was the 2nd owner of this house. She said it had been a happy house for her and her husband (who has died) and her children (who are grown). And it will be a happy house for us.
Some things that aren’t so happy? Well, this room, for one. And the crematorium they like to call the fireplace. And check out the light tube in the ceiling…when you stand under it and look up, it’s kind of Jetson-y.
Not a problem, though. Already in the process of being taken care of.
That’s Ray. He smells like smoke and coffee from Biscuitville. He works fast and has been very patient with Indecisive Girl from Planet the-paint-colors-I-choose-determine-my-happiness. I went with Tobacco Road in this room. Was there any other choice? We also smoothed out the popcorn ceilings in here. Very soothing. And smooth.
And then there was this.
Every window in the house had these wooden cornice boards built just for them. Whenever I hear “custom built” it always gives me pause, just like the Reindeer up on the housetop (go on, sing it in your head…you’ll see. I know you think its “paws” but it’s not. Really).
So we got rid of those, too.
This was the sunroom before we closed on the house. Not too sunny what with all those blinds covering up those beautiful windows.
Looks sunnier here, even though it was raining. And yes, that is a hot tub out those back windows. No, it doesn’t have water in it. Yes, it does work. How do I feel about it? I’m still not sure.
Now so far I’ve showed you some photos of either things I love or things I don’t love but are in progress. Ready for something I hate that hasn’t been touched yet? Wait for it…
Yes, my sweet friends. That is our master bedroom. Pink walls. Plum trim. Custom-built cornice thing on the window. A wall-papered cornince thing. Nice. But those floors scream potential.
So there you have it. This flower was blooming in the backyard, by the way. She likes to pose with flowers. I’m sure I’ll be posting more before, in-progress and after photos as time goes on. This post was kind of a big step for me, as I feel like I’m cheating on my current house by writing about another one. So many issues.
Beautiful and dreamy! I am jealous, in a good way though!
The staircase in your new home made me SWOON!
Oh my gosh. SO fun!! It’s gorgeous. And what’s not already gorgeous WILL be gorgeous when you’re done with it. FUN!!!!!
Em, that is a beautiful house. I cant wait for John to take Amy D and I to see it! I will have to bring my camera to work every just in case he does.
SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS!
OK. Looking at these pictures was really cool. I love being able to see the transformation.
And you almost made me snort up some coffee when you described how your painter smells. Maybe that would wake me up.
I LOVE your house! She is so pretty and so happy and so lady! I think you should name her! I like using !!!!!!’s but I cannot help it–you will love living here and as usual–you get everything. Moving in to blooming flowers! Lucky! You are going to love it and I cannot wait to sit in that breakfast nook and drink coffee and listen to our kids play together!
Looks like a dream house to me!
The outside has great symmetry–I bet once you paint the brick it won’t look 1960 at all. More like the Father of the Bride house.
OH, I just LOVE IT! It has so much character and so much potential! I covet thy new residence! I know you are not supposed to covet but I do…well…except that Master Bedroom. I hope all that pink and floral fits into the man’s idea of romance. Hehe.
I LOVE your new house. Love it love it love it. I also love that you asked to see it before it was on the market. AND I love that the lady who sold it wanted a sweet family to live in it. The part about her telling you that it brought her and her family happiness got me choked up. I would’ve given her whatever she wanted then and there.
So cute! And a blank canvas for you to get all creative with!! I really do love it – and I am excited for you! I love changes!
Your house is beautiful! I can’t wait to see more pictures!
Oh how i love that house! So much potential! It looks like a perfect 60′s sitcom house—love it! love it! love it! And what progress you’ve already made! I recognized good old Tobacco Road right away, of course. And amazing what taking those crazy blinds and cornices off everything did. And a brick floor–gorgeous! (and very spendy, I know–I priced one out for here and nearly fainted at the estimate!). And you’ll probably forever maintain that love/hate relationship with your inherited hot tub (we have one too). Really, we just keep ours full and chlorinated with little to no heat, and the kids love using it like a swimming pool.
Did I mention I love your new house?!?!
Tell your old, current house to keep it’s little chin up, that someone is going to come and love it all up good too!
aww shucks. You girls really know how to help a girl out. Thanks for the compliments. I had fun with this post so I’m glad to see your responses. I didn’t show you photos of our master bathroom. Its pretty bad. You’ll see…
That is a great house! Congratulations to your family! Keep us posted.
Hola chica…so…would it be weird to have small group in the hot tub??? Cause thats what I’m really hoping for!
Can’t even tell you how cute it is! What awesome luck you have, Emily!
I love your new house–I really love that picket fence and all the single-hung windows (which I have an unnatural obsessed attraction to) with grids (another nutcase obsession)and that you’re painting the panelling. If only we could convince my grandma to do the same thing. Are your paintingthe brick in the sunroom too? That would look really nice.
Funny, my house was built a mere two years before yours and it isn’t nearly that cool. Or big. Or exciting. And only has five (out of twelve) single-hung windows.
Anyway, cute house. The brick, front porch steps are cool, too. I’m thinking everything’s cool since it won’t stop snowing here! I’m serious–it snowed yesterday and things are so NOT blooming in my yard. I’m very jealous.
Maybe if I go buy some Tobacco Road, that will help me feel better.
It really does look like a ‘happy house…especialy since those cornices are gone!
I did the same thing to the paneling in my den..and I love the painted look of it! UGH! and years ago, I had some of those horrendous verticle blinds. I think I only had them up for about a week before I hated them. They stayed 10 years…hated them the whole time!
Enjoy fixing up your home!
Beautiful!
Awww I love your new house! They entryway/stairs are so neat.
I bet your children will love growing up in this house.
It has such great potential!! I can’t wait to see how it looks when you get the brick painted!!
IT is GORGEOUS….what were they thinking and how did they live with the pink circus/hareem coverings on the window…..
oh it’s great. i already know you are going to make it look fabulous. i wouldn’t have a clue what to do.
the picket fence is wonderful!
Oh baby those are nice floors! I can’t wait to watch you beautify your new home.
I have always thought hot tubs were like a great big people soup. But, if it’s your people in the soup it’s not as bad.
Come on over to Make Room For…and see the new babe when you get a chance.