Tag Archives: house

Want to Feel Better about Buying a House?

Posted in Decor by

I know it’s getting pricey out there but what if you or your spouse had your heart set on the most expensive house in America? Want to know what that looks like?

Copper Beech FarmIt’s Copper Beech Farm on the Gold Coast of Connecticut. Forty feet above sea level in Greenwich, Connecticut, the next owner of this estate will come home to a 1,800 foot driveway, two islands, a mile of shoreline, walled gardens, a 75-foot pool, grass tennis court, greenhouse, stone carriage house, and cottage all for the low low price of…

$190,000,000

Copper Beech Farm Greenwich Dining at Copper Beech Farm Back Porch Copper Beech Farm Pool with Ocean View Greenhouse at Copper Beech Farm

So that’s what the one and only fifty acre waterfront estate looks like. Just in case you were in the market. Pity there’s no helipad on the roof. Wherever would my pilot park the chopper?

About these ads

The Waiting Game

Posted in Everyday Life by

Have you noticed my countdown on the sidebar to the right? I’m counting down to our Closing Day and then I’ll probably count down until our Start of Construction Day and then I’ll probably set unrealistic deadlines for Kitchen Completed Day or Yay We Have Walls Day.

Sometimes when Jared and I are planning each project it seems like we’re so organized that it will take no time at all! But other times I worry that we’ll be in this basement forever!

I don’t mind it that much. It’s just- we’re so out of our routine. We’re not eating the same or exercising the same. I can’t cook the way I used to being in someone else’s kitchen. And I definitely am not getting my cleaning release. I barely make the bed everyday. Wow, did I just admit that? Well what’s the point? We’re in a basement! As much as my parents have done to make it feel like home, and as weird as it is to say because it was in fact my home for 25 years- it’s not our home.

We had such a rhythm in Richmond. It was almost too easy. Jared is not only a fantastic husband but he’s one of the best roommates I have ever had. He doesn’t stay up all night or sleep in too late, he puts the toilet seat down, he makes me coffee in the morning. We just… work.

And that’s not to say we don’t work here but I just feel off. Like we’ve been visiting for Christmas for the last two months.

So as the countdown drags on, I’ll try to be patient. In the meantime, I’m here… blogging. So click on the Follow button on the right sidebar or leave me a comment. And thanks to those family, friends, and strangers who already have!

Some People Look for a Beautiful Space…

Posted in Decor by

Others make a space beautiful!

That’s the goal but check out what we’re working with here. Now as you scroll down I want you to hear the music from the Psycho shower scene. You know- eeek eeek eeek!

hallway

dining room

Keep scrolling… eeeek, eeeek, eeeek

kitchen

bathroom

Eeek, eeek, eeek!

bedroom

third floor

bedroom

OK done. Are you terrified? Trust me- it’s all cosmetic. We’re taking a wall down here, making a larger opening there, and absolutely nothing will look the same.

Less than a month until close and six weeks until the current owner vacates! Woo hoo!

The Look for Less – Kitchen

Posted in Decor by

I’d be so good at being rich. Seriously. I wouldn’t be obnoxious about it. I probably wouldn’t change much about the plans for the house or my wardrobe- OK, maybe the shoe collection would increase exponentially but other than that I’d travel a little more with my hubby and buy people presents for no reason, and throw awesome parties for even the most trivial of occasions- it’s Tuesday! Paaarrty!

So if anyone feels the need to offload some of their funds, I’d be happy to lighten your load.

Where was I going with this? Oh yeah! I’m not rich. But I do have expensive taste. So when Jared gave me the task to design and price out each room I knew it would take a little time and scouring of the interwebs to find some deals on look-a-likes.

Here’s my kitchen finds…

Lighting

1. Restoration Hardware | 2. Euro Style Lighting | 3. Shades of Light

Stools

1. Restoration Hardware | 2. Wisteria

Faucet1. Home Depot | 2. Lowes

Pinning & Planning

Posted in Decor by

The fun has begun! Even though we don’t close on the house officially until March 14th, we want to be prepared to jump into renovations.

So I already mentioned that the house is a bit dated inside. Think textured pink wallpaper and heavy drapes. No offense to the lovely lady that has lived in the house for the last 50 years but it’s a bit grandma. No offense to grandmas either.

Our first plan of attack is the entire first floor. New insulation, new walls, new trim, new half bath, new kitchen. Basically – everything must go!

Jared has mapped out the entire first floor on some computer program. We have an idea about where we’d like to remove a wall and push a wall back. As for the design scheme, I’ve been planning that since before I even knew Jared. Seriously, in my mind the dream house totally outweighed the dream wedding. (Although the dream wedding was completely fantastic!)

Anyways… until we have actual renovation photos to share, I’ll be blogging inspiration. You can also visit my Pinterest boards here. Enjoy!

This is My Happy Dance

Posted in Everyday Life by

I had a missed call from Jared and a voice-mail telling me there was news on the house. Everyone in the office knew we were actively looking and there had been several prospects. I think it was the high-pitched squeal and the spinning around my office that really got the point across that we got the house! 

Here are the details:

Four bedrooms, one and a half baths, three floors, and a huge yard (for Winthrop standards). It’s very structurally sound with updated guts (furnace, electrical, etc.) and we really love the outside- white with black shutters. In my mind, it’s the little farmhouse I always wanted – but steps from Boston.

The inside is dated but we wanted to start fresh with new walls and a new kitchen anyways. Jared is excited to jump into the renovations with my Dad. I have all sorts of projects brewing for them. I’m sure anyone that follows my Pinterest boards can see that!

I’m a very lucky lady. Just wanted to state that here. The last year has been absolutely surreal. I’ve dreamed of a time when I’m professionally satisfied, in a fulfilling relationship, get to plan my dream wedding, and design our dream house. Not everyone’s dreams come true so I must be doing something right because mine most certainly are.

House Hunters

Posted in Everyday Life by

Forgive us if we’ve kept everyone out of the loop. But speaking of loops, house hunting is a frigging emotional roller coaster. We’re level headed people. We understand the process. In fact, Jared’s been through it four times before. But this time… it’s personal.

This is the first home we’re buying together. This will be the house we spend the next five to fifty years in. This will be the house we bring a baby home to – god willing. And we intend to do some work to make it our own. So in the process of pricing out the renovation costs, we’re envisioning our dream home. So whether we like it or not, we get attached.

Have I mentioned we’ve seen every house for sale (and some not for sale) in all of Winthrop? The real estate in this town is literally down to three shit holes and a million dollar house that’s falling into the ocean.

I admit I was getting a little desperate. Even considering… gulp… Chelsea. But Saturday morning my loving husband suggested we revisit a particular house.

This house was not on the market. We heard about it through our agent who knew the homeowner wanted to downsize. We toured the house one morning and looking past all the dated decor we fell in love. We made an offer….

And she refused.

But now Jared wanted to take another look at renovation costs and see if we could make it work. We made another offer on Sunday.