Where do I even start? I definitely went into the whole buying-a-house process thinking the price negotiations would be the biggest challenge. I couldn't have been more mistaken. Don't get me wrong...the whole thing has been lots of fun, but it has not come without its moments of total panic. There has been so much to think about (and pay for!). I've mentioned it before, but it's really hilarious how quickly your priorities change when the house belongs to you...sometimes I feel like I hear dripping water in my sleep and it totally makes me panic and wonder where the leak is! So far I've owned the house for about 45 days and have already had a fence pulled up, a new heater and a/c installed in the guest house, and visits from the plumber and electrician. Yikes!
In reality, it's all gone pretty smoothly, but I'm ready to be settled and enjoy the house for a while before something else has to be fixed. The decorating process has certainly been the fun part. My mom and I have had the best time planning, thinking, arranging, and rearranging stuff. So without further adieu, here's the first installment of the house tour. Please excuse the less than stellar iPhone photos.
With the exception of the coffee table, the whole living room got redone. The awesome paisley chair originally belonged to my grandparents, did a stint with my parents in a lovely stripe, and has come to its final resting place with me covered in the
fabric you see below. It makes me smile every time I walk in the living room. The red chair was an eBay find. It was originally upholstered in an interesting black and tan floral. I wish I had a before picture so you could see the transformation (and could have gone on the adventure to retrieve it from the Greyhound bus station). Just trust me when I tell you I never dreamed it could turn out this well. The red fabric was also an eBay find. My mama has been doing some good work on eBay! Our final online purchase for the den was the blue and white lamp. It too came from eBay and was a total steal. The seller said it was originally in the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas...how much truth there is to that, I don't know, but it makes for a fun story. And then there is the rug. Every single person that has walked in the house has commented on the rug. Some friends (who will remain nameless) like to lay in the floor because the rug is so amazing. It came from Homegoods and is a really cool shag. Throwback to the 70's anyone? It's the perfect unexpected modern piece to offset all the traditional antiques. The dresser was in my room growing up and the botanical prints were a
Scott's Antiques find. Perhaps the most exciting part about the living room will come when the couch I ordered (over TWO months ago) gets delivered in the next few days. I am SO excited. Promise a pic when it gets here!
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| Really excited about the yellow sofa that's going on the wall under the windows! |
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| The red chair looks great against the grey/beige walls. |
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| The t.v. is mounted in the bookcase to the left of the fireplace. I've loved looking at all my Christmas cards on the mantle! |
The kitchen is really showing it's age with the cabinets and counter tops, but I'm making the best of it for now! One day I plan to totally redo the kitchen, but that's looking like it's at least a couple of years down the road. I added a cable drop and a television in here, and I can't even begin to tell you how that's changed my life. Think I watch tv a little too much?!
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| The kitchen has great bones, but original appliances. Making the best of it! |
The dining room is in need of some TLC but I'm having a really hard time deciding what to put on the walls or if I can fit another piece of furniture in here. So at the moment, it's pretty blah. The curtains are a new addition and I'm liking the way they look. Any brilliant ideas out there for what to do to spice it up in this room? Maybe a mirror and plates on either side? Change the light fixture?
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| Had to bring in some outside chairs to have enough seating for a dinner party. Definitely need some help in the dining room! |
No major changes in my bedroom. I did bring back my mahogany bed that was in my room growing up. It was a full bed, but I found (well, Mom found) some
converter rails online, so it was really quick and easy to change it to accommodate my queen-size mattress and box springs. Love the way it looks in here!
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| Can't go wrong with Pottery Barn bedding and an antique bed. | | |
I'm excited about working on the yard this spring. I had the fence taken up and have some grand plans to add hydrangeas and other fun stuff. Truth be told, my mom is coming up with the yard plan, but it's exciting to think about. Hopefully I'll be back soon with a picture of the completed living room, including the couch!
