Shopping Spree

I've been on a bit of a shopping spree for the new house.  We close in 10 days!I'm struggling a bit with the idea that it has to be PERFECT the minute we walk in the door.

So here are my recent purchases.  My wish list will have to follow later.

I'm most excited about this...a TOBACCO BASKET that I bought for $40 at an antiques store in Abingdon, VA. 

This is a similar photo.  Mine is in worn condition, but a little better than this.  The basket is HUGE.  Maybe 3'x3' or larger.  Mine says "Prewitt Bros" but I don't know anything about the company...yet.

asoftplace.net

I plan to hang ours over the fireplace.  Because John said it was too "dirty" for the dining room!

I also ordered 2 of these sconces from Restoration Hardware. 

Lugarno double sconces.  These will replace the builder-grade lights in the master bath, that don't fit the style of the bathroom.  They were on sale (yay) but don't come with the shades (boo).  So I'll be searching for some inexpensive white shades.

I also wanted to get these matching knobs and pulls, but I couldn't justify the price.

 
I finally decided on a lantern for the kitchen as well. Thomasville Crestwood 3-light lantern in Antique Bronze.  We thought the 4-light would be too large.  I was able to order it from Home Depot, so if it arrives and isn't perfect, I can always return it.

On our trip to Tennessee, I found 10 yards of Sunbrella fabric to recover 2 chairs for our living room.

I figure, if you want off-white chairs in a home with a 5 and 6 year old, you need to use a durable fabric.  This is an outdoor fabric, but is smoother and softer to the touch than most outdoor fabrics.  I'll get on that project soon!

On the same Tennessee trip, John's parents gave us a patio table and 2 chairs that they weren't using.  So we picked up 2 more bistro chairs from our local Lowes.

I decided on a paint color for the entry, all the bathrooms and Caroline's room.  Pittsburgh Paints Toasted Almond.  But I call it "greige".  I really hope the walls don't look purple like it looks on my computer monitor.

My recent Craigslist purchases include 2 awesome finds:

An extra large, solid wood, entertainment center armoire.  The brand is Heckman, but it looks a lot like this Pottery Barn one.  It will hold the living room television.

 And this may have been the best bargain yet!  A Jasper secretary on Craistlist for $160!  It will sit in the corner of the living room and be my desk for paying bills, etc...

 We've picked out a king size bed for our master from a local furniture store.  Great price, and a great look alike to several popular stores.  A consolation prize since I couldn't get John on board with an upholstered headboard (a dust trap). 

John's study has made lots of progress.  Mostly from Ikea.  It would be so tedious to show you piece by piece.  You'll just have to see it in place.

But Caroline's chandelier from Ikea will be worth a little peek, to finish this out.  She's SUPER excited about a little bling in her room.

I'll keep shopping, organizing and packing.  Did I say 10 more days?!?

Floor Plan

Our new home is supposed to look like this on the inside.

We didn't make too many interior changes to the actual shape and size of the house.  But we did add a wall between the living and dining room.  The "living" room will actually become a study, office, or library.  Probably study at first, and when we add some built-in shelves, I'll start calling it the library!  And we extended the staircase wall to incorporate some double doors, so the study can be closed off from the rest of the house.

Upstairs, we left everything alone.  Check out the size of that master closet!  We won't have the (optional 3rd bath) so the closet will really be that big.  I have plans.  I'll share them later.

Construction should start in April.  Can't wait to see how it progresses.

Paint Chips

Look at the creativity of some people just using paint swatches from the hardware store.

 I saw a invite like this online, and since I have a little experience designing stationery, I thought I'd try my hand at making my own moving cards.

I have a bookcase full of envelopes left over from the time I sold custom stationery, so I think I'll print these up and send them out when the time comes.

On The Market {UPDATED}

Our home is officially on the market.

For. Sale.

{I hope it doesn't last long.}

Because, it's HARD to keep a house in sellable shape all the time.  Especially with a 4 and 5 year old under foot.  So I'm all for quick tips that will help speed things up when I have to get the house clean for a showing, and overall tips that will make a house attractive to a buyer.

You know, learn something new that I don't already know from HGTV.

A quick search on the internet turned up these gems.  They are perfect advice. 

• Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf. (If only it was that easy, and that cheap)
• Clean out any musty smelling areas.  (Does this count spray painting furniture in the basement as a no-no?  My husband does.  Good thing he's out of town)
• Say goodbye to every room. (oh my)
• Don't look backwards -- look toward the future. (or you might just see that you overlooked cleaning that corner!)
• Remove all books from bookcases. (I just don't understand.  Then why did I spend so much time styling those bookcases?)
• Alphabetize spice jars.
• Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.  (Ahhh, yes)
• Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside?  (Yes.  I live in Colorado.  It's COLD outside.)
• Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. (I had no idea.  Who knew yellow flowers would sell my home!)
• If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. (Like my Restoration Hardware silk blinds in the living/dining room)  If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.  (I am starting to agree.  I think my "curtains up but coming with me" may have blown a deal already!)

Check back tomorrow and my house will be SOLD!

UPDATED:  No joke.  We really got an offer the day after I posted this.  And I did have to fight for my RH silk curtains, but it was worth it!

We're moving!

We're moving...and it's OK!

(most people ask, so they know how to react.  We're excited)

We've been on a quick trip to Pennsylvania, and have decided to build a house!  Lots to decide and get ready before the move, but here's what's pretty much finalized right now...

The house will be this floor plan, and look lots like this:

And we'll be putting said house on lot 321.

(at the bottom of the circle.  We like the lot because it has open space beside and across the street.  It also back to a wooded area.  It gives John a little more privacy, but still a neighborhood for the kiddos.  And REALLY close to John's new office!)