Our Next Home

July 13, 2017 /

If you missed my post on Monday, I shared some exciting (albeit bittersweet) news that we sold our home. In that post, I gave a tour of our current home, staged to sell, and today, I am giving you a glimpse into our next place!

brick and vinyl traditional center entrance colonial with pink front door

When we began our journey into finding our second home, I had no idea what we would end up with, but at that time I thought perhaps a large old farmhouse with tons of space and acreage. After a long while of looking and seeing many different types of homes in our budget, my preferences were narrowed down quite a bit. With three young children, I decided an older home that needed a ton of work was not for us, so we started focusing on homes in the midcentury to new range. It took us awhile and several showings of various homes before we walked into one that had that feeling. My husband and I both said to each other later that it just felt like home.

We ended up buying a traditional center entrance colonial that was built in 1971. It had many of the things we were looking for. It has four bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, an entryway, formal living room, formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast nook, family room, finished basement, large private yard and a two car garage. It is 1768 square feet not including the finished basement space and is on over an acre lot.

Some bonuses include two brick fireplaces, a paver patio that circles around from the front, curb appeal, lots of flowers and plants (including hydrangeas, roses, Lily of the Valley although overgrown and in need of some love), municipal electric, large closets, and hardwood floors throughout (some are under carpet).

Some of the compromises include a smaller kitchen, no pantry, two smaller bedrooms and it’s majorly dated. Because it hadn’t been updated, we were able to get a considerable amount knocked off the listing price. It’s in a great neighborhood with the houses around it valued a lot higher so in the long run it is a great investment. We do plan on staying a long time, but it’s a great feeling to know we didn’t end up having to over pay to find something that suits our needs. The housing market has been crazy around here so we were getting very nervous before we found this one. We were looking at the top (and even over) our budget and still not finding something that seemed right.

We loved that this home is on a very private cul-de-sac with a large yard (over half an acre) that is lined with trees around the perimeter. It will be a great place for the kids to play. Plus, it has a paved driveway where they will now be able to ride bikes and draw with chalk to their hearts content.

Traditional center entrance colonial with half brick half vinyl exterior
Colonial home with pink painted front door and brick exterior
Colonial front door with pink white and brick exterior

I fell in love with the exterior the minute I saw it. I love the pink front door, and I have always loved brick so this was a huge plus to me.

Brick exterior colonial home with large windows and gray shutters

You walk into the formal entryway which I love. This may seem silly, but I have always dreamt of having an entryway and so far have never lived in a place that had one. This will be the first! It’s not very big, but I won’t complain one bit. It’s a dream come true for this girl.

Colonial home front entry way with parquet floors and crystal chandelier

All of these interior shots were taken with my iPhone (sorry!). The kids were excited to be running around, checking everything out, so they are in many of them.

Front entry way staircase with decorative black wrought iron railing
1970's colonial front entry way with brass crystal chandelier

One side of the entry leads to the dining room and the other to the large living room.

Entryway to carpeted living room in traditional 1971 colonial
white carpeted living room with floor to ceiling brick fireplace
Source: GENRIS
Living room with white carpet and brick fireplace and kids playing on the floor

Hazel oohed and ahhed at everything. Meanwhile, Owen acted like he was feeling carpet for the first time. He loved it. I was happy to find out there are hardwoods under this so that will likely be one of of our first projects.

Kids sitting and playing in traditional colonial living room
The living room extends all the way to the kitchen and breakfast nook. While the kitchen was the biggest disappointment in this home, I am hopeful that we can make it our own and functional for our family. The cupboards are original but all of the stainless steel appliances are brand new.
Dated colonial kitchen with parquet flooring and small breakfast nook
Source: GENRIS
small colonial kitchen with dark stained cabinets and dated light fixtures
The kitchen leads to the dining room on the left and family room at the back of the house behind the garage.
unfurnished formal dining room with vintage brass chandelier
1970's family room with parquet floors and dark wood beams on ceiling
None of the bathrooms have ever been updated so those will be next on our list. I finally have my own master bathroom! It only has a shower but I’m happy to finally have a shower on the second floor. Our current home only has a shower on the main floor.
Vintage colonial bathroom with blue and white tile
I don’t have pictures yet to share of the master bedroom, but it’s huge with a large closet. Next to it is a smaller room that will be Violet’s nursery. The kids’ bathroom is in the middle of the hallway and then Hazel and Owen will each have their own rooms on the other end. That red carpet will have to go though!
upstairs bedroom with red carpet and mirrored closet doors
We are so excited about all the beautiful gardens around it and hope that we can make them even more beautiful with a little bit of love. This picture only shows about half of that hydrangea bush! It was huge!
Large white hydrangea bush in front yard
paver pathway around side of house with overgrown gardens
paver patio in tree lined backyard
I can’t wait to enjoy this patio! It was definitely another amazing perk I didn’t expect we would have. I love it. The kids already love playing in the yard the few times they have been in it. Lots of memories will be made there.
In two weeks time we will be loading all of our belongings up and heading out of this town and heading to that one. The time seems to have flown by this summer. Before we know it, it will be fall and hopefully our new house will already feel like home. I know it might take some time to adjust but we are all looking forward to the adventure ahead.
Till next time…
~Alice W.
Back patio cleaned up and organized
eclectic bohemian bedroom with white bedspread

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16 Comments

  • Devonshire1212

    July 13, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    You had me at Lily of the Valley!!! What a beautiful home. As you were showing us the different rooms I was saying, "oh she'll take care of that, she can paint this." Right there decorating with you. lol I am so happy for you Sweetie and can't wait for the next phase to begin.

  • Rose L

    July 13, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    Sounds like the new home will go through a lot of updating and work. I am sure you will use your talents to make it your own.

  • Jean McBride

    July 13, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    It's beautiful. We just moved into a similar home & have lots to do. I look forward to watching your progress as we work on our home. Love the brick! and that gorgeous hydrangea!

  • Blondie's Journal

    July 14, 2017 at 2:49 am

    This is fantastic, Alice! I'm in love with everything. I know with your talent and your sweet husband's hard work, you will make this home beautiful, personal, and with your own stamp… a haven for your family. A great investment as well.

    Keep us posted…I'm so excited to see what you do!!!

    Jane x

  • Bettsi Ledesma

    July 16, 2017 at 1:29 am

    Congratulations, Alice! The house is beautiful and I'm so happy that your current home sold so quickly. We just bought a home too- it's such fun to dream about all the things you'll do to it- a big girl's dollhouse. I started reading your blog back when you were a newlywed even though I don't comment very often. How far you've come! #blessed

  • Boxwood Cottage

    July 16, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    Love the garden and the big Annabelle hydrangea bush. I'm sure you'll make it a very beautiful home with your special touch! Looking forward to see all the changes. Wishing you all the best for your move!xoxo

  • Cecilia Bramhall

    July 16, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    Oh what a lovely house! You will definitely make it your own. How exciting! I love being able to take a dated house and turn it into uniquely your own. It has great bones. I can't wait to see the transformation take place. And that yard! Congratulations on finding a wonderful place to call home!

  • Anita Diaz

    July 28, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    I am so excited for you and your family:-) What a beautiful house that just *feels* right. I love it and can't wait to see your touch on it!!