Finally getting these posted.
A couple of things though...
I shot all these with a wide angle lens which makes the house look enormous (it's not). Although the house does kind of seem enormous to us (it's about 2200 sq. ft. in comparison to the 1300 sq. ft. house we're in now).
And I wasn't really worrying about composition, exposure, etc. when I was taking these shots (just wanted to quickly document what the house looks like)...so they're not all that impressive.
We had actually put in a couple of offers on some property to build on last year but for various reasons, none of them ever panned out. So after getting discourage with the whole process, we just quit looking for awhile.
It must have been towards the end of October that we decided to completely give up on the idea of building our own house. We just decided that we didn't need that kind of stress and chaos in our lives. We also decided that as much as we wanted some acreage, what we really needed was simplicity (something that was close to school, close to Josh's work, close to the grocery store, etc.).
So we decided to start looking at houses in town.
That same night, I feel asleep on the couch while Josh was working on the computer. When I got up to get in bed, Josh said "Hey, come here for a minute." Then he hesitated and said "No, forget it." Then he hesitated again and said "Ok, I'm kind of scared to show this to you, but come here." (He was scared to show it to me because he knew if I saw it that it was going to be our house).
So he showed me the house.
I dreamed about it the whole night.
And my mom and I were standing in the yard the next morning while we called the real estate agent to see if he could let us in.
We put an offer on it the next day and it closed about four weeks later (had hoped it would close in time for us to have Thanksgiving over there but it didn't close until a few days after).
Here's the rest of the place...
That's the front door into the living room (remember...it's NOT that big) and that's the master bedroom with the french doors (there's actually two identical doors when you walk onto the front porch; one goes into the living room and the other one goes into our bedroom). You can see the stairwell over in the corner too. I'll probably end up changing the color in there.
That's the master bedroom with the matching front door. The other door goes into the bathroom.
And that's the bathroom. Love the tile but going to repaint (the red is just too dark and makes the bathroom look really small).
There's a toilet and a shower in here.
Ok, back to the living room.
There's pocket doors between the living room and the dining room.
Yes, pocket doors (probably my favorite thing about the house).
And that's Josh and Josh's Mom in the dining room (I already repainted in there).
Actually...that built-in with the glass cabinets is actually my favorite thing about the house (it's two sided with one side in the dining room and the other side in the kitchen).
That's the kitchen straight ahead and the laundry room off to the right.
I removed that wallpaper already and Josh took out the sink and counter-tops. Lots of work to do in here though.
And that's the pantry off of the kitchen (those two cabinets on the right hand side are old, pull-out potato bins...which might also be my favorite thing about the house).
That's the laundry room (again, it's not that big) and that's another bathroom back there. This is all an add-on (which is why there's a window between the kitchen and the laundry room - going to remove it though).
That's the staircase (which has two entrances; one from the kitchen and one from the living room).
If you turn left after you get up the stairs it takes you to...
My office/scrapbook room!!! Going to paint in there too - probably just white (I love white).
Next to my office/scrapbook room is the girls room (they'll keep sharing a room until Ross moves out - which I think they both kind of prefer anyhow).
All the rooms have small walk-in closets (the door with the glass is the closet door).
And then the hallway (it's not that long).
To the left is the upstairs bathroom (I love that bathtub - it's one of those really long ones).
And lots of built-in cabinets (ok, those really are my favorite thing about the house).
Further down the hall is Coley's room.
And next to Coley's room is Ross's room.
And that door goes up to the attic which Josh has now claimed as the 'Man Cave'.
And apparently I am not allowed to make any decorating decisions in the 'Man Cave' (even when my husband decides that he wants to put a urinal in the 'Man Cave').
The whole house has old nob & tube electrical wiring so Josh is redoing all the wiring in the house. There's no insulation either so that's our next project.
Lots of work to do and we're going to try to do it all ourselves (except the plumbing for the new kitchen sink...neither one of us know anything about plumbing).
Hoping to be moved in sometime in June (I already moved all my scrapbook supplies over though).
What a wonderful house! So many great possibilities!! Can't wait to see all of the improvements. So many things too love about the house!!
Posted by: cindy b. | March 05, 2009 at 10:39 AM
What a georgous charming house. I know you can hardly wait to move in permanently. How exciting and fun. Can't wait to see pics when you get settled in. Esp your scrapbook room....
Louise
Posted by: Louise Murr | March 05, 2009 at 12:52 PM
It's great! There's a lot to love about this house. Congratulations!
Posted by: Barb | March 05, 2009 at 01:21 PM
OMG!!! Karen!!!I LOVE it!!! Talk about a dream house!!! I can't wait to see the progress of all your changes and everything as they go along!!
Posted by: Katie | March 05, 2009 at 01:39 PM
This house is fabulous! The built-ins...just awesome! Good luck with all of the "do it yourself" projects. :)
Posted by: Kristal Jones | March 05, 2009 at 05:36 PM
What a awesome house Karen! Such character that you just don't find anymore! We are moving as well in just a few days but nothing with this kind of character, I'm jealous!!! ;) Happy remodeling! ;)
Posted by: Heather | March 05, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Love your New, old house. It is gorgeous and has so much of that old fashion charm.
Posted by: KathyL | March 06, 2009 at 10:52 AM
What a charming home Karen, I love old homes too!
Posted by: Angie | March 06, 2009 at 01:47 PM
I LOVE your New old house!!
Posted by: Debbie | March 07, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Karen,
I'm soooooooo happy for you.
The house looks GORGEOUS and you will have your very own ROOM.
I can just hear Annies little feet running all through the house.
What a joy this must be for you and your family.
Wishing you many happy memories........
:0)
Posted by: MARIA YARASAVICH | March 08, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Oh Karen, it is absolutely beautiful!!!! The floors are gorgeous and I love the carpet. I have to agree with your favorites in the house too. Very cool and you will be so happy in your new old house.
Posted by: Ann | March 09, 2009 at 06:40 AM
I L-O-V-E IT! Thank you so much for sharing. It is truely georgous! What a wonderful new/old house to raise your family. Can't wait to see your after pictures. Take your time making your new/old house a HOME! Enjoy the process. We live in house remodel #5 and I always say never again - but I would've bought your house in a MINUTE! what a lucky-ducky! Bet your new/old piano will look amazing in there!
Posted by: Dawn | March 09, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Shannon Hatfield | March 09, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Your house looks absolutely gorgeous! I love older houses because of the character that comes with them. If houses like that weren't so expensive down here I would own one in a heartbeat. . .but a girl can dream right?
Posted by: kate | March 09, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Awesome house! Does it actually have two staircases to go upstairs? I hope you'll show photos after you decorate!
Posted by: Jen | March 10, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Oh my. I can see why he was afraid to show you. I can see it being your house. Love it. Maybe one day I will own a home. I love that you got the scrapbooking goodies moved in.
Posted by: Nancy L | March 12, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Wow! Gorgeous house! I particularly like the clawfoot tub. Swoon!
Posted by: Tina | March 18, 2009 at 07:35 PM
um karen?
i might just have to hate you now.
yes. im pretty sure.
i hate you.
THIS IS ACTUALLY MY HOUSE AND YOU JUST DONT KNOW IT!
hahahaaaa
congrats girl-im so happy for you. but jeez, i need to move to oregon.
Posted by: tara | April 04, 2009 at 08:34 PM
That is a beautiful house. So what does it look now with all your decorating experties?
Posted by: Alicia Griffith | January 17, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Such a beautiful house. Congratulations for possessing this. I am 100% envy to this.
Posted by: Belvin Guffey | February 27, 2013 at 07:28 PM
This house seems like a new home .It has been well cared.This is a well furnished old home.
Posted by: tony@self storage bath | February 27, 2013 at 10:12 PM
Thank you for the tour. I really enjoyed watching the design of the house. I like it. We are planning to build a house and I would like to make your house as a model. I hope you wouldn't mind. :)
Posted by: Beland Huntington | February 28, 2013 at 07:07 AM
Awesome! you're so bliss to have that. I'm happy for you.
Posted by: Alcott Rodarte | March 07, 2013 at 02:44 AM
There's no other place like home! Wow, excellent I love this stunning picture of your house. Very unique design. Craving to have a home like this.
Posted by: Ziemer Walz | March 17, 2013 at 05:21 AM