Bring it, 2013

    Like every other blogger, I thought I'd share with you my goals and dreams for 2013.  I've even found a mantra for this year.  Yesterday, I reflected on all the changes that happened in our life in 2012, and I'll admit, it made me a little sad.

   I'm not sure why:  maybe it's because I was looking back at pictures of our old home.  The one that I loved so very much.  Or maybe it's because change can be so scary.  I feel like I'm really out on a limb right now.  Moving house, making new friends in our new neighborhood, making some career advancements, etc.  These are all risks for me. And I'm afraid of failing, just like anyone.  Sometimes I just like to 'turtle', as we like to call it around here.  (please picture a turtle pulling it's head back into it's shell here). That's part of what I'm trying to work on.  But it's pretty tough for me sometimes.

   As far as goals and dreams go, I have some personal goals, blogging goals, parenting goals and home goals.  I'll start with something easy:

Home Goals

Our new house needs tons of work.  This means lots of photos and before/after posts.  I'm looking forward to being creative and designing the space in a whole new direction.  These are the things we know about at this point:

check out my pinterest board for Elliott's Room & Bath

Basement Reno:  this includes a new bedroom and bath for Elliott, as well as a family room and laundry room.  This is the very first thing we'll be working on once we take possession because the third bedroom on the main floor is pretty small for Elliott ( like 8'x9').  It will function as our home office once we move Elliott downstairs.  We desperately need a home office too.

not my house, sherry's via BHG

 

Exterior Repairs & Reno: our ranch has some foundation issues.  It needs a crack repair, parging and some of the bricks around the garage need re-pointing.  This work isn't glamorous but it is necessary. We also have some pretty big curb appeal plans.

Kitchen Overhaul:  I will go into more detail about this once I have photos to show you.  The kitchen was badly renovated 5 years ago.  We will be re-using some of the existing cabinetry but moving it around and replacing the doors.  We will also be putting a wall back in, changing out lighting, etc.  More details to follow on this one.

my ranch home inspiration pinboard

Dining Room Nook:  I think I have mentioned how much I love a banquette for dining.  We are finally going to build and install one at this house.  We kind of have to, since the dining room is so small.

I'll have a better grasp on these goals once we actually have keys.  I'm looking forward to showing you some pictures of our new space.

Blogging Goals

I would like to work on a post schedule for the blog, and also do an aesthetic overhaul this year.  I would also like to improve the quality of the photographs I post here.   Blogging is like a journal to me and I have been surprised by how much I've enjoyed connecting with other bloggers,  Again, I tend to turtle in social situations where I really have to put myself out there. But I want to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit.

Personal Goals

As original as this one is, I'd like to work on having better eating habits, exercising and shedding a few pounds.  What?  You've heard of this New Year's resolution before???

My plan is to complete tabata workouts at home 3 times weekly and go for a run three times weekly.  The food thing is tough for me, as I truly love food.  I am aiming for fewer calories and better nutritional value.

There you have it.  I try not to put too much pressure on myself with things like resolutions.  But writing them down does make me feel a little more accountable.

Happy 2013 to you!
xo Meg

Good News!

I think we've finally found a house! 

We're still working out the details but I'll keep you posted.  Just to get you in the right frame of mind, this house couldn't be any more different from our last one.  It's a brick ranch - a total departure from anything we've ever owned.

    It seems like there's lots of inspiration for the fixing-it-up process.  Just take a look at these:



Sherry's house via  BHG



Amazing exterior reno via TPH



via cottage & vine

We are going in a completely different direction with the design and decorating in this house. I'm excited to try something new.  If you're curious about my plans for the new digs, you can check out my ranch home inspiration board on pinterest.  I'd love it if you know of any other great ranch renos to share with me. 

xo Meg

Writer's Block

Our house closes on Friday.  You know what that means?  I'm officially homeless...

   You see, Jay and I bought our first home together a when we were in second year university.  We've moved four times since then.  But this is the first time we'll be moving where we don't have a new house to move into. 

  Don't get me wrong, we're not out on the street!  We just can't find a home to purchase in the neighborhood we want to live in.  There are only three homes listed in the neighborhood right now and none of them are suitable for us. 

   I've been incredibly busy with the move and searching for a new home.  We have packed up our house and moved most of our things into a storage carton which has gone to a storage facility until we can find a property. 

   But I'm also kind of bummed out.  I was really looking forward to finding a house, working on the design with Jay and making the changes we'd like to it, etc.  Figuring out the decorating on a home is my favorite thing to do. 

   Right now we're stalled out.  And as a result, I don't have a whole lot to say.  And you know me, that's driving me crazy.  I love to hear myself talk!

All this has prompted me to think of a few cool projects I can work on while we're in our temporary home.  Projects that will transport  Here's my list:

1.  Paint the headboard and footboard I found on the side of the road.  It's going in Audrey's room.
2.  Paint the sideboard from the dining room. I currently hate it and hope a lick of paint will help.
3.  Design a fabric plan / mood board for the living room and purchase the few things I need.
4.  Finalize the fabric selection for Audrey's bedroom and get some sewing done.
5.  Subway Art Project.

Starting next week, I'm going to pick on a project to work on each week. That way I can attempt to keep my sanity.  I'll keep you posted. 

xo Meg

Keep Moving Forward



 

 

 

If you're wondering where I've been, I'm neck deep in boxes attempting to pack up the house.  We're short on time and long on work.  The closing date is looming! 

 

 

 

 

happy weekend!

 

xo Meg

 



Big News

   Last February, we listed our house.  I think you all know how I feel about my house.  I love it.  We didn't think we'd ever move again.
   

     If you are interested in the reasons why we were listing back in February, you can read this post.  If you'd like to see that listing, click here.  I think it's interesting because it shows the house pre-reno, and a few of you have asked about that.  Here are a couple of ugly process shots:

     If you recall, our house didn't sell after a couple of months.  The deals kept falling through. We determined the reason to be that there was simply too much work to be done on the property.  We thought we'd have better success if we completed a reno to the main floor, among other things you can read about here. Since we own a renovation company, this type of work costs us considerably less than it costs other people.

   We finished most of the work we were looking at completing with the reno, although there were a few things that still needed to be done.  We felt that the house was ready to re-list.

We listed the house on Thursday, September 20th.  We received an offer the following Wednesday and accepted it.  It's all done now, and the SOLD sign is up.

My feelings about this are extremely mixed.

We are actively looking for a new home now.  The neighbourhood we are looking at has old brick rancher homes.  With wide, beautiful properties, huge old trees and quite, rambling streets.  A completely different architecture.

We are waiting for just the right house to come up.  We have been to a few, but nothing that is just right yet.

So, for the next while, I'll be posting a little more about inspiration and a little less about reality.  We don't have very many real projects that we can be doing, although there are a couple of furniture painting projects I'll be working on.  Lots of inspiration boards coming your way!

xo Meg

Back on Track

Last night, our fifth real estate deal fell through.

Jay and I are at a loss.  Our house has been on the market too long and none of the deals we attempt seem to be working out.  We think this is because the house needs too much work and buyers are afraid of that.

As a result, we have decided to take our house off the market to embark on a four month complete renovation to the house, with selling it in mind.  The list is incredibly long (and expensive) but here it is:

EXTERIOR

1. roof
2. windows
3. exterior painting
4. window capping, soffit & fascia
5. landscaping project
6. window box on front window

INTERIOR ODDS & ENDS

Install new tile fireplace surround

Remove carpet from stairs, re-finish.

Re-finish hardwood in hallway & paint front door

Paint office, wainscotting, window.

Install new light fixture in dining room.

KITCHEN

1. new cabinetry
2. new appliances
3. hood vent
4. open shelving
5. tile floor, backsplash
6. remove portion of wall
7. install peninsula
8. paint

POWDER ROOM

1. remove wall board
2. re-drywall
3. install pedestal sink from upstairs bath
4. new faucet
5. floor tile
6. accessories

MAIN BATH

1. demolition
2. new vanity, faucet and mirror
3. new tub, faucet and showerhead
4. glass panel
5. tile flooring, backsplash, tub surround
6. new toilet
7. new accessories
8. paint

To be honest, neither one of us have felt very good about listing the house without finishing it first.  That's not the way we've had success at real estate in the past.  Both of us have been itching to do these projects over the last three months but with our house on the market, we couldn't.  Now, we're ready to get to work.

The upside?  The radio silence around here will end!  Lots of great before, in progress and after posts.

Happy Easter!

xo Meg

Designer Inspiration

     Lately, I've been looking for some inspiration for our new home.  I made up a new home inspiration pinboard on Pinterest if you'd like to see some of what I've come up with.  Since the homes we're looking for are so different from our current home, I'm thinking of freshening up and making a few changes.

   I first came across Jute Interior Design when I was working on Elliott's Room.  I had this image filed away for inspiration:

Here are a few other Jute Home images:  

This is their Studio.  I love the rough beams, lighting, and metal chairs.

Really?  Can I come over for a playdate? 

I love chalkboard paint on a grand scale.  Speaking of scale... those mirrors!  That light!

Beautiful, natural and spare.

   I also recently read a post over at The Yellow Cape Cod that really puts into words the way I feel about decorating with colour.  Sarah writes about this here. 

    When we were working on Audrey's room, I kept wanting to add brown, natural elements.  I think I wanted the space to feel more sophisticated.  I love this mood board Sarah made for her client:

 Sometime soon, I'm hoping to incorporate more colour into our grey and taupe world.  

xo Meg

Moving On

    It was such a busy weekend around here.  Showings, open houses, and a whole lot of sports.  We had 6 hours of gymnastics, hockey games and practices and soccer tryouts. Turns out the boys on Elliott's hockey team are the city champs!  I'm such a hockey mom.

     In between sporting events, we dragged our children enjoyed some family time together looking for our new home.   I believe we have it narrowed down to two houses.  Both of them have a pool.  One is an above ground and the other is a concrete pool has been filled in with dirt.  I suppose neither scenario is ideal...

The houses we have been looking at look mainly like this:

     They are side splits and back splits.  Some are prettier than others.  All of them need a bunch of work done but that's what we're looking for.  

        None of them have the kind of architecture we are used to.  None of them have foot deep baseboards and leaded glass windows.  But they are all well thought out spaces.  They have nice floor plans and 4 bedrooms, finished basements with good ceiling heights.  They are all certainly enough space for us.

  We are seeing the last one this evening and then we'll make our decision.  I keep reminding myself about how the shell of the house doesn't matter.  How our family is really what makes a place home.  I think I almost have myself convinced.  Through all of it this weekend, I was feeling optimistic, even a little excited about these new spaces.  

I'm preparing myself for moving on. 

xo Meg

Our House Listing

I thought you might enjoy a peek at our real estate listing photos.  These are kind of small but you get an idea of the way the house is looking at this point.  There are so many things we wanted to do here at this house.  But we did accomplish a lot in the short time we've lived here.
Check it out:

We've had quite a few showings already!

xo Meg

It's officially time for some happy around here.  And nothing says 'happy' like a well organized space.  Ok, it might not be everyone's version of happy, but it's mine.

  We are actively searching for a new home now.  We are looking in a different neighbourhood with a different architecture.  The homes are mostly back splits or side splits with large lots and mature trees. Along with this different architecture comes a space that is better organized for the way a modern family lives.  Larger bathroom vanities, closet and storage spaces, and a garage.

I love this amazing broom closet.  A place for everything and everything in it's place!

Pull out organizers under the sink - great idea Martha!

A pegboard in the closet to hang belts and jewels.

 Most people don't have a garage in our current area.  A garage would be a huge deal to us, since we currently have a storage rented where Jay keeps his large tools and extra materials.
   I really love the idea of an organized garage space - for all the sports equipment, tools, bikes, recycling, not to mention the car!

Just looking on the bright side.  House hunting is actually pretty fun.  We aren't in any hurry since our house was just listed and hasn't sold yet.  That means we can take our time in making the decision.  

xo Meg