A Professional Sneak Peak!

Here's a raw photo from the photo shoot this weekend!  I'm so excited I'm literally glowing!

My main floor bath has never looked so beautiful. You'd think I had it professionally decorated! 

Ahhh... Home sweet home!

Prepping for the Tour of Homes

When I bought the house, I agreed to be on a tour that highlights moderately priced neighborhoods, with interesting architecture, within the city. Of course, when I agreed, it seemed so far off.

But now the time is drawing closer. This past weekend, the volunteers from the Restoration Exchange paid me a visit, went over the game plan for the tour, and took pictures. Professional "after" pictures. They also wanted a list of projects, contractors and resources I used. It was the pictures I was least prepared for. 

I was also unprepared to hear that I could potentially have anywhere from 200 to 1000 people thru the house. Weather dependent! Unreal, but great for the community!

So I spent a good week unpacking (aka - hiding) items, rearranging and generally making the house look good. It was a long week!

But here's a preview. And when I get the real pictures back, I'll post them. They should highlight some of the aesthetics of the home, not so much the décor. I hope!

Ignore the vacuum. I just wanted to prove it existed!!

I'm rather proud of my "office"! Even though it's a little like a waiting room. I can't wait to read a book, while curled up on the love seat in a blanket, this winter!

And now that the heat wave has passed, I'm back to working on the yard. And possibly storm windows! All in due time!

A Milestone

This morning, as I sat on my newly cleaned off porch (the piano is finally gone), having coffee and texting friends, I was reminded by social media that I signed the papers and got the keys to this special house one year ago today. A YEAR! 365 days. Wow. Seems like yesterday.

I couldn't be happier with my decision. 

I've changed, the house has changed and changes are still happening daily. Well, maybe weekly. From stump removal to hanging pictures. This house has truly come into its own in the past year. 

In a week, professional pictures will be taken for the 2016 Restoration Exchange home tour. In October, people will see this house as she was (thru pictures I will put up) and what she's become. They'll also see my list of "next steps". The point of this house tour is to show restoration of entry level homes in the area. Not the show-piece homes that are one block north of my location. This is a tour of DIY home repairs, budget renovation homes, and homes that just needed a little TLC. Or a lot, in my case. 

I'm probably overly proud of my house. I worry about the look of it on the outside as well as the inside. I want her to shine in the neighborhood. To make people forget about the 15 foot shrubs covering the front of the house and the 3 foot high grass that they saw for years. Pride in ownership...I have it in spades. 

I couldn't have done this without the love and support of my family and friends. Without the great workmanship of the many contactors I had the fortune to work with. Unlike many of my friends on the west side of town, I had absolutely no issues with my contractors. None. Zero. I count myself to be incredibly fortunate. It's a testament to my belief that I was meant to own this home, and to the integrity of those men that helped me finish this project! I truly believe they liked this house as much as I do!

So today, in honor of this momentous milestone, I will enjoy my porch, albeit with a hot summer breeze, relax and enjoy my surroundings. No projects today. Maybe I'll make a list of things to complete before next weekend. But I'm going to enjoy my hard work and the bond I have with this house, and the sink that sealed the deal!

It's all mine! Here's to many more years!