Thursday, October 8, 2009

There's no place like home...


I figured I'd go with as cliche an opener as possible ;-)
Anyway, I've recently purchased a vintage house--the sale closed last week in fact! I now have a darling 1952 ranch bungalow to call home, and I am quite excited.
My sister, who happens to be a real estate agent, had been after me for awhile to look into buying a home, but I hadn't really pursued the idea as I wasn't sure I could find what I wanted at the right price. But I decided to humor her last month, and she took me around to about five homes. The first three were definitely not "it"--most were located in less-than-desirable neighborhoods, and not quite what I wanted anyway. The fourth was in a decent area, and had the potenital to be a real cutie, but it was in need of a lot of work (actually, this is an understatement. It needed a total redo, though I was willing to consider it because it had potential, and the previous owners/tenants hadn't removed all of the vintage charm, although they did do a wonderful job of trashing the place. But I digress.) The fifth house was the magic place--the neighborhood was quiet and filled with well-cared for home, and it had plenty of curb appeal. Still, when we pulled into the driveway I was certain I would not like it! When we walked in, the living room looking promising, as it was appropriately staged with retro furniture and decor. Each room got better and better--the seller had carefully redone the place, keeping the vintage charm that I had been longing for. The bathrooms had their original tile (jadeite green and peach, oh my!) and cabinets. One bedroom had a fabulous wall of built-in shelves (a library, oh goody!). And the kitchen, nicely redone with a black granite countertop and glass mosaic tile backsplash, contained a most exquiste appliance--a 1954 6-burner Roper stove and double oven, complete with original manual. I was sold on the place, believe me!

And so began a whirlwind month--the house had just been put on the market the day we saw it, and we put in an offer that very same day. A few minor blips and the house is now ours! I'm quite excited to begin the decorating process, and I am rather looking forward to showing off the before and after photos!

16 comments:

  1. The original range? Oh boy oh boy oh boy!
    You must be excited :)

    I would love to have a library like that...

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  2. so cute! congratulations on your new home!

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  3. What a gorgeous house! Congrats. =D
    -Andi x

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  4. Oh congrats! That house is adorable!! I wanna see more pics!!

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  5. That is SO exciting! Husband and I are looking for a house right now but its so hard to find anything affordable that hasn't been "remodeled" to heck! (Not to mention that house prices are still insane in our part of the world.) I am so envious of your perfect vintage find. :) Congratulations!

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  6. Thanks everyone! We're so excited and I can't wait to show everyone the finished rooms. I'm painting the guest bath and library today :-)

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  7. WOW! Congratulations on your home! How thrilling!

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  8. Thanks again, Pink Flower and Wearing History!

    My sister and I spent the day taping off the two rooms (goodness, does that take forever), and she painted the back of the bookshelves a rich maroonish brown. The walls in that room will be aqua, and the guest bath will be jadeite green to complement the peach tile :-)

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  9. That is SO exciting and so incredibly fabulous! Hurrah!!

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  10. I am SOOOO happy for you, Amanda! What a beautiful home!! I can't wait to see how you will decorate it!!

    Maria

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