We are planning to buy a house this summer. It’s the last major milestone we have to hit before we can say we’re really and truly grown-ups. We got married. We acquired degrees. We purchased vehicles. We had a kid. Home ownership is the only thing left, right?
With the prospect of a whole entire house to turn from blank slate into cozy home on the horizon, I’ve got the painting and moving furniture bug BAD. I signed up for two of those sites that offer like 70% off designer home furnishings so I can browse merchandise that is so so pretty but still (mostly) woefully outside my budget. I scour Pinterest daily for pictures of pretty bedrooms and kitchens. I’ve been going through the archives of Young House Love and thinking, “We should totally buy a fixer-upper and turn it into something uh-MAY-zing!” Which is when I realize maybe I’m getting a little out of control, because while I love a good home renovation project as much as the next guy, I have my limits. By which I mean that I refuse to inherit someone else’s empty pool just because the house was cheap. That’s a deal breaker, ladies.
 |
| Do I want to go with more neutrals in our new house… (source) |
Searching online for inspiration and great deals on sofas has been good. It’s helping me refine my tastes a bit, which should help spare me some indecision when it comes to actually putting together a new living room. It’s also forcing me to consider what sorts of things we should have in our home. David and I have decided that if an object is neither pretty nor functional–and preferably it will be both–it needs to go. I don’t want to wind up with a bunch of tchotchkes that are gathering dust pointlessly on a shelf, or boxes that languish unopened in a closet for years.
 |
| …or go super bold like we did last time? (source) |
On the other hand, this single-mindedness is becoming a problem. I’ve fallen out of love with my current home setup and am SO ready for a change…but why change anything if we’re just going to move? So then I just sit around giving my black hole of a bedroom the stink eye instead of picking things up to make it liveable until that time comes. I keep letting the dishes pile up in the sink. I haven’t dusted in a month. I should be embarrassed but I’m almost beyond that. I just keep thinking what’s the point?
 |
| Maybe something in between? (source) |
David said he knows how I feel. The waiting–knowing something new is coming but not sure when or what exactly it will be–is a bit paralyzing.
Anyone else getting the redecorating itch? Or just wanting to do something crazy and new but maybe not quite yet? Is this what spring fever feels like?
I just took photos of my kitchen for my blog and had the sinking thought, "These look like the 'before' photos of the lame kitchen that everyone always posts before some dramatic makeover." Sigh. But…I don't really want to put a ton of time and money into something that I'm ready to leave. (on that note: did you paint your cabinets white yourself? was it a huge pain?)
Anyway, my decorating two cents: sit on it. I always jump into it too quickly when I have a new space. I was more restrained with our house now (as opposed to the apartments we've lived in before) and I like the effect much better; I waited for things that I really loved rather than settling for things that I liked. Sounds like you're off to a good start looking for the big pieces like a sofa first and letting everything build around that (although I am totally torn by the neutrals/color for our next house. Ho-hum).
Yes, we did paint our cabinets. It wasn't hard, but we didn't exactly do a high quality job either. And I like painting stuff, so my opinion might not count. 🙂 If I did it again I'd probably spend some time sanding and priming instead of just slapping the paint on. That said, we haven't had to do any touch ups and two coats of white covered the oak pretty well, all things considered.
Yes it's spring fever. Cleaning really can help. And if you're needing something new, go for a new bedspread, one that you like enough to use in the next house. It'll make a difference. This coming from the woman who has taken 2 (or more) years to decide on a wall color for her living room. Whatever!
Oh, good idea Mom! I'm going to start looking right now!
oo! I vote the green backsplash pic option. gorgeous! And I wish my husband and I could be more minimalist. we have too many tchotchkes we keep only because they were given to us. which is ridiculous.
I do love that backsplash. 🙂 And we've got a similar problem! For example, someone gave us this hideous windchime thing for our wedding and I HATE it but just can't bring myself to throw it out. (Donating is out of the question; IT HAS OUR NAMES ENGRAVED ON IT. Ugh.)
neutrals, but lots of color that pops. Our bedroom is painted a calm spa blue, bedspread is rich chocolate and bright orange/red throws. Ivy's room is daffodil yellow. Oh, and I'm coming in august. so I could help consult. Also allen redid our WHOLE kitchen– gutted, drywall, laying floors, cutting and installing granite, etc. and he's coming too.
Yay! Please come visit us. I miss you guys, and I have yet to meet the little man. Hopefully we'll be moved into a new place by then and can have a party!