We’ve been in our new house exactly two weeks today.
It’s staggering to me how easily it’s become home. Despite the ache of goodbye, this new place has opened it’s arms and its neighborhood and its beautiful front doors and absorbed us in as if we were always meant to be here.
Fifteen years later and we’re finally home.
I remember when my friend the Nester moved into her new place – a total fixer upper – she would share monthly progress reports. Not that I have anything quite as significant planned – but it is encouraging to look at progress as the mountain of boxes slowly shrinks and the rooms start to slowly come together and you can put your feet up and exhale.
I thought it would be fun to share with you guys some of the progress.
The biggest difference has been the paint.
We painted every single wall, including the ceiling.
We took it all back to white. A very clear, crisp white with a pinch of a blue undertone. (And by “we” I mean, Dave, the awesome painter who did all the painting and how much we love him for it!)
Eventually we’ll find an accent wall or two that we want to highlight, but for now we wanted to go back to a fresh, clean palette open to all kinds of new beginnings.
It feels like an exhale.
Come on in, won’t you? Allow me to share our 5 favorite reasons why it’s worth it to paint your walls white again.
Front Entrance – Then
Front Entrance – Now
Living Area – Then
Living Area – During
Living Area – Now
Bay Window – Then
Bay Window – Now
Bay Window Seating – Then
Bay Window Seating – Now
And yup, I painted that dresser that the TV is standing on – you can read about it over here. It was my first adventure into painting furniture, and it makes me happy every time I look at it.
And that farmhouse dining room table? I’ve wanted one of those since we first got married and bought the tiny, cheap Value City table that we told ourselves was just our starter table. Sixteen years later and we got the table we always dreamed of. Handmade locally here in Maryland by Oddments Furniture & Design Studio it’s a solid, gorgeous beauty that was worth the wait.
We’ve still got unpacked boxes in nooks and crannies and, well OK stuffed into the entire laundry room and study, but I’m OK with that. I’m not in a rush. It already feels like home around here and we love how the open living spaces lend themselves to having lots of kids in your space without feeling as smothered as we have in the past.
I want this house to fling open its doors wide to folks from all over.
But I don’t want it to forget to be hospitable to the people who live here.
Legos, trucks, dollhouses, big, beach balls, bikes, and all.
It’s good to be home.
Wow, the white is so gorgeous!! I love every single nook and cranny of your new home! So happy for you!
Thanks so much Susie – it makes me so so happy :)
It’s SOOOOOOO pretty!!!!!!! Love it! You are doing a beautiful job!
awww thanks Sarah Mae! It’s been so fun.
I really am SO happy for you!!!! We are in the process of moving…downsizing…and cannot wait to get in the new place. I LOVE your white walls and that table….I confess, I covet! :-) I am looking for one like that but with a butterfly leaf!
I’ll find it when the time is right! Blessings on all of those who will be loved in your home!
I love love love the new front entrance. I think your house already is so sweet and homey!
I love, love, love the white. To me it says light and clean and possibilities. We painted our vicarage all white when we moved in (12 years ago) – covering bright yellows and pinks and greens. To me it felt like the house took a deep breath and exhaled! Love your wood floors too.
The paint makes an amazing difference… but what’s even better is that it already looks like your home! May you have many, many wonderful years here. God has truly blessed your patience with something far above and beyond. It looks lovely!
The white paint makes a huge difference. And I live the bay window seating area. I’ve always dreamed of having window seating like that in our home.
It looks gorgeous!!!! What a huge difference the paint makes! Love that bay window!
Beautiful!! You and your home. :)
I love your house updates, Lisa Jo! That’ll be me in less than two weeks and hearing your experiences helps to settle my nerves. I love your new home AND I love the interior color of your front door! What is it?
Love this post so much! Congratulations on your new home! :)
The white paint really opens up the bay window! It’s the perfect place to curl up with a book and iced tea (or hot cocoa for the winter) :-)
I exhaled as I looked through your pics!! Beautiful!! We are moving Saturday and I painted most of my walls gray. I just needed to breath. It’s calming…like a break from all the rush we call life. I can’t wait to see how my things & people fit into our new home. Enjoy yours!!
Love and joy seeping out all over. Keep these house updates coming! :) p.s. We moved 2 yrs ago and haven’t painted on wall. Good idea to do it BEFORE moving everything in.
I love reading your blog and I can relate, we have also just moved away from everyone and everything we knew. Its a lot of work. I was wondering what brand and shade is the white on your walls? Its very soft and lovely!