Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The House in Hooterville

I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who left such encouraging comments regarding our impending move to Hooterville.  I really am trying to focus on the positives and look at this move as a great, fun adventure but I’m the type of person who doesn’t require much change.  In fact, I feel most comfortable when things are the same, secure and predictable so this huge change is rocking my formally secure and predictable world just a wee little bit.
The move to Hooterville wasn’t planned.  Buying horse property was  something we have talked about…  
“Maybe someday…”  or “If we ever won the lottery…” kind of conversation. 
Certainly it wasn’t anything we dreamed would happen right now, if ever.  But less than four weeks ago, this opportunity just suddenly dropped right into our laps, so to speak.
Due to a foreclosure,  the property was already listed far below assessed value.  Then the bank ended up accepting our offer of  $77,000 less than their original asking price.   We are still a bit shocked because we aren’t usually this lucky.
We spent the better part of this past Monday over at the house while several pre-purchase inspections were taking place.  So far, everything is progressing along nicely and we are scheduled to close on November 10th.
The house needs considerable updating inside.   I’ve taken a lot of photos so let me take you on a little tour.  But brace yourself because some of the photos you are about to see are not pretty.
The outside is not too bad…a typical brick ranch style home. 

T2377535_101_12

If you come in the front door entry and turn to the left,  you see the  formal “sunken”  living room  (in the  foreground)  and dining room (in the background). 
IMG_0450
This photo is taken from the dining room, looking back across the living room to the entryway in the background.  Fresh paint and new carpet is planned for these two rooms.    I’m not real thrilled with the two different levels in the floor and I’m hoping there is a simple, economical way to build the living room floor up to the same height as the rest of the house.
T2377535_801_19
There are two of these crystal chandeliers…one in the living room and one in the dining room.  You can see them both in the above photo.  I can’t wait to take the spray paint to these!
IMG_0476 (3)
 
There is a nice bay window and a massive  stone fireplace in the family room.   I’m not loving the hugeness of the fireplace  or all the orange and yellow tones of the stone.  I’ve never had a fireplace before so I could use some suggestions on what to do to improve it!  Definitely  lots of paint and new carpet is needed in here too.
T2377535_601_17
This is the wall opposite the bay window.  Just look at that wallpaper!  IMG_0564
Everyone seems to love the rustic look of the kitchen.  Everyone  but me.  IMG_0459
All the dark orangey wood and terracotta colored tiles on the countertops and floor make it feel like a cave to me.
T2377535_501_18
 
In my humble opinion, this was a DIY project gone bad.  Note the gap between the dishwasher and pantry.  Also, there is an unfinished piece of plywood in the bottom of the pantry.   The pantry door is a piece of lattice.  The tile backsplash isn’t even finished off.  The rough edge of each tile was left exposed. 
IMG_0603 
Eventually, I would like to gut the whole kitchen and start over but I will probably just paint the cabinets for a temporary facelift.
IMG_0473
IMG_0475
IMG_0461

IMG_0474

 
Behind the kitchen  is the breakfast room.  At first I thought the lower walls were just painted a hideous blue but no such luck.  More wallpaper!

IMG_0568

Right off the breakfast room is the office (or 5th bedroom, although there is no closet).  As you can see, this whole room is wallpapered!  After my recent nightmarish experience with wallpaper, I am NOT looking forward to removing all this wallpaper!
IMG_0488
 
On the other side of the breakfast room is a sun porch.  It’s a cute little room and I am looking forward to decorating it.

IMG_0468

T2377535_8 
Down the hallway from the breakfast room is one of three bathrooms.
IMG_0588
And then a little farther down the hall is the laundry room.  If you could see the little dirty, dreary corner of the garage where I currently do laundry, you would understand why I'm so excited about this laundry room.   It's almost 10 feet x 15 feet!!!  It doesn’t look like much right now but believe me, I have BIG plans for this room!
IMG_0466
IMG_0579
Now that you’ve seen some of the rooms, if you have any decorating ideas, please let me hear them.  I’m going to need all the assistance I can get!
Next time I will take you on a tour of the bedroom end of the house.

 

21 comments:

Jennifer said...

Congrats on your new home!I am very happy for you.Living in the country is the best to me.I couldn't live anywhere else.I know you will have this home looking as beautiful as your old one.I can't wait to watch you decorate it and see what you come up with.I bet your dogs will love it.Hugs,Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Oh Shari! I'm so glad you've found a house and it's going to be wonderful! It's so big! With your excellent decorating touch - you're going to make this a showplace! I think your kitchen is great and will be greater when you put your touch on it. It's a big kitchen! I'm thrilled you have a laundry room. It looks big too! You're going to be one busy gal!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

I see lots of potential here...good bones and that is important...but a lot of work to get it to your decorating style...won't you have fun?? There is a really easy way to remove wallpaper and has worked for me everytime. Go to Lowes or Home Depot and purchase a steamer....mine is a Stanley brand and cost around $50, although I have had mine for about 10 years. It works like a charm and is the only way to remove wallpaper...the other methods are torture. Good luck and I can't wait to see you put your own stamp on the property.

Joyce said...

You will be busy making your new house into a lovely home. My daughter just sold her home and is scrambling to find a new house. She feels like Goldilocks as one house is too old and one too new and one too small etc etc. I told her a little patience and a whole lot of paint and in time one of the houses will be turned into a beautiful home. Have fun with the process!
Joyce

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I so agree, this house has wonderful bones. I like the layout of the floorplan. It looks like it flows just beautifully. If you can't raise the living room floor like you want, I think more columns like the one to the entrance of the livingroom would be gorgeous on the stepup to the dining room. Once the old carpet is up and the walls are all stripped and painted a lovely neutral color, I think you will love it all. I can't wait to see all of your progress. Hugs, Marty

Idaho Quilter said...

What a wonderful project, enough to keep you busy for quite awhile. I will enjoy watching the progress.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Oh...I just lost all my stuff I typed to you....Your home is lovely....I think it has real potential. Paint does wonders...I wish I was there to help you. I love that kind of stuff. Enjoy and keep us posted! BTW...I like the kitchen...paint those cupboards and there is a door at Lowes type store that is frosted glass and says Pantry...too cute!

Anonymous said...

Shari, What a great house to work on! You are going to have so much fun recreating that house to your cottage. Can't wait to see your progress.

Gretchen

Cindy said...

Shari, Your new home is lovely. I agree it has so much potential. With your magic touch, I can't wait to watch you transform it into your new cottage. :)

Cindy @cindys-hsh.blogspot.com

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Sheri, I'm glad you posted. Love looken at your new house. It looks soooo much better then you make it sound and you will have so much fun remodeling it. I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH.

I can't believe the deal you got. How much property is there? Have you got horses?

come visit-cindy@stitches

Cindy said...

You are Wonder Woman with a paint spray gun, you will have that place looking so gorgeous. I can hear that you are already getting excited about it. I was thinking as I read about what a pain taking down wallpaper is, that if I lived near you I would gladly come over and help you! But, sadly, I don't live in Florida, but in Manitoba.:o) I think that house has beautiful bones and some really lovely cutouts in the walls, the curved areas are so pretty and the columns, too. You may just have to plan a real makeover for that kitchen, you could paint the cupboards and apply new countertops, or get new everything in there. You will make it so beautiful, I just know it, I believe in you! Hugs, Cindy S.

Adrienne said...

What a nice home with lots of possibilities and I know you will make it a wonderful place of beauty and peace. There's so much you can do to make it yours. If you haven't visited Penny at The Comforts of Home you might enjoy seeing the home they recently bought - a foreclosed home with lots of things that needed to be done. They are moving in soon and she has documented the things they have done to make it gorgeous. Her blog is http://thecomfortsofhome.blogspot.com.
~Adrienne~

Lisa said...

Well it's colorful. You can change that. The kitchen may look cool white! I think you can do a lot with it. I hope you enjoy doing it!
Hugs, Lisa

Mary said...

Hi Shari, you know, this house looks a lot like mine did when we bought it...we even had wallpaper on the kitchen ceiling...and it was RED! I don't want to discourage you, but we've been here 35 years, and still working on it...LOL! Just kidding, just kidding...its a beautiful home, so spacious, and the laundry room is a real plus. I have one that is
6x18, which is long and narrow, so your nice, almost square room will be so much easier to work with. In the kitchen, I wonder if you can have someone like Home Depot make a cabinet that will fit in that space to connect them, then paint the cabinets and change the tile...maybe for now, it would give you a chance to really know what you want to do with it. Kitchens are a major expense, so you want to take your time deciding...look who's talking...me who can't decide on a paint color!

Shari, I really believe you will be surprised at how much you'll love living this way...I hope so, anyway, because I don't want you to be unhappy. If only a few of us could come help you with everything...it would be so much fun!

Take care, Shari!
Mary

Rita said...

Hi Shari,
I discovered your blog by T's Daily Treasures as we appear to have something in common which is shabby chic beauty. I'm very glad I've met you and your lovely blog. It'll surely be a great source of inspiration.
I also love vintage and french country decor, tea sets. smelly soap bars and ROSES.
I also happen to adore visits so, if all the comments you get leave some li'l space in between your daily chores for a quick peep you will find me at http://ritashabbychicrose.blogspot.com/
Blessings
Rita from Rita's Shabby Chic Rose

Pauline said...

I'd recommend a steamer to get the wallpaper off, it's fast. Moving is such a headache, but once you've started putting your own stamp on the place, you can start to relax and enjoy your new home :o)

Connie said...

Hi Shar,
I know exactly how you feel. Twelve years ago, we suddently moved from a house we had lived in for 23 years and I finally had it fixed like I wanted.

We had looked at a old home in a small town and placed an offer. She refused so we forgot about it and went on our way. One year later, we looked at another house in same town and this first house was still on the market. We placed the same offer on the table and she accepted. I was thrilled at first and than the reality check started. All the things I had to do again and there are many advantages/disadvantages of ownlng a 140 year old home. Its been twelve years later and I do not regret moving. Its been an interesting adventure. I feel like I am home.

After the shock wears off and you have moved, you will begin to put those decorating skills to work. You will have fun and do things maybe you weren't able to do in your house now due to size, etc.

I am excited for you - all this and horses too. You are a lucky woman. Enjoy the adventure and the ride - you will have fun.

Hugs,
Connie

jeanie said...

I can't wait to see the transformation in progress. I'm sure it will be beautiful when you get your decorating touch on it!!

Anonymous said...

Shari,
This house is soooo cool. I hope it all goes really well because I love the house. It has great bones and will be amazing. When we spoke the other day I said white paint, still saying it!!! This house is a diamond in the rough! Good Luck.
Love,
Jill@CottageSisters

Sharon said...

Congratulations on the huge move. One word ... PAINT. Looking forward to the transformation. Enjoy the process.

Debbie said...

I love the new place. Just look at it as lots of FUN projects that you get to work on. You will have a ball getting things to change to the way you like them. Your decorating eye is "terrific". Wished I was there to help you take down that wallpaper. I have done it a lot recently, and I know it is a "bear".....can't wait to see more photos. Love your blog.
Debbie