Let the renovations begin!

We spent the weekend mostly prepping and running back and forth between the house, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware, but I did get a little headway on the kitchen: taking down the cabinet faces for painting.


{It's already starting to show a little personality}

We picked up the drapes at Ikea (they're Ikea Stockholm Blad in green) last week and I just couldn't wait to put them up, if only temporarily, as we're going to have to paint in there sometime!

J and I have decided to try to be as eco-friendly as possible (and as the budget allows) when it comes to paint we choose for the house. We've already picked out the white that will be used throughout the house on the trim and door frames, as well as in the kitchen on the walls and cabinets. We're using Glidden's Freshaire in Beach Pearl.


{Beach Pearl}

In fact, we had already picked colors for most of the house, and knew we were going to use Glidden (because of the price, quality of paint/coverage, and the low VOC factor) but we weren't thrilled with the color selection, so we turned to the Martha Stewart colors at Lowe's (and some old swatches I've held on to from Martha's days with Sherwin Williams). But when we got to Home Depot we found out about the Freshair paint (also by Glidden), but because of the way the paint is packaged and mixed, we couldn't get custom colors. We picked the Beach Pearl as it fit with out color story and is a nice warm white. Other colors we were a little more set on, so we bypassed Freshaire and had regular Glidden mixed.


{Dupioni, Green Fiddlehead, and Pignoli}

However, when it came to the bedroom and living room (the two rooms in which we figure we'll be spending the most time) we were pretty set on our color choices (Martha's Pale Araucana Green for the living room and an old SW Martha color Skating Pond for the bedroom) so we did the research and found Mythic Paint. Luckily we also found a Mythic Paint authorized dealer nearby!


{Skating Pond and Pale Araucana Green}

So... we got to check out the house yesterday, and it already looks bigger without all the previous owners' stuff (and oh man, did they have a LOT of stuff!)


{that's my dad!}

The more I'm in the house and the more I think about it I absolutely adore our "first place." The house is really perfect in every sense, and I'm so glad we found it when we did. After months and months of (fruitless) searching, missed opportunities, and a mistake I'm so happy we didn't end up buying, J and I found such a great place. When we first walked through the door we knew it was for us, despite the clutter and mess of the then-owners.

The townhouse (an end unit!) was built in the early 80's, so it's not a sweet little mid-century bungalow with charm to spare like what we initially set out looking for, but in that same sense, it also doesn't come with lots of heartache and and potential money-sucking issues. We had our hearts set on some really charming bungalows around Decatur and Est Atlanta, but that wasn't exactly realistic - at least not for us right now. No closet space; small, closed-in rooms; and no air conditioning(!!); among other issues made it hard for us to take an older house. Our budget just wasn't going to allow for the additional costs to address such issues (at least not in a timely manner). For now, we're super excited about our purchase and as it fell under our budget, we're excited to be able to pay for some little luxuries that will go into the renovation (like wood floors upstairs). Oh yeah, and did I mention that it has a walk-in closet in the master?


{I'm loving the possibilities here!}

I'm so eager to get in there and turn that place into our own little haven, filled with objects and characteristics that we, as a couple, bring to the house and make it into our home.

I just took some pictures off my camera for your viewing pleasure... I give you.. the house "before" (taken during the home inspection prior to buying):

{the kitchen - a sea of brown...}

{but I must admit, I fell in love with the opening in the wall looking into the living room}


{living room}



{backyard - we're going to have to do something about that grass...}

...we're homeowners!

J signed the papers this morning - but we won't be able to go in and start the reno process until sometime Saturday, although Sunday will probably be when we actually make it over there... I can't wait!


{from the real estate website}

Yes, it's been quite a while, hasn't it? I've always liked the idea of keeping a journal of sorts, yet I've always had a difficult time committing - as you can see.... But I've recently been inspired to start blogging again, thanks to J's purchase of a new townhouse (he's going to sign on it tomorrow morning!). I've also been reading about Holly's move to Germany and her setting up house in a new country, which has been such a fun read, and quite inspiring!

So, hopefully soon, you will see J's and my home-renovating progress (complete with photos!) and I'll try to throw in some other fun topics of interest in hopes of keeping this blog going!

{By the way, how do you like the new facelift?}