This is a post I wrote 2 years ago about a house we had looked at. We didn’t buy it.
Sadly, another house, just down the street has come available and you can bet your bottom dollar Adonis was all over it. And this time, we have the financing and the need.
And now I’m sad because we’re moving away from friends, PERFECT childcare and into a house I don’t love. Fuck me.
PS I’ve edited the original post to reflect the new house.
Yesterday I mentioned Adonis had a big hard on over this house that we just had to see.
Well we saw it.
Meh.
And it’s beige.
He loved it.
Apparently it was bank-owned and then bought up by an investment group to flip. It’s got travertine tile in the kitchen, breakfast area, dining room and all the bathrooms. Schmancy faux wood flooring thru the front living room and entire upstairs. Granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Jacuzzi tub and glass enclosed shower. Fireplaces in the front room, family room and master. Big fat white columns throughout.
And beige paint on EVERY wall. Same damn shade throughout.
I hated it.
It’s done. Even down to the little vegetable bed. The tomatoes are already in the ground!
Do I sound like a spoiled brat? Ungrateful?
There is almost NO room for me to put my stamp on things. No place where I can make it my own.
The hubs loves the openness of it, all the space (3200 some square feet.) But I walked around thinking, “well if I have all this space, why isn’t there a space for me and my junk? A place where I can spread out and stick a needle thru my finger while trying to relearn how to sew or where I can spill glue all over the place while decoupaging a free form piece of art? A place to express myself.
Oh yes, dear readers, I am aware that I have this little plot of bandwidth and I am grateful.
But what to do with the rest of these creative juices? Do I set up shop in the garage? Make my poor guest have to shove my multiple idea boards off the bed in the guest room? Do I turn that most useless, waste of space vanity in the monstrous bathroom into my desk?
To add insult to injury, my commute will go from a happy 20 minutes each way (along a gorgeous stretch of truck-free freeway bordered w/ always blooming trees and shrubs) to 35 minutes each way, mostly on a massive 8 laner full of 18 wheelers.
So, do I break my hubs heart over this house or buck up and suck it up? He did buy me this little darling that we’re in now and I’ve had the sweet commute for 7 years.
And if you want to reach thru the interweb and smack me, I get it.
Ah, but you WILL make it your own. Tell the hubster that as long as you are allowed to repaint before move in you will support the house purchase 110%. Also, look at the layout of the house and determine where best to create your space, before you move it (trust me once you are in, there’s no going back). How often will you have overnight guests, realistically? Pour over pinterest on ways to create a workable space that is easily covered up if/when overnight guests arrive. And during your commute, you can create as well: record blog ideas, verbalize your to do lists…..
3 weeks after giving birth I moved with my husband to another state into a house I had never seen. I walked in and instantly HATED it, all 3500 square feet of it. But, you know what? Within 1 year it was all mine. I love that house. I love that I can have my family of 15 over and there is a place for everyone to sit comfortably. I love that I can paint my son’s playroom walls with chalk and magnet paint so he can let his creative juices flow without reserve…..and I love my little porch swing, which is my place to spend my evenings with my thoughts.
Sorry I took over, but just wanted to share my story with you.
I love that you’ve taken over!
Believe me, I’ve spent HOURS on pinterest picking out this sofa and that window treatment.
And I LOVE the ideas for the kids rooms. Sadly, I think those are the only rooms my husband will let me design.
My heart is sad, thinking of you in a house that you don’t love. But walls can be painted.
But, still, if you can’t picture yourself in the house, I’d have to, at least, make it clear that you’re having trouble seeing the house as home.
Oh John, yes, I’ve made it quite clear.
This will surely be a lesson in how to communicate with my spouse: what NOT to do.
At least beige is not so offensive that it has to go before you move in…you can take your time and work towards spaces you love? That new commute seems like it will disable you from making dinner at least three nights a week! Thee has to be some perks for you, no? GOOD LUCK!
Oh my friend, I get it but I understand…I do.
Just remember the walls can be painted – Stadium Red? Electric Blue? You’ll make it your own. Suck it up
Change can suck – even when it “ought to be” the right thing. I’m with John, you have to keep talking about it.
Maybe you will learn to like the new house. An you’ll get the chance to get some new friends (neighbors), while keeping all the old ones >:)
I remember that earlier post. I think I said, “Don’t go.” If you hate it (and not just because it’s beige), I might say the same now. On the other hand, you seem to love house projects, both inside and out. I’ll bet you could find lots to do even in a fancy new home that sounds pretty spiffy.
OK. So. Buck up and Suck it up. You will adapt, even if it’s unbelievable for a while. Mad & The Dude will keep ya hoppin’ regardless of where you live.
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