How I Met My House

 I'm joining AnNicole over at Our Suburban Cottage for her How I Met My House party!

I met my house just over 3 years ago.  We had lived in a suburban neighborhood for 11 years and I was ready for a change.  My kids were no longer little and things like swim team, soccer games, and bike paths had given way to college and driver's licenses for one child, and the beginnings of high school for our youngest.

I was also going through a huge personal change in my life at that time.  I had lost my mother after she suffered a stroke due to botched gallbladder surgery.  She went in to the hospital a healthy 68 year old woman and just a few days post surgery ended up unable to speak and vastly different than the woman we had known all our lives.  Although she was 100% there mentally, she would never be the same and just a year and a half after her horrific ordeal she wasn't feeling well again.  So we took her to Johns Hopkins Hospital only to find out that she had cancer and just 13 days later she died!  Apparently they had found the cancer when they removed her gallbladder initially and never told her!

Needless to say I was devastated and I spent the next few years tending to my father who had been diagnosed with a terminal lung condition just a few months prior to my mom's stroke!  With the help of my sister who lives locally we did our best to keep my father company, spend time with him, and generally help him out when he needed it.  I have two other siblings who live farther away and they also pitched in when they could.

About a year after my mother passed my father became involved with a woman who did not have his best interests at heart and to make a long story short, things during the last few years left us on less than ideal terms.

I had been looking around for some property even before all of this took place, but with my own personal chaos I began really trying to find a place with a bit of breathing room!  I needed it both physically and mentally.

So how do you deal with the stress of losing your mother and not speaking to your father who you saw nearly everyday of your life?!  You sell a house by owner, and buy a fixer upper!  Well technically our home wasn't a true fixer upper, but it wasn't what we had envisioned either.

It's an 11 year old rambler, and was not laid out at all like our spacious suburban oasis that we were leaving behind.  But every time we drove past this house, it called my name.  Even our son, who was 15 at the time and had spent most of his life in the same house and neighborhood, was completely on board with the move and said "There is just something about this place, it feels like home," each time we visited the new house.

The house is located on a private lane with only 5 homes on it.  I would have never even found the place, and I grew up in the area, if it hadn't been for my sister who told me to drive down this way.  She lives just down river from it and said that it was a lovely area.  So I got in my car one afternoon and drove down here.

There wasn't a for sale sign in sight, but I came home that afternoon determined to move to that street!  I even called a gentlemen who owned some of the land to see if he wanted to sell a lot, but found out that most of the empty land couldn't be built on and the only lot available was in the restricted area and was unbuildable due to it's waterfront location.

I continued to scour real estate websites for the next year, always with that one location in mind and then one day it happened!  Right in front of me on the computer screen was a little rambler that I knew the instant I saw it, and it was for sale!  I made Mr. Tide jump in the car and off we went.  Getting him to agree to drive past the house was one thing, but to go for a tour was quite another.

You see Mr. Tide has a complete aversion to brick...ie. he hates it!  And the fact that it was a rambler with a low slung roof and not a whole lot of curb appeal was yet another hurdle.  For me it was that it was located along a side of our county and on a river that I swore I would never live on.  So between the two of us, this house was everything and everywhere we said we would never want to live!

But we made an appointment to look inside anyway.  The house was owned by an elderly couple who were no longer able to live on their own.  The husband was not in good physical shape and the wife was having some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.  They had a caregiver and when we came in they told us how much they loved the place and spoke of the beautiful tundra swans which were gracefully floating on the creek behind the house.

Kitchen Before

We went home and talked it over and decided that we needed to take another look.  Could we overcome the fact that there wasn't an attic, that it felt dark and cramped, that there were only 3 bedrooms, and very little storage compared to our big 5 bedroom colonial we would be ditching for this place?  That the kitchen had mauve countertops and that there was no walk in pantry?!  This time we took my sister back with us, and once again the elderly couple told us about their love of the house, and they asked if we were the "nice young couple that was going to buy the house?"  I had to leave the room and I burst in to tears.   Seeing them have to leave their home, even if it wasn't their forever home, was just too much, and it made me think of my parents and everything that was going on in my own life.

We did spreadsheets and calculations as to how we could make it all work.  We would sell our house for sale by owner, or rent it if necessary, we would save up and do the renovations we dreamed of for the new house and life would be perfect!  We did end up doing all of that, and sometimes it seems like a dream to me, and I have to pinch myself to know that it's all true!

Living Room Before

And we are that young couple that bought their home and love it dearly.  We love the water it's on, the bricks it's made of, and the fact that we're 8 miles from the nearest place to buy milk.  The stress of renovating was nothing compared to the stress of losing both of my parents and the sadness I had felt for the last few years.  But the sun seems to shine brighter here, the grass is greener, and even the flowers seem to bloom more profusely in our little home nestled in an old tobacco field.

 Living Room After

Kitchen After

Meeting my house was my saving grace and each day that I wake up in my sun filled bedroom I am thankful for all that I have and all that I've been through.  I wouldn't wish the last 6 years on my worst enemy, but I'm a stronger woman because of it, so I have no regrets.  Do I wish some things had been different, sure I do, but maybe, just maybe if they had been different I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't appreciate all that I have!  I see beautiful homes all the time for my work, but I wouldn't trade my match made in heaven for all the money or storage in the world!

Be sure to head over to Our Suburban Cottage to find out how more people met and married their homes!

Change is Good

Change can be scary for many people, and when change comes in the form of being laid off, it can be devastating!  But for one couple, change meant listening their hearts and following their dreams.

When Greg and Sonya Carpenter were both laid off after more than 20 years of service at their respective companies, life as they knew it was turned upside down.  And to make matters worse, they had just purchased what they hoped would eventually become their dream home along the shores of the Patuxent River.  But not only did they make lemonade when life handed them lemons, they also made huge career changes and began turning their dream into a reality.

With several generations of builders in his family, Greg went from working for a phone company to doing what his family knew best, construction.  His company, Simply Home, specializes in home renovation, repair, design, and new construction.  Sonya found a new career path as well and landed a job working for the government. And though they consider themselves fortunate to have both found new occupations, it hasn't been easy.   They have spent the last four years putting their blood, sweat, and tears into building a home that embraces their casual coastal setting and laid back lifestyle.

Through hard work and perseverance, the Carpenter's tiny 1970's rambler has been transformed into a coastal home that has plenty of space and charm to spare!  It's still a work in progress, but Greg and Sonya are finally able to reap the rewards of all of their hard work.  And they were gracious enough to let me invade their space last weekend so that I could share their beautiful home with all of you!

From the moment you step in the front door, you know you are walking in to a home that was built with love and attention to detail.

A view of the foyer looking towards the front door shows the classic board and batten wainscoting Greg built.  The crisp white paint punctuates the paneling and is reminiscent of classic seaside New England architecture.

The foyer opens on to the living and dining rooms, both rooms have a more traditional feel, something Sonya wanted for more formal occasions.

Although the living room is more formal, the Carpenters selected comfortable seating, like this beautiful white sofa.

The couple also loves collecting unique pieces of furniture and accessories and uses them throughout the house.  The Victrola pictured above is not only a wonderful accent piece, but is also fully functional and Greg and Sonya play it from time to time.

And no waterfront home in Maryland is complete without at least one crab on display!

The living and dining rooms flow right into the gourmet kitchen, making it ideal for entertaining.

The kitchen is bright and airy with expansive water views.

Custom cabinetry made by Greg's brother is highlighted by beautiful red oak flooring.  Inset doors and drawers, glass fronted cabinets, and brushed nickel hardware give the kitchen timeless appeal.

Blue walls with a glazed finish hand painted by Greg, along with red accents, such as the chair pads and bar stool covers, add a nautical flare to the kitchen.

The nine foot island features a prep sink and provides plenty of extra counter space.  

A restaurant style gas cooktop is a cook's dream, while absolute black granite adds contrast to the white cabinetry and compliments the island's granite perfectly.

A backsplash of white mini subway tiles is easy to maintain and continues the clean lines of the space.  A niche behind the cooktop provides easy access to frequently used oils and spices.

Greg and Sonya have traveled the world drinking wine and collecting the corks which they have used to create a unique and charming cork board for behind their message center in the kitchen.

Unable to find a range hood that would fit their space, or one that appealed to them, Greg stick built and hand plastered a custom hood to go above the cooktop.

A dark stained round table provides plenty of seating in the breakfast area and compliments the round chandelier that he couple bought from Restoration Hardware.

Located just off of the kitchen is a seating area which leads to the waterfront deck.  The green barrel chairs were a recent purchase from The Vintage Source and go beautifully with the soft green walls in the family room.  A 22 foot beadboard ceiling, walls of windows, and family mementos, such as the water skis (which were once owned by Greg's father) hanging on the wall, all add character to the room.

Floor to ceiling windows flood the family room with natural light, while a massive stone fireplace helps to ground the large space and give it scale.  Slipcovered furniture from Ikea gives the room a casual feel and is ideal for standing up to wet bathing suits and sandy feet!

A game room located just off of the family room features a pool table, poker table, and bar.

It also provides Greg with a place to display his extensive sports memorabilia collection.

But even among all of the testosterone driven decor of the game room, there are still feminine touches to be found, like this beautiful bronze mermaid statue.

The staircase is yet another one of Greg's masterpieces.  The entire staircase was built by hand and he even incorporated a subtle fish detail for a bit of whimsy.  

A lovely stone mermaid welcomes guests upstairs.

At the top of the stairs more barrel chairs provide a small sitting area which overlooks the family room below.  Greg and Sonya plan to replace the Danish pine armoire with built-in bookcases in the future.

Upstairs are four bedrooms, including a large master suite.  The guest bath, pictured above, continues the nautical theme with white beadboard wainscoting, blue walls, and vintage inspired Kohler fixtures.  Greg and Sonya are still looking for an antique clawfoot tub to complete the bathroom.

The upstairs master suite is a delight for the senses!  An abundance of natural light paired with simple furnishings makes the room a calm and restful retreat after a long days work.

Pillows the couple had made from fabric they purchased in Hawaii adds a punch of color to the room and echos the blues of the water outside.

French doors lead from the master bedroom on to a private second floor balcony which takes full advantage of the magnificent water views!  Who wouldn't want to wake up to that view?!  It would be like being on vacation every day of the week!

The master bath is equally as beautiful as the bedroom and features a soothing color palette of whites, tans, and creams.

The large walk in shower is accented by deep azure blue tiles and a natural stone floor, creating a spa like atmosphere.

Even the lighting in the bathroom screams luxury.  Greg painted the crystal chandelier white and antiqued it to give it an aged feel.

Natural stone counters, double sinks, and white cabinetry are as practical as they are beautiful and make the master bath the perfect spot to start and end each day.  

A third floor office and media room are still being completed and provide even more space for the Carpenters, who love to entertain family and friends at their gorgeous home.

I hope you've enjoyed your little tour of their home, and I want to give a special thanks to Greg and Sonya for inviting me to feature it!

If you would like to contact Greg Carpenter of Simply Home to have him help make your dreams become a reality, you can contact him via email at gregcarpenter@simplyhomellc.com or by phone at 301-884-8420.  And be sure to visit his website by clicking HERE!!

How Do You Know It's Going To Be A Very Good Day?

When you wake up to birds chirping, the sun shining, and warm weather!  But more than just those wonderful things I've just listed, I'm having a very good day in blogland today as well, thanks to some very sweet and talented women, whose support and generosity are greatly appreciated by a new blogger like myself!


It's a very good day when you find out that your free artwork was featured on Kendall's beautiful blog, Finesse Your Nest!  Thank you Kendall!

And when your home is featured on Cassity's amazing blog, Remodelaholic!  Thank you Cassity!

And when you have an awesome beach house by a wonderful designer featured on your own blog...Here!  Thank you Brooke!

Are you having a very good day today?!  I hope so!

The Naked Truth

Recently, Jane, one of the talented and delightful women from Attic Mag and I had a fun conversation about windows and window treatments.

It started when she made a comment on a post I did about a friend's home and how her bathtub was surrounded by windows with no blinds.  Here is the picture that sparked the conversation between Jane and me.

After seeing this "naked" window Jane left me the following comment...

Ok, I must ask...
for those of you who live in the country, woods, in the middle of nowhere...do you really step into the tub with no window shades? LOL Just one of those weird thoughts that goes through my mind when I see a tub w/a gorgeous view and no one (supposedly) around for miles.

Jane T. 

I wrote Jane back and told her that I don't have a blind, curtain or shade on ANY windows in my entire house!

I think this freaked her out even more and she sent me a cute message back that read...

OMG.  I just don't think I could do that!!  Maybe I watched Rear Window too many times.  Visions of James Stewart with binoculars in hand, LOL.  Even if he lived in the next county I think it would still feel so eerie. 
Scardey-cat Jane ;D

We continued our conversation via email and had a good laugh about the possibility of deer, peeping Toms, or whatever might be lurking outside my windows and I think we both concluded that it's not really so much about whether or not someone can see in, but just the sense of security that you get from being able to cover up your windows.

Now, I understand that if you live 3 feet away from your next door neighbor, then of course you'll want blinds, curtains, or something to block "their" view of you!  But here in the country, that really isn't much of an issue.  We have one neighbor who is close by, but our home sits further back and we have large evergreens that block the view into one another's houses.

This is the view out of one of the windows in our master bedroom so you can see that aside from a few field mice, there isn't much chance of someone taking a gander.  Plus with two big, noisy dogs that tell us when the wind is blowing...much less if someone is creeping around outside...I think we are safe!

Another view from the same window.

When we first looked at our house it was owned by an elderly couple.  Every window was covered with dark, heavy drapes and the shades were all drawn.  They took the draperies with them, but after we moved in we took down the shades and installed mini blinds.  Knowing a renovation was in our future, I didn't even bother to put up curtains in most of the rooms.

"Before"

This is how the old family room area looked shortly before the renovations began, see the bits of the blue painter's tape on the walls...we put those there to show us how big the new windows would be!  Even before we purchased the house we knew that this area would need to change dramatically.  We knew that the kitchen would need to change, and that we wanted lots more windows in this room, which has some of the best water views in the whole house!

Living in a brick house is great, except when it comes to expanding windows!  We had to have a much bigger header installed and the dust made by cutting bricks is unbelievable, it makes drywall dust seem like a walk in the park!  There were clouds of pink brick dust floating all over the inside of our house and that was with plastic on the walls to help minimize the mess!  Our brick mason, Ronnie Trossbach, did an amazing job of matching the old and new brick.  After the mortar dried you couldn't even tell that any brick work had been done.

Here you can see what a huge difference it made to add just 2 extra windows to the room.  That's Richard, our hard working contractor, doing what he does best...hard work!

"After"

And here is a picture of the windows today.  It's partly cloudy and a little dreary outside today, but even on a cloudy day these windows make a huge difference in brightening up the space!

During the renovation we replaced every single window in the house.  Along with the expansion of the family room windows, we added more windows to the master bedroom and the kitchen.

"Before"

The kitchen windows were widened, raised up, and box bayed to accommodate the new cabinetry.

"After"

"Before"

Even the sliding door was replaced.  I really wanted french doors but the slider takes up so much less space.  

"After"

I chose prairie grills on the slider to help maximize the views.

Our bedroom had just two windows when we first moved in.  After the renovation there are now 4 windows.

"Before"

Above is a picture of how the bedroom looked with the previous owner's furnishings.  They used this room as a TV room.

"After"

Adding just 2 windows afforded us wonderful water and field views.

Now when we wake up each morning we have amazing views of the creek.

And when I do my make-up each day I have views of both the creek and the fields.  I get to watch deer, birds, and just a few days ago I even got to watch a red fox.  It must have been a mother fox out looking for food for her babies.  It's unusual to see a fox during daylight hours, but in rural areas, and when they have young, they will often hunt during the early morning hours for extra food to bring home to their "kits".

Maybe one day Mr. Tide and I will want to put up seagrass blinds, plantation shutters, or install some pretty curtains, but for now we are going Au Naturale!   I don't think I've been able to convince Jane at Attic Mag that this is the way to go, but I think I have convinced her that if she ever comes to my house for a visit, that she'll be safe.  And hopefully she won't get the heebie jeebies, but will relax and enjoy the sunshine, stars, and summer breezes from my very naked windows!

Don't forget, there's still time to enter my latest Giveaway.  Click HERE to find out more!

It's time for Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch.