BIG news!!!
Sun, 15 Jun 2014I have some big news to share with you all (finally). Three weekends ago my husband and I decided to go house hunting. We had come to the conclusion recently that the whole build-a-new-house idea was just too much for us to handle (and too scary financially) so we thought we would take a look at what downtown Ottawa neighbourhoods had to offer. We were pleasantly surprised to find a few homes within our budget that we would be quite happy in. A few days later an agent that my husband had talked to convinced us to put our home on the market the following weekend. !!!!!! I thought she was nuts but we figured why the hell not. So one week after starting to house hunt we had our first open house and it was a big success. We ended up with 2 offers and accepted one of them. Early last week our house was officially SOLD!. Last weekend we went to see a home that blew our minds. And a couple of days ago, that home became ours. If you think these 3 weeks were insane... we get our new house June 26th and have to vacate our current home by July 3rd. AAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Hectic does not even begin to describe what this 5 week period has been and will be like. But I am beyond excited. The new house is the most beautiful home I have ever set foot in. I will share photos of it with you tomorrow. I thought today I would take you through the last 7 years I have spent in my current home. It is located in Ottawa's Little Italy (which I always really loved because I am half Italian), is 12' wide with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths and is about 800 sq ft (I always thought it was 926 sq ft but it turns out that was the exterior dimensions).
Besides minimal landscaping at the front of the house, this is pretty much how it looked 7 years ago when I bought it.
This is the living room right after moving in. Pale yellow walls and ugly oak floors. BLEH. A bit annoying that the front door opened right into the space so the back door became our main entrance.
Walls were painted and my beloved forest mural was glued to the wall (and another sofa purchased).
Then we decided to DIY a sofa.
Then we found what is close to our dream sofa.
We did a massive gut and renovation of the horrifying kitchen - including tearing down the wall separating the kitchen and living room, making the kitchen window smaller and removing the side door.
It was REALLY bad. Before the renovations happened, I decided to have a little fun and paint the cabinets bright pink (and painted over the tile backsplash).
The renovations were extensive (and I blogged all about the process on a separate blog).
The results still amaze me 6 years later. It has been a dream kitchen and I will miss it dearly. (Cabinets were from Greentea Design).
The room off the kitchen (a 1-story addition off the back of the house) was an office when I moved in. I soon gave it a makeover with lots of white paint.
A while later I moved my office into the living room so I could actually spend some time with my husband. The back room became a mudroom/pantry - LOVE IT!
There is a powder room located in this space (opposite the shelving above). It was just gross, and I have lived with the grossness up until a few months.
It got a little bit of a makeover. ;)
At the top of the stairs is the main bathroom. It too was pretty damn ugly.
We did an inexpensive makeover to it in my favourite colour scheme for a bathroom - black and white.
Next to the bathroom is a small bedroom. It became my dressing room.
It underwent a transformation with bold teal walls.
And then another makeover happened when I could not handle the brightness any longer (I kept the curtains though).
Next to that is the master bedroom. It had a really large closet on the right when you walked in that covered half of a window.
The closet was torn out to make room for a wall of bookcases and I went with a girly theme with pale pink walls (I was living alone at the time heeheehee).
I toned things down when the house became a joint venture.
And here is the backyard when I moved in.
I built a deck along the back fence for a nice shaded area to hang out.
The large deck off the back door has undergone various looks. Here is one of them.
As I mentioned, stay tuned tomorrow for some photos of my new home!
Reader Comments (36)
Your house is gorgeous and I love how you totally made it your own. The kitchen reno is completely amazing, and I'm still in awe of the downstairs bathroom transformation. Can't wait to see your new place and what you do with it!
I love your house! And I love your blog ... so aptly named.
I am wondering what you used for the glossy black floor in the bathroom. I am looking for cool, small budget friendly flooring ideas.
Big fan of your blog (and always recommending it to people with interior design needs - whether immediate and practical, or simply as food for the soul). I love the transformation you awarded your house with - especially the kitchen!. I do have a question, though. How do you keep your cat (saw it in one photo) from scratching that beautiful sofa? Please share the secret!
I love the 4 cat illustrations in the bathroom, and that whole bathroom.
Who are they from?
Thanks!
Hey Kim!
It's Kristen. Highschool, grade 8, part chihuahua.... you know ;) Just wanted to congratulate you on your new home. I can't wait to see it and what you create with those magic hands! I realize I never did get some pics for you, but life just keeps getting in my way. Someday before I die. I swear ;) and again CONGRATULATIONS!!!
FIY Just lost my comment virginity here. on your blog. big day for me.
Hey Kim,
Congratulations on your new home! Your old home looks amazing! Cant wait to see what you'll do with the new one.
If you could describe your style in a one to a few words, what would it be?
congratulations kim! looking forward to watching you NEST in your new space. suzanne
@Natalie - thanks!
@Donna - they are really inexpensive peel and stick vinyl tiles we found at Home Depot. super durable too!
@Beti - thanks for sending folks to our blog! we actually have 5 cats (down from 7) - and they don't intentionally scratch any of our furniture. I think it's because in the past when they have I LOST MY SH*T and they don't want to hear momma screaming. :) I'm being a tad sarcastic, but we do ensure there are scratching posts near where they eat and sleep so they can get our their scratching urges in appropriate places.
@Michelle - the cat prints are by Hidden Moves (Bought at a local art/framing shop)
@Kristen - Hey! Thank you! And hooray for your first comment! ;)
@Abigail - thanks! I love such a random mix of styles (Scandi, rustic, industrial, modern, retro) that I just call my style "eclectic" because i can't seem to stick to one look.
@Suzanne - thanks!!
i love how brave you have been with your decorating and have made what could have been a fairly boring little house into something fantastic. i have to tell you though, i think i started following you when i first saw those bargello pillows. i love them!
Your current house is gorge! You did a wonderful job with it. Can't wait to see the new one! Congrats!!!
Finally! Since you announced your mysterious new project several weeks ago I have anxiously anticipated the big reveal!
Love seeing your current abode, and look forward to following the unfolding of your new.
Three days ago I sold the house I have been living in for 15 years, a house I have dearly loved. But I am also tremendously excited
about my new space.
Love your blog btw
where did you find your "dream leather sofa"?!!! I love it!!!
@maryse - LOL - gotta love some bargello! I have a few left - have been selling them off over the past couple of years. (if you want some....)
@Leah - thanks!
@Melanie - 15 yrs is a long time. Good luck in your new home!
@jennc - I don't know the manufacturer. I bought it at local shop Phillip Van Leeuwan during a half off sale :).
Wow! Really big news!!! Congrats! My figers are crossed for moving fast and painless.
your old house look amazing but we really want to see the new one, we´ll be hear tomorrow to see it
So excited for you! I will miss your old home tho....:)
Oh Kim, that's wonderful for you. Best wishes on the move - to you, your husband and all the furry ones too!
Can't wait to see the photos. You're so lucky!!! :) I love starting fresh.
I bet the person who bought your home is just pinching themselves! Can't wait to see what your next home is like!
Really fantastic, all the work you've done. It's bold and strong, and filled with personality. Definitely an inspiration as I continue the process on my own place! Thanks for sharing all you've done.
Congratulations!!. Can't wait to see photos of your new place. I'm not surprised your old one sold so quickly - you have completely transformed it (and I'm still figuring out how I can get your hubby over to New Zealand to do our bathroom :) ). All the best for your exciting new venture!.
Kim, Congrats on the new place! I for one, will miss the pics of your "purr-fectly" (sic- especially for you) lovely little home. I have never set foot in it or Ottawa for that matter. But, I feel like I know it well...comfy, cozy, artfully designed with a lot of heart. I will miss your little place's ever evolving style! Farewell, sweet kitchen and pantry, barn wood powder room, living room (my fav) with the awesome mural and awesome couch (that was damn close to my dream sofa too). In fact, if I told you how many nearly identical things we both own you'd freak.
Can't wait for the new (r)evolution!!! BRING IT!!! BEST WISHES!!!
Thanks everyone!!
Best wishes in the new house -- and congratulations to the people smart enough to purchase yours! They were lucky to get the opportunity to walk in your stylish footprints.
Wow! You did a terrific job with it...it looks amazing! I love your blog, and can't wait to see what you do to your new home! If anyone deserves to live in a gorgeous home, it's YOU after posting about so many wonderful spaces! Congratulations, and good luck with your move!
Congratulazioni!!! I am sooo glad your dream house has finally appeared. I am loving your current home. Thank you & Jo for all the beauty you post every single day! Are your babies (cats) excited? Enjoy!