Homeowners...

 

Well, the waiting is finally over...

Joshua and I have spent all summer working towards closing on our new home...and yesterday it became ours...

 

This has been a long time coming, with several bumps along the way...but it felt so good to walk in yesterday afternoon and know that it is ours.

 

This home is definitely a "fixer-upper"...but it had some wonderful surprises that I didn't think we would find in our first home.

You can look forward to lots of "before and after" posts coming in the future as I have many, many plans in store for this place...but for now here are some of the details...

The first time we viewed this home, I was instantly smitten with the upstairs hall...it is very large with enough room for a seating area...

 

It has pine floors that are currently painted brown...but we will be painting them a lovely shade of gray. It also needs all of the wallpaper stripped, new lighting fixtures, etc. but I know it will be such a cozy spot once we get it done.

Another pleasant surprise when we toured the upstairs was the second bath. It has a lovely old door, as do all of the rooms in the home...

Most of the homes that we viewed only had one bath, so two was a definite plus but then imagine my delight when I saw this...

 

I have always wanted a claw foot tub! This bath needs considerable updates and renovating, but I know it will be one of my favorite rooms one day...

 

I wasn't able to get more photos indoors as it became dark fairly quickly...but I will be taking more "before" shots this weekend to share with you.

Another great feature to this home that sold us on it, was the long backyard that backs up to a wooded lot belonging to the Genesee Country Museum {a wonderful country museum with a historic village and events that I know we will be visiting often}.

Renoir certainly enjoyed exploring the yard and the house!

 

finding beauty in the details...there is a small picket fence on one side...

 

and a large willow tree at the back of the lot. I am already dreaming of romantic picnics there...

 

But my absolute favorite thing about the yard, which was pointed out to me by Joshua on our second visit...

a stunning Mary statue the resides peacefully on the side of our home...

 

I definitely view her as a present from God...along with all of the other details and touches this home has for us.

We have our work cut out for us, and it will be a long process but will definitely be worth it to finally have a place we can call our very own.

Till next time {I'll be packing, cleaning and moving!}...

 

Comments

[kelly]

I am so excited for you and can't wait to see what you do with your sweet new home, congrats and enjoy!!

[Roselle]

Big Congrats to you. Even though it is a "fixer upper" those special touches almost make up for it! A claw foot tub!!! The old doors and knobs!!! The view...the floors, the wooded area. It's a beauty!
Again, congrats! I look forward to seeing pics of your talent at work!
Roselle

[Leah C]

Oh congratulations, Alice!! It is a rare gem...and I'm sure it will sparkle & shine even more once you've added your special touch to it:) Happy Home-making!

[Julie Marie]

Oooh Alice, I am so very happy for you, Josh, and Renoir! It truly looks like Heaven on Earth, and I know that the beautiful statue of Mary was indeed a gift from God, letting you know this home was meant for you...a place to call your own, put down roots and one day start the family you have dreamed of... I can't wait to see more... love to you... xoxo Julie Marie PS Yes Renoir, I WILL send house~warming beany butts to you! Aunt Julie

[My Petite Maison]

I am booking my flight to help work (yes, really work... know what it's like from this old place) and put in some old fashioned elbow grease.

So happy for you, know the waiting's been very long but you truly have been blessed from Heaven above.
Congratulations ~ Félicitations chère Alice, Josh et Renoir!
Love, Tracie

[susan]

Alice i'm so happy for you! how wonderful. i love old homes and yours looks so charming. i know you will make things beautiful!! the statue of Mary is just lovely. take care and enjoy the journey :) susan

[Kerryanne English]

What a wonderful journey you are about to embark on sweet Alice. May it be filled with many laughs and good times along the way. I'm looking forward to watching the transformation - it will be amazing once you and Josh weave your magic.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

[Tami]

Alice! Congratulations on your new home. I can't wait to see your progress as you turn it into your home. It's beautiful in my eyes..:-)
**Tami

[Sheila R]

Congrats on your new home. What wonderful details it has! I know that you will make it your own! May you fill it with many wonderful years filled with much happiness and love.

[Jill]

Congratulations! It was just a year ago this month that we closed on our house, so I know exactly how you're feeling! All the plans, ideas, dreams, etc... Your house has a lot of lovely vintage features, too, and I adore your garden statue. ::Jill

[kristen]

Can't wait to see all that you do with your new home! It has so much character! Congratulations :)

[My Shabby Roses]

Congratulations Alice, I know that this is a day you've been waiting for, for a long time. I can't wait to see all the wonderful things you will be doing with your new home.

[Heather Kowalski]

Oh Congratulations Alice!!! How exciting... look at all of the beautiful details you have to work with. I can see why you fell in love with this house. I simply cannot wait to see you work your magic. What an exciting time for you both! xoxo HEather

[sashagirl]

Oh Alice and Josh, I am SOOOOOO happy for you!!! Your new home is Gorgeous!!!!!! I just LOVE the character and the darling pretty details you shared about it! It just looks like it was waiting for you, and I know you two will have so much fun adding your special touches to every inch of it!!!! It was worth the wait, to get such a jewel and exactly what you want!!!! Can't wait to follow along as you add your magic! Enjoy!!!
(((hugs)))
Milli

[Isabel ~ Maison Douce]

Oh, Alice, it looks so wonderful already... Congratulations!!!! I'll be anxiously awaiting photos of the transformation, I know it will be amazing!!
Isabel

[Georgianna]

Congratulations, Alice! There is nothing like the feeling of owning your own home. It is a lot of work but worth every bit and more. Look forward to the lovely restoration work you will do.
Georgianna

[June]

Oh Alice how wonderful for you and Josh. It is lovely and I know you will make it truly Alice very soon.
Congratulations dear one. I am so happy for you!!!
hugs

[yael]

Good luck at your new HOME
I wish you all the best
Yael

[Alison]

Aahh congratulations on your new home.
It looks amazing! So many beautiful features.
Good Luck in your new home, I hope you make many happy memories.
love
Alison
x

[Dawn Edmonson]

CONGRATULATIONS sweet girl!!!!! I'm so happy for you and Joshua!!!!! What a beautiful home too...and ohmygoodness, I can just see it in my mind's eye with your gorgeous touch...wishing you many years of happiness and love in your new home dear friend!!!!! hugs and love, Dawn

[Googlover/keishua]

What a charming home.
Congrats on making it yours.
Can't wait to see how you decorate it.

[Claudia]

Congratulations, Alice! I'm thrilled for you - your home looks lovely and so full of promise. I know you've been waiting for this a long time. I can't wait to see what you do with it. It will be beautiful, of that I am sure.

xo
Claudia

[Dore]

Your Home is going to be fabulously charming, congrats!! Alice :)
Oh and the door knob is the same door knob on my door, It is a door that was in my grandfathers close to 200 year old home and when he passed away I took the door off a entry door to a sitting room that we all entered. The door will be a lasting memories.
cannot wait to see all the exciting beauty you bring to your home!
xoxo
Dore

[tara]

congrats Alice!! your home looks so darling, love the front door and all the vintage handles! i am sure you are going to do a smashing job updating and renovating your new house...enjoy the ride!

[Vicki]

Congrats! Take in a big deeps breath of the memories created!

[mamaayanna]

SO Happy for you guys, we cant wait to see:-) Must feel so relieved that the closing is finally done. and your pictures look so much better than the ones on the realtor site...

Have fun with making it home, I know you will.

http://bit.ly/cIPeWK giveaway on a guestpost I did. Choose your own colors. You can still enter!

no baby yet, will let you know asap
x

[Robyn Parrish]

Though I've been following your blog for many months, this is my first time commenting. Your new home is beautiful, and perfect for you and the boys. Congratulations! Looking forward to many inspiring future posts about the renovations and decorating you do. Thank you for sharing your life with us. :)

robyn

[Janine]

Congrats Honey!

I'll be over with the oven cleaner and latex gloves tomorrow! haha LOVE YOU, JOSH AND RENIOR, I know we are going to have some WONDERFUL times in your new home!

LOVE
MOM

[Rebecca]

Congratulations! Your house is beautiful. My husband and I are waiting for the final papers for escrow on our first house. Time seems to be going by so slow right now. I can't wait.

Rebecca

[Jojeana]

Congratulations on your new home! How wonderful for you and your husband. Your home has some beautiful features... love that clawfoot tub! I look forward to seeing all of your before & after pictures.
Have a great weekend!
~ Jo :)

[Laura @ 52 FLEA]

Wonderful wishes for a happy home....I know that you two will make it a special place and look forward to watching the progress.
Thank you for letting us share in your joy!
:)

[Chatelaine]

Congratulations on your new home! It was less than 2 years ago when I moved. It was a stressful time but so worth it.

Your home looks beautiful and I love that claw foot tub.

Good luck with all your plans.

[Jeanne]

Congratulations Alice on your new home! I can't wait to see what you do to it. I would have fallen in love with it just by seeing that wonderful front door. Have fun and be sure to post lots of photos of your progress!
xo
jeanne

[Lynda]

Congratulations, Alice! I'm really looking forward to reading about your renovations. Your new home has some lovely features!

[Denise]

so happy for you! I can't wait to see how you decorate it...we redid 2 old houses....its alot of work but so so worth it! Have fun!

[Mitzi Curi]

No one will be happier to have their own yard than your Renoir! Our lives totally changed when we were able to fence in our back yard and just open the door when the dogs wanted to go out (no more leashes, except for daily walks). Anyway, congratulations to all three of you. You will have lots to blog about for years to come!

[Allison]

SO happy for y'all, Alice! I was getting glimpses of the 'after' in reading your post. SO excited to see your touch on your first home. Congratulations.

[Andrea]

Congrats Alice! So happy for you and Josh.
Little by little your house will become a
home. Just take it day by day.
I am looking forward to your future posts.
I love the Blessed Mother Staute too.

[Monica]

Congratulations to you all, Alice!! It looks amazing... and I do dream of a claw foot tub too!!! The vintage features, the backyard, the wonderful Mary statue... I KNOW you will be very very happy there!
Enjoy the home- making, can't wait to see the first 'before/after'!
Monicax.

[starrydeborah]

Congrats, congrats, congrats! I'm already smitten by your before photos, sooo beautiful and full of possibilities. Have fun!!!
blessings,
starrydeborah

[Nancy]

Congratulations on your new home! You'll have so much fun fixing it up and making it your own. So glad you found a place you love so much!

Nancy

[Debbie]

Alice! Congrats. Being formerly from that area, I know exactly where your new house is. My family lives in Scottsville. You could open a little shop to go along with the others in town. You will love it there. I am so happy for you! Check out the Pizza Land Pizza in Caledonia. It's to die for. When we visit each year, it's a must have!!!

[Lolo]

Congrats sweet girl! Your new home oozes vintage character and I cant wait to see all of your special touches that you and Josh will be adding to it.
All of the vintage details that it already has are just perfect and suit you both so well....cant wait to follow u all on your journey XOX

[Annie from NJ]

Congratulation to both of you. You will enjoy the process...it may be stressful but in the long run it will worth it. Have fun renovating!!

[Tricia]

Hello, Alice.
I just found your blog via Blondie 'n SC and I have so enjoyed looking around.
Congratulations on your new home! It looks like it will be wonderful, and I agree that Fall is the perfect time to move into a new home.
Small world too, as we only live about 2.5 hours away, near Corning, NY.
I have cousins in Mumford. :)

I wish you the best of luck with your renovations, and will be following along to join you.

xo*tricia