Dreaming Big

The last three days have been so fun and exciting.  We have been talking non-stop about OUR house and all the plans we have for it.  

Here are the stats: Our house is in Bennett Valley right next to the golf course (we can actually hear the music playing from Legends in the evening!)  Our street has no through traffic because it is a circle.  There are probably about 25-30 houses on the circle.  We love the fact that no one ever drives down the street.. unless visiting a friend!  Kids ride their bikes around the circle... and everyone knows everyone.

The house was built in 1971 by George Harris homes.  Back in the day, George Harris houses were known for their precision and well built structures.  That is one of the things that drew us to this house.  It feels strong and you can just tell that it has "good bones".  Nick has crawled under the house multiple time to "check it out" and is impressed with the complexity of the structure.  Glad he has that knowledge and skill base... you couldn't pay me enough to crawl under a house!! The previous owners loved it so much that they lived there 30+ years!  I love the fact that there hasn't been multiple owners.  

The previous owners were elderly and pretty much left everything in it's original state.  I'm talking ORIGINAL!! 

Some of the original highlights are as follows:

-Gold wallpaper in the entry way with a lovely gold light fixture (think 70's)

-Multiple hanging light fixtures with tassels and chains

-Original carpet from 1971 that is bright orange throughout the whole house (once was shag but has lost some of it's swagger over the years... also, certain parts have become discolored and are now a lovely yellowish-orange)

-Checkered linoleum in the kitchen

-Sparkly green wallpaper in the master bedroom (only on ONE wall... praise the Lord!)

-Wooden and metal gates to separate various rooms (i.e. kitchen to family room)

Here is the best part though... everything is cosmetic!! The bones are solid and sturdy and the house was kept in IMMACULATE condition.  Clean, clean, clean.  We get to modernize the house to our 2012 liking!  

We have a whole bunch of plans.  Some will take place now, some in six months... and some in a few years.  We want to enjoy the process and adventure together as a little family.  My dad gave us some great advice when we were in escrow.  It was something to the effect of: Don't feel that you have to get it all done right away.  Dream big.  Do weekend projects together.  Enjoy the PROCESS.  Create a home that you both LOVE.  Make memories.  Most importantly, have FUN!  

We have only just gotten started.  I know that there will be times when we probably drive each other nuts (trying to pick out a wood floor anyone?!?!) and get frustrated.  However, throughout the process we are going to try to have fun and dream big.  As my blog followers, feel free to remind me of this and encourage me when things feel overwhelming and big.  

I promise to show pictures of the inside of the house soon!  For the meantime, here is a picture of the outside!  This is only one side since we are on the corner lot.  The garage/driveway are on the other side :)  The for sale sign is now gone... yay!!

My happy husband washing his truck in the driveway!  After apartment/condo living... this is a luxury!