I knew from the moment that I saw our current home that it was the one. Over the last week I’ve thought about just why that was and I’m going to share the 3 reasons why we love our home with you today.
Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here! I’m really excited to be apart of this week’s blog hop discussing why we chose our home, started by my friend Jennifer from Town & Country Living. I was thrilled when she shared the topic idea but at the same time I wasn’t sure how I was going to put it into words. I knew from the moment I saw our current home that it was the one. Over the last week I’ve thought about just why that was and I’m going to share the 3 biggest reasons with you. I hope by the end it sparks reminders of why you chose your home!
Our home is a colonial, brick on four sides and sits on a tall, English ivy covered hill located less than an hour north of Atlanta. Instead of another home across the street it over looks a small tree line with a golf course behind it. The area is very established and we’re just down the road from old downtown Canton. The homes sit on very private lots, pretty wooden and the street is quite picturesque. The location is very desirable and close to anything we could want. Families of deer are often spotted in our yard and they’ve taken quite the liking to my lime light hydrangeas. I guess you could say we first fell in love with the street and then upon arrival, the house.
When we purchased our colonial it was in complete disrepair. We’ve spent the last three years renovating and bringing the house back to life again. We still have a ways to go of course but you can see all of the before photos here. It’s been a long, exhausting process but so worth while. From the moment we walked in I knew. Even through the trash and the disrepair I could see the potential. Lets get to just why we fell in love with it!
Then
Now
It Has Classic Style
I’ve always been a fan of colonial homes and really most traditional styles. They’re timeless and have such a regal and historical feel. They can be as elegant or as laid back as you choose. From the moment I saw the family room fireplace I was head over heels. I could see Christmas mornings spent here and summer movie nights. It needed a little love but it really sealed the deal for me. I also love the simple and practical floor plans of colonial homes. It might be odd to some but my husband and I are not big fans of open floor plans. We like having separate and defined spaces, which brings me to the next reason why we chose our home.
Then
Now
“Whether you like food or sleep, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear and sadness.” -J.R.R. Tolkien
It Just Felt Cozy
It’s crazy to think that a house in such poor shape as ours could feel cozy upon entering, but it did. Josh and I both had the feeling of home from the moment of walking in the door. They say when you’re house shopping that when you know you know, its so very true. We loved the feel and flow of the house. In a weird way it reminded me of Father of Bride which happens to be one of my favorite movies. It just felt like a place we could raise our family and stay forever. It had a homey feel and soul about it, unlike many of the homes we had looked at before. It may not have big wide open rooms or super tall ceilings but it’s the most cozy home I’ve ever been in.
Then
Now
Then
Now
We Saw the Potential to Make It Our Own
Everything in our home when we bought it was broken and I mean everything! Out of the three bathrooms not one had any working fixtures. From the roof to flooring, it needed it all. Through it all we saw the opportunity to make it ours. We could take a once beautiful home and bring it back to it’s formal glory. As time and budget has allowed we’ve fixed up each room to fit our taste. Instead of builder grade materials and cookie-cutter style that some homes offer our colonial as become a true reflection of us.
Then
Now
Just like with any house there’s been things that has driven us crazy, like the textured ceilings, plumbing problems, and keeping the ivy off the trees and well everything else outside for that matter, but at the end of the day it’s home. There’s not a such thing as the perfect home. We’ve put so much time and energy into this colonial. We’ve done all of the work ourselves with the exception of having the outdoor trim and shutters painted. Having done all of the work ourselves we know just how much went into it. It’s safe to say that we love it even more today than we did when we bought it.
What do you love about your home? Was it love at first sight or did you have to work some magic? Either way I hope this blog hop inspires you to look for the things you love in your home! Be sure to hop on over to the other homes that my sweet friends are sharing.
Monday’s Homes
Town and Country Living / Designthusiasm / StoneGable
Tuesday’s Homes
The Happy Housie / The Wicker House / Sincerely Marie Designs
What a beautiful home!
Thank you so much, Ellen! Have a lovely rest of your summer. 🙂
Your home is lovely and such an amazing transformation! Stunning! And I’m right there with you about keeping up with everything outside! We barely have any land and I still can’t manage it! 🙂 Linda
I love a brick home! It feels so solid. You’ve turned an old, out dated house into a beautiful home. I love the old streets with all their big trees. They have so much more character than the new built subdivisions. You’re making me rethink my decision to go new.
You and your husband have done a wonderful job on this home. I can’t imagine tackling all of those projects on my own. I love your style and I can see why you fell in love with the house.
Wow Amanda!! You are one crazy talented girl! I knew you had done work on your house but never realized the extent of it until now. Kudos to you for being able to see the diamond in the rough. That’s what makes older homes so much fun – seeing the magic of the potential and transformation. I love every square inch of your home!
You guys have done such an incredible job – the before and afters are absolutely shocking. It must feel so satisfying to look back at them! I love your home story – location is such an key part of why we chose our homes. Sounds like yours is amazing! It was fun to read your home story, Amanda!
I am so happy to hear someone else likes walls. My husband and I live in an old farmhouse, typical cape cod. The house was a mess when we moved in and we are still making changes 35+ years later. The most common comment we get from first time visitors is “Yiu have a beautiful home, so warm and inviting.” Love your house and the improvements you have made.
your home is always just so stunning every time I come to visit. You have done such amazing job turning it into such a beautiful home.
Amanda, I remember loving the home in Father Of The Bride! And I agree, your home has that grand colonial look. HOWEVER, you have updated it just beautifully and put your amazing personal stamp on it. I have so enjoyed seeing the before and after’s. Just stunning home!
I love seeing all of your before and afters! Your vision and talent are extraordinary. And that bathroom vanity is so epic! Love seeing you on the tour.
Wow! I can’t come up with enough fancy words to express how much I am impressed! Ya’ll have done such a fabulous job on reinventing your home. I love colonial, farmhouse and cottage styles and all things old, but you have retained all the charm while updating in such a welcoming, yet modern way. Kudos to you!
Such a gorgeous home! Well done!