Welcome to my little home.
It’s kind of strange story of how I came to live here.
The day after I found out I would be keeping my job for one more year, I started scouring for a place to live. See the town where I work (and now live) only has a population of 9,000 people. While it’s a decent size for a rural town in Illinois, rental properties are near impossible to come by, especially during the winter.
But the day I chose to pick up a paper, there was one house that had just been put in the paper. (seriously, the same day.) I called and by the end of the day, I had a new place to live. The small two bedroom house was just completely remodeled (the owners were planning on living here), has a two car garage, a yard, and is only a few blocks from where I work.
The perfect situation.
I’ve been here for two week and already love it. I love my little home. It feels so comfy and cozy.
I’ve also been lucky that I have family that loves furniture. My bed (a rope bed) has been in the family for decades, my grandmother refinished the bedside table, and she had this lovely chest. I use to hate antiques (every vacation my parents dragged me against my will) but now I love them. I’m also blessed that I have so many of my photos and my dad’s photos hanging around the house.
I didn’t realize how much I love having laundry not in the basement. It’s amazing.
And of course, my favorite room. I love everything about my kitchen (especially all the natural light.)
Projects
When I moved, I had ideas. After my creative challenge list in November (and my growing list on pinterest) I decided to add/refinish a few things for my house.
A few months back, I bought this coffee table and side table at a second hand store for $20. I really didn’t like the top of it and I went through many different iterations of what I wanted to do with it. Somehow I landed on a fresh paint job and stained wood boards on top. The whole overhaul only cost me $30 (the laquer and polyurethane cost the most.) I’m still not sure I love the color of the bottom but the paint was on clearance at Lowe’s for $2.50. I figure I will live with it for a while and if I decide I hate it, I can always change it.
I also wanted to add a couple of fun things. I should preface this by I’m not a painter. I grew up with a close friend whose father was a painter and every time I went to their house, I admired his work. I always wanted to paint. So instead I did something fun. I bought canvas and painted a music passage that really taught me the lesson of how practice is important.
The other project came from pinterest. I saw this cute coaster tutorial and knew I wanted to try it. Getting the supplies was easy and these came out fabulous. I already have about two dozen more that I’m going to do as gifts!
I’ve had a blast coming up with new things to do with the house. I also found out that my dad and I are going to be doing a photography show in October at a local cafe. I’m super excited!
(and of course, I couldn’t resist showing you the only man in my life. He’s such a cutie!)
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