Hello. My goodness May came along and now is gone all too quickly. We have taken our home off the market for the time being. After interviewing numerous persons and having one brave enough to tell us a few changes we need to make, the surprise projects have begun. Our plan is to complete all projects and list our home in time for late Summer Selling Season. You have all been so patient and encouraging over the last seven months and I am very grateful. Thank You.
This is our Great Room, another term for living room. It is a large room. When we bought this home 19 years ago this past weekend, everything was builder beige...except the blue floral carpet. We had a designer/interior decorator help us to bring cozy to this room so many years ago.
Mr. C and a cabinet craftsman built this cherry entertainment center and it must stay with the house. (Side note: I will never spend this kind of time and money on custom built-ins again!)
Now the very expensive threaded wallpaper must go. It is too dark and dated. Bye-bye. My tears stayed silent while the trash bin was being filled. I didn't even have the heart to try to salvage any for paper arts. Mr. C reminds me to move ahead.
Testing color samples on the wall. This color is "Whiskers" and we used it downstairs when we remodeled just over a year ago. It blends well with the light tan in the hallway and dining room. The ceiling is a soft taupe and also goes well. Whew! One less decision and area to change.
I admit the room is now bright and airy and ready for new homeowners. Next week is a further change. Yes, it involves this room as well. Can you guess? The old window valence will not be going back up. I would like to have sheer light grey panels that hang from the window tops to the floor at both ends and the two window frames in the middle. What do you suggest? I have to keep reminding myself that none of this is for me and Mr. C...unless the house never sells and we stay here forever. We are keeping that in mind as we hire contractors and make changes that we will be able to live with...just in case.
I shall welcome June and all it brings. May is ending with a shot of rain. I welcome the rain...but not with our projects right now. Everyday is a challenge yet I am grateful for all we have and are able to do. Nothing creative from me right now. I am allowing my Muse to relax, rejoice and reenergize so that she will be ready when I can get back to sewing and creating. Summer Blessings to all...
Sherry making small inexpensive changes is fine like painting light neutral co!ors, but I wouldn't do mu h more than that. You won't get more money for your house and you never will know what the new owners like. A case in point: we had a neighbor trying to sell her house. Her realtor told her if she installed new carpeting it would sell faster. Well her carpet wasn't that bad and instead of spending $2,000 for carpeting, she should have spent a fraction of that and just have the carpet cleaned instead. We didn't say anything to her because it was not our place to tell her what to do. The house did sell and the new owner had chemical allergies and so she had the carpeting ripped out and put in tile flooring. The carpet was only in the house abnout 2 weeks! What. Waste of money! Our neighbor could have kept the $2000. You just never know what a new owner will keep and what they will get rid of or remodel. So let the new owner spend the money not you. Whatever you do might not be the taste of the new owner. Just my experience.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful house you have, Sherry!! I would have trouble making changes, too. I love the idea of the sheers hanging from the tops to the floor. They would look amazing on that window. I hope the changes work and you are able to sell quickly when you relist. Good luck with the renos, my friend. Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
such a shame you did not get a buyer fingers crossed after making a few changes all will be well and you will be on the move. I agree do not spend too much on changing things as the new buyers might not like them. Sad you will have to leave that lovely furniture behind.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that home buyers can't just visualise the place with different wall paper and accessories! But it seems it is so and changing the wall paper etc can make all the difference. Good luck, I hope all you work pays off.
ReplyDeleteI do hope very much that just the right people will come along and snap up your beautiful home when you re-list it! Sounds like a few changes will be good if you were advised that way, but I'd think the new owner would want to put his/her personal stamp on it.I know I would, but what do I know? ha! Hope you can rest, relax, rejuvenate this summer, dear friend! xo Jane
ReplyDeleteOh Sherry, I know it is the same here, every one wants white or something like it, on the walls, and all are told to paint and redo, when selling--- I have to admit I think the buyers should have a little more fantasy , and do what they want when having bought the houses....but no, not anymore,- and now you also have to try change colors all over to selll!! I feel sad for you, as surely you thought it was all perfect, when you put your house on sale !! Now I wish so much for you, it will not take long, when later this summer you put it back for sale , again.!! Hugs to you, and stay positive and happy , dear friend. Dorthe, xxx
ReplyDeleteMost people move into a house and do what they want anyways, so I don't quite understand why a seller has to go through so much just to try and sell. I personally love to see the character of a home. It tells you something about the people who live there. You have a gorgeous home and I would think it speaks for itself. Good luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteYour home is beautiful and the change you made so far with the paint is perfect. The hardest thing to remember is that when you put your house on the market, it is no longer your house. There are only a small amount of people who can imagine what something will look like. I've staged many a home over the years and I'm gutting the 16 year old stuff in my new home. ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope your efforts pay off in the end! Keep it simple! XO
ReplyDeleteWishing you oh so much goodness as you make more changes moving forward. My heart is with you. thanks as always for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, I know the changes can be a challenge but the payoff so worth it. The room looks bright and cheerful and I'm sure will make an impact on possible new homeowners. Best wishes for your projects and I hope the rains come when you're done. It's pouring here and we sure needed it. Happy and fun weekend xo
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand the current trend of making your house look 'neutral' and devoid of character. It seems that people just can't use their imaginations and visualize the changes they will want to make themselves. Comes back to a society that seems to expect instant gratification in everything. I don't know if 'staging' is the 'thing' in your area but here it seems to be all the rage. When we listed our last house I went through and removed every single thing that was personal (no pictures of family etc)...removed nearly half the furniture too. The bookshelves were pared down to just a few colour co-ordinated books and knickknacks. In other words I made it look like something totally sterile and boring. The real estate agent wanted to know who staged the house and was flabbergasted when I told him I did. I did a ton of reading decorating magazines and watching HGTV 'reveals' of renos and made copious notes of what people were doing. Seems like a ton of work just to make a beautiful house like yours appealing to those who can't seem to think for themselves. Looking forward to seeing the 'after' photos!
ReplyDeleteI love the color of the walls! Such a beautiful home you have.
ReplyDeleteIt seems most people are not creative or renovation handy. They want to move in and like it the way it is. Many positive wishes for your perfect buyer to come along when you're ready again.
ReplyDeleteThe new wall color is very pretty. Yes, often a house needs remodeling to please potential buyers. Hoping you are soon sewing and creating again :)
ReplyDeleteIt must be quite stressful after all this time having to keep things pristine for Open Inspections. Beige might be boring, but it's easy to live with. If it's neutral you can liven things up with soft furnishings. Most people haven't the imagination to think of how they'd decorate if the colours are too strong. I have a neutral house, but my love of colour comes out in what I create.Wish you well with the re-listing.
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