We’ve owned our new home for all of, what? Maybe 96 hours and I have the entire thing mentally renovated and updated to my really-really-really-must-have-but-likely-can’t-afford standards.
Including my Electrolux appliances. *ahem* Hear that Electrolux? I did my part. I got the house. Now pony up. Please. (Pretty please.)
Mike and I already disagree on just about everything. He hates hardwood, I LOVE hardwood. He thinks a stand alone bathtub – reclaimed claw foot tub – is a waste of money and would decrease the value of the home. I think it’s beautiful and perfect.
*pffft*
Who here is the HGTV design maven? Not him. Me. Yet he wants to fight upgrades and prettiness? I guarantee I will win the brawl. Who’s taken bets?
He’s upset that I’ve already talked to contractors (we know) – professionals – about coming in and changing some of the immediate things. Like this room:
(It’s an image from the listing. That is not my furniture.)
(Totally unrelated, I can’t play anything on a piano except for Chopsticks.)
(I’d like to learn, but I didn’t ask the seller to include the piano.)
(Mike would have said it was a waste of money.)
(He’d be right.)
This room and a ceiling to floor (well, the carpet is staying actually) gut. The walls are original barn board which leaves a smell of, um… wood and lots of wood.
(Ha! Wood.)
Mike wants to be the one to complete this room, but he is a “shoot first think later” type of guy (thank the Lord he’s not a cop) and well, I’m a planner.
The last project we did together he didn’t measure a damn thing, just eyeballed the whole thing. He came back from the Home Depot when two rolls of sod, ten small interlocking stones and a bag of sand.
He was building a walkway.
I shit you not.
In reality he needed three times that and only went back because I nagged the shit out of him asked him to.
So ya. Husband? House? NO TOUCHING.
Maybe he can be my pool boy.
Hello pool!!!
Um. Ya. Wallpaper will be done before I even try and eat a meal in this house.
My plan is to open this up so that the counter goes all the way around to the far wall and the sitting area will be where the dining room is (behind the stove) because we are not dining room people at all.
Mike thinks it’s fine just like this.
[blank stare]
Oh look! A pool!!
I am now accepting applications for my pool boy.
Please send a long a CHEST shot and a photo of you holding your pole.
The telescopic cleaning pool.
Geez.
________________
Hizzy: One’s place of residence. Hizzy.
As in: We goin to mah hizzy.
(Sounds a little like LOLSpeak to me. *shrugs*)
________________
Editor’s Note: Gosh! (say it like Napoleon Dynamite) I sound like I think my husband is worthless, but I assure you he’s not. He can whip up a mean bacon and eggs. Also? Good daddy. But! Design maven he is not. This is my territory people. I want it.
ali says:
more pictures! more pictures!
also? YOU HAVE A POOL!!!!!
YOU HAVE A POOL.
which means that I will totally be at your house for the two months a year that puppy is usable in Ontario., haha. I kid, I kid. YOU HAVE A POOL!
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:45 am
WM says:
I’ll bring a pool boy with me if I can come over for a dip. Me = jealous.
But yay you!
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:09 am
Debby Pucci says:
The pool looks perfect. I agree with the kitchen/dining room thing.
Congratulations, God Bless you and your new home.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:12 am
Lynn says:
Hooray! This is so exciting! I can’t to tag along on your moving/renovation adventure. When are you moving?
samantha Reply:
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 am
We close on July 31st. I can’t wait!!
I *may* have to make myself a home renovation blog because seriously, I’m not going to be able to keep my yap shut about it (and my POOL!! LOL).
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:30 am
Velma says:
POOL! Lucky ducky. Congrats!
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
moosh in indy. says:
I could come to your house before I could go to mine.
OH LOOK A POOL!
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:48 am
MG @ MommyGeekology.com says:
Oooooh! So lovely (the pool) and good potential (everything else). Your plans sound great! I wonder if you could save some money by redoing that family room yourself, but if your husband isn’t the measure twice cut once kinda guy, you’re right – it might cost you more! lol.
Congrats again.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
AmazingGreis says:
Wow, was that a POOL? LOL
When’s the first BLOG POOL party? I’m so in!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
ali (adil320) says:
Your ideas seem right on the money Sam! I think your husband would get along with mine, he thinks the puce green carpet in out laundry room is ‘fine’ since no one sees it.
I.See.It.
So unless Im not doing the luandry here anymore, it better be gone soon.
I love the house…and oh sweet baby jesus..that pool!
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Miss Britt says:
Want.
Pool.
The end.
samantha Reply:
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
You’re always welcome! Canada in the summer is wonderful – you know, for the whole 6 weeks.
I’m thinking of charging admission. Come paint, clean or demolish and you can swim… how many people you think I’d get?
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Karen Sugarpants says:
I’d like to apply for the position of pool bouy? I can float.
sam {temptingmama} Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:58 am
Bwahahahaha! AWESOME.
You’re hired!
P.S. I hope you’re still coming to paint!
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
bluepaintred says:
quick question, because I cannot tell from the pictures….
Is the pool fenced in completely, and if not, you totally plan for THAT to be done before the woody room reno, right? RIGHT?
also, when is convenient for me to come over for a swim? I can supply my own arm floaties…
samantha Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Oh, the backyard is FULLY fenced in.
My kids won’t be in the backyard unsupervised or without life jackets… maybe those bathing suits with the built in flotation devices.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
gorillabuns says:
I don’t swim but i like other people’s houses. so, when am i invited?
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Jenn says:
I’m jealous of the pool as well. We live in Alberta now where no one has pools =(
Jenn
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
J. says:
REALLY must read my feeds more often!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Very cool looking home, and loving the pool! You must be thrilled. And I whole-heartedly agree … house? woman’s domain. Back off Husbands!
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:20 pm
kittenpie says:
I will say, that having moved into a house five years ago that I wanted to gut from stem to stern but had no budget to do so, there are a multitude of sins that can be solved for now with paint and be liveable for a long time. Taking the wallpaper out of the kitchen and painting it would already make it feel very different. You would be shocked at what paint could do to that living room. Think about painting the wainscoting a semi-gloss white, and the walls above a light, bright colour, and the shelves to match with white shelves and a coloured back wall. Painting the fireplace brick would lighten up that area as well, and the carpet is neutral enough that once the rest of the room was lighter you wouldn’t notice it. It would give a totally different feel, but for relatively little work and money. Just a thought…
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Avitable says:
I think I’m with Mike on the impracticability of a clawfoot tub, but that looks like a great house. And look, pool!
Here is my application for pool boy: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/3083921514_ea1d88f6f0_b.jpg
samantha Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 am
Nice fuckin’ try. It’s too early for that shit. LOL
Of course you’re with Mike; you’re a man. You don’t understand the pretty over convenience factor, hence – NO DECORATING FOR YOU.
You can still come over and paint. You like painting? I’ll pick the colour, you can roll the brush.
Avitable Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 am
That’s not the ball picture – it’s my pool boy picture!
I am a decorating genius, I’ll have you know. And you need something that’s both functional and decorative. A clawfoot tub is not functional.
I don’t paint. I hire people to do that for me.
samantha Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 am
Oh well, in that case… you’re hired.
So long and you bring shorts.
And you’re now going to be my decorating sidekick. I’m coming to you for everything.
samantha Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
So long AS you bring shorts. Not so long AND bring shorts, that’s just weird.
Avitable Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
I’ll be there with my samples and color square.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:13 am
Hilly says:
Congratulations, sweetie!
Now then, can I please come over a swim? Pleeeeeeeeease? I’ll bring cocktails and floaties!
samantha Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
You Britt and Adam should all take a Canadian adventure! There’s room for you at my house!!
Do it! Do it! Do it!
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 am
Mel @ A Box of Chocolates says:
Oh I am so jealous of that pool!! Thank goodness that is not your furniture cause I just have to say…UUUUUgly. I think the wood gives it a family room feeling. Love the idea for the kitchen. We aren’t a dining room kind of family either. Have fun remodeling the house one way or the other. Oh and have a blast enjoying that pool. Did I mention how jealous I am??!!
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 am
mamatulip says:
OH MY GOD YOU GOT YOUR HOUSE WITH THE POOL!
I am so fucking jealous. I was watching my rear neighbours frolicking in their pool and I felt badly that my son was throwing himself down the ratty old slip n’ slide. LOL.
Congrats, Sam!
June 24th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Kellee says:
Okay, what person in their right mind doesn’t love hard wood and clawfoot tubs? I mean, seriously? His opinions should totally be taken into consideration, but I definitely think you shoudl be taking the reins on this one!
June 24th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Devilish Southern Belle says:
In my neck o’ the woods, letting a non-gay man have anything to do with a home’s look is just asking for trouble.
July 1st, 2009 at 3:26 am