The other day I showed you what I was looking at exterior wise in this
post. Honestly, the space on the outside is somewhat more important to me even though I know the best stuff is on the inside. I can work with a less than pretty interior. An exterior usually requires more than just painting the sides and doors. Still, there are a few features I would be thrilled if our new home had them.
Allow me to be perfectly honest with you. If I find a home with floors like this, we are buying it. I don't care if I can see the sky through the roof, herringbone floors like these can make me call that a skylight.
Of course, I am realistic and will settle for any old original wood flooring like these. We have wood downstairs and carpet upstairs now and my goal is to never have any carpet ever again. (Those walls are pretty awesome too!)
Now this is something that I am sure that my Mr and my friends who care about this sort of thing are tired of me talking about: this layout. This is one of the main reasons I want a bungalow. Two small windows over 2 low built ins with a fireplace in the middle. This is my favorite living room layout. Let me be sure you know. I WANT this. And, bungalows usually have it. It is perfect.
I also like the substantiality of this fireplace. I wouldn't mind a painted brick one either,
I love Kate Spade's kitchen. Or her former kitchen if she redecorated it. It is perfect. I would really love to have a classic checkered floor. So many times they can look retro and that isn't the look I am after. This has just the right balance.
It is just perfect!
This kitchen is pretty incredible too. I love the absence of upper cabinets and those windows. I love black windows!
I may be burned at the stake for saying it, but I am not a big fan of islands and peninsulas. I really only like islands if they aren't built in. I love galley kitchens like this and u-shaped kitchens that have an area for a kitchen table. And, if you have figured it out already, I love white cabinets.
Ahhh, enamel appliances. I would love to have some. I think I would give up a dishwasher if I could have a stove and fridge like these. Either in white or the green.
I love built-ins. Love them. I would be super excited to find a home with a butler's pantry.
I love the look of a banquette. Even if there isn't a space for a table in the kitchen, it would be nice to have a little corner like this.
I want a bath that has great original tile. I want this sink. I want less toilets to clean and no shower stalls. My ideal house has no more than 2 bathrooms. Ideally, 1.5. And fewer sinks.
Dreaming is fun, huh? I think the most important thing that the interior of our new home has is quirks and character. I want molding that has patina or looks like it has been painted 5 times over the years. I want light switches that click like my grandma's did when you flipped them. I want a room that you don't know if it was a bedroom or a dining room or what. Something that makes me come up with creative solutions to make work. I will give up things like walk in closets and floors that don't squeak and siding that is easy to upkeep.
In the midst of moving out of the shoppe and getting this house ready, I am planning a 5th birthday party. 5th. How did my baby hughes become a skinny little boy?
more soon~
Come on over to our beach cottage - not for sale though. Mullioned windows, window seat, high windows on either side of the fire place (no built ins, but one day) original 1928 wood floors, original bathroom tile. We tried blue and white checked floor, but the upkeep was tremendous so we went with 1 inch white hexagon tile in the kitchen and entry. We still have cabinets - white - in the kitchen, but I would one day love to remove them. Six inch molding throughout and picture railing 5 inches from the ceiling in the bedrooms. She is small, but she has character and we would not trade her for a big house - ever.
ReplyDeleteLovely images!
ReplyDeleteD.
Good luck with your house hunt! I have an arts and crafts style house with a lot of what you are looking for-and even though it's small by todays standards-our family of 4 fits in perfectly-less to clean, means more time to play!
ReplyDeleteThere is a saying with older homes..."the only thing that works is you". It is so true. I never could understand why people bought new homes that lacked character, but after living in a house built in 1902 for the last 10 years I get it. In fact, not only do I get it, but I am looking to buy something new. I have a miter box and a table saw, I can add some character.
ReplyDeleteOf course all that would fly out the window if I herringbone floors!
Love your pics and can't wait to see the house you end up buying-it will be great, I'm sure! Love your descriptions of what you are looking for. I think it is interesting that my generation wanted bathrooms, bathrooms, bathrooms, and your generation is coming to its senses and going to a more "keep-cleanable" number!
ReplyDeleteHi, Just popped in to say hello, I've been watching your blog for a while now but only just joined !
ReplyDeletePop across to mine if you have time.