Balls and Walnuts
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First of all, a big thank you to everyone who griped about B&W going offline. It was a theme problem, that’s all I know, and my heartfelt thanks to Pat for suggesting I change themes. You da alpha geek, Pat. Maybe I’ll futz with a new theme later, but for now I’m happy to be back online.
What is it that makes a home feel homey? As much as Karen urges me to see past the furniture, the funky color schemes or window treatments or omigod the smells, it’s difficult for me to take that step. One place was just so great-grandma I couldn’t take more than a quick walk-through. (When the owners have daguerreotypes hanging on the walls — I shit you not — we’re dealing with srs generational schism.) Karen had to point out the real deal-killer: a surfeit of yucky carpet and yuckier tile. I don’t want to have to redo a home’s entire flooring, thanks much.
I’m partial to the least expensive home we visited, and not because it was the least expensive. Although that helps. (You have to like a place wherein the mortgage equals what you’re currently paying in rent.) No, I liked it because it felt homey. I could imagine living there. It had a comfortable feeling to it. It was small, arguably too small, but that helped me imagine the possibilities of filling it up with comfie sofas and stuff on the walls . . . what I mean is, I could see myself living there.
I liked this one bedroom located just off the den: darkly paneled, or perhaps there was a dark wood floor, with dark slate tile in a newly remodeled bathroom adjacent to it. It had library/writing nook written all over it. My muse squirmed with scarcely repressed glee.
Off the master bedroom, there was a hot tub just outside, sheltered by a privacy wall. I liked that, too. Didn’t like the carpet in the master bathroom (why do people do that?), and the pool in the backyard was a mite small (nearly all B-field homes have pools in the backyard, it seems), but still. Minor quibbles.
Oh, and we would probably have to do some kitchen remodeling if we decided to stay in there for any great length of time.
Anyway, I think I’m losing the argument on this one. Karen and Jake prefer a home that’s half again as expensive (but still very affordable) because it’s bigger all around, has a better kitchen, bigger pool, etc. But it has yellow walls! YELLOW! And someone CHOSE to make them yellow.
Yes, I know about this thing called “paint.”
The saga continues . . .
D.
Umm, I have yellow walls and I did that. Yellow can be good. Goes with my Miro.
I do what I can…
Driver, I don’t remember your yellow being as oppressively yellow as this yellow. It must have been an off-yellow.
Thanks again, Pat.
We are a lot alike about the whole “I can picture
myself living here” thing. To me, if that isn’t
happening, you shouldn’t buy/rent. When I saw this
apartment, I knew I could live here.Street names are
another deal breaker for me.Pools? Think long and
hard about that one…but if most homes there have
one, you’ll end up with one. And I’m with you on the
carpet…if I ever have a chance, I want to get rid
of mine.
Umm, I’m the daughter trying to sell my deceased parents’ home that they custom built in the 70′
s with carpet and stuff. It’s really a beautful lot and neighborhood, and that counts the most because that’s where you live. It’s not hard to upadate if you have a good space and neighborhood. http://fridrichandclark.com/steve-fridrich/listing/984794
I really am stepping on toes tonight. If it’s not yellow-lovers it’s folks with grandma homes 🙂 But Lucie, the difference is, that house you linked to is gorgeous. The one we looked at not only had daguerreotypes on the walls but shmattas on all the furniture, and it smelled like mothballs and moisturizer. Feh. Yes, I’m shallow, I admit it. I can’t see past the sights and smells.
Where’s that home located, Lucie?
Oops, Nashville. Read the ad, Walnut.
…still missing the frog threesome. But glad you’re back.
I hate the smell of mothballs. Why can’t folks use cedar chips?
My bro and his gf just painted their new kitchen yellow. it’s nice, sunny! lol. and my house has wall-to-wall carpets everywhere except the bathrooms, kitchen, and entryway. my mom regrets doing it, but it’s done. i always wanted hardwood when i was a kid, because having a dark rose-pink rug limited the colors i could paint my walls. roar.
also, i may be one of the few people in the world who does not hate the smell of mothballs–in moderation, of course. i actually kind of like it, as long as it’s not overpowering.
Lyvvie: yup, I miss them, too. Bear with me.
Shaina, I just flashed on you as an 80-something, with your grandkids visiting for Pesach.
“GRANDma, ENOUGH with the MOTHBALLS!”
HA. i didn’t say i’d get them for mySELF, just that i don’t mind ’em! which was good cuz my roomie frosh year stored her clothes in them at home. hah. i’m sure by the time i’m 80 there will be much nicer ways of keeping the moths off.