Why I need some design help...

So the house we bought was a foreclosure. It was a great deal financially for us, but there is quite a bit to deal with.

BUT, before you wonder why on earth we bought such a house...we bought it for SPACE! We are leaving a townhouse and will now have space like this:

Do I love that 1980's kitchen? NO.

Do I love what it will look like in a few years when I am done with it? YEP! (you gotta have vision)

Am I loving the fact we'll have a fireplace on the other side of that same open area? YEP!

So let me give you the million dollar tour of my soon to be home. First you'll see why we need some design help. (shameless plug for Friday...come on back and help us out!)

The walls are mainly white. This leaves us a clean canvas to design.


Now, I said they are mainly white. Don't try to wipe the smudge in this shot off your screen. It's on the wall in the house, not your computer.


Of course, there is the occasional hole in the wall.


Or in the door. Isn't it a shame that they ruined a perfectly good 1980's dark fake composite door?


Luckily it comes with lighting already in the rooms! And as if the light wasn't already hanging low enough...this neat trick lowers it a few more inches so you can knock your head constantly!


And the previous owner left his 1980's appliances for us. I wonder what the energy star rating is on this one?


*I must add here that God's provision is SO GOOD! The couple that bought our house has offered to bring their own washer, dryer, and refrigerator so that we can bring ours to our "new" home! (more story on this later)

Of course, the best part of this home is definitely the hot tub. The previous owner built a room around a hot tub. Inside the house. In the basement. In the middle of the basement, leaving unfinished area around THREE side of this room.

I guess you could call it a hot tub peninsula!

And, just so you could rinse off quickly, he provided a teeny tiny shower up in the wall and a toilet and sink right there in the middle of the room. WOO HOO!


Needless to say...anyone want a hot tub?

As I look around the house, I admit I am a bit overwhelmed. I am thankful we have parents willing to take us in for a month so we can prepare this home for our family.

Then, in the midst of that overwhelmed feeling, I look around outside at the neighborhood we are going to be a part of. Immediately, I know that this is the place for us! We can't wait.

This is a picture of the yard outside of D's soon to be bedroom window. My kids keep asking to go to this playground.


Mental note: Must meet that neighbor ASAP! Maybe she'll babysit while we paint!