Moving Day was over a month ago! I'm sorry for not writing sooner and sharing pictures of the new Casa Casey. To be honest... I still haven't taken any pictures of the house with our belongings in it. So everything you are about to see is the previous owners belongings. You'll get the picture! As we beginning to update some of the areas I'll take pictures of the before and after. We feel so blessed to have finally found a wonderful home in such a great area. I can't speak for Chris but to me this home already feels more like home than the house in Appleton. Although, I'm sure that's because I can see our daughter growing up here, where in Appleton I knew we were going to be moving so I never really imagined her growing up there. Don't get me wrong though, there is a lengthy list of things we miss about Appleton. I just figured this post is long enough already!
Let's start the tour....
Welcome to Olympic Drive, Plainfield IL
Through the front door you are welcomed by our "grand" staircase. The carpet runner is not our style but it's natural wool, in great condition, and looks really nice with the living room curtains so there is no rush to remove or change it.
This is the Living Room just left of the entry. We got to keep all window treatments throughout the house. Most have stayed for lack of replacements, with the exception of a couple switch-a-roo's. You'll see what I mean when we get to Chris' office.
Around the corner is our Dining Room. Unlike the now completely empty living room we were able to put our existing dining table in here since it was not going to fit in the kitchen the way it did in Appleton. I try and use it still every now and then because I stinking love that table!
Then from the dining room is the Kitchen. A definite adjustment for us without the counter space and storage of a center island. We have visions of this room for the future, the very far future. So for now the only change we have made and will make for a long while is the gold hardware on the cabinetry. The appliances, although old, are still in good condition and working so we are content for now.
The Family Room is open to the kitchen which will be great for entertaining. Our current furniture is a bit too large and oversized for this space, but the plus side is there's room elsewhere when we are ready to make the changes. Obviously Chris felt at home already!
This is the view from the family room. The far left with the door open is the laundry room and entry to the garage. The next door to the right is the powder room, then the hallway to the front entry and the final door between the hallway and kitchen is to the basement.
First floor laundry....yeah!....that was our first thought. Then I remembered that all our bedrooms are now on the second floor! Crap!
The Powder Room. It's a nice size powder room but it's hard to tell with the red walls darkening the space. It's got to go!
On to the basement, it's finished! It's also empty right now, but it's finished!! On one side of the stairs is a decent size storage room and the mechanicals.
Directly down the stairs is the main space. There is surround sound already installed which is great. but they took all the speakers...and we don't even have a TV to put down there....or a TV stand...or furniture for that matter! Eventually the oversized furniture from upstairs will come down here.
The other side of the stairs is an alcove that would be perfect for a play area while Sloane is young and a "poker"table/pool table/bar area after she's grown.
Now jumping from the bottom to the top. The second floor are all of the bedrooms. This is Sloanes new bedroom. It's the largest room next to the Master and we figured this would be a good space for her furniture and an activity area in the future.
Bedroom 2, the Guest Room
Bedroom 3, Chris' new office...pink curtains and all! Okay, not really, we switched the pink curtains into Sloane's room and the green curtains to office.
Our Guest/Sloanes Bathroom
Bedroom 4, The Master Bedroom. These curtains are fabulous black out curtains....love. They are certainly nothing to swoon over though. We just got new furniture for our bedroom and it's a dark wood similar to the photo. As you can see though it's a very dark room. I'm trying to find a new bedding set I love and figure out how to lighten up the look of the window treatments without losing the black out. Sometimes I wish I could just hire a designer to do it for me....but not one that would charge because I am a designer...why would I pay a designer!?!? Steph, would you like to come visit anytime soon (wink, wink)!
Master Bath, thought we would love the double sinks....not so much...we would rather have the counter space. Keep that in mind for your future homes.
Now to the great outdoors. Our property is the same size we had in Appleton, although the new yard seems smaller. Part of that reason is because the whole backyard is fenced in and landscaped. Plus side, the whole yard is fenced in, that translates to "Heck ya, I can let the dog out without any worry!"
One thing we changed to give us more yard was we had the owners get rid of the pool before closing. Would it have been fun to have a pool? Yes. Do we want to worry about our jump happy dog chasing a bird or squirrel up on the low 2 1/2' side of the pool or maintenance for only 3 months out of the year? No.
That's all folks! Hope you enjoyed the tour. Pictures to follow as we update!
