Happy Friday 11/5/20
Happy Friday! It was sure an anxiety-filled week, wasn’t it?! Still is. Goodness. I hope you are hanging in there and staying sane.
On a lighter note, I have a story for you...we came this close to buying a house this week. Eeek!
If you know us in real life or if you’ve been following this blog for long you’re probably not surprised to hear that…but maybe surprised that we restrained ourselves at the last minute. Ha! (I’m being light hearted about this, but we are incredibly lucky/fortunate/privileged to be in the spot to even think about buying an investment property, especially at a time like this.)
So about the house…it’s an oldie, a huge fixer (and I don’t say that lightly), in a great location, and listed at an incredible might-not-ever-see-another-house-priced-this-low-again kind of price. Plus it was a duplex, something we’re always looking for in a rental. I didn’t even need a napkin to calculate that it would meet our financial rules of thumbs for buying a rental. The additional 3’ of ceiling height hidden above the drop ceilings (like whhhyyy?!) sealed the deal for me and I was ready to sign on the dotted line.
But Garrett took a more measured approach…well as measured as one can be when they have 2 hours to view a property and get an offer in before the seller is planning to review all of the offers. Garrett looked in the shallow crawl space and envisioned the days he’d have to spend down there on foundation and plumbing work. And after a little bit of thinking and chatting he said “pass”. With the Poplar Cottage gutted and our Farmhouse still needing work, it’s just too much to take on right now. And I know you’re all nodding your heads in agreement because he’s totally right. Six months from now we might have come to a different conclusion. But for right now, we’re staying the course. We’ll keep focusing on the Poplar Cottage and the slower pace of life we’re trying to hold onto. But goodness, I can’t help but worry that the new owner of the house won’t open up those 10’+ ceilings!
More from the week…
Anyone else stress baking this week? We shared Farmhouse Pottery’s deliciously fall Vermont Apple Pie recipe this week along with the best giveaway! Go enter!
The calm and beautiful home of Food52’s Amanda Hesser. The fireplaces! The bookcases! The calm! I love everything about this home. (jennikayne)
Would you do this: I bought a stove instead of a car? Seems like a good tradeoff to me! (theelliotthomestead)
Stressed? Pick a color. “The paints we use to decorate our home may help us cope. Maybe that’s why gray is out and earth tones are in.” (nytimes)
Thinking of traveling or gathering with family and friends this holidays season? Here’s how to do it as safely as possible. (nytimes)
A modern yet classic Stokholm apartment. How cool is that kitchen?! (cocokelley)
My sister-in-law recommended ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ and I just downloaded it from the library. So far it’s great! (amazon affiliate, indiebound)
This image stopped me in my tracks this week. Jenny’s ORC “handsome English country bedroom” makeover is going to be a stunner! (@tallwoodcountryhouse)
Six pro tips from designer James Huniford to rethink your home. I’m going to book mark this for when cabin fever sets in this winter. Rearranging can be therapeutic. (townandcountrymag)
I love reading about early humans…Ancient remains in Peru show Young, Female big game hunter. I’m over here saying “Yup, yup, yup, of course.” (nytimes)
Watched anything good lately? Garrett and I desperately need a new show to watch together on these early nights.
Have a good weekend!
