Thursday, April 7, 2011

New Digs

Sometimes I rue my practical nature but usually it stands me in good stead and thankfully Jim and I are often going in the same direction. This time it has been all about moving to smaller quarters, getting rid of a lot of material goods, and making a significant life-style change. We've invested a lot of time, energy, and money in this house and we've loved it for 9 years, way longer than anywhere else we have lived. If you've been here you know it is a big sprawling place, 3400 square feet of living space and 1000 square feet of storage plus a double garage. We also have a fabulous garden and 4 deck areas, two of them covered. And there are two of us.

my favourite spot
I am indulging in a bit of navel gazing because our house went on the market today. We signed off on a townhouse yesterday, possession not until the end of July. The MLS listing will be 'live' in a couple of days (#291356), carpet cleaner is here to spiff the place up, our gardener has cut the grass, and now we wait and probably wait some more. I have no illusions about it selling quickly just because we love it; we may still be in possession in September!

We've bought a townhouse across the street which is 2200 square feet with virtually no garden. It's a good size, about the same as our Oak Bay house, and we are only losing one actual room; but every room is smaller and that has me a bit anxious. There aren't any walls in the living room, dining room, den, and kitchen so furnishing them will be even more challenging than here. There is something to be said for the odd wall just as a place to put a sofa or sideboard. Oh well. It's bright and cheerful and is a very end unit so we step out on to the Emily Carr sidewalk. And there are visitor parking spots directly outside our door! It has beige carpet, beige walls, beige kitchen, beige appliances, etc. all of which will be changed because it definitely isn't us!
definitely all beige! that's a stairwell to the right of the table
We are thinking bamboo flooring, shaker style cabinets, maybe stainless steel appliances although I don't love them, and warm colours. It's in the same development as the one we un-bought back in January

eating area/family room adjacent to kitchen, also beige
follow the red brick road...
We are looking forward to having less responsibility and more fun, which sounds ridiculous because we already have a pretty blissful existence. I am a bit worried about being across the street. On one hand we have a similar view and all the same routines for groceries, etc. but on the other hand we have to drive by this house every time we go anywhere and I hope that doesn't feel bad. I don't usually live my life through the rear view mirror, thank you mother, and I assume I won't start now.

2 comments:

Miriam said...

Really big news! Your current home is comfortable, gorgeous and practical, and if potential buyers know anything at all it they should snap it up. Your new home will bring you satisfying new projects, and hopefully before long it will feel just like home.

I love your words about the rear view mirror - words worth remembering.

Fraze said...

They do say that beige is calming. But then again, so is a nap.