Thomas Wolfe wrote the novel, You Can't Go Home Again. In it, the main character realizes "You can't go back home to your family, back home to your childhood ... back home to the escapes of Time and Memory."
I certainly believed that!
That's until one day we realized that while we left our community four years ago and embarked on a search for a new lifestyle, it wasn't working.
We missed our friends and family.
It was time to go "home."
Once we made our minds up, we found a fixer upper only a block away from our old home.
It is a single story, 1924 Normandy style cottage that needs everything!
The previous owners lived here for 40 years until they went into a retirement home.
It has great bones and a floor plan. There's a back deck that is perfect for entertaining.
Nevermind that the deck is rotten!
Let's go inside and take a peek.
The living room is to the left of the entry...
...with a sunroom next to it.
The dining room on the other side of the entry.
I love the French doors that look out to the front porch with its canvas awning.
The master bedroom opens to the deck in the back.
It has a bathroom and walk-in closet.
There is a family room that also opens to the deck.
In true HGTV fashion, I plan to knock out the wall behind the sofa and create an "open concept" kitchen/family room.
It was another selling point to this house.
The kitchen.
I just want to point out that all of these photos are shot to make the house look bigger and to sell the house.
This kitchen is tiny and not functional.
A remodel is definitely in its future!
Since buying this house, I've replaced the roof. I've gutted the master bathroom, which is nearing completion. California Closets created a very functional master closet. The interior has been painted and there is a huge landscape project underway.
We moved in about a month ago, so we're living through the reno.
I'm planning on blogging again to share this project with the few readers that are still there.
Will you follow along as I take this old lady and gussy her up?
44 comments:
Yes!!! I was just wondering the other day where you had gone. I so loved your home that is now a block away. I am so glad to see that you are back and look forward to seeing your cottage come to life!! Kerry
Please continue to post pics of your current project. Love your work. Yours was the first blog I ever followed and am still influenced by your style. I still refer back to your tablescapes in the home that is close now. Lorie
Still here, Delores! I'm eager to follow along, so yes, please share with us. I love reading that you have gone back "home" and are embracing this project. We ended up staying in our home and are about to remodel the original master bedroom and bath to be ADA compliant. We hope to age in place as they say.
Enjoy the process! I know it will be stunning! Love the look of that dining room.....
Absolutely !
Can’t wait to watch it all!
Especially the landscape !
Yesssss! Can’t wait to see you work your magic! Congrats on getting back to where you really want to be. Had you never made the move though you might have regretted not doing it or always wondered if you made the right choice. Now you know!
Nancy Roberts
Nancy’s Daily Dish
Very excited to see what you do with this house! Phillis
So exciting and yes, I am still following:). Can't wait to see your new home which is back "home". My husband and I moved twice, and always found our way back home. We are not moving again! I remember very well your former home not far from this home. I contacted you years ago on the paint color of your entry in that home, the green. Still love that color, you have such a way with color! Congrats!
~Tammy
Oh yes!!!!
Yes! Can't wait to see what you do with it!
Yes! Yes! Yes! I love a good reno.
Count me in! So glad you are back and look forward to watching you make this house your home! Happy Holidays!
Yes! Happy you could go home again. Looking forward to seeing it all!
Welcome back Delores. Looking forward to watching your house becoming a home.
Yeah!!! It will be fun seeing all that you do!
I have been following you for years and adore your style! So excited that you will be posting this reno and look forward to seeing how you transform this beautiful home!
Yippee! I will follow you! I have missed your posts. You always do an amazing job on all of your homes. This is another beauty. Can't wait to see what you do.
Welcome back, Delores,
You were my first and favorite blog. Looking forward to seeing you work your magic on this charming home!
Elle xoxo.
Yay you're back and you're home! I've followed you for years and look forward to seeing you work your magic in this new home! Welcome back Delores!
Yep...still here! Glad to see you are back! Looking forward to this latest project! ;)
I'm hopping aboard and following!
Here and cant wait to see the renovation! Long time reader of your blog and all your homes have been so inspiring! Cant wait to see how this one turns out
Yes, Yes, Yes, I will follow your progress. I have missed your blogs!
...been wondering about you.....glad you are back.....we haven't abandoned ship with you....just waiting until you have more you want to share....welcome back....can't wait for more magical pictures!
It really was a pleasant surprise on my e-mail this morning, glad to see everything come full circle, Maria Fairbank
Yes! I'm glad you went back! Can't wait to hear more about you and to see pictures of your renovation.
Roberta (Florida)
Confused!!! OK you sold the big house, moved to the city to that townhouse that you redid, sold that. But then - you bought that shingle house, right? Was that in a different neighborhood too? I thought that was you're going home house. HAHA!!! Confused!
BUT soooooooooooooooo jealous!!!!!!
What happened to the shingle house? I love the new house. Love it! Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Home is the very best place to be!!
I am glad that you found another perfect house, and I will be watching from the sidelines as you "do what you do" to make it your home.
Blessings,
J
So happy to hear from you bet I will follow along as I know so many of your loyal friends and fans will do!
So glad you're back to blogging! Can't wait to see more!
So glad to see this! I will certainly follow you along! Our next house has definitely got to be a ranch!
Definitely! I have always admired your style and your blog. Can't wait to see you make this house even prettier!
Shelley
I've wondered what happened to you and your search for your new life/new home. You have so much to share about the journey you and Mr. A have traveled. I hope you find the peace and connectedness you crave...and I suspect there might be a return to more color and pattern, (which you do so well and how can you not have red?) no?
Yes, I'll follow along! I too moved into an older one owner cottage. Hope to get inspiration from you! Denise
I'm still here!! I've checked in on the regular to see what news you might have. I'm thrilled to know there will be another reno that I can sink into while nestled in my easy chair. I love your style, and can't wait to see what you do with this darling cottage. It'll be perfect. BTW, it was brave of you to pick and try on another lifestyle in the city, and it was just as brave to acknowledge that it wasn't the right fit for you. Good for you! Good for us, your little band of followers. :)
I am so excited that you are back - I always enjoyed your blog and beautiful photo's so much !
I certainly do believe that you can go home again - good for you ! Congratulations on the new home, and in the pictures it looks lovely !
I was so happy to see a new post - yay!! you're back. This has been such a journey of discovery for you, and I hope that with this new home you will finally find comfort and peace - plus you get to renovate again and make it your own which is always exciting.
Still here and looking forward to seeing the results of your newest project.
Yes, I will follow your remodel! You have been missed... Welcome back!
So glad your back and posting. Looking forward to your adventures "going home."
Peeking into a crystal ball, I see you eventually rebuying your former family home a block away and totally refuting Thomas Wolfe. You’re almost home. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you work your magic on your current charming house.
Delores - Best news I've heard in a while. Welcome Home!
Hi Delores! How exciting! Your old house in this neighborhood was my favorite and I'm sure you will make this one just as pretty!
Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see what you do!
Hi Delores,
Well this is exciting! You must be the expert at renovations by now, but I bet your’re tired of packing and unpacking boxes! Can’t wait to see what you do to this beautiful home. To me it looks almost perfect already!
Xo Heidi
I was delighted to find that our old house in Los Altos has a twin in San Mateo! Please contact me and I'll send pictures. Loved my home and know you will love yours.
Cathy. (cnkords@gmail.com)
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