Thursday, April 24, 2014

An empty house

The movers came bright and early on Monday and started packing up our house.  Whenever I tell people the company hired movers that are going to pack us (and unpack us!) all I hear is 'you are so lucky!'  I'm here to tell you, it's still really stressful.  You have little control over what they are packing, unless you have put a sticker or note on something that says it stays.  I chose NEON green so they didn't miss it. 
Even still, things will get packed that you never thought they would pack.  For instance, my laundry detergent and a basket of dirty clothes.  Yep, they just put some paper over the top and taped it all up. OMG, just thinking about my dirties hanging out in a basket full of holes and then getting 'unpacked' in a few weeks is disgusting to me.  But, I didn't think I needed to specify that.  They also took all the drawer and cabinet liners from the kitchen, the TV mount in the den we planned to leave, and a pillow that matches a chair we are leaving for the new owners...there is just too much to think about.  
It was very sad to watch my rooms get emptied and realize it wasn't for a renovation, but for good.  The more 'stuff' we took out, the more I saw the details of the house that I love....the little ceiling triangle in the guest room.  
The sloped ceiling, built-in bookcase, and adorable sconce in Ashford's room.  
The built-in we spent so much time on!  Sadly, it is looking a little yellowed where the books were, and there are cracks all over the seams.  I have to say, I will not miss maintaining white paint throughout the house!  All of our painted bookcases and china cabinets were FILTHY.  I should've taken before and after pics, but truthfully, the 'afters' aren't even that great.  I did my best without repainting.  
Just for reference, our stuff took up two huge trucks, and we didn't even take the glass dining set in the porch, the little white love seat and aqua tables in the other porch, the wicker bedroom furniture from the guest rooms OR the living room sofa/chair/ottoman.  Wow!  I have vowed to do better.  I wish I could just blink and become a minimalist.  
I am sad to leave our curtain rods, they aren't available anymore and I LOVE them.  But I agreed to leave them when we listed the house, so they stay.  I also didn't want to patch all the holes and I think it's weird to just leave the rod holders up....I think I might go for a different finish in the new house, anyway.  
The buyers have purchased some things from us, these curtains in the dressing room, the kitchen curtains and rug, and the basement zig zag rug.  I had to be realistic that I can't fit everything from this house into our new one, even if I really like something...I am happy to sell them to the new owners so these things can continue to live here, even if I can't!
I have to say that even after several years, I still love everything that I did in these rooms.  Good job, Sara from 2008!  I haven't decided if I will paint 'Aqua Smoke' in our new master.  If I do, that will be the third time I use it for my bedroom...crazy how much I love this color!  It also touches up seamlessly, which is a huge plus.  
So, today is our last day in the house, then tomorrow is closing!  I am really excited to get the movers out of here so I can have an empty house to clean up.  There are SO MANY dust bunnies and I'm pretty sure I could make another cat from the hair that was under the piano....
I'm off to make the house sparkling clean, because 'broom swept' just isn't good enough for me!  

10 comments:

  1. How bittersweet!! Ugh, I bet this is tough. Although even an "empty" home tour gets me excited to see what your next house has in store for you!

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  2. Wow, this was a surprisingly hard post to read! It's been awhile since you've shown some of these rooms. You really did do a great job with this house! Will the blog continue, now that you won't be reno-ing on Russet Street? I hope so!

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  3. Ugh, selling a house is such a bittersweet time. And I totally felt so many of the same emotions when we sold our first house that we had so much blood, sweat and tears in. And I feel the same exact way about white painted trim and built-ins. Ugh. I feel like I'm always cleaning it and touching up. Glad to know I'm not the only one.

    In our first house, we actually had a few weeks between when we moved and when we officially closed with the buyers. Which was really TOO much time. Because I was all anal and ended up filling every freaking hole and repainting parts of rooms. I just wanted the house to be "perfect" when I left. Which was ridiculous.

    Hugs to you in this transition time. As for the dirty laundry - just toss it. ;)

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  4. Congratulations!!!! Ugh... I am dreading the packing - I've started, we're doing it all ourselves but A) we are only going across town and B) we don't own nearly as much stuff. TWO TRUCKS! DAYUMMMN GIRL! (teasing).

    I wish we were getting our keys at closing - the family moving out has requested 3 days after closing - annoys me. They are moving into a rental and apparently can't get in there any earlier. To make matters worse, I'll be home visiting my family in MD while my husband gets the keys on the friday after closing. I"M SO disappointed to be gone.

    I can't wait to read all about your adventures! As much as you love Aqua Smoke, I might have to consider this - I was looking for a nice color for our master bath at the new home and that seems like it's right up my alley!

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  5. Tough to see, but exciting to have a new blank canvas to watch you work your magic on!

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  6. I've been lurking for years... can't remember if I ever left a msg before... I identified with this entry so much!
    We had a professional move (thanks to the military). We heard horror stories (from my coworker, so it was first hand!) that they literally taped up their garbage bin, FULL OF GARBAGE, and stuck it on the truck. Eewwwwwwww...

    We were told to take anything we didn't want moved out of the house before the movers got there. INCLUDING CAR KEYS. Sheesh.

    This post makes me kind of sad for you, though... your house is so beautiful, and was such an obvious labour of love. Leaving all that...
    Though I can't wait to see what you do with the next one! :)

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  7. Awe, this post is bittersweet. I loved following your renos, and look forward to more. Good luck to you and your family on your big move!

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  8. Hi Sara, I hope your move went well. You were leaving a beautiful home but your new home is filled with wonderful new projects for you to concentrate on until you are back out in the working world. Have fun. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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  9. When we moved to California the packers packed a Diaper Genie full of dirty diapers in a wardrobe box full of my dresses. That was an exciting find when we unpacked.

    Moving is stressful and sucky. Hugs to you.

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  10. I know you are moving, etc, but just wanted to let you know I so miss your more frequent posts!! Hope everything is going great!! :)

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Thanks so much for reading....your comments mean a lot to me!
Sara