Happy Spring!!! Spring has finally made it to western mass! Woohoo! (Although I’ve been warned that some years it even snows in May 🙁 ) Isn’t it funny how sunshine and warmer temps make everything look prettier!? And happier too? Isabella and I ventured on a nature walk this past weekend and saw a bunch of snowdrops on a sunny hillside. I can’t remember ever being so excited at the sight of those tiny droplets but seeing them made me feel so happy! And to think tulips are next, and then peonies, roses and hydrangeas…I hope it’s nice and warm where you are!
On the “home” front, we have important news to share… A little over six months ago we moved to Amherst, Massachusetts with my husband’s job, thinking it would be a short-term arrangement, one year at least, two at most. Well, thanks to his amazing attitude (and a lot of hard-work), our stay in Amherst has become medium to long-term! Ivan has been offered a tenure-track position at a local college and we could not be more excited! Or grateful!
As much as we love to travel and explore new places and meet new people, it feels good to know that we don’t need to pack our bags and move across the country or overseas again. I’m also happy that Isabella can cultivate the friendships she’s made so far and can continue to thrive at her new school. And last but just as important, in the short time we’ve lived here I’ve been blessed with not one but two fabulous and talented new girlfriends – Alexia, a photographer, and Marta, a London-based architect and decorator – who are not only sweet and kind, but design-lovers as well! It feels so good to have someone in my “real” life to talk design with!!!
The news of staying in Amherst longer than we had initially planned is still sinking in… We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long it almost feels surreal now that it is finally happening. At this point in our lives we want stability more than anything else, a place where we can settle down, grow roots and be part of the community. We also desperately want a house of our own, a small yard and a pup (not necessarily in that order 🙂 ). To that end, we’re in the process of figuring out our next move in terms of finding a home. Our lease is up at the end of June and we’re hoping to find (and buy) our dream house until then. If not, we’ll keep renting for as long as it takes to find the right place for us.
We’ve been looking at local listings but so far everything we like is either too far or too pricey. During these past few months we got to know the town quite well and we have a good idea of where we’d like to live, and the kind of house that would be right for us. Unfortunately, our dream home (above), the one we stop and stare at on our walks, is not for sale. Not yet, anyway. I don’t lose hope easily 🙂
Talking to our realtor has made it all feel very real and helped us further refine our wish list. We know exactly what we want – an older house, with a lot of character, preferably a colonial style cottage with a beautiful fireplace and a decent-sized backyard. That being said, we are aware that a turn-key home in the right neighborhood could be well over our budget so we’re looking at homes that need some work. We are workhorses prepared to do a lot of the updates ourselves, at our own pace. My husband loves carpentry and I am always coming up with new projects for us/him to do around the house, so there’s that 😉 Besides, homes that have been recently renovated cost more (obviously) and as a decorator I’d love the chance to create something exactly the way we want it. (I have folders filled with ideas just waiting to happen.)
Below are some of the images I’ve been revisiting now that the search for “home” is so real. These are beautiful rooms collected over the years that capture perfectly the feeling and vibe I’d like to create in our own house someday.
I saved this image from House Beautiful many years ago…I love the gray green panelling and the sheer efficiency of this space. It’s the perfect little powder room.
…and of course, my dream living room! Colorful, mismatched and collected and so, so happy!
So… last weekend we went to a couple of open houses in Amherst and Northampton and you can expect a few posts about local real estate. As soon as we finalize our plans, I’ll write about the home(s) that did not work out for us but made us wish they had. Thank you for stopping by and letting me share this with you!!
Good luck with the house hunt Eva! Exciting times😊
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Thank you so much, Sarah! Exciting times indeed, I’ve never wanted anything material as much as I want a house of our own 🙂 xo, Eva
You are in a lovely, though expensive area. Will enjoy your search. Love your posts.
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Thanks so much, Gina! Yes, you’re right – it is an expensive area, very different from Southern Illinois where we were thinking to buy something last year. We had found the right house in the best neighborhood and it was still 1/2 of what we hope to pay here. But Amherst is also way less expensive than the San Francisco Bay Area… we lived there four years ago and the price people pay for a decent little house in an OK neighborhood was three times as much as we are willing to pay here… I guess it’s all relative, lol 🙂 Thanks for following along!! xo, Eva
Well congratulations on the wonderful news. This is so exciting. LOVE the idea of a fresh new home to infuse with your taste and personality, and I’m looking forward to the journey.
I know EXACTLY the kind of home you are looking for, just based on what you’ve shared — and I’m sure you will find something perfect.
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Thank you so much, Linda! You’re so kind, I hope we will find the right one… it must be love at first sight for me, or else it’s not gonna happen 🙂 xo, Eva
Oh Eva!
I am flattered 🙂 and I keep my fingers crossed for your house-hunting in Amherst!
Marta
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Thanks, Marta!! See you soon 🙂 xo, Eva
Congratulations on your husband’s news–so happy for you!
Good luck–I’m sure you’ll find just what you’re looking for, and am looking forward to seeing all the possibilities!
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Thank you so much, Diana!! xo, Eva
How exciting! I can’t wait to see what house you find. I adore your style! I feel like I’ve pinned every one of those pictures. lol
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Thanks, Julie!! You’re so sweet! xo, Eva
Love your style. Follow you on Instagram. Thank you for everything you post.
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Thank you so much, Rita!! So kind of you to stop by and comment, I’m glad you enjoy the posts 🙂 xo, Eva
Exciting times ahead for you and your family – Hip Hip Hooray and Congratulations! Can’t wait to see what you purchase and how you turn the new house into your home.
xo
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Thank you so much, Katie!!! Can’t wait to share the process on the blog!! Enjoy the weekend! xo, Eva
Congratulations to your husband! What exciting news for your family. Living in New England is wonderful, and how lucky your daughter is to grow up here. Here’s hoping your dream house finds you soon! Joan
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Thank you so much, Joan!! We enjoy living here and could not be more excited about this opportunity! xo, Eva