Monarch's New Digs

[monarch64]

I haven't posted in this sub forever, not since I was going through pregnancy and had my now-10-year-old daughter, so it's cool to be back! I'm carrying over part of a conversation from Hangout (I'll link the OG thread) that at one point turned into me bringing up my new condo that's being renovated.

Reference thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/stand-your-ground.275026/

Home stats: 1810sf, 2B/2Ba, 2 car garage, patio 12x16 (PEX), wood-burning fireplace, mudroom, Primary Bath--walk-in shower, 2 Bath new everything, Kitchen/Bath/Vanities replaced with all Amish custom-built, lights replaced throughout with LED,

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Background: This will be my 3rd home (though I've rented many) and the first I own outright, alone. I never minded renting but I'm sure most people know there are confines related to renting and I'm not great at being confined. The first two homes I owned were during my marriages and I left both without asking for a penny; I just wanted out with a clean break and that worked out fine. Then I went on to rent a single fam home with a huge backyard that I turned part of into a garden, which was lovely. My landlord turned out to be crazy pants, so that rental only lasted about 2.5 years. Then I moved into a very nearby townhouse in a gated section of the same neighborhood and lived there for another 2.75 years before the owner decided to sell. (This whole time I've been focused on building my freelance writing/web dev/PM business so I'm WFH and then in 2020 Covid happens so there's that.) I'm forced this time to move into a somewhat awful apartment building again, nearby but in like, a bad location, and I don't talk to friends or have anyone over for almost an entire year, bringing me up to now.

My realtor is a total sweetheart--very fashionable, with-it young woman with whom I've already had dealings just through social life in our city. Her kids are similar in age to my daughter and we get along fabulously. We meet for lunch, I discuss with her what I'm looking for, and we move on from there. The market here is tight, not only due to the national mkt being insane but bc I happen to live in the tiniest blue pocket of a red state in a Big Ten University town that EVERYONE wants to move to. Lots of demand, not much supply, etc. I think I'm never going to find anything but due to a bit of a windfall am in a position to at least be in the game. I see maybe 5-6 places over the course of 4 weeks. Nothing, nada is looking worth it to me...UNTIL

Realtor randomly texts me one day and says hey, how do you feel about such-and-such neighborhood condos? I say "are you kidding me? Not only am I familiar, but those are adjacent to my old neighborhood (where I rented, twice) and I am definitely interested in taking a look." She tells me the place isn't even on the market, I say even better. The condos are located in a place that will make resale extremely easy even though I play to stay in this abode until my child is in or through college, depending on where she ends up attending. We walk in, the place is already being torn apart, but I see immediately that the structure is solid, features are what I want, and the place has great energy and charm for various reasons. I'm sold. My realtor says let me get the details and I'll have it written up for you tomorrow. She video calls me the next day and says hey, I know you're a (XYZ Team) baseball fan, but what would you think if I told you that INSERT PRO BASEBALL PLAYER'S NAME HERE is the seller? We laughed and I thought that was pretty cool. Then I googled said baseball player and discovered he has the same name and birthday as my daughter. Whaaaa? Love those little signs from the universe!

Anyway, it's perfect for my daughter and me for the next several years, we're close to the clubhouse and golf course and obvious amenities and we're both familiar with the facilities so it's a good fit. I may or may not purchase a social membership...TBD. I have to edit pics that contain personal info but I'm gonna throw out a few focal point and textiles I've already chosen just so you can get the tiniest sense of the overall style:

Oof, so the kitchen will NOT have that turquoise island thing nor the floors nor the hood nor the glass on top of every cab. The second two pics are indeed the actual textiles I've purchased for the primary BR. More incoming.

 

[monarch64]

Let’s keep trying, Monnie. Lol

 

[monarch64]

Bc

There is a LOT of natural light, which I love! The fireplace facade is actual fieldstone just like I grew up with so I’m pretty in love with that. J plan to modernize it a bit with rug, furniture, and artwork.

All the window dressings will be changed or refreshed.

I love the views. I’m in the middle of the triangular condo community—the expensive units are on particular golf course holes. Lol

 

[monarch64]

Ceiling fans are set to be replaced with just fans without lights because entire lighting system will be replaced by LED canned lighting. I plan to add lamps here and there as needed.

How do you feel about white vs yellow lights indoors? I think humans look better with warmer lighting but objects (including jewelry) look better with cool white… I can’t believe I have to pick one.

 

[monarch64]

Kitchen and other hardware will be champagne/soft (yellow) gold.

 

[maita13]

Congrats on such an accomplishment, @monarch64 !! The place looks amazing already and can imagine it to be even more so with your personal touches. Enjoy your new abode for many years to come.

 

[monarch64]

Flooring color has been chosen. This is a waterproof engineered hardwood from Coretec that will be installed throughout with the exception of the kitchen which has existing large white tile. Color is Belmont Hickory—I wanted a
warmer wood tone to gel with the fireplace façade and I think this works well. The samples look better in person than this rendering but you get the general idea. Area rugs will be used in the usual spaces.

 

[monarch64]

Congrats on such an accomplishment, @monarch64 !! The place looks amazing already and can imagine it to be even more so with your personal touches. Enjoy your new abode for many years to come.

Hey thank you @maita13 ! Lots of work to be done in the next 6 weeks before closing but I’m confident it can be pulled off. I don’t think I’d ever want to do a complete new-build but making some decisions for a renovation is pretty fun.

 

[monarch64]

True to form, life has other plans and my closing date has been pushed back another 3 weeks because the renovations are still underway. I was originally supposed to close this afternoon. So now there will be overlap between when my lease ends and when I can actually move into a functional home, and because of that I’ve had to secure temporary housing for that interim. Fortunately I live in a big university town and there’s a nice place that caters to those in need of short-term housing that is NOT a hotel chain, so I’ll be staying there for a couple of weeks until next month. Quite the hassle, but these things happen. I’m having custom Amish cabinetry installed in kitchen and baths, which is the holdup. Countertops can’t be measured until cabinetry is set, so even when I move in I’ll still be awaiting countertops and sinks. Minor annoyances.

Flooring was being placed this week. Here’s a pic of what it looks like so far. I’ll be using properly scaled area rugs, so don’t get too excited about how much this screams “WOODDDDD!” Everything will be painted Simply White for a clean slate, so ignore the green on that wall. I think the wood color ties in well with the fireplace facade so I’m happy with it. That flooring is throughout except for the kitchen.

 

[monarch64]

The more I look at the floor pic, I am less happy. I know it doesn't match up in consistency as far as color. I just know that it's durable and waterproof and was within budget. I was so spoiled growing up in a massive home with a ton of actual hardwood (like, real wood) flooring--oak, walnut, that now I feel like showing this is slightly embarrassing. I think my dad would be furious at this choice and my mother, well, she hasn't seen it yet. When she does she will probably have a negative opinion. I don't know what else I'm supposed to do, though. I can only afford what I can afford, and I didn't feel ok going over budget with anything when I first looked at this place, nor when I negotiated the price. Ugh, now I'm worried about what my parents think. I'm 45 years old and my dad is gone. Why do I care?!

I know you all will say it doesn't matter. But what if it does matter when I go to sell it? Is this just buyer's remorse? It has to be. Right? I'm going to style the spaces in ways that please ME for the next 8-10 years, so I'm not worried about how I feel about it. I'm just freaking out now about whether it looks good enough to others. (humans, why are we like this?)

 

[missy]

I know you all will say it doesn't matter. But what if it does matter when I go to sell it?

Buyers will do what they want to do and if they want they can rip out the floors and install real hardwood. My advice is do not worry about this. You make the home yours within the budget you have and the floors won't prevent a successful sale in the future. Buyers end up changing a lot of things anyway and in each home we have purchased over the decades we have done a full or mini gut renovation and not at any time did I say no to a house because of its floors. Just saying.

I'm going to style the spaces in ways that please ME for the next 8-10 years, so I'm not worried about how I feel about it. I'm just freaking out now about whether it looks good enough to others. (humans, why are we like this?)

Exactly. Make it what you love and that is all that matters at this point in time. Enjoy. And my last piece of advice-do not worry or care about what others think. You are the one living there and that is all that matters. Not pleasing others. That is true in nearly every aspect of life too. Hugs to you Monnie. And congrats on your beautiful new home.

 

[monarch64]

Thanks, @missy ! It’s just buyer’s remorse, and I’m sure it will go away when I get settled in and am focused on other things besides obsessing over first world problems.

 

[Calliecake]

Oh Monnie, It’s beautiful!!!! I am so happy for you!

 

[cflutist]

How do you feel about white vs yellow lights indoors? I think humans look better with warmer lighting but objects (including jewelry) look better with cool white… I can’t believe I have to pick one.

I am building a house right now and am specifying 5000K lighting because I want my lighting to be daylight equivalent. It works well for doing jigsaw puzzles, coloring, or needlepoint at night. Ymmw

 

[monarch64]

I am building a house right now and am specifying 5000K lighting because I want my lighting to be daylight equivalent. It works well for doing jigsaw puzzles, coloring, or needlepoint at night. Ymmw

Thank you for this input! Contractor is using all white lighting and I think I’ll be very happy with it.

 

[monarch64]

Sorry for the lack of updates, it’s been a busy time the past week and a half. Bad news first: I’ll be in temp housing for 2 more weeks, because the cabinetmakers are dragging ass and are the holdup now. Listen, we love an Amish custom cabinet, but we do NOT love the lag time.

Anyway, flooring is finished, home inspection happened without much ado, paint and trim are complete, baths are close to being finished and most other things are checked off the list. Minor repairs made to a few crucial things, and I’ve asked for a quote for exterior items from the inspection that need attention before year end as the HOA allocates a certain amount for each unit per year and it does not roll over. Time is flying.

I’ll post some pics of all white paint which is probably the only noticeable update, and of some fun rugs and window treatments I’ve ordered so you can giggle about how ridiculous my taste is. Not to worry; the final look will be unexpected and delightful.

 

[whitewave]

It looks cozy and homey. Congratulations

 

[Calliecake]

i can’t wait to see what you do @monarch64. I‘m sure you will make a beautiful home for you and your daughter. Have fun with this project!

 

[ringbling17]

Thank you for this input! Contractor is using all white lighting and I think I’ll be very happy with it.

You can also add dimmers to your light switches. I added them to my living room, dining room and foyer. I like the very bright lights as well but I also like being able to adjust them when needed

 

[monarch64]

You can also add dimmers to your light switches. I added them to my living room, dining room and foyer. I like the very bright lights as well but I also like being able to adjust them when needed

Thank you! They did add dimmers to all the rooms without me even asking. Good contractors!

I stopped by today to pick up the mail and check on progress and WOW. The cabinets are all set with hardware and they are just beautiful. The craftsmanship is outstanding. I’m not gonna post pics until the countertops and sinks are set but I am so happy with how things are coming together. So happy. Finally.

 

[monarch64]

Countertops continue to be delayed. This started off as a minor annoyance and now I’m trying to keep my cool with the project manager because I’m moving in this weekend regardless—despite the fact that all renovations are not complete as promised. I did get him to cover my last week in the exhorbitantly priced temp housing, so there’s that. It still doesn’t make up for the inconvenience of all of this but it is what it is.

Allegedly the countertops will be ready and placed next week. Allegedly. I’m going to post some cabinet pics anyway without the countertops in because I’m tired of waiting. Let’s manifest these things!

Also ordered a custom dining table over the weekend from a company in Arkansas. I think it’s stunning and haven’t seen anything quite like it after scouring furniture stores in person and all over the internet for 4 months. It’s from James + James, the Olivia turned leg table in tobacco finish. 7 feet long by 45” wide so there’s plenty of space to accommodate guests as needed. I’m looking at 12-14 week wait for it, which is fine since I’ve become very accustomed to waiting throughout this process. It’ll be worth it. I haven’t decided on chairs yet. I’m considering a bench on one side, a couple upholstered (maybe) wingback or similar styles for either end, and several Pottery Barn sea grass dining chairs. I’m expecting the rug pictured sometime next week; it’s 10x13-ish.

 

[SparklieBug]

Love everything about your cabinets! The table looks great, chairs with a bench sounds excellent, too. Friends have a bench/chairs combo and it's really nice sitting on either one.

It's all about "hurry up and wait" these days. It will all be worth it!

 

[monarch64]

Love everything about your cabinets! The table looks great, chairs with a bench sounds excellent, too. Friends have a bench/chairs combo and it's really nice sitting on either one.

It's all about "hurry up and wait" these days. It will all be worth it!

Thank you @SparklieBug ! Yes, I grew up with a table that had a bench in our breakfast room and always liked the versatility of it. I could have a matching one made, but I also have my eye on one from anthropologie that I’ll post a pic of. There isn’t any rush on all of this, I am just anxious to get moved in and set up my nest, haha.

Anthro has a line called All Roads. I love the bench although it looks very very informal. I may be able to tie it in somehow, or I may use it for another purpose like the foot of my bed or in my closet. I also got 4 panels of the curtains but am debating on whether to keep. I have rather eclectic style and vacillate between boho and traditional. Not an easy balance!

 

[monarch64]

Hmm, I’m not great at mock-ups but here are a couple attempts to put things together

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Sorry for the lack of updates, it’s been a busy time the past week and a half. Bad news first: I’ll be in temp housing for 2 more weeks, because the cabinetmakers are dragging ass and are the holdup now. Listen, we love an Amish custom cabinet, but we do NOT love the lag time.

Anyway, flooring is finished, home inspection happened without much ado, paint and trim are complete, baths are close to being finished and most other things are checked off the list. Minor repairs made to a few crucial things, and I’ve asked for a quote for exterior items from the inspection that need attention before year end as the HOA allocates a certain amount for each unit per year and it does not roll over. Time is flying.

I’ll post some pics of all white paint which is probably the only noticeable update, and of some fun rugs and window treatments I’ve ordered so you can giggle about how ridiculous my taste is. Not to worry; the final look will be unexpected and delightful.

Giggle I will, because you and me would live in easy harmony...except you would come home one day and perhaps some walls would be different colors, harmonious but COLORS! Annd after a year or two I might buy more rugs, maybe some pillows without telling first, to rotate. Nothing exorbitant. I have a weird thing for rugs.
You are going to love this house and it's going to be a warm place and a happy one. It's your house. It's yours. I'm so excited for you and your girl!

 

[monarch64]

Giggle I will, because you and me would live in easy harmony...except you would come home one day and perhaps some walls would be different colors, harmonious but COLORS! Annd after a year or two I might buy more rugs, maybe some pillows without telling first, to rotate. Nothing exorbitant. I have a weird thing for rugs.
You are going to love this house and it's going to be a warm place and a happy one. It's your house. It's yours. I'm so excited for you and your girl!

Hahaha I love it! Rugs are SO FUN. I’ll throw down some washable Target cheapies in the kitchen but the rest I’ve purchased are 100% wool, which reminds me I need to put rug pads on my list. Also I love color and paint is a fun way to do it, but I’m waiting to settle in for a bit until I really feel the need to start color-bombing or even (gasp!) wallpapering! Yes, we would get along well for sure: are you by any chance an earth sign? I’m a Taurus… lol

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Hahaha I love it! Rugs are SO FUN. I’ll throw down some washable Target cheapies in the kitchen but the rest I’ve purchased are 100% wool, which reminds me I need to put rug pads on my list. Also I love color and paint is a fun way to do it, but I’m waiting to settle in for a bit until I really feel the need to start color-bombing or even (gasp!) wallpapering! Yes, we would get along well for sure: are you by any chance an earth sign? I’m a Taurus… lol

Oh, I almost exclusively buy wool! Then I complain daily while they go through their 'shedding' stage. The whole time. I love rugs.
Nope, I was told by one of my old friends long ago who understood this stuff that I'm an Aries double fire. Which surprised them. I don't even know what that means, really. I asked if it meant that I had an extra special talent for blowing smoke up people's asses. I mean, it could be, right? Meh, sure, sounds good to me.

 

[monarch64]

Oh, I almost exclusively buy wool! Then I complain daily while they go through their 'shedding' stage. The whole time. I love rugs.
Nope, I was told by one of my old friends long ago who understood this stuff that I'm an Aries double fire. Which surprised them. I don't even know what that means, really. I asked if it meant that I had an extra special talent for blowing smoke up people's asses. I mean, it could be, right? Meh, sure, sounds good to me.

We’ll be friends anyway!

You’re just hilarious and I love it! Probably funnier than me! Xoxo

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

We’ll be friends anyway!

You’re just hilarious and I love it! Probably funnier than me! Xoxo

Flatterer. It'sssss working.

 

[Calliecake]

Hi @monarch64, Just wanted to tell you I’m excited for you to move into your beautiful new home. I hope you have an easy and stress free move. Callie