Misc

Nessie the Flip House: Week 3

I hope you enjoy these weekly updates as I navigate through the business of flipping houses one house at a time!!  Check in each Friday to see weekly update of how this house progresses!  To catch up on the progress on Nessie, check out her previous posts here.  If you’re new here (Hello!!!),  or just enjoy walking down memory lane, you can see my 6 previous flip houses here.  Thanks for coming along for the ride!! This is one of those not so glamorous or showy weeks where I really have nothing to show you.  Some demo happened, but most of what happened was trying to get everything together for the town to approve the renovations and give me a building permit.  2 trips to the building department later, I had to get an asbestos test done on a wall (came back negative), I need to have an architect friend do a few quick structural drawings so we can take down the wall we want to, and it's looking like there's no easy way for me to add on even a portico to the front of the house.  Sad trombone.  I had high hopes for the curb appeal here, but due to the lot type and how close the house is to the street, any structure (even a portico) would have to go through the zoning board, neighbor approval, and a waiting period which would take about 3 months.  Considering we're hoping to be selling around then, it's unfortunate.  We're going to be improving the landscaping, so that should still have an impact..

Speaking of curb appeal, I found this in the mailbox yesterday:

The current mailbox- which I haven't touched btw- is located on the house next to the front door.  Looks like we'll be getting a post and mailbox very soon because they're not going to deliver our mail until then.  #mailhostage

 

I'm already cursing previous renovations, though.  We've discovered walls that have NO studs, loose wiring behind cabinets, cut off wiring inside a wall, a ceiling over a ceiling, and a hanging lightbulb above a drop ceiling, just to start with.  As Hubby likes to say, most problems we uncover are easily fixed if you rub a little money on it (aka by hiring the right people).  There's a reason I always wait to buy the fun stuff until we know how much of our budget is going to go into electrical, structural, plumbing, and the necessary but not so pretty stuff.  While my budget never enjoys the 'domestic archeology' phase of uncovering all the issues, we usually find a little something fun that makes me smile.  In this case it was an iron burn on the original kitchen subfloor.  Considering this part of the house dates to 1920, I have a feeling this is from around then.

 

 

I also got more quotes this week.  3 kitchen quotes and I'm waiting on formal quotes from 3 landscapers.  The good news is that I will hopefully have TONS to show you next week.  I'm getting antsy... I'm ready to make this house happen!!!

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Towel Upgrade with Serena & Lily

This post is sponsored by Serena & Lily, but all content and opinions are solely my own. There comes a time in a girl's life when you realize it's time to grow up and get some nice towels.  In the tiniest bathroom on the planet, we also are lacking an enclosed linen closet.  We have shelves which I dream about adding doors to, but until then, our towels are out on display.  Hubby and I had registered for towels for our wedding... 8 years ago... when we were still in an apartment.  We had no dedicated bathroom colors, so we registered for 5 different colors.  Not even 5 different coordinating colors.  Not one of my best decisions.  After 8 years, not only were the towels a more than a little worse for wear, but I was sick of looking at crazy (now faded) colors on our bathroom linen shelves.  Time to upgrade and simplify!

 

 

I had picked up some basic white towels in the past couple weeks, but when Serena & Lily reached out asking me to try their super plush Calistoga Bath Towels I saw it as a sign.  I'm not normally one to put too much thought into towels, but these might have me changing my tune.  I got the color Horizon which is a soft gray that would work in almost any bathroom and they're super soft and fluffy.

 

 

Even hubby was pleasantly surprised by these towels.  They're a bit shaggier than your typical towel which makes them really squishy plush.  According to their website, it's shagginess (technical term) also makes for faster drying time.  I'll need to test these longer to verify their findings.

On a separate note, luxury bath towels are the best towels to make baby burritos out of if you ask me.

 

 

Somehow having a few nice towels helps my itsy bathroom feel a bit more luxe.  Excuse me while I close my eyes and dream that my bathroom has a tub bigger than 4 feet long and you can't use the toilet and sink at the same time.  Dreams for our next house.  My only complaint about these towels is that they don't come in 'bath sheet' size.  The only thing better than a soft, fluffy towel is a giant, soft, fluffy, towel.  And the only thing better than a giant, soft, fluffy towel is a straight-outta-the-dryer, giant, soft, fluffy towel #justsayin.

It's time to share the love so you can upgrade your towels too.  Valid for one week only, Serena and Lily is offering 15% percent off! Just use code "TOWELCRUSH15""

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Under Construction

copper-dot-baby-april-2017.jpg

Hey look, I'm still here!  I've been burying my head in design client projects lately while we've been waiting to hear about the short sale flip (which we're STILL waiting on btw, supposedly we should know in 5 days, fingers crossed!) and I have neglected DIY projects and sadly you guys.  I came back from Haven bursting with ideas for projects and posts, but I got a bit derailed when I saw 2 pink lines.  That's right, part of the reason I've been MIA lately is that I have a very different kind of construction project going on- our biggest one yet!  

Copper Dot Baby- Under Construction Until April 2017

 

Copper Dot Baby should be arriving mid-April and Hubby and I couldn't be more excited!  I'm coming out of the first trimester fog with renewed energy (most days) and pent up motivation to get ALL the things, projects and designs done.

 

Copper Dot Baby- Big paint brushes and little paint brush

 

That means lots of projects I want to get done before April, (hopefully) an amazing flip over the cooler months, AND a super fun nursery design will be coming your way!  The only downside is that I'll be giving up my office for this little babe, but I have a feeling it will be more than worth it.  Luckily as I was doing my office design last year, I knew it would ultimately turn into a nursery, so the wall color and rug will most likely be staying as is.  I MAY have already Criaglisted my dream crib which we'll need to buy a new mattress for- *affiliate link- see below for more info* Stokke Sleepi Crib in White.  Awesome crib for less than half the cost?  Yes please!!

Stokke Sleepi crib in white

Oh, and did I forget to mention that thanks to the miracles of modern science, not only do we know that this babe is at a low risk for lots of bad stuff, we also know the gender already!

 

 

copper-dot-gender-reveal

 

As if this news wasn't exciting enough after some blog silence, I have the project reveal of DanceFit Studio coming to you tomorrow AND the latest round of Swap It Like It's Hot on Friday!  Like I said- renewed energy and motivation.  Let's do this!

Disclaimer: some sources above may contain affiliate links.  Shopping through these links will be at no additional cost to you, however will help support my design addiction so I can keep blogging about it. XOXO

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