Moving in

is CRAZY. It's overwhelming and so much to do you don't know where to begin. We're getting it though one thing at a time. First few days was just getting organized as much as we can putting the right boxes in the room they belong in. Then unpacking everything, taking the boxes to the recycling center then SLOWLY organizing each room. Our cable and internet didn't get installed until LATE LATE Friday so Tyler was mainly behind in work and I was behind in job hunting... one day at a time I guess.
Oh my Meyer lemon tree arrived! So far it's doing well. The leaves were all folded since it was crammed and shipped in a skinny little Christmas tree-like box but it's finally opening up. It even came with a bunch of flower buds. I'm crossing my fingers they make it and don't suffer shock.



Anywhoo... a few more sneak peak photos...
My current studio state. A WRECK. But at least I have a larger desk to fit my Mac, printer and sewing machines, and Tyler's work laptop!


Downstairs bathroom...


Dining room...
We were drooling over the Trestle set from Restoration Hardware

But it just didn't come close to our budget. Haha. So we found an awesome find at World Market!

Here's how it looks in our dining room. Area rug is from my old job, Couristan, and the candle heads are from Anthropologie...

We're still looking for a hutch and other accent pieces to fill in the room. I plan on sewing a table runner and maybe even placemats. The interior shutters should be arriving late December/early January.

Approved!

Today we got word from our Loan Officer we got FINAL approval for our home loan! Which means it's basically ours as long as we decide to show up on closing day and sign the papers! Woop woop! I pre-celebrated and ordered a [dwarf] Meyer lemon tree. I've been obsessing over one for a few months now. Here's what I'm hoping it will end up looking like in a few years...

Appliance shopping - CHECK.

One would think when you buy a new house it would come with a fridge since it already comes with your choice of oven, microwave, dishwasher. WRONG. I have no idea why. Do you?? We already had a style in mind. Freezer bottom, stainless steel, GE (to match existing appliances that come with the house) with french doors and icemaker/water dispenser. We have one at the apt in NJ and I really liked it, minus the french doors and it being GE. So it wasn't too difficult or stressful in picking the chosen one.




Same goes with a washer and dryer. I really wanted an Electrolux but it wasn't in our budget so we went with Whirlpool which has a great reputation in making such things. The duo will look like this set but in white and minus the bottom pedestal drawers.

Walk-through

This past weekend T and I went down to NC to walk through the house with our builder lady, Rachael. We blue/green taped the walls and jotted down last minute fixes. Overall the house looks great. I only took shots of the main level to show the wood and tile. Since the earlier shots were covered by cardboard. We also had a window lady from Budget Blinds to measure our windows for blinds and interior shutters. The blinds will be the first to be installed. The interior shutters takes about 8-10 weeks to get made, shipped and installed. So hello paper blinds!

Fixes

Tyler sent out a somewhat nasty email about the the following uh-ohs I mentioned in the post below... they got on it.

They even added a nice trim for our tele above the fire place.

When builders go wrong

What's wrong with this picture?!


• The faucet doesn't match the rest of the Leland Venetian Bronze hardware around the house
• There's 4" granite backsplash that we opted out because we plan on getting full backsplash down the road
• We asked for a FULL sink, not a 50/50

How about this photo?!

• 4" backsplash, again
• IT'S A FRIGGIN' ELECTRIC STOVE!!! >:O >:O >:O >:O
The design center idiot did not inform us the lower end was electric after letting us know our whole neighborhood is gas. You see, we planned on swapping the kitchen appliances out for a stainless steal upgrade since I wanted a double oven style that they did not offer. Luckily we spoke to the builder who is in charge of our place and received info that we can hire an outside contractor (after we close) through someone she knows to rig the fireplace or water heater gas to add lines to the oven area as well as to an outdoor grill. Apparently this has been done to a few homes already around the area. Problem solved.

Also, I don't really have a problem with electric stoves. I just prefer gas. Anywhoo here's a great article about how current electric stoves have outperformed many gas ones. It made me feel better about the our situation.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-testing/reviews-tests/appliances-electronics/best-electric-ranges

Another UUUGHHHH...

Wainscotting is missing.

Interior update

Fireplace stone-age, cabinets, granite countertops, a little bit of flooring, trim, crown molding, fixtures and doors :)









Oh and mailbox!