Family,Interiors

Our house, changes and saying goodbye

Lounge close up

Lounge close up

It might be a bit late to be writing this but a few days before we move house I seem to be getting sentimental about the old place. We moved into this 1920s semi in May 2010, just after Sam’s first birthday and after an intense six weeks of building work and renovations.

When we were looking to move house, I was the one eyeing up the finished products whereas Roger, more used to doing up houses and making them his own, would only entertain the only one which needed work. So we put in an offer on this one, complete with its swirly 1970s carpets, five layers of anaglypta wallpaper, boarded up and wallpapered over bathroom window, tiled bedroom wall and overgrown garden.

Our house needed TLC, but it had potential. We got a builder to knock through between the kitchen and dining room to make a large, bright kitchen/diner. We stripped all the walls and had them re-plastered painted them white. We stripped all the floorboards and spent evenings waxing them. We ordered a new kitchen and agonised over which type of sink to buy for the bathroom.

Kitchen mid-way through renovation

Kitchen/diner before, and during renovation

Dining room half finished

We moved in with Roger’s brother and my sister-in-law while the work was being done, which was very, very generous of them considering we had a one-year-old and both worked shifts! The work slowly got done, but it wasn’t without a hitch. I remember how we all pitched in to paint the freshly plastered walls, coat after coat on the entire interior of the house until we never wanted to see a can of white emulsion ever again.

Then there was the little bathroom sink downstair which we couldn’t get a tap for which I liked; the toilet that wasn’t plumbed in right to the wall and had to be re-done; and the time I turned up to see how the work was going and freaked out at the tools left on my new bare wood worktop! I think I was overreacting, stressful times and all that.

Anyway after a few months of waiting and hard work, our house was starting to look like our own.

Kitchen Scandinavian style

Kitchen/diner after, and Rog with little Sam during a visit to the house while we were decorating

Sam and Rog

Recently I found some of the old photos I took of our house when we moved in and remember just how much it had changed. There are a lot of memories in these four walls, but you know, the good ones are really good and it has been our little project and sanctuary.

I know it’s time to move on and I’m going to try really hard not to leave sobbing and clutching onto the keys, as I know this move is the right thing and being closer to my family and old friends will be worth it.

I’ve just had Sam come downstairs having a good old cry because he doesn’t want to leave, and I know just what he means. I’ve explained that I know it’s for the best, and that sometimes grown-ups need help too and I want to be nearer my mum and dad. I know he will be ok and the end of term is an emotional time for him. I WILL be sad leaving this house, of course I will, but I’m also excited at settling into our new one.

Dear house, I will always love you!

x Julia

Our bedroom before


Bedroom in progress

Bedroom before and after

Bedroom flowers

Lounge in progress

Living room before and after

Lounge wide shot

Girls room

Flo’s room

Sandringham garden

Our overgrown garden before

Garden flower

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13 Comments

  • Reply
    RachelSwirl
    July 22, 2016 at 12:38 am

    Oh I just want to give you a huge hug, you are so incredibly brave and I agree this move is the right thing to do for you xxx
    RachelSwirl recently posted…A Super Start To The Summer HolidaysMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sally wheatman
    July 22, 2016 at 6:26 am

    Good luck with the move Julia. It is the right thing. Wishing you all every happiness in your new home. Keep blogging xx
    Sally wheatman recently posted…Engineering Happiness en EspañolMy Profile

  • Reply
    Notmyyearoff
    July 22, 2016 at 7:02 am

    I hope the move all goes really well. It’s definitely sad to be leaving but it’s all for the right reasons. Such a lovely renovation. I love solid houses (which makes me sound like my dad!)
    Notmyyearoff recently posted…The family anniversary mealMy Profile

  • Reply
    Alison
    July 22, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    I’m full of admiration for you Julia. Good luck with the move and wishing you years of happiness in your new home. xx

  • Reply
    Kim Carberry
    July 22, 2016 at 10:59 pm

    Sending love and hugs. It must be so hard saying goodbye to the house…Good luck with the move. I hope it all goes well x
    Kim Carberry recently posted…Summer is here. #WotWMy Profile

  • Reply
    Amy
    July 23, 2016 at 8:58 am

    Totally admire you Julia. Good luck with the move, you have amazing taste, I love your style (and seeing your dining room blog inspired me and I’ve done mine this week after years of procrastination so thanks!) you and the kids are about to start another adventure, and they’ll love being closer to grandparents. Sending hugs for the move x

  • Reply
    Five Adventurers
    July 23, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Must be so hard to say goodbye especially when you have had such wonderful times in the house. I hope the move goes well and as always I’m totally in awe of your outlook and how you handle things. Xx
    Five Adventurers recently posted…Comment on France with kids: La Montagne aux Alouettes Farmhouse reviewed by Katy (What Katy Said)My Profile

  • Reply
    Megan - Truly Madly Kids
    July 24, 2016 at 9:58 am

    Just want a house should be – full of wonderful memories. Your garden is gorgeous and you did make it look so lovely. Onwards and upwards my lovely XXXXX
    Megan – Truly Madly Kids recently posted…42 things at 40 …My Profile

  • Reply
    Hayley @hayleyfromhome
    July 25, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    I hope the move has gone well Julia! It must be so hard to leave, as well as being emotional but I have no doubt you are doing the right thing, for all of you. You’ll feel better closer to family, closer to where you grew up and Sam and Flo will adjust so quickly, kids always do. Having said that I do love this house, such charm and style xx
    Hayley @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Summer of 2016My Profile

  • Reply
    Eve Hughes
    July 28, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Wishing you lots of love and luck in your new home. X

  • Reply
    Donna
    July 29, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    I hope the move goes – or has gone – well. Wherever you are, the memories are there with you x
    Donna recently posted…The Nifty Gadgets Your Kitchen NeedsMy Profile

  • Reply
    mummyofboygirltwins
    August 5, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    Ahhh Julia I bet it was heartbreaking saying goodbye – but you’ve done the right thing and you’ll be SO happy in the new pad. Good luck lovely xxx
    mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…Our summer holidays, so farMy Profile

  • Reply
    A month in our new house - Rainbeaubelle
    August 31, 2016 at 11:30 am

    […] it really does feel homely and has a really nice feel to it. Unlike my last house, which was a 1920s semi, this one is just a few years old, built as part of a small development just round the corner from […]

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