House Hunting
Most of you know that we live in a contemporary house in Seattle. It’s my husband’s favorite style and also one of my many favorite styles. I learned quickly however that in Atlanta, we’ll be going a different route. There aren’t too many contemporaries in the first place and everyone has also advised against it because there isn’t a big market for them when it comes to resale.
I’m fine with that because for me, part of the fun of moving is the chance to live in an entirely different home. In Atlanta, this means our house is going to be much bigger than anywhere I’ve ever lived and it looks like it’s also going to be a more traditional style home. Even though I’m a modernist in many ways, I am loving the houses I’ve seen so far. Here is a sampling:
And here are some of the features I’ve fallen in love with in these homes.
Verandas:
coffered ceilings:
wood burning fireplaces and built-ins:
wood paneled libraries:
I think I’m going to like Southern living!
I’m off to view some more houses today and will hopefully be making an offer on one soon.
Meanwhile, back in Seattle, it looks like my little house is going out with a bang. By now, I think you’ve all seen the Design Sponge Sneak Peek from Monday. And today, there’s an interview at Houzz. Thank you Houzz!
I am thrilled for you & nothing is more fun than house shopping. By the looks of it, especially in Atlanta.
I think I'm going to go in with Jackie to put money down on #3. so step aside! I know she won't mind as long as I decorate the living room with photos of Steve McQueen.
Seriously, if you need the name of a knock-out Realtor in Seattle, we had one that out beat all previous ones hands down. She's hip, young & never sleeps! Just let me know if I can help.
Can't wait to follow you along to my end of the U.S. xx deb
.-= Deborah Milne´s last post ..Imagination Required =-.
You know, it's one of my dreams to live in all types of style architecture over the course of my life! SO I think you're quite lucky to be able to do these changes and transitions! I think you'll fall in love with the charm of the people and southern hospitality immediately! So exciting Alek!
.-= Meg´s last post ..Chinoiserie Pendants =-.
Isn't this fun? I like so many different styles myself and it would be great to get to "live" them out! I predict you are going to love living in the south. Welcome!
Atlanta architecture is somethin' else. The scale and proportion are always spot on and the materials exquisite. I could drive around Buckhead for hours.
.-= Raina´s last post ..Design blog dealbreakers =-.
You know, the kind of architecture you’ve been looking at is absolutely my favorite! LOVE!!! The 1st, 2nd and 4th are my faves… (lol, I know, all but one…) Verandas are something I’ve always wanted too, but it’s just not something you would build in Norway, we want sun! Love all the features of the inside architecture as well. You’re totally going to have a blast decorating!!
.-= Dagny @ Beautiful Living´s last post ..Before and after: A classical gilded frame goes noisy red! / Fra klassisk gullramme til blodrød statement! =-.
I clearly have been out of the loop! I didn't know you were taking off to the ATL! How exciting! I love all of your choices so far. Can't wait to see what you pick. You must be so excited to sip tea on one of those Verandas on a warm southern day! I need to go check out the Design Sponge sneak peek and get caught up on my reading here
.-= carlee´s last post ..Dreamy… =-.
I found the same when we moved to the South, I love modern architecture but in the area where we live it is unheard of. Also, houses are big. (Four years later I am still having trouble filling mine! )
I think whatever space you choose you will have no trouble decorating it sympathetically and to your taste. And change is exciting!
(Please let me know what you end up doing with your wood paneled library though, everyone I know is painting over their panelling and its true it does make the space brighter and more modern… but still, it seems a shame).
.-= Sophie @ Century Finds´s last post ..New at Century Finds – Jen Renninger =-.
I think I am in love… with everyone of them! Good luck choosing.
.-= Jesse´s last post ..Soak It Up… =-.
The home pictured in the third photo down the post looks like a picture perfect story book cottage.
My favorite design look is furniture and accessories leaning towards the modern in a traditional home. When done well it is such an interesting mix! I can not wait to watch what home you select and how you decorate it. Thanks for letting me live this experience vicariously…as I can not move anytime soon!!
Janell
.-= Janell Beals´s last post ..Paint Choice =-.
OMG!!! I LOVE these. I love them so much I can't stand it. You are going to have just as much fun in Atlanta as in Seattle.
.-= K-Line´s last post ..Who's Counting? =-.
Oh this is so exciting! I love the idea of picking out a new home. I think Southern homes have a lot of great features and you are going to find the perfect fit!
Oh my goodness, Alek….you get so much more for your money than we do in England.
I want the 3rd one….could you put a deposit down on it for me !!!!
They are all fan-bloody-tastic….I am very envious (in a nice way !).
Hope you get the one you want. XXXX
.-= Jacqueline´s last post ..HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN……………… =-.
Deb: Couldn't agree more. I'm having a ball. I'm all set with a realtor but will let you know if that changes. Thanks!
Susan: Thanks for the welcome!
Raina: You said it. I'm blown away at all the fantastic homes here.
Sophie: I don't know if I'll be getting one but if I do, I would definitely leave it as is!
Ummm I think I want Southern Living too. Gorgeous homes! Yes I beleive your money goes a bit farther down south, which is GREAT. The image with the French fireplace and builtins is so so pretty.
You are in for a real treat! Happy house hunting!
I just came over from the Houzz interview. Oh–h it is fascinating to see that you're moving to Atlanta. I look forward to seeing which house you choose and how you made it your own!
.-= Carrie – Oak Rise Cottage´s last post ..Metamorphosis Monday and Blue Monday – Color On the Walls! Part II =-.
wowza! I love the houses… and I'm normally much more into modern homes like your husband. #2 and 3 are stunning though!
.-= karly / design crisis´s last post ..Bust Out the Jamz =-.
#3! But I am such a whore for space and porches that I'd take any of these.
.-= erin@designcrisis´s last post ..Bust Out the Jamz =-.
House hunting is so exciting! We’re lucky to get to follow your journey-to-a-new-home!
.-= virginia @ where you hang your hat´s last post ..halloween clean. =-.
Gorgeous homes! I love a big covered porch and all that wood work is to die for!
Btw, are you going to be relocating your Apartment Therapy work to ATL?
.-= Averill´s last post ..Colorful Backdrops, Part 2 =-.
Alek,
I love how you embrace change so beautifully! And I cannot wait to see you mix your modern love with the Southern old charm!
~Melissa
.-= Melissa´s last post ..A Renaissance Revival =-.
The are all beautiful! Can't wait to see what you select in the end.
xo,
cristin
.-= cristin @ simplified bee´s last post ..Thanksgiving Table Setting and Decorating Ideas =-.
I vote for #3. A dash of French does a soul good!
.-= susie Quillin´s last post ..List Love from LA =-.
how exciting about your move! and such beautiful houses you're looking at… I think there's a good chance there'll be window seats in those houses?
oh, and the built-in furniture is so lovely!
.-= Kristina´s last post ..this silly little dog =-.
The 3rd one! I've always liked houses with wings rather than ones that are just one big block. And that one looks as though it could have a walled garden and a folly. So does this mean your blog title will be getting even longer? From the RB to the LC to …?
.-= mise´s last post ..occasional Swedish whims =-.
Averill: That's up in the air for now. I'll keep you posted.
Melissa: Thank you. I actually love change (I'm a freak) so it's not a hardship at all.
Kristina: You know it!
mise: That is exactly the dilemma I'm grappling with right now! I have no idea what to do with the title! If you have suggestions, please send them my way.
These are all so beautiful how are you ever going to pick!? Can't wait to find out!
.-= Crystal @ Plush Palate´s last post ..I Spy a New Trend… =-.
Amazing options! If you need help decorating, I'm happy to fly out and join you in your shopping trips! Love your black and white striped rug shown on D*Sponge – I just got the same one for my den!
.-= Alissa´s last post ..A is for… Art =-.
These are so dreamy to me! I'm excited for you and impressed that you are so willing to go outside your style preference. Can't wait to see more! And how you end up making the house you choose your home.
.-= PS~Erin´s last post ..Help! =-.
Oh my! I can't wait to see what lovely house you end up with and then pictures of how you decorate it!:)
Those houses are beautiful! Makes me want to pack up and move south!
.-= Kristin @ Contented Me´s last post ..spotlight: loley's & co =-.
From the outside, #3 #3 #3 all the way!!!
(but yeah, they're all beautiful)
I can't believe that our universes are so aligned.
Over the weekend, we saw anything and everything in our price bracket. We narrowed it down to 3 homes and placed an offer on one this past Tuesday! http://www.abcddesign.com/archives/2009/11/04/hou…
It's so brilliant – the whole chance to nest and decorate a new home. I can't wait to try and make all my "old stuff" look new by using it in different rooms.
Best of luck in your negotiations!
Warmest Regards,
ABCD
what big news! congrats on the big move! so excited to follow you along your househunting adventure.
.-= jen jafarzadeh´s last post ..semikolon binders =-.
I thought you might like to get a sneak peek of the properties we've looked at: http://bit.ly/2N4EMB I posted them at Elizabeth Anne Designs this morning!
.-= ABC Dragoo´s last post ..Kitchen Tacciatore {OopSla!} Chicken Cacciatore =-.
oh my goodness, alek — all of these look fantastic! looking forward to see which one you choose
xo
.-= {this is glamorous|}´s last post ..{give-away: smokey quartz faceted earrings} =-.
Alek! Lovely places! I'm from the South, and I always miss that architecture with the tall ceilings, lush gardens, but amazing front porches most of all! Love that porch! I cannot WAIT to see the place you get and what you do with it! Best of luck!
.-= Lilah´s last post ..Office Monday =-.
You're heading to Atlanta?! Brilliant! I'm actually heading there too in a couple of years. Last week I ripped a page out of Southern Living and tacked it to my wall. Enjoy your porch swing and mason jar with lemonade.
.-= http://www.betterhomenogarden.com´s last post ..Crate and Barrel 15% Off =-.