Two weeks ago, we were invited to dinner at the home of a couple in our church.
And not just any ol’ couple, mind you. We were invited by this couple.
Yep. Our first official meal with the newlyweds in their charming, 600-square feet apartment. They thought you might enjoy a tour.
Sarah found her table at a thrift store. I’ve raised her right.
On the menu was one of Sarah’s specialty dishes: cannellini beans, Italian sausage, and fresh spinach. A simple and delicious repast.
After dinner, it was time for a tour of their home.
I love that their kitchen sink is near a window overlooking trees. My mom has always said that she never minded doing dishes as long as she had something pretty to look at. Gage had just installed the shelves on either side of the sink; they are perfect for that space.
In lieu of a bookcase, they have creatively displayed their library in their coffee table.
I love that this is the desk that Sarah had in her room since she was a teenager. (Also found at a thrift store.)
Some wider views.
As you know, Gage is one talented fella.
Here are a couple of his creations starting with a fisherman, complete with pole and string.
And one half of a bookend set he made.
I had to smile when I saw this suitcase being used as a bedside table. Until Sarah was seven, we lived full-time in an RV where every single inch of space was utilized in creative ways so I was appreciative of the setup. As she explained to me, “I needed a bedside table and we needed a place to store our suitcase.” Voila!
Since this apartment is on the third floor of a private home, the ceilings can be a little challenging. Creativity was called for when hanging the shower curtain.
We actually got a gift while we were there. Gage’s mom, Casey, made Steve and me matching mugs, which joined the ones she had already made for Sarah and Gage. So lovely that my daughter has such a gifted and generous mother-in-law.
Sarah and Gage are coffee aficionados so they had to show off their coffee-making accouterments. They have several ways to make coffee and they enjoy all of them.
This little gadget summed up very well the eclectic nature of their personalities and their home. An old-timey looking speaker used as an amplifier for a cell phone. And yes, it actually works great–without being plugged into anything. (They used it to play lovely background music while we ate.)
I have to say it was a little surreal to walk up the steps to the apartment and knock on the front door–the front door of my daughter and her husband.
Steve and I are so proud of Sarah and Gage and the huge obstacles they’ve overcome these past months. The weeks before their wedding were so incredibly stressful and then after the wedding, there have still been various health challenges, including Gage’s broken finger, surgery, recovery, and having to leave his job because of it. But they have relied on their faith and their confidence that God provides the big and small needs of their lives.
And on that note, I may have mentioned before how they got their apartment but let me recap it since we’re on the subject.
I’ll start by saying the housing situation on the Outer Banks is difficult, to say the least. Affordable housing is almost nonexistent. I’ve seen a single room and bathroom go for $1200 a month and when something does open up, long lines form immediately.
That was one of the challenges of Gage moving here last year; we had no idea where he was going to live.
As it turns out, a couple of Sundays before he arrived, Steve was telling the congregation that he was coming and that he needed housing. A man in the congregation (who only attends occasionally) spoke to Steve after the service and said his brother-in-law’s apartment on the top floor of his house had just become available and he was getting ready to advertise it.
Some calls were made and Sarah and Steve went to look at it that afternoon, taking a video of it to send to Gage. He liked it, the price was excellent and the landlord was willing to hold it a couple of weeks until Gage moved to town. It even included the free use of a washer and dryer. Definitely God’s timing and provision for Gage.
And then, of course, after the wedding, a certain lovely bride joined him in that small, love-filled space that they have made uniquely theirs.
I am so thankful that in this season of life (however short or long it might be), I have my daughter and son-in-law living just five minutes away. It’s a rare thing for Steve and me to have family nearby so we are especially grateful.
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s tour of the Long House; Sarah and Gage were excited about sharing their home with everyone.
What about you?
What was your first apartment/house like? What was your favorite and least favorite thing about it?
Were there any quirks about it that you remember, like Sarah and Gage hanging their shower curtain on a wire?
Are you a coffee aficianado? Do you have coffee tips or tricks to share? What’s your favorite coffee accesory?
I commented previously, but saw the cups again and had to say how beautiful they are. I have to tone myself down when I see new cups because my shelves cannot hold any more. I get cups for Christmas and the fall season. These look like they are just my size, style, year, etc., but am thankful I can say, “no” because she is not near me and even if she would mail these out – I must stand my ground and still say no.
Sharyn,
That’s so funny that you need to “stand your ground.” I completely understand because I am always tempted to get mugs when I go to thrift stores. Mugs have such unique personalities; I really love them.
My first place on my own was a converted three car garage. It had a tiny bathroom, a rather large living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Then there was a small room in the middle that didn’t make sense. There was a tiny apartment above me. My brother moved into the house on the property after I moved to house. My Mom is in the process of selling the property right now for over a million dollars, as is to a contractor for over a million dollars. Home prices are crazy in CA. I am impressed with Sarah and Gages finding such creative ways to fit their belongings. Such a cute place and I love the deck.
Cindy,
I love the idea of a “room that doesn’t make sense.” 🙂 Sounds interesting.
Crazy prices are right. And I thought Manteo was high-priced.
Yes, Sarah and Gage are definitely good at the creative side of living in a small space.
What a cozy and wonderful new home for Sarah and Gage! They’ve done a great job decorating it! I’m so glad things are working out so well for them.
How are you doing with the adjustment to empty nest, Becky?
Those Mugs are beautiful! Does she sell them or have an Etsy page?
My first home on my own was a tiny apartment in Calgary the same size as Gage and Sarah’s apartment. I love it and loved finding inexpensive ways to decorate it and make it my own.
Jenna,
The empty nest adjustments continue but I’m doing better than I was. Thanks for asking. I know you’re dealing with your own empty nest challenges. It’s not easy, is it?
Casey doesn’t have an Etsy page; if you’d like, I can send her your email address and she can contact you if she is able to take an order. I won’t do that, though, until I hear back from you.
I think small homes are kind of nice; they’re cozy and you’re not tempted to fill them up with so much stuff. Your first home sounds it like has a special place in your heart.
Becky,
I’m so glad to hear that you are doing okay with all the empty next adjustments. You are so right– it is an enormous change and everything is different once the last chick flies. Even though we’re of course happy for them it is am immense change in the lives of the parents. I’m thinking of you and Steve as you too navigate this change. It’s amazing to me that we are both going through this at the same time.
Eric and I continue to explore what the future holds for us now that both Samantha and Joe moved out in a very short period of time. We are closely considering and looking into adopting again- we have submitted the application but I don’t know if that door will actually open again. It’s a time of not knowing what the future holds.
That is so kind of you to offer to pass on my email to her about the Mugs. I would love that! I don’t want her to feel any pressure or obligation though. But if she is open to it, that would be fantastic.
Sending you a big Canadian hug!
.
Jenna,
How exciting that you have opened the door to adopting again. You guys would be a huge blessing to any child (or young adult) and I know the reverse is true, as well.
I contacted Casey this morning about the mugs; she said she would be glad to take an order but since she doesn’t have her own kiln, she can’t guarantee how long it will take to deliver the product. I gave her your email and will also privately send her email to you so you can reach out.
Here’s to us empty nesters–we’ve got this!
Dear Becky, thank you so much for the tour of the Long’s cozy apartment! I’m sure many of your readers have wondered, as I have, what it looked like. They have definitely turned it into a home. It will be wonderful to sit on the deck on crisp, cool fall afternoons! We are definitely coffee lovers! In addition to a Krups “Simply Brew” 5-cup drip pot (Amazon) which makes SUPERB coffee, we have a Chemex and a Keurig. The Keurig gets the most use, by far, because of the convenience. The best coffee-making tip ever came from the very Pastor Steve Smith! After watching me make a cup of coffee for him one afternoon, he graciously pointed out that it is necessary to add WATER to the Keurig before attempting to make the coffee; otherwise, you get a fascinating hissing sound – but no coffee – at the end of the brewing cycle. That tip serves me well every time I make coffee in the Keurig, and I am eternally grateful to Pastor Steve for his guidance. As I have commented before, he is truly a man of many talents! Love, Fred & Lucy
Fred,
But the fascinating hissing sound is so FUN! I’m glad Steve was willing to share one of his nuggets of wisdom with you and that it has had an impact on your life. 🙂
I love Sarah and Gage’s little apartment. They have done a great job making it just right for them and they have been very creative using every inch of the space.
I think all young people should start off in a small place. This way they can’t accumulate lots of things and they have something to look forward to as they move into their first house.
My husband and I moved into a old three room farm house that had been partially renovated when we were first married to try and save money. The room where we had our washer, dryer was also our closet, linen closet and just a catch all for anything else we couldn’t find a space to put. This room had not been redone and had old wooden floors. Funny story….not so funny at the time though. It was cool one night and I got a blanket out of the closet/laundry room to wrap up while we were watching TV. When I went to put the blanket back, there was a long snake skin laying on the other blanket in the closet!!! Awww…..we spent the night with my brother and the next day we moved into an apartment. No more partially renovated farm houses for us.
As far as coffee, I have never acquired a taste for it I just drink Dr. Pepper instead. lol
Prayers for a wonderful weekend.
Joy,
That’s so funny. That’s exactly what I would have done in your situation. None of this “let’s get rid of the snake” and hope for the best. Nope! You were OUT of there! Love it.
I just love their new apartment. They have made it so home-y! And I love their creativity for a small place. I’ve watched those shows where people move into tiny homes and there are some cool ideas they have to put things.
I’m glad you had a fabulous meal with a special couple!
Krista,
It’s amazing how creative a person can get when the space is minimal. Sort of fun to find ways to make it all work.
Glad to see they got their colored Kitchen-Aid mixer! 😀
Kathleen,
Yes, they did. And I got my silver one! Two happy cooks in Manteo.
I was just thinking about you yesterday; glad to see your name pop up here.
No coffee tips from me as I don’t like coffee. Don’t even like the smell of it really.
My first apartment was my junior year of college. It was a studio with a combo living room, kitchen. There was a Murphy bed that pulled out of the wall. The dresser was in the bathroom.
My first house was 900 square feet. It had a pedestal sink so no storage underneath. The bathroom was tiny, the width of a bathtub. To think my parents raised 3 kids with a bathroom that size is unbelievable.
Love how Sarah and Gage have decorated their apartment. My niece and her husbands apartment is about the same size as theirs.
Love the mugs!
Phyllis,
My hat is off to your parents for accomplishing the raising of their family in such small quarters. It’s amazing what you can do if you have to!
Not many people can say they’ve slept on a Murphy bed! 🙂
Oh, I love their little home! I tend to believe that if you start out in a small house, you build BIG love because it takes a lot of patience, compassion, laughter, grace, compromise, etc… to live “all up in each other’s business” because you can’t get away from one another when you are upset. We started out in a little triplex and almost 30 years later I think I might be ready to go back to a little house.
I know you are so thankful that they live close by. I miss my older son a lot but they are moving closer soon so YAY! Just in time for my younger son to move away – BOO.
No coffee for me! I don’t even like coffee flavored candy/desserts! BUT I love your new coffee mugs! I bet those mugs will get lots of use (and can hold hot tea, too)!
Tell Sarah and Gage thank you for sharing their sweet home. Praying God’s blessings on them always!
Suzanne,
You’re so right. If you have several bedrooms, it’s easier to not have to face what’s buggin’ ya! And Sarah says that when they do move to a little larger house, they will appreciate it more than if they’d started out with something bigger.
Glad you’re gaining one son but sad you’re losing another. Life just sort of ebbs and flows like that, doesn’t it?
Love Sarah and Gage’s sweet little house–so cozy and homey. And their coffee table library is genius! So glad you can have them close by for this time–such a gift. ♥️
And speaking of gifts, Casey’s coffee mugs for you guys are so beautiful! Those Longs are a very talented bunch!
We started out in an apartment and then after a few months, moved to a nice duplex on Lilac Ln. I always appreciate a pretty street name. Now 30 some years and a multitude of addresses later, we live on Buse St. which is so not pretty! But I love my house, so I guess I can put up with it. 🙂
Love you guys! ♥️
Deb
Deb,
That coffee table is only holding a small portion of their total tonnage of books! But at least they have their favorites nearby. 🙂
I hadn’t remembered you’d lived on a Lilac Ln. Lovely, indeed. Can’t wait to see the Buse St. digs!
What a sweet, sweet apartment the newlyweds have created. And what a nice deck, too. I’m glad you and Steve were able to join them for dinner and take us on the tour. I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Sue Ellen,
Yes, I especially love that deck with the little benches (and Egg Chair) to sit on. Nice to overlook the trees.
Our first apartment was an upstairs duplex. Except for the bathroom, it was all knotty pine. Our furniture at first was borrowed (couch and chair), we owned our bed and a card table that was a wedding gift. The bathroom had a claw foot tub. It was a cute little place. Lived there for about 2 years and took the bus to work.
Sharyn,
I can just picture your little duplex done up in knotty pine. That’s not something you see every day.
And how fun to have a claw foot tub! I haven’t seen one of those in a long time.
(This comment is from Vernie, Steve’s mom.)
Hello, Enjoyed the tour of the apartment. Every inch so adorable!
The first apartment Ken and I had was in an old Plantation house in Del Rio, Texas. Two large rooms and a tiny bathroom off the kitchen which had been a closet. There were 4 apartments in the house. The landlady reminded me that I wasn’t properly hanging the wash on the line. Humm who knew. 😀
It had windows the length of the kitchen and I bought plastic tie-back curtains for them even though we were only there several months. 😀
Vernie,
Thanks for sharing your memory. I would sure like to have known what your landlady thought you were doing wrong with hanging laundry. Didn’t know there was a right and wrong way! 🙂
You were so brave moving so far away the day after your wedding. You’re an inspiration.
what a fun apartment! i’d like to know more about the picture of the pig and old-time folks.
My first apartment was on the ground level… although the entrance to the building was on the third floor. there were 10 apartments, and we all became friends who often celebrated holidays together. I had 2 dogs, so being on the first floor was perfect. and I won the Beautiful Patio Award. I actually planted flowers on three sides of the fence, and around my building.
Mrs. Pam,
That photo was a poster from a favorite movie of Gage’s called The Wind Rises. He showed it to us and it was fabulous.
That’s different to enter on the third floor to go to a first-floor apartment. Sounds like you did MORE than your part in making it a beautiful place–relationship-wise and flower-wise.
What a cute apartment! It is perfect for them as newlyweds. I remember those days. I could have lived in a closet with my new husband and been deliriously happy. They have made it their home so quickly and the deck and yard are cozy. Well done! I hope they remain nearby as their future unfolds.
Please thank Sarah for sharing, much enjoyed 🙂
Lesley,
Ah yes. Newlywed love. Live in a closet. Live in a palace. It doesn’t matter!
They have definitely made a house a home with their unique fingerprints all over it. So much fun to go over and visit with them in their own spot.
The Long home looks lovely and cozy. Perfect! Thanks to Sarah and Gage for sharing!!
Our first place as a married couple was a small trailer house. It was small but adequate and the price was SO cheap! It allowed us to save our money for buying a house. I loved that it was OURS and I really loved turning that bachelor pad into our home together. I did not like that it was a trailer with no basement and the summer storms and tornado threats were awful! I remember a big hail storm once….my heavens it was SO LOUD!!
We both love our coffee. I’m happy with the Mr. Coffee coffee maker. I like to use different kinds of coffees and grind the beans occasionally. My honey loves making his coffee with the Keurig that was his mom’s which he got when she passed away. It really does make wonderful coffee!!
Lee Anne,
Oh my. After years of living in an RV, I completely understand how you felt about living in a trailer house and weathering storms. We spent some scary moments, as I’m sure you did, too.
But that early small house just made the house you bought all the sweeter.
Yes, Sarah and Gage are very much into grinding beans; seems to make a big difference in the final outcome.
Lovely!!
Wondering……does Gage ever make things to sell? I just love the fisherman.
Your family has been in my prayers for years.
Much love from Tennessee
Kim
Kim,
Thank you for the longtime prayers from Tennessee. So encouraging to hear that.
I will send you an email with Gage’s contact info and you can be in touch with him about whether or not he can make items to sell right now. Thanks for asking!
The apartment is charming, especially the kitchen! Sarah’s specialty dish looks quite delicious. I look forward to meeting the talented couple. Gage’s fisherman with pole is also impressive!
I have fond memories of an efficiency apartment in Boca Raton, FL. The floor to ceiling kitchen window added charm to a very small space. The short drive to Spanish River park and beach was very nice. I treasured sightings of wild parrots and the small lizards that ran about! I lived in Boca Raton from 1988-1992 and I still look forward to my next visit to South FL.
Casey’s coffee mugs are beautiful. I have used the Chemex glass pour over coffee prep method for years. I like preparing each cup individually, the ceremonial morning cup (cups)!
Blessings to the Smith and Long families.
Gloria,
A floor-to-ceiling window sounds like a dream come true; almost like you’re living outside. I can only imagine the fond memories you have of that place and those years.
Sarah and Gage love their pour-over method; as you said, it’s very ceremonial.
What a beautiful apartment. The setting looks so lovely too. I love the swing seat by the front door and the view of the boat. They have really made it cosy and a proper Home. I’m sure you are glad they are so close to you. My daughter and HER new husband are 15 minutes away by car, which is also perfect. I wasn’t ready to let quite go of her yet 🙂
Much love, Teresa xx
Teresa,
Yes, I do love their outside scenery with the deck and the trees and boat. A good place to go for respite and fresh air.
Happy for you that your daughter and husband are close, too. Isn’t it such a treasure . . . however long it lasts?