Everyone’s favorite newlyweds arrived in Charlotte last Tuesday.
Sarah and Gage are going to stay with us for a few weeks while they look for jobs and an apartment and Gage helps Steve with some painting.
A couple of days after their arrival, we took our first Charlotte outing to Noda, Charlotte’s arts and entertainment district.
A highlight was finding a place that served gelato and frozen yogurt on a stick, covered with custom toppings. I chose the option of a freshly made waffle wrapped around a stick with toppings. Crazy good!
It was a great evening except when we were almost hit by a car as we crossed at a crosswalk. Sarah actually screamed rather loudly but all I could do was stare dazedly at the woman driving who had put one hand over her mouth and was looking alarmed. Thankfully, she had the courtesy to look alarmed, cover her mouth, and slam on her brakes.
This week, our outing is going to be a trip to IKEA, a place that Steve and I have never been to. Our four kids keep on telling us we really need to go and, although we are not fans of huge stores, we figure it will be an adventure. Plus, we’ll get to eat their Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam, so there’s that.
The guest bathroom almost did me in but I managed to win the round.
I was storing things in the tub, but with Sarah and Gage’s arrival, I had to change my approach.
The eventual result.
We are going to have the pink tiles painted (with some sort of special paint), remove the wallpaper, paint the walls, and put in new fixtures. This is my bathroom since the master bath is not really designed for two people.
I also battled the linen closet for a while. I had been using it for a catch-all while unpacking.
Don’t you love our laundry chute at the bottom of the closet? The clothes sit in the chute until I go down to the basement and open the trap door, whereupon they all merrily fall on my head. It’s great fun.
I have deemed that the den should remain clutter-free; it’s the only room in the house that is. I need one place where I can go to replenish my dwindling supply of sanity.
This room will eventually have new flooring and paint, as well. Also, the decor is not the final version. I just stuck some things on shelves so that I could trick myself into thinking I was actually moved in.
Our furniture is set in place with boxes surrounding it. At least we have a place to sit.
As I mentioned before, the wall to the right of the table will come out. This room, the kitchen, and the den (on the other side of the big wall) will all have the same flooring and paint to provide more of a feeling of continuity and open space.
In the midst of unpacking our own stuff, I am still cleaning out some things of Ken and Vernie’s. It was interesting to stumble on a few things from way back in the day. I mean carbon paper? When was the last time anyone ever saw carbon paper? So fun.
One of my favorite things about this house is the view out the kitchen window.
My mom always said she didn’t mind how many dishes she had to do, as long as she had something pretty to look at outside the window. Whenever we have come to visit over the years, I have always admired Vernie’s kitchen view. And now it’s mine!
Here’s a version of the view looking to the left of the window.
And on a different subject, I thought you would enjoy seeing this photo I just found of Steve and me, bringing Nathan home from the hospital. We were walking through the same kitchen door we are using today.
This house has provided shelter for so many years for the Smith family. It’s still a little hard for me to believe that Steve and I are its newest caretakers, entrusted with writing the next pages of its history. We’re looking forward to reading what those pages will say.
What about you?
Have you ever come across interesting, old stuff, going through a parent’s or relative’s home? What was your favorite thing?
Are you a fan of IKEA? Why or why not?
Have you ever painted bathroom tiles? Any advice?
I love that Sarah and Gage are now “in the house”! So glad y’all are getting out and about in the midst of all the unpacking and fixing.
I’ve never been in an IKEA but I’ve heard it’s lots of fun – especially if you like to put your furniture together 🙂
When we were cleaning out my parents house, we found 10 hacksaws (why??) but the really fun thing was an old film projector and reels of tape of ME 🙂 I’m an only child so that’s why there was only me – lol.
It won’t be long before it will be all put together the way you want it to be. You have a gift with decorating and making spaces beautiful. Enjoy the process!
Suzanne,
Well. You never know when you might need a hacksaw or two!
And how fabulous that the reels of tape were YOU. I bet you had a lot of fun watching your past unwind.
In April 2019, my cousin, her mom and I cleaned out my aunt’s house to get ready to sell. My grandmother had passed away in 1989. We found her wallet along with her Medicare card. Last October, I cleaned out my parents’ house. I’ve told you some of the things I found. Not sure that I ever told you about the high heel white lace up boots I found in one of my mom’s cedar chests. They were in a zip lock back. I asked my mom what they were. She thought they were her mother’s wedding shoes. My grandparents were married in 1919.
There is an IKEA in the KC area. It is an experience for sure. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes when you go. I haven’t bought a lot of things there. I have bought some simple paring knives and spatulas there. As I recall, they weren’t very expensive. I’ve also bought a hanger with 16 plastic clothespins on it. I use it to hang my “unmentionables” to dry. I pack shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse each year. I’ve gotten some stuffed animals and plastic silverware and dinnerware to put in the shoeboxes. My sister-in-law bought cabinets for her craft room. Just be prepared to put it together if you get anything like that.
I’ve never painted tile and doubt I ever will attempt to do that!
Glad Sarah and Gage have made the move. Hopefully they can find jobs and an apartment quickly. The view from your kitchen window is so peaceful. My kitchen window looks out over a driveway, on the other side is another cottage’s kitchen window.
I remember when my aunt used to do the bulletin for her church. She had one of those mimeograph machines that you cranked the handle to get copies.
Phyllis,
I can’t imagine doing a bulletin where you have to crank the handle to get copies. I’m grateful for new technology.
How wonderful to find wedding shoes from 1919. What a treasure! You never know what you’re going to find cleaning out a house and it sounds like you’ve had plenty of experience with that.
What a beautiful, park-like view out your kitchen window! And carbon paper – wow – I remember it, but can’t remember the last time I actually SAW some. I had to laugh at your description of the laundry falling on your head! But I guess using the chute is better than having to carry it to the basement. And the old telephone hook up reminded me of my grandparents; except theirs was actually hardwired into the wall. I’m glad you’re gradually getting settled and that Sarah & Gage are there. Have a wonderful week!
Sue Ellen,
Yes, the falling laundry adds quite the dash of adventure to my life. 🙂
So glad we no longer have to use carbon paper; I don’t have many fond memories of it.
Our very first apartment had knotty pine. So in looking at your pictures reminded me of that. Keep telling yourself, “these boxes will soon pass out of this home.” Sometimes it takes more to find some for the moving than it does getting rid of them. What a beautiful view out the window – yes, trying to wash dishes looking at a wall is just not how it should be done. Hope it won’t be long before the “kids” find a job and an apartment.
But know they will be a big help while they are there. Love the treasures you found!
Sharyn,
That knotty pine will be a bit of a challenge in the painting department. That seemed to really be the thing back in the day.
Yes, we’re glad to have the kids here for this season. They are always good company and good help.
Welcome to the greater Charlotte area. I hope everyone adjusts well. We live out in Hickory and I’m thinking the newlyweds might find it more affordable out this way and towards Statesville. Depending on their area, our church has a part time opening that is within what I believe to be Sarah’s skill set. https://www.sslcms.org/broadcast-production-technician
As for the tiles, a paint treatment is a great update unless the area gets a lot of use. Good luck!
Kristy,
Sarah and Gage do want to live outside the city; they are not real thrilled with city driving or city prices.
Thanks for the link to the job. Her skills are more on the creative side than technical but that will be a great opportunity for someone.
I have only been to an IKEA once and stopped myself from buying much. Every now and then I can behave myself! There is one about an hour from here, but I truly don’t need anything.
When I moved here I had a wonderful time filling some shelves with tea cups my Aunt gave me, I never had room before. This house was built in the early 40’s so the rooms are small upstairs. Downstairs is another bedroom and a huge living room along with the laundry room. So I finally had enough room to put all my things out, including my shell collection from Florida and the Outer Banks. There is ample storage down there in the unfinished laundry room. The only drawback is the steep stairs, so I pretty much stay upstairs.
I look forward to seeing all the changes you make to make this your new home!
Cindy,
Isn’t it great to actually have space for the favorite things in your life?
And how cool to live in a house built so long ago. Sounds like it has lots of character.
I love love love the vintage pink tiles. I wouldn’t paint them.
Kimberly,
We’ve actually tossed around the idea of not painting them and just working with them. We haven’t really decided yet but it’s good to see a vote for the pink side!
Your kitchen window view is beautiful and soothing! I’m so happy that Sarah and Gage will be nearby, what a blessing for all of you. The metal box labeled Autoknips interested me too, turns out they were for a camera self-timer. https://www.etsy.com/listing/888831614/autoknips-vintage-german-photographic?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-electronics_and_accessories-other&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC04qs3MH9r-sKnnnhiy6DoGDENXk9UHiaSu3yNOuqxO00FJKqrPwRs8aAnBtEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_1843970779_69216055905_346429257761_pla-315906365691_c__888831614_12768591&utm_custom2=1843970779&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC04qs3MH9r-sKnnnhiy6DoGDENXk9UHiaSu3yNOuqxO00FJKqrPwRs8aAnBtEALw_wcB
Jackie,
Isn’t that Autoknips the coolest thing? When I first found it, I stared at it for a while and had no clue. I went and showed it to Steve who can figure out just about anything and he wasn’t real sure either but was getting close to an answer. We had to Google it like you. 🙂
Very ingenious!
My sister and I found so many funny, interesting, unique things whilst cleaning out my Mom’s house, we were laughing and crying about things she had saved…..I have only been to IKEA once in NJ and it was a bit overwhelming to me, I don’t know how it is in NC but it was kind of like a tour…..if that makes sense, we went from floor to floor in a group and just kept going. The backyard views are beautiful and once you get settled, you will be making such nice new memories and how nice that Sarah and Gage are there, such a sweet couple.
Dale,
That’s the thing when cleaning out a house; you never know what a drawer or a box or a closet will reveal. You’re right about the laughter and the tears. It’s definitely an emotional experience.
We are actually heading to IKEA in a couple of hours. I will finally be able to say I did it!
Ikea is a fun place to wander-when I lived in Eastern Europe for a few years (teaching English), I went to the local Ikea to buy some new apartment furniture. I barely knew the local language yet, and English wasn’t widely spoken, so it was fun trying to work with the sales reps to get what I needed and make sure it was delivered correctly. It all worked out and my furniture arrived, then it was the fun of assembling it myself!
I have looked into the painting for wall tiles-I found out there are actually companies who will do it in just a few days for a relatively reasonable price-given the multilayered process and the smelly work involved, I added it to my list of house projects that I’m willing to hire out at some point 🙂
Linnae,
Wow. Buying furniture in a place where English isn’t spoken would be quite an adventure. Sounds like you handled it well since the furniture did eventually arrive. I know you were doubtless relieved to see that the right things had been ordered.
We have heard that painting those tiles would be very smelly. Definitely a good time to be out of the house.
When we moved into our home, the bathroom had pink tiles, pink tub, pink toilet, and pink sink. It was just way too much. Several years later we gutted it and redid it. Needless to say, I’m not a fan of the pink tiles. However, they are very retro and lots of people love them!
I have never been to an Ikea store. I hear lots of talk about them though. Should be an adventure. And the meatballs and lignonberry jam sounds even more interesting!
Good luck to Sarah and Gage as they search for jobs in their new town!
LeeAnne,
That is a LOT of pink. I’m thankful for us that it’s just the tiles. And as you said, the retro look is coming back so who knows? Maybe we’ll stick with them.
The meatballs and lignonberry jam is wonderful. It’s served with mashed potatoes.
I actually love the pink tiles! Is that weird? They’re an endangered species. https://savethepinkbathrooms.com/
Glad to hear your move is coming together. How special to be moving into a house that includes such treasured memories. I guess the appraisal value can never capture something so priceless.
When we were going through photos for my grandpa’s funeral, we found the lovely senior portrait my grandma had given him way back in 1956. The running joke in our family is that Grandpa wore his (very tender) heart on his sleeve, while Grandma is not one for sentimentality. Imagine our delight when we flipped over the photograph to discover the romantic message she had written to her sweetheart all those years ago: “Gary, it’s been fun being your girl friend, but we’ll see how long it lasts.” We laughed until we cried. I’m giggling just writing it. For the record, they married the year after she graduated, adopted my mom four weeks later (!!), and went on to have two more children during their 62 years of marriage. He called her “My Honey” and every day, he’d ask her, “Have I told you yet today how beautiful you are?” Talk about #couplesgoals.
Meredith,
Sounds like a lot of people are loving pink bathrooms these days. Love that website!
I absolutely loved hearing about your Grandpa and Grandma especially, “We’ll see how long it lasts.” They did see how long, didn’t they?
And adopting a child four weeks after getting married? Kudos to them for their big hearts. And I love what he said to her every day. Couple goals, indeed.
We found some old newspapers and Life magazines in my parents home. Also a receipt for the first time they stayed at the campground that became my summer home for 41 year. They paid $7.00 for full hookups in 1977. Last year a full hookup spot was $90.00!
I love IKEA but we rarely go as it is not near where we live now. I really like the meatballs and the lingonberry soda. It isn’t so much a big store as an experience to walk thru.
I have not painted tiles, but imagine that the special paint will make it not peel off. Enjoy making the house your home.
Patti,
Steve’s parents kept some old magazines and newspapers, too. So fun to look through!
Seven dollars to ninety dollars. Quite a change. But how wonderful to be reminded that they loved the same place you’ve loved all these years.