Home Sweet Home

After a whirlwind two months, things have settled enough to actually sit down and write a post.  In May, hubby and I began searching for a house.  We felt that we had been apartment dwellers long enough and wanted a place to call our own with a backyard that Maui could call her own.  We searched much of the DFW metroplex trying to find a neighborhood that would fit us and a commute that wouldn't kill us.  As our search continued, we felt that this might never be possible until we visited the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas.  This up and coming gem is filled with houses built in the early 1900s and new, independent restaurants that have popped up during its gentrification and rejuvenation. 

From the moment we saw our house, we knew it was the one... much the way that hubby and I met and how we met Maui.  Our house was built in 1936, and although some parts have been redone, all remodeling has kept a nod to the past.  Hubby and I love these little details that remind us of the house's history.  For example, we have a telephone nook in the hallway which must have been where the one central telephone was put. 

 Our new home!

 I think this may be the original door knob... how cool!

 This is our mail slot from the inside of the house... they just don't make stuff like this anymore

Understandably, our home search and the move have kept me busy over the last two months.  Things are finally starting to settle down... and things are finally out of boxes.  I am beginning to envision how we will decorate the rooms and add our touches to the house.  I thought I would share with you views of the house as I get to cleaning it up and decorating. 

To begin, I would like to introduce you to our living room.  It is the first room you enter when you enter the house through the front door, and, therefore, also serves as our foyer.  It's a lovely light filled room with plantation shutter windows and a gas fireplace.  My mom came to Texas to help with the move, and while she was here we made a new coffee table with tin ceiling panels we picked up at a flea market in McKinney (I love being handy in our garage!).  We are holding onto our old couches but I am trying to re-imagine them by adding new pillows that bring a new feeling to the room as well as some new accent colors.

This is the view from the wall next to the front door

You can see the new (but vintage looking) sconces and the detail in the corner of the archway to the dining room

This is the coffee table we made... I am very proud of it

The tin panels are so fun... I love the style they add to the room

Here are my mom and I using our new saw... I love power tools!

My dad was in town for Father's Day and pitched in during our project

In addition to the new home, we have a new family addition.  Hubby and I felt that Maui was a little lonely and might want a playmate to share her yard with.  Lanai (Leni for short) is a shih tzu/poodle mix rescue who is about 11 months old.  She and Maui are getting along well even with the slight difference in size.  Leni is super cuddly and has made herself at home in our new house. 

 Welcome Leni!

I promise to introduce you to more rooms in the house and add more puppy pictures (hubby can't get enough).  Thank you for coming along with us as our Texas adventures continue!