Fall Table: White Pumpkins & Hydrangeas – Holiday Table Setting Ideas.
I hate my house.
There, I said it.
I realize it’s a bold thing to say when I blog about my house.
And ironic.
So let’s be clear: while I hate my house I don’t hate my home. The distinction being this place … this structure … holds so many memories I’ll forever cherish.
And this place … this structure … holds so many fun (and challenging) DIY projects I tackled and documented here.
But this place … this structure …
… this shell that houses all those memories? That’s what I no longer love.
You could say I’m ready to shed this place …
this structure …
this shell of a house.
Now, I didn’t always hate this house. In fact there were many years where my heart had nothing but love and adoration for this structure.
From the moment we first met, it was love at first sight. I knew it was the one for me.
For us.
And over the years, we’ve painted and decorated and painted and decorated again as we’ve grown as a family and made those memorable memories.
We even added space on the back to accommodate our growing family.
But sometime over the last five years or so, I’ve soured.
Mostly because we’re at the point where big changes need to be made. Big, expensive gut changes to bathrooms and kitchens and basements. Oh, and there are big, expensive things that are pushing the limits of their warranties (like roof shingles and appliances and heating/cooling systems).
In a normal real estate market, we would make those investments and see returns when we sell …
… but we don’t live in a normal real estate market. In my Chicago neighborhood, my house is a tear down.
And it’s not a tear down because it’s a horrible home. It’s a tear down because this market can bear a much larger, much more expensive home. Something in the $1.2 – $1.5 million range.
And to get that $1.2-$1.5 price tag, it’s so much easier to tear down and build anew. I’ve watched it happen time and time again …
In fact, there are two such projects happening on my stretch of block as I type this.
So any big investments we might make (kitchen, bathroom, roof) will net nothing.
Nada. Zero. Zilch.
Our home’s value is not in the structure. But in the land upon which it sits.
So here we live. Biding our time. Painting walls and buying new rugs to refresh our homes interior as we wait …
and wait …
and wait. All the while hoping the next big storm doesn’t blow off the roof shingles. And holding our breath as we turn on the heat for the first time each Fall …
and the A/C each Spring.
But when finally do move (hopefully sometime in the next 4-5 years), there is one house love I’ll miss most …
the screen porch.
It was a top reason we feel in love with this house. And continues to one of the top things we love about this house. 🙂
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Fall Table with Painted Pumpkins
Sharing: | Between Naps on the Porch | Savvy Southern Style |
Beautiful table.
Many days, I think just like you. IF ONLY…………………………….BUT, Just think of the people on the islands who lost their shacks–I have been to many of those islands, and the people not involved in the tourism industry, or living in a second home, live in SHACKS. Many in Puerto Rico did not even have doors. It makes me sad when I look at my house and think it is probably my last before an apartment, or assisted living, but I want to try to enjoy it while I have it, and be thankful. You have a talent to share and we enjoy it. BRAVO for being transparent though, and sharing your “human” side. Happy FALL!!! Julie
I know what you mean and I hope I didn’t come off as insensitive. I’m fully aware of the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and has given as much as I can (using profits that I earn from this blog) to both victims of Irma in Houston and Maria in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. I adore the Caribbean and my heart breaks for everyone who have lost all they have & know! So I do count my blessings and am very thankful I have a roof over my head and access to food & water. Thanks for the reminder and I am humbled!
Oh I totally understand your post today. We just moved into a sweet neighborhood in Arlington Heights and each house is cuter than the next. With that said there are some newer bigger homes being built on tear downs. I still love the quaint feel of this neighborhood and we are only a few blocks off the beautiful downtown area for great shops and restaurants that is what makes this neighborhood so desirable. I love the older smaller homes like the one we bought and hope for awhile it will not become a haven for tear downs. You just do not find wonderful old quaint neighborhoods like this anymore. Life is short and if you are not feeling at home anymore then you should venture out to see if there is another home that you will fall in love with. Sometimes life changes like this are a good thing. Your table is gorgeous. Love the light blue hydrangeas with all the pretty whites.
Hugs,
Kris
Oh wow! I have relatives in Arlington Heights! My husband’s nephew & wife live with their two little daughters near that great downtown area. I just love the quaint shops and restaurants there! And my husband’s sister has raised her kids there too somewhere near the golf course. They, too, still live and we spend most holidays in Arlington Heights!
I totally understand your point…it’s a shame though I think. To tear down the old houses…just for something more modern. Why not restore…revitalize? Your table is gorgeous…I love the play between the pumpkins, hydrangeas and your crystal! 😉
I know, right? I guess Chicago has a lot of really great old homes preserved already! Plus, for contractors, it’s so much easy to get new house plans approved through building code vs. a renovation project. Ah well! 🙂
I think it doesn’t help that you’re mentally ready to move on and you have to keep your bodies where you are – for everybody’s sake. I felt that when I divorced my first husband in my mind! 😂
So true, my friend! Plus, I’m not even sure where we will move on to? Here in Chicago? Somewhere along the East coast? Somewhere warm? Sigh … 🙂
Linda, You could have been writing MY story. I feel the same way about my house. I have felt stuck here for many years. I fear I will be stuck for many more. I love your tablescape. I think it’s the prettiest autumn table I’ve seen. Are the hydrangeas kissing balls? Do you have a tutorial on them? Thank you for sharing such a lovely table and such a personal story.
Amy
It’s true that misery loves company! And thanks about the tablescape. And the hydrangea balls are actually just real hydrangeas I picked up at the grocery store and I just cut off the heads and tucked them among the pumpkins. Not too practical since it only lasts for a day! I should probably find a tutorial on how to dry out hydrangeas and then I could’ve kept them as a dry flower arrangement in a vintage toolbox or something! 🙂
I feel your pain. I live in Algonquin. We remodeled 2 of our bathrooms last year – they just had to be done. We love our house (most of the time), our backyard, and our neighborhood so figure we’ll be here another 5-10 years. We did invest a little money for things we liked but also know we probably won’t get much of that back.
Oh wow! What a beautiful table! Very inspiring
Thank you! 🙂
I understand your comments as my daughter lives in an area like yours. My home is on the other end of the spectrum. Our real estate values continue to drop due to slow economy and dying town. We need to invest $$ in our home and will but we will never see that money returned when selling it. As you have mentioned, I love my home and we will continue living in it and loving it until we must move due to age/declining health. So we appreciate it for now and feel blessed to own it.
Love your table scape and understand why you love your screened in porch. We also have one that is an extension of our living space. Again, blessed!