We promised pics of the old house all vacant and ready for the new owners so here they are (brought to you thanks to sitting in a booth at Panera to get WiFi since we can’t get that stuff hooked up at our new house until tomorrow). As for yesterday, we hoped to share more updates and info for you guys, but as anyone who has ever tried to coordinate a “domino” closing (when one person closes on your house, you wait for the funds to come through and attempt to close on a second house in the same day) knows, there’s usually nothing easy about it. The buyers of our house had an unexpected delay, as did we, which resulted in us not actually getting to close yesterday (thank goodness we did this morning). But the previous owners of our new house were so kind to pass along the keys to us anyway (since they knew we had nowhere to go and a truck full of stuff). Love them. Oh and did we mention that we got a surprise snowstorm (which actually caused quite the adventure when it came to physically getting things from one house to another- more details on that later).
Long story short, after hours of unpacking and trying to settle the bean and the pooch we collapsed into bed our mattress on the floor at around 1am. And although we’ve never been more tired, we couldn’t stop perma-smiling. There’s nothing like the first night spent in your new house. And thankfully Clara and Burger appeared to feel the same way (so far they’ve been varsity adjusters to the whole thing). We’ll have more details about moving day and some pics of the new house just as soon as we can get them together for ya (maybe this afternoon?). But for now, let’s feast our eyes on the former Casa Petersik in its first-day-as-compared-to-last-day glory. First here’s a look back at the old exterior to compare to our snow pic above:
And here’s what the living room looked like when we moved in:
Here’s what it looked like when we closed the door that final time:
And here’s the kitchen then:
And now:
The den then:
The den as we left it:
The master bedroom then:
And the master bedroom now:
Here’s the office/guest bedroom/playroom then:
And that room now:
Here’s the room that was a formal dining room when we moved in:
That we left as a nursery (after removing Clara’s beloved light fixture and curtains- the only light/curtains that we just couldn’t leave behind):
And here’s the sunroom back when we moved in (sorry for the terrible angle- we had no idea we’d need a good before shot when we snapped it):
And here’s the sunroom as we left it:
So although it was a little sad when that door closed (believe it or not, I didn’t even cry!) it was amazingly wonderful to open a new door (both literally and figuratively) to our new house. And we couldn’t be more excited to share that next chapter of our lives with you guys. More pics and details as soon as we can sling ’em your way!
Psst- Ack, and we have to change our header and the name of the House Tour tab (to “Old House”- and add a “New House” one full of befores). Here’s hoping we find a moment to do that in the next few days…
Rebecca says
Feeling jealous of the whomever gets to move into your old house! Looking forward to watching your new house turn into a home…
Kate says
I think your kitchen might be my favorite room. It’s so tastefully sized and well-decorated. Love it. Can’t wait to see what you all do in your new home!
Sarah says
So sad to see it empty! But I bet you buys don’t have too hard of time selling it. It’s “famous” after all! Good luck! Can’t wait to see the new place!
Mary says
Congrats! What an exciting new adventure! Perhaps in a year you can “crash” your old house and see how much the new owners are enjoying it!
Tanya says
Talk about move-in ready! I am sooooo jealous of the folks who bought your house. As much as I have (and am) enjoying renovating our place, it must be so sweet and easy to just move in, maybe put on a coat of paint and call it a day. I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of the new place.
schmei says
Even I got a lump in my throat looking through these, but I was reminded of a Girl Scout saying:”A Girl Scout always leaves a place better than she found it”.
You two did that, in spades.
Congrats on the double-closing success and having a place to sleep last night!
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Congrats! Thanks for sharing all the pics. The new owners are very lucky to move right in and just put their stuff into the house and live right away. Move in ready is a wonderful thing sometimes. :D
The old owners of your new home are very nice people, since they let you stay in the home before you even really owned it. Amazing people. You don’t come across people like that every day.
So did you get the chance to take pics of the new house before moving your stuff in?
Can’t wait to see pictures and I can wait to enjoy the ride of your new Home. I’m glad I get to see it right from the beginning this time. All the best of luck to you all!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jen,
Yes! We did take pics of the rooms all empty (but didn’t have a moment to get a video since our moving crew of friends and family were out in the snow waiting to bring stuff in so we’ll have to record a video once we have things semi set up so everyone can see it in “3-D”.
xo,
s
Michelle says
Sad to read this post, but if I’ve learned anything from reading this blog for years, it’s that once you guys get your mind fixated on something, you are determined, and nothing holds you back! So I’m actually not that surprised that you didn’t cry–you’re so focused on that wonderful new house. This is something that the new owners would totally have to be okay with, but how cool would it be if somewhere down the line they provided pictures of all the changes they’ve made? Also, good thing you guys were always so great about privacy/not sharing your address/stuff like that!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
We’d love that!
xo,
s
Wendy h says
This is ridiculous, but this post makes me a little misty eyed. I don’t even know you, and I live on the other side of the country! Crazy.
Congrats on the new home :)
LC says
OMG this so exciting!!! You left that house so beautiful for the next owners. I can’t believe you could leave it but I’m sure you’re pumped for all the new projects. meanwhile, I’m the type of person who’s going to be looking for an “after” house that someone like you has already fixed up.
Eve says
The old house and the new one are very lucky to have you live there. Good luck you guys!
Melissa Davis says
Thanks for sharing. I agree with others- I am sad seeing the place empty. But I am one that gets sad to trade in cars even when a shiney new one is waiting for it. :) Good luck with the new house…look forward to see all that comes with it!
Melissa
Erin C says
I’m ALL FAH-KLEMPT over here!!! And the snow was just “icing” as it were, no pun intended, har. Congrats! :D
Emily says
This makes me sad…like I never want to leave our first house!
Larissa says
So stinking excited for you guys! Isn’t it amazing to feel all the positive vibes from your faithful followers?! So many people thinking about you yesterday and today, looking forward to what the future has in store… You have created something quite amazing. It’s like reality TV, but REAL. Thanks so much for including us!
Ashley says
I wasn’t as sad as I thought I’d be about seeing the house empty. I smiled a bit because I know it’s the right time for you guys to move on to uglier er greener pastures! :)
Can’t wait to see what you all have cooking for the new space and to finally lay my eyes on the interior. Why do I have the feeling that you all will be life long friends with the folks who are buying Casa Petersik Version 1.0?
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
Oh my gosh guys!! So sad to see the house empty but soooo exciting for your new adventures in Casa Petersik Part Dos!
Nina says
wow! You left behind a ready-to-move-into home! Awesome! It must feel great for the new owners to move in! You really set a great example for home maintenace!
The best of luck for your new place! The plans looked amazing!
Amanda says
Are you two still in denial? Or has it actually kicked in yet? I’d still be in denial for days … and I may even take a wrong turn some days going home! Hhaa … maybe, I guess it depends.
Well at least this time around you’ll have GREAT before pictures (since you know you need them ;)!)
I am still in love with your sun room and so envious that you once had that (and have another one too, if I remember correctly!?) That snowfall from the sun room makes me swooon. :)
Good luck unpacking today and getting everything settled. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amanda,
We keep wondering that ourselves. Last night it was funny to think of another couple in “our” house, but of course we were so busy enjoying our new house to be jealous or sad. I think we’re in a really good place with everything. Just so happy and grateful to be in the house that we fell head over heels with a few months ago. We still can’t believe it’s ours!
xo,
s
Kathy C. says
Gosh, I’m sad and excited at the same time. You did a lot in the old house… definitely can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the new one. :)
Debbie says
Did you guys work into the agreement to get to come back to your old house after the new owners have been there a while to see how they have changed it? that would be a cool “House Crashing”
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Debbie,
Nope, sadly the buyers of our house don’t read the blog and since they had a buyer’s agent it was a very businesslike interaction. But if someday they invite us back to see things of course we’d jump at the chance!
xo,
s
Roshni says
gosh! It IS sad to see the old place this one last time! I have a feeling that you’re dealing with anxiety/excitement now so it hasn’t hit you yet! Well, hopefully, the new place is so wonderful that you won’t feel that bad to have left the old place!!
Congratulations on a super-successful move!!
annabelvita says
Oooh, I bet that beautiful snowscape outside those gorgeous glass windows gave leaving the sunroom an extra painful pang!
The house even looks beautiful empty. Your buyers are very lucky indeed.
lindsay loucks says
Not gonna lie…just a bit emotional! So excited for the new projects though :)
Rachie says
It is sad but you accomplished so much while you were there that is enabling you to go on to bigger and better things with the new house. I’m sure the new owners are completely thrilled!
Good luck in the new place – cant wait to see what you will do and will be following avidly!
Rachie xo
Jill Stigs says
Oh, I am so glad you did not cry. Seeing the empty pics just reinforces all the excellent work you did to your first house!
Can’t wait to see the new “befores”!! :)
Amy says
I’m so excited for the 4 of you! It’s always bittersweet to move, but so exciting to move on to the next part and I know you’ll have so much fun! I’m sure the new owners will love the house! It looks like you left it in wonderful condition!
Erica says
Even though you didn’t cry this time around, I think that in a year from now, having this blog and looking back at this day or old house memories might make you get a little choked up.
You guys did a fantastic job being thrifty and rejuvinating that house. I am so excited to see what you do with the new place. Yay for new chapters in life and good, honest hard work!
Melissa says
So bittersweet. All the best…
Erin says
Good luck, guys! Lots of people out here hoping things go as smoothly as possible for your family.
Lauren (in PA) says
I’m not surprised you didn’t cry…I had the same experience myself, I think once you remove your ‘stuff’ the spirit of the home changes, and makes it easier to let go.
Plus the excitement of the new home!
Melissa says
So excited to see the pics of your new place! Congrats on the successful closings.
Sara @ House Bella says
Oh, so bittersweet! And leave it the weather to make moving that much more of an adventure, nice snow!
Monika says
The pic with the house and the porch lights and the snow AND THE U-HAUL made me so emotional! We readers are leaving your old house, too, you know!
Congrats on this exciting step and good luck! :-)
trish says
All the best on your new adventure. Can’t wait to see the new place…..
Shiron says
Did you really leave your capiz chandelier & window treatments?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Shiron,
Yup, we were happy to include those in the sale (they seemed to get people excited and encourage offers).
xo,
s
Kevin M says
Moving day is always a little fun and a lot stressful, glad to hear you made it to the new place. We actually sat in front of our new house and waited for the old owners to finish clearing out. It was a little weird to sit there with your life in a U-Haul truck for a few hours….
Kelsey says
So sad… but so exciting too! Congrats!
Stacy says
i so enjoy y’alls blog! can’t wait to see the bones of the new house and follow along as you make it your own. we recently did a domino closing, back in sept., so i can totally relate to the stress of that day!
Julie says
I have so enjoyed your first home- (Almost like I had been there before myself doing the work myself, okay well not quite) I am excited and sad for you as well. This is like a new chapter for your family that will have even more creative energy swirling around. Congrats and can’t wait to enjoy your new house with you and all the work you will put into it!
Kristen says
I don’t know how you could leave behind that fabulous kitchen and washer/dryer. I envy the new owners the fabulous casa they’re getting! Good luck with everything – I am actually reading your entire blog backwards and am still somewhere in early 2009 and enjoying every post!
Jamie says
Oh the porch looks so pretty with the snow in the back yard and so open and full of light. I am excited for y’all and glad it all worked out. Can’t wait to see the new house in all it’s fixing up glory!
Nichole@40daysof says
I’m such a sap! I almost cried looking at pictures of your empty house. Can’t wait to see the new house.
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/suggestions-please/
brandt @ New House On The Blog says
Big ol’ smiles here in the Great Lakes State for ya! Congrats on the new home!!!! And I really love the pictures you guys did showing then and now. Very very nice touch.
You should get one of those services where they print and bind your blog so you have something cool to put on your bookshelf and can grab it and flick through it from time to time.
AIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! :-)
Becca says
Hey, did you guys remove the paneling in the den or just paint over it? I’d love to see a post on how to remove paneling (some day, not now obviously.) best of luck moving!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Becca,
We just painted it (people hardly noticed it anymore and it was super simple and cheap to do). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jenny says
Aww man, it’s so sad to see your house all empty and to know that you’ve moved out! On the other hand, it’s all so exciting! Can’t wait to see your new house (but I’ll miss your “old” header :D)!
Alicia says
It is sad to see the house all empty. I think all of your readers are very attached to the old house but we are super excited about the new one too. Congratulations to you both and thanks for the closure!
Clare of Suburbianbliss says
This is so exciting! I love that you guys did this at Panera and I also love seeing your house in the surprise snow! Good luck to you, the baby and the burg over the next few weeks!
Brooke says
You didn’t cry? …I’m crying for pete’s sake!
Tara says
I’m down in Hampton Roads. I was thinking of you guys yesterday when I saw the snow (only 1″ that didn’t stick down here). Glad to know there are kind people out there that let you have the keys to your new house even though it wasn’t officially yours. Can’t wait to see what you do to the new place.