Recently I mentioned that we bought a new house, click here. After we closed on our property, the realtor was supposed to get the keys to us; she didn’t have them at closing. Yes, we were having the house torn down, but I wanted to at least walk in the house just once.
I kept asking the realtor about the keys, and finally she said she had mailed them to me. Meanwhile the builder said he was ready to tear down the old house. The keys were in the mail, and the wrecking crew was scheduled. Would I make it there in time? The answer came soon enough. The next day, on Saturday morning we got the keys. We decided to stop by the house to see what was going on. Here’s what we saw as we rounded the corner.
Needless to say, we never got to go in the old house. Whatever doors the keys opened are gone.
The house has been torn down, the lot has cleared, and the pier and beam foundation is in place. Here you can see them drilling the holes for our pier and beam foundation. I know other parts of the country have basements but here is Texas, it’s just not done. There are several reasons for the no basement rule here, but certainly one of the main reason is that eventually they turn into indoor swimming pools, but not the kind that you would want to swim in.
The construction process is fascinating to me. They use this contraption to get the concrete into the holes drilled for the piers.
On the design side, I’m already collecting ideas for my new house on Pinterest, so if you want to follow along, you can find the board here. I’m working on a number of design elements including some Frenchy built ins on either side of the fireplace to hide the TV. My inspiration cabinets, that I found on Pinterest are shown below. I love the lanterns too, BTW!!
Picture a fireplace in the photo instead of the window, and that is my plan for the fireplace wall. My builder said the cabinet maker could build some cabinets similar to these for me. We will put the TV to the right of the fireplace, so it isn’t in full view all of the time. I think you know how I dislike that. He said he doesn’t have a faux finisher that he uses very often. “No problem,” I said, “I can do that!” Let’s hope it turns out as well as these cabinets did. I better get started on that practice board!!
Anita, I am so excited for you. I can’t wait to see it all come together. I would have loved to see inside the little place also, to bad that didn’t work out. I bet your wheels are turning will all kinds of decorating ideas. Congrats on the new place!!
How exciting! I wish my three year could come over and watch your house being built. He loves all things construction. 🙂
How exciting and I love your idea for the fireplace wall.
An exciting project, for sure! You’re going to have so much fun planning this project and I’m glad you’re taking us along for the ride! 🙂
Hi Anita! Congrats on buying your new space to build your new home! I’m sorry you didn’t get to see inside the old house though. I always wonder if there’s any treasures in an old home that were left behind. Good thing you’re not like me. Since itwas being demolished, I probably would have just broken a window or something! LOL! Looking forward to our journey of building and decorating! Fun times are ahead! Hugs, Leena
Anita,
How exciting to see what work has already begun!!! Those cabinets are gorgeous! I can picture a very Frenchy fireplace in the middle and it will be splendid! You could always frame those keys in a shadow box along with a photo of the house that was…just a thought! Now, get busy pinning and designing, and practicing that finish!!!
Fondly,
Pat
How exciting that they have already started. We would like to find a suitable house that would provide a lot on which to build a home in our current neighborhood. Slow process. Have fun with the inspiration board. I’m following along.
I’m with pink*cherub* moon! I think I would have broken a window. Congratulations on an exciting new chapter in your life!
Good luck on the contruction of your new home! love your idea of built-ins and the fireplace
It’s going to be wonderful, Anita! those cabinets are amazing, and I’m confident that you can replicate that paint technique!!
Sounds like that room is going to be a dream come true, for you and me both!
What a shame you didn’t get to grab those window shutters, I am sure you would have been able to do something cool with them!
We don’t have basements or even attics here in Australia either!
starting from the ground up sounds so exciting! Know this house is going to be beautiful with your creative touch all over it!
bee blessed
mary
How wonderful building a house from scratch. You have such exciting times ahead.
How exciting to be starting on this new venture! Let the creative flow begin.
Your plan for the built in cabinets looks great. If you are so inclined Cote De Texas shared the cabinets that recently were built in her new office…French style, of course!
Anita, this is a lovely lot! I can see your wheels spinning in Georgia! :)This will be a lovely home because you are so talented! I can’t wait to go on this journey with you!
Well I guess the tear down before a walk through was meant to be. After all, you bought it for what your home will be not what someone elses was.
Bliss
Anita I am so happy you are sharing this journey! I am so excited for you and your family.LOVE your inspired photos! Looking forward to seeing all of the process of building your beautiful new home!
xx
Anne
How wonderful, I can’t wait to see the end result. We have been house hunting in Austin but the no luck as of yet.
I don’t blame you… if you bought the house you should have a key.
LOVE your Tree House!!!! Wish I had one. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Charlene
This is VERY exciting, Anita, for all of us!! I’m sure we have all dreamed of starting from the bottom up with all the great features we always wished we had. I am so looking forward to your progress!
XO,
Jane
So glad you are allowing us along on this exciting new journey of yours! You already have such wonderful ideas and plans. Can’t wait to see you pull it all together! Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!
I’m sorry you didn’t get to see the old home but so excited for you and your new home. This is going to be a fun adventure and am so glad you are sharing it with us.
Dolly
Wishing you loads of fun on your new project!
Sorry you never made it inside Anita, but what an exciting time!!
I happened upon your blog tonight and saw you were building a house. We built a house last year and moved in thislast October. I also very much wanted my TV not the focal point in my living room and have it to the right of fireplace in built ins. We mounted it on an extender thing so we could pull it out further in the room if needed or push it back in out of the way. Hope the building is going smoothly for you!Were