This was another strong contender in our house hunt. It’s not far from The Crazy House (which we are still intrigued by). When Brandon and I talked about looking for a new home, we thought that we would look for something dated. This is “a grandma house,” as our agent refers to it. You know the type — houses that have been in a family for years and that are structurally sound, but that need a new owner who is willing to put in the effort to update everything.
The home has a small entryway. A large living room is to the left with a sunroom off of it, and the dining room is to the right. There is hardwood beneath all of the carpet throughout the house that appears to be in good condition.
The dining room has a separate sitting area a few steps up in a little alcove. The home’s original red tiles (the same ones found in the sunroom) are under the carpet in that section.
There was a small, dark paneled kitchen that could stand to be completely redone. It’s adjacent to a narrow family room though, and it would be easy to open up the blank wall between the two for one larger space.
There was one bedroom tucked away toward the back of the house on the first floor, which I would have used as my office.
Upstairs, there are four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Shag carpeting and wallpaper abound, but again, there is hardwood flooring beneath, the rooms will strip and clean up well, and they were spacious.
I mean, this could have been my bathroom. I would have made this work.
Ultimately though, it was toward the top of our budget, it needed some upgrades beyond the cosmetic stuff, and there was just too much space for us. The ceilings in the basement were at least eight feet high, and that space alone felt like a whole other house.
We may want to expand our family in the future, but this home felt too big for a family of four, or even five. I hear that the previous owners had eight children.
The next house I share with you will be the one that we actually bought. Because yes, we bought a house! I’m on my way to the inspection later today, and then there are a few other hoops to jump through, but I can’t wait to share it with you. We’re so excited.
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms
June 24, 2013 at 11:11 amWow, that house is HUGE! You need 8 kids to fill it up with. It definitely has some pretty great potential though. Can’t wait to see your new house!!
Christine@DecorumDIYer
June 24, 2013 at 11:28 amSo happy for your and your family! I can’t wait to see your final choice.
Although, I adore the house you shared in this post. And yes, YOU could have made that vintage bathroom really work! I’m a little sad that I won’t get to see you bring this house back to life. It really intrigues me.
That said, how did you not want to purchase some of those gorgeous, retro/vintage furnishings in the home? ;)
I’ll be waiting for the home purchase reveal!
elle
June 24, 2013 at 11:32 amYou would have done wonders with this house… however I’m glad you found something else. It seems like this has gone very quickly!
Congrats on the new house and I can’t wait to see it.
Amie
June 24, 2013 at 11:36 amThis is such an exciting time! I’m so happy for you and your family. The houses you have been sharing are lovely, with a bit of work needed. I’m intrigued to know what you passed these over for! Share away!
Christina W.
June 24, 2013 at 11:43 amOh man, the brass lamp in that office is lovely. With a different shade, natch.
Laura
June 24, 2013 at 11:43 amA too-big house can be just as problematic as a too-small house. Looking forward to seeing the final choice! Good luck with the inspection.
Jessica
June 24, 2013 at 12:14 pmI’m super jealous. We have three kids at this point and I’d kill for that much space. I love entertaining and not having to see toys 24/7. Our house is cute, but it’s choppy. *sigh*
I cannot wait to see the house you’ve picked. It was a topic of conversation at AltSummit NYC!! ;-)
Holly
June 24, 2013 at 12:15 pmThis is a gem but it is a lot of house too – lots of possibilities. But even better that you are in the process of buying a house anyway and inspection today. I enjoyed inspection day and learned a lot (although the seller was there the whole time which was really annoying). Good luck and looking forward to reading about it.
Danielle
June 24, 2013 at 12:27 pmBoth that house and ‘the Crazy House’ are on my block, the sweetest old couple used to live in the brick house…Did you ever see the crazy house before they cleaned it up? It used to have hundreds of little statues and trolls on the little bridge…it was a little nuts :) Good luck with your choice… Great neighbors near both of those houses and lots of kids! It’s great street :)
Catherine
June 24, 2013 at 1:18 pmOh wow, congratulations! This house was awesome, so your new one will be amazing! Can’t wait to see it. :)
thelady
June 24, 2013 at 1:34 pmGorgeous house, I love older homes with good bones that just need some cosmetic updates and a new kitchen. Huge yard and huge home would be a lot of work and high utility bills.
tessa {two inspire design}
June 24, 2013 at 2:22 pmSo many beautiful fixer uppers in that area. When we bought in Evanston three years ago I so wanted a place I could gut and call my own, but at the time construction loans were far and few between. Oh well, next one! Can’t wait to see which one you chose.
Marcee
June 24, 2013 at 2:59 pmWOW …. what a fabulous place to remodel!
Ohhhmy …. all those windows …. yikes. Even the backyard(s) are huge-huge. Lots of work to do day in and day out. I look beyond the old-fashioned rooms/designs. Not everyone can though. Updating something like this is really a giant challenge, both time-wise plus lots of moola. That pink bathroom is something else! Wonder who will eventually purchase the house?
Eileen
June 24, 2013 at 3:31 pmThe suspense is killing me! Good luck with the inspection. Hope the bungalow sells soon too!
Catherine
June 24, 2013 at 4:00 pmack, so exciting!!! I can’t wait to see what you do with another house. Hope the inspection goes well!
Katharine
June 24, 2013 at 4:15 pmDitto what Christine said — great house, how did you restrain yourself around the vintage furniture, and yay! for finding one that you love!
Ellen
June 24, 2013 at 5:51 pmThe office especially looks as though time has stopped. Was that teal wall paint in the basement? Super cool.
I am looking forward to not only the big reveal but the personal touch you will give your new home.
Elena
June 24, 2013 at 6:27 pmYay! Can’t wait to see it and what you do with it!
Tristan B.
June 24, 2013 at 8:32 pmCongrats on the new house! I thoroughly enjoyed virtually house hunting with you, I definitely could see the potential in this house:)
Amber @ Wills Casa
June 24, 2013 at 9:58 pmWow 8 kids! Yes that’s what I took away from this post. I am sure you could rock that pink bathroom though. Can’t wait to see the real house next!
MelD
June 25, 2013 at 3:41 amA beautiful and very elegant 30s house… doesn’t really look like a family home to me.
And waaaaay too big. Who wants to have to clean a house that size?! You need 8 kids to split up the chores and keep it clean!
Nope, less is more. I prefer tiny houses anyway.
Allison
June 25, 2013 at 10:44 amWow, I love that house. My condo, albeit much smaller, was also a “grandma house.” Very similar carpeting, furnishings, etc. I’ve had so much fun updating it.
Karlie
June 25, 2013 at 11:20 amCongrats on the house! Can’t wait to see it!
Shauna
June 25, 2013 at 1:13 pmThis was an interesting post, but I’ll truly be waiting with baited breath for your next one! Wishing you all the best for you and your family in your new home. Your fine taste and no-fuss style are daily comforts to me.
Jaime - Design Milk
June 25, 2013 at 4:10 pmThat bathroom is perfect for you, though. That’s a great house. I’m sure the one you ended up buying is awesome. Can’t wait to see it! :)
Janine
June 26, 2013 at 9:03 amThe houses you’ve posted so far have made me want to move IMMEDIATELY to Oak Park and area. They’re incredible! So much character, and so much opportunity to cosmetically update! I love it.
I’m thrilled that you’ve bought a new house and I’m excited for new adventures in renovation.
Laura Beth @ Perched on a Whim
June 26, 2013 at 2:30 pmWhat a fun, albeit occasionally frustrating, process! We have begun our own house hunt, and I keep facing the reality that, if I want a house with character, money will have to go into updating.
suemey
June 28, 2013 at 10:21 pmOMG I believe that the priorities of people in this world are completely messed up. I love your blog and what you’ve done with your place but calling that kitchen in this post, small is wrong. Seriously…
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating
July 4, 2013 at 8:51 amThis house has great curb appeal. I love Craftsmans, as evidenced by the one we built for ourselves! Would have loved to see what you could have done with it.
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Desiree
July 24, 2013 at 4:53 pmI love homes like these – the fixer-uppers! You can do so much to them. I really love the arch entryways and huge basement.
Heather
July 28, 2013 at 12:44 amThe bathroom looks like your dollhouse bathroom!!
Making it Lovely
July 29, 2013 at 12:53 amYou’re right!
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