weekend update

This is a happy time for us. We couldn't be happier that we have a great couple that wants to buy our house.

Then, Saturday night, we had a party to attend. "Summer Chic" was the dress. What is more summer chic than Lilly?

The girls being silly.

Then, a real picture.

Then, Sunday we went to Scott's Antique Market.
And I found this great painting. Scott's is always so fun. Now to work this week. We have lots going on!

New Blog!

If you live in the area {middle Georgia}, but sure to check out Parks & Mottola Realty's new blog! You can also find them on Facebook.

cute cottage for sale!

As you know, I don't normally post my listings that are for sale on this blog, but this one is an exception. This great home is located in a great area of south Griffin. Listed for $139,500.

It is a great example of a vacant home that shows well. There is always the debate on whether a home shows better vacant or furnished. My thought is, you can do either, really depends on the home.

A furnished home can look really good or really bad. As long as it complements the house, and isn't too cluttered. Sometimes a vacant home really shows the flaws...

This house is vacant, but the sellers really work hard to keep it looking great! The floors are flawless, and the yard is fabulous. A buyer can walk in this house, and not have to do a thing to move in. Really...

Can you see what I mean about the hardwoods?

Even if the kitchen colors aren't your taste, they at least complement the style of the home.

Dont' you want to move to Griffin, or buy this home if you already do? Listing info. here. Also, check out my real estate blog here.
Have a great weekend!

new issue of country living

It is always very exciting to see something you own on the cover of a magazine!


See my pillow in my guest room? I made it, from a $1 fabric swatch from American Mills in Griffin. Bought the rope trim there also. The back is a solid fabric that I already owned. Later, I found another swatch, so if I want, I can have 2 of these. I would say for less than $5 each.

Now, the March cover of Country Living. See something familiar on the chair? I checked the source page in the back. Turns out that pillow is $168 by J. Seitz. That makes my bargain hunter side really happy.

Back to the March issue. It is no secret in blogtown that County Living has been stepping it up since the closing of great mags like Cottage Living, Domino, etc. This really is one of those issues that I love some many things, I will read it cover to cover.

This particular article, made me think of a property I have listed for sale in Griffin. I do have a real estate blog, http://www.griffin-realty.blogspot.com/, so I try not to make real estate style about my properties for sale. However, this brings up the topic of "vision." It's easy to overlook the potential of a property if you do not like the owner's style. I try not to fall victim to this, but this article tells me I have.

This is 113 West Slaton Avenue in downtown Griffin. Listing info. here. I have always thought this building could be really cool. It is an open space on the main level {perfect for retail, maybe an antique shop, furniture boutique, or fabric store?}, and an apartment on the 2nd floor.

Upstairs there are great brick walls and wood floors. Can you see it?

Here's the property in CL. This lady bought an old post office building, and turned it into a live/work property. She lives upstairs, and runs a furniture shop and antique mall in the lower level. She also hosts bistro-night dinners, and flower arranging workshops. How cool is that?

So, does it look familiar? Two story, free-standing, brick building.

And now, an interior shot. I can totally see the room in my building looking something like this. Too bad the Whippets need a yard, or we could do something like this! In this market/economy, it's good to be creative. I think living above your work is a great way to consolidate expenses when you are a small business owner. {Like me :)}

So, go grab the new issue, you won't be sorry!

town of lost rabbit

I have new homes on the brain. This weekend, I flipped through tons of old magazines, and found nothing very inspiring in the way of exterior design. A year or so ago, I ran across this site for the Town of Lost Rabbit. Lost Rabbit is a mixed use community located in Madison County, Mississippi. Remembering the site, and one of the architects, I checked it out again. This picture below is one of the model homes.

I really hope to have a large, bright, and open kitchen one day.

I love the ceiling in this room, and the open connection to the kitchen.

This would be a perfect work space.

This is a home that is currently listed for sale.
You can see the listing here.
I don't know if this style fits in with Griffin, but I really like it!

My house hunt is specifically for old looking new homes. You all know that I love serenbe so much. Since we aren't moving to serenbe anytime soon, maybe we can build a serenbe style house one day.

Hope you all are getting ready for Thanksgiving. I don't have any Thanksgiving post ideas since we are neither having folks over or decorating for it. We will be on the road from Tuesday to Saturday. This may end up being a slow week for the old blog.

Have a great Monday!

open house today!

Today I am having an open house at my listing, 432 Brook Lane, Griffin, Ga. If you live in the area please stop by for coffee and dessert! There is another open house with lunch two doors down. We will be there from 12-1:30pm. This great house is listed for sale for $249,500. Four bedrooms, two and half baths. Fenced backyard, two car garage, hardwood floors, and much more! Here is a mini tour. {I really need a wide angle lens camera!}

Formal Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen, Breakfast Area

Master Suite

Guest Bedroom

Back View

Please visit Griffin Realty for more information on this house for sale!

*I will be serving Martha Stewart pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing, and halloween cookies!

serenbe

Serenbe is a large residential development located in south Fulton County, Georgia. This is not new to the blogging world, but the article in this month's Southern Living reminded me that it was on my blog list. It was in the beginning stages when I lived in Newnan. Newnan is only about a 15 min drive to Serenbe. My friend, Jennifer, and I checked it out as soon as we heard about it. Love at first site! Every detail of Serenbe has been well thought out. Charles and I try to go eat dinner at the Farmhouse restaurant when we can. After dinner, you can walk around and pet the small animals, play croquet, and even jump on the inground trampoline. It is such a beautiful place, check out their great website.

serenbe

This is one of the guest cottages by the old inn.

Guest pool.

This is a picture of the commercial area. Serenbe is growing it's number of cute shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The Blue Eyed Daisy is one of our favorites.

When the barn was finished, I was in awe! I would love to pack it up, and move the boys to the Serenbe farm!




Back to my days in Newnan. This house below was the Cooking Light Fit House. I believe in 2006 or 2007. We took a tour, and it was great! There was a dog wash area in the basement.


You may remember this article in Cottage Living.



I think this is one of the houses featured in Cottage Living. Spending time at Serenbe has taught me that I would love to have a new house one day that looks old!

*personal picture
I think Serenbe helped inspire my love of blue front doors.

*personal picture

Huge fan of a metal roof! {Silver ones}

*personal picture
Again, ispiration for blue doors, maybe?? See what you think on our house

*personal picture

I also think a wood shingled roof is fabulous!

*personal picture

*personal picture

*image from McKinney Builders

Back to the commercial area. There is a great restaurant called the hil. We have only been on Sunday brunch, but I am ready to go back. It has great style.

the hil restaurant

Do the mirrors below at the Hil look familiar?

Looks like my new favorite find in St. Simons a few weeks ago.

If you live anywhere near Serenbe, I urge you to go spend a Saturday there. You can also join their email list on the website. They send out news and events that go on at the organic farmers, market, shops, restaurants, and even special rates to stay at the inn.

*all pictures that are not specified as personal, came from serenbe.com, the-hil.com, mckinney builders, & cooking light