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…
Sad to see it empty – But I can’t wait to see pics of the new place!
Congratulations and thank you for taking the time to include us in your move. Like so many others my keyboard is now a little wet to but all will be better when some new pictures are posted!
So excited for you guys! Congratulations…I’m dying to see you fulfill your plans for the new abode; especially that two sided fireplace…dreamy!
WHY AM I CRYING?
Oh my goodness, I’m so bad with goodbyes!
I’m so excited to see the new place, but I’m gonna miss this old house so bad! :(
BYE HOUSE x
I’m a little teary! Congrats on your new adventure, and well done you!
Congrats to your family on the adventure, but i’m not going to lie… I got a little tear looking at the house all empty. Its funny because I dont even know yall personally, but I feel like it do. LOL I guess I just feel close to the house since i’ve read your blog for years now and have watched your home and family grow. I look forward to seeing the new home and all the new ideas yall come up with.
xo,
Kim (TX)
PS- I wish we could see pretty snow fall here as you do there. :)
We’ll be wishing you luck!!! Can’t wait to hear more!
Like everyone else, the “empty” shots give me a pang!! Glad you are super happy to move to the new place, though. The parting shot of the sunroom + snow is really beautiful. I’m glad the new owners have that to wake up to! Did you leave your bed frame behind?
Hey Christine,
Yup we included our bed in the sale of our house since it fit perfectly between the built-ins that we added.
xo,
s
Congrats you guys! I don’t know how you didn’t cry…I teared up a bit when I was going through this post!! I am so excited to see what you do with the next house!!!
Aw, what a great thing to be able to look forward to the new adventure so much that you’re okay with closing the door on the old one. Best of luck with the rest of the unpacking!
Good luck. I wish my house looked like that when I moved in. As for the header, can you do a drop down menu?
Hey Megan,
That coding would be a bit complicated, but we’ll look into it!
xo,
s
We live in Knoxville, TN and got hit with a horrible storm late late Sunday and on Monday–I was wondering if that same storm made it’s way up to you in Richmond. I could not imagine trying to move in it!
-K
Congrats and can’t wait to hear about the new house. Crazy how I feel sad and like I just moved…good job on dealing with all the craziness. I am sure it was nice to finally share a night in the new home!
How did you not cry when you left? I am crying just thinking about it!
Can’t wait to see the new place and watch as you work your magic on it! Congratulations!
Hey Erin,
I can’t explain it because I’m totally a crier! I think I was just so anxious/stressed/excited about the closing and the new place that it distracted me from the sadness of closing that door.
xo,
s
Congrats! I can’t wait to see the new place. Good luck with the move and hopefully you’ll be all settled soon. :)
My tiny little suggestion is that you call the new tab “first house” instead of “old house”. Aw, I can’t wait to see what you do with the new house! And also, whether the new house, in years to come, becomes a “second house” tab. ;)
So sad and empty… I guess decorating really does make a house, doesn’t it? As soon as you’ll show us the new house I’ll be all happy again I’m sure :) Enjoy your adventure!!
Congratulations on passing through this “new door” in your life! Best wishes in the transition as we patiently (NOT!) wait for you to work and then share your magic!
Wow, I’m glad I’m not the only reader that felt a little weepy. Good thing you guys had so much going on yesterday to worry with tears. Can’t wait to see the new place all Youngsterized!
So excited for all of you…can’t wait to see and read about your new adventure in your new abode! Congrats…I look forward to your blog every morning to see what’s new!
You did an amazing job on the house while you lived there and should be very proud of its transformation!
I love looking at these before and after pictures because even without the furniture and accessories you can see how awesome your pad is/was. :)
That is so awesome that the old owners of your new house passed along the keys anyway. It is always awesome to deal with nice people!! I am sad to see the old house empty – but it is amazing to see how much nicer the house looks than it did a few years ago. You got to enjoy that home and then pass it on to someone else. Nothing is better than that!
Can’t wait to see pics of the new place!
Don’t worry about changing the house tour tab so soon!! It won’t matter than much until you get some transformations going with your new house anyway! Relax, wait till you have settled and actually start your renovations!
Love seeing the before and after!
Wow, I really wish I could have bought your house, you guys are the best previous owners ever! It is very sad to see it empty. I can’t wait to see your new house all fixed up!
it’s a little sad! it’s funny how attached you can get to a house you’ve never actually been in before. but i’m so excited to see the new house!
awwww! thanks for sharing, guys! wishing you the best in your new place. can’t believe I’m a little sad to see your beautiful home empty but I know the next one is going to be AWESOME! Good luck–Aimee
Aww…for some reason this does make me very sad. Although, I am so happy for your new home (which you guys obviously already love) and to see the changes you will make, I have grown attached to your old home and seeing pictures of it as it evolved.
You guys are so sweet to take time out of moving craziness to update for us! Good luck!
Did you guys leave your washer/dryer? Just curious…. And congratulations!!
Hey Jessica,
Yup we included all the appliances in the sale, which seemed to help it sell quickly (our new house came with all appliances included too, so it worked out well).
xo,
s
Thanks for including us in your move. I can’t wait to see the new place!
Wow, as a new homeowner myself who clearly remembers all that in involved in moving into a new house I’d like to say that it’s totally wonderful that you guys left your old place so completely clean and beautiful! The new homeowners will love you for that!
I’m so excited to see your new place and all that you’re going to do with it. You guys are totally inspirational! Good luck with everything!
You are really troopers to be in the midst of moving and still get a post up. I know your Panera breakfast was delicious and a nice break in the process. Seems like it should be income tax deductible–you know, in the travel and entertainment category.
I’m looking forward to many more years of practical and beautiful decorating ideas as well as the thought process behind all your ideas.
That is so cool that you left it so pristine for the new homeowners to move into! I know that they must really appreciate it! I know I would! I’ve moved 3 times in my adult life and I’ve never had a house that looked that ‘move-in ready’!
I’m so excited for you guys! Can’t wait to see the new digs!
So sad to see it empty! But it still looks beautiful!
Wow, looking at it without furniture just points out even more the amazing job you guys did on that house. Kudos and congrats!
Ahh…that’s so crazy, sad to see it empty. I don’t know how you didn’t cry, you have awesome super strength! :) Bummer you had to move in snow, we had to move in a rain storm into our first house, snow is way worse probably! :) Best of luck, can’t wait to see new pics of the house and read about all new adventures.
Oh my…so beautiful. Goodness, I miss Virginia! (I live in SoCal now.)
Congratulations and I’m so glad it all worked out. Get some rest!
I’m so happy for you guys!!!
I’m glad to hear that the baby and the pooch are adjusting well. We’re planning to move next month with a 10-month old and a 5-year old! Yikes! Any tips on how to make it a smooth transition?
Hey Jess,
We just try to keep things as consistent as possible since the pooch and the bean like routine a lot. We set up her crib and put her favorite items around the room and just tried to create a place of comfort for her (of course plugging in her sound machine so it sounded familiar too). We did the same for Burger (setting up a food and water station, opening his crate door so he could hang out in there if he got overwhelmed, giving him treats to hopefully help him associate the new place with good things, etc). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Wow, you guys have done SO much work. I bet it was an emotional day closing the doors! I LOVE the hardwood floors there. Do you remember where you got them and what “style” they are?
Congrats on the new house, you guys will make tons of new memories there & I can’t wait to see all the new projects!! :)
-Chels
Hey Chelsea,
They’re “mocha oak” hardwood floors from Lumber Liquidators (just search that term to hopefully find them). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
What amazing before and after pictures! How you transformed that place! Truly inspiring. I can’t wait to see what you do with your new place. Good luck!
Sooooo exciting! So glad you made it in the new place and relished the thrill of your first night. Now for those new-house pics–the suspense is killing me!! :)
All day yesterday I was thinking, “Oh, I hope the weather cooperates for their move!”…guess my hopes and wishes fell on deaf ears!!
On another note, though, as I scrolled through the pictures I actually said out loud, “That house is so beautiful.” You guys are rockstars and frankly, I’m totally jealous of the people who bought your house. They’re walking into a home that was not only loved and cared for, but it’s just flat out beautiful to look at.
Can’t wait for the rest of your adventures!!!
Oh man I just got teary eyed! Your old house looks so pretty in the snow too! Can’t wait to see the new pics of your new home!
Wow- so cool how you are documenting such a HUGE BUSY day as it is happening! How exciting! You moved in the snow – we decided to move in on record breaking high temperatures of 105 degrees in GA – needless to say we were all about to pass out from heat exhaustion by the time the day was through.
wow, kudos to you for blogging amidst all the craziness! this is so exciting! i can’t wait to see the new house and all the creative changes you do to make it your own. good luck guys! :) and as always, thanks for sharing all the fun details!
Congratulations! the buyers of your house are very lucky! The place looks great how you left it. Looking forward to seeing the new house!
I echo the earlier poster, thanks for sharing so much of what is happening with your readers. May you have a blessed holiday in the new home, I have a feeling Christmas will always bring back these memories for you too. Even though the unexpected snow storm was a pain, it just makes it all the more sentimental for me.
Wow. Seeing your house empty is so sad! And the fact that snow had fallen just sort of added to the quiet, melancholy vibe of those pics. Quick! New, happy, fun pics of the new house are desperately needed to break the mood! :) Congrats on your new adventure though. It’s very exciting.
p.s. I must admit I’m a tad jealous of the snow. I live in Texas and we rarely get to enjoy snow.