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You are here: Home / Our House / Our New House – Second Floor

Our New House – Second Floor

Oct 18, 2012 By Layla

The staircase that leads upstairs is on the other side of the wall that has the stove and microwave on it…

Here’s a view from the first landing, down to the first floor…

Kit-Cat loves being upstairs…

…and I’ve gotta say, I’m really enjoying the whole two-story thing too. I grew up in a two-story farmhouse in Minnesota, and being up higher than some of the trees around this place definitely brings me right back to that time.

At the top of the second landing, you can either go to the left, or go straight.

The room on the left is going to (temporarily) be Kev’s office…

(Sorry I didn’t get a wider angle on that one!) Here’s a photo that shows the opposite side of the room, looking back at the door…

(Note to self: use your wide angle lens next time you shoot this room!) There’s a closet on the left, and a small (full) bathroom to the right of that. It’s a completely blank slate and it’ll probably stay that way until we turn it into a room for our little one next year. (Insert warm fuzzies HERE.)

The door to the master bedroom is at the beginning of the long hallway. Once you walk through the door, there’s a closet for our washer and dryer on the left, and then our walk-in closet is on the left after that.

The master bedroom is nice and big, and because there are windows on three sides of it, it’s filled with natural light from sun up to sun down. Yay!

My favorite windows to look out of are the ones in the corner of the room, on the far side of the bed…a.k.a- my side of the bed. You can see a couple little chunks of the lake from those two, and I spend several minutes getting lost in that view every day…

Thank you for letting me sleep on that side, Mr. Palmer.

The master bathroom is….interesting. We’re assuming it was one of the reasons nobody bought the house all these years.

I was standing in the doorway when I took this photo:

The toilet is inside the door on the left, the (teeny) his and hers sinks are directly across from each other, and the shower is behind the sink in the middle of the photo. There’s a tall window on the wall to the right of the shower. (On the front side of the house)

We’ll have to make it work for now, but in the future, we’d like to add on a master bedroom/bathroom, laundry room, and a kids room downstairs- on the back side of the house. Then we’ll use the two rooms upstairs as offices, and do something different with the bathroom(s) up there too. Maybe just pull out one of the vanities in this bathroom and install a tall storage cabinet in its place instead? Maybe reconfigure the two bathrooms completely, so that there’s only one bathroom that leads off the hallway?

Who knows.

We’ve got time.

Kit-Cat says so.

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Comments

  1. Nicki

    Oct 18, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Beautiful home! And, from what you have written, it sounds like a wonderful place to raise a family. So happy for the both of you. Look forward to seeing what you do with your new house. Blessings to you.

  2. Maggie

    Oct 18, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    Thank you for taking us on the tour. What were they thinking, master bath? I know you will make it adorable and functional. Your home is beautiful and Kit-Cat is loving it. . Enjoy seeing the happy pictures :). Gosh, what beautiful views! I’m so happy for you and Kev..

  3. Dawn

    Oct 18, 2012 at 9:28 pm

    Awesome! Thanks for sharing! I love it all and the potential that I know you guys will “Cottage” up a bit.

  4. Sarita

    Oct 18, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    I like your positive attitude about little one coming into your family!

  5. Emily Kephart

    Oct 18, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    Love it. It is very cute. I will be anxious to see all the ideas come to life.

  6. Becky Neville

    Oct 18, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    I’m so happy for you!

  7. Lisa W.

    Oct 18, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    Thank you so much for taking the time to show us your new home. Very very excited to see all your Layla and Kev touches. My parents have a metal roof (don’t see a ton in Michigan…to exspensive) but I would have one if I could. They ARE truly beautiful!!! Can’t wait to see more pics:) Happy Weekend!!!

  8. Sandy A

    Oct 18, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    Your new home is just lovely empty–so I know when you and Kevin start making your design come to life this will be an absolutely charming and warm home. We can’t wait to see your ideas…

  9. Maureen

    Oct 19, 2012 at 1:00 am

    Your new home will be a wonderful place to start a family! Four of my seven grandkids are adopted and I’m feeling warm fuzzies for you, too. A couple that can give such a good home to poor, injured, stray Kitty Kat will be marvellous parents!

  10. Jody

    Oct 19, 2012 at 5:57 am

    Love the rooms & the views from the rooms…and once again Kit-Cat steals the show 🙂

  11. Ter'e Crow Lindsay

    Oct 19, 2012 at 5:59 am

    This is surely, CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER! For you, Kev and all of us. Love the house. Love the feel of it.
    Are you going to “sage” it?????????
    Kit-Cat’s little face says it all.

  12. Patricia Norton

    Oct 19, 2012 at 6:48 am

    Welcome to your new house, Layla and Kevin I am happily anticipating watching you make it your home. Love the fur kids exploring …they make terrific tour guides.

  13. Angela

    Oct 19, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Even as-is, this house “feels” happy &, with your touch, it’ll just get better & better! 🙂
    P.S. Did Kev cry when he had to leave his brand-new office? lol I would’ve tried to tear out those gorgeous closets & take them with me! Hope your shy carpenter is still close enough to come build you some more!

    • Layla

      Oct 19, 2012 at 8:21 am

      Thanks, Angela! 😀 No, Kev didn’t cry…he’s been inspired by our new neighborhood for so many years. As a matter of fact, he’s outside shooting photos of the fog on the lake right now! 😀

      • Angela

        Oct 19, 2012 at 8:32 am

        That’s wonderful! I can totally appreciate that, having just come inside from shooting photos of the trees in the woods in my backyard! There are a lot of things I want to change in my house but the view out of the windows is perfect! MA in fall…breathtaking! 🙂
        Hope we get to see some of these shots Kev’s working on!

  14. Rachel Carey

    Oct 19, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Ok, people are getting all worked up over a……bathroom? It’s a BATHROOM, the least important room in the house, lol! As long as there is a place to do the business and wash your hands…that’s all you need!

    The reason that house never sold hasn’t a thing to do with the bathroom…it was waiting for you and Kevin and your family.

    Good Job Layla!!!

    • Layla

      Oct 19, 2012 at 8:22 am

      Yep. That’s the word on the street anyway. 🙂

      Oh well. We’ll fix ‘er up sooner or later!

  15. stephanie

    Oct 19, 2012 at 8:14 am

    Hey guys love the new digs! I’m sooo excited for this house bc I live in a newer home that my husband and I had built. This was before I discovered all these wonderful blogs and found out what my decorating style is. Now there are many, many things I would change…oh well. =0) All it takes is a little time and patience. But I can’t wait to see what ya’ll do to your new house!!

    • Layla

      Oct 19, 2012 at 8:24 am

      Thanks, Stephanie!
      We love that the house *looks* like an old house, but *feels* like a new house and that’s there’s lots of room to add cottage charm!
      Here we go again! 😀

  16. BEKAH

    Oct 19, 2012 at 8:41 am

    Beautiful! Even with the kind odd bathroom, its amazing that no one snatched it up! It was waiting for you guys!

  17. Julie B. [Holland]

    Oct 19, 2012 at 9:06 am

    I know this isnt Facebook, but I’m sending the thumbs up!

  18. Julie @ Lilacs & Longhorns

    Oct 19, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Love the potential in this house! It was just waiting for the two of you to make it shine. 🙂

    I also grew up in Minnesota and am very familiar with those two-story farmhouses you’re talking about. My dad grew up in a small farming town and I have so many happy memories of farmhouse family gatherings.

    Can’t wait to watch your progress!

  19. Susan

    Oct 19, 2012 at 9:29 am

    Wow, I am jealous of the view. Weird bathroom layout, but at least it is done. I have a 1950’s bath to re-do! Hopefully we start soon. Whew!

  20. Terri

    Oct 19, 2012 at 10:12 am

    Gorgeous!!! Love the sun coming in!!! and do I spy…. wooden sash windows????????????? In a new house????? I seriously am loving this neighborhood…. can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeve!!!!!!! 🙂

  21. Shawn Wood

    Oct 19, 2012 at 10:39 am

    I can’t wait to see what you two do with this house. Although many people would look at this and say “that’s a really pretty house” – as is – to me all I see is “builder basic.” I know you two will up the charm factor exponentially and make it a true home. Have fun!

  22. Leah

    Oct 19, 2012 at 11:01 am

    Hmmm…I think Kit-Cat wants to paint the stair railing white..

    • Layla

      Oct 19, 2012 at 11:05 am

      I think Kit-Cat might make that area into a closet…shhhhh! 😉

  23. Heidi @ A Paige From Our Book

    Oct 19, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Loving the tour of your new home, Layla, and can’t wait to see the changes you make. No pressure… you have time. =) I grew up in a two story farmhouse in (central) MN as well. I still find that two story homes are my preference. Can I ask where in Minnesota you grew up (or region if you don’t want to say specifically)? It’s funny because if I could see myself living in another state, it would be AL. My husband makes yearly business trips down there and sometimes our kids and I get to go along too. We’ll be heading down in a couple of weeks. It’s my home away from home!

  24. Sarah Beth

    Oct 19, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Layla, your new house is absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to see what you guys do to it. 🙂

  25. [email protected]

    Oct 19, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Love all the windows and natural light in the master bedroom! That bathroom is so weird though! Why in the world would they put 2 small vanities in there?

  26. Keeping it Cozy

    Oct 19, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    I’m so behind in saying a huge congratulations on your new home! It seems like everything came together so well and your new house is just beautiful. I know the two of you will turn it into a charming, gorgeous home. I smiled when I read your two story comment… I never lived in a two-story house until a couple years ago when we bought our old farmhouse… but always wanted one from the time I was just a little girl. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!

  27. Mary

    Oct 19, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Love the house, lots to do for the next few years. Love 2nd floor laundry it is the best! Mary in NY

    • Layla

      Oct 19, 2012 at 2:21 pm

      Thank you, Mary! We’ve got our machines upstairs- just have to get them hooked up! 😀

  28. Chrissy

    Oct 19, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    Looks nice! I”m looking forward to your posts on renovating the bath room. It’s an odd layout and bathrooms are supposedly the hardest to change. Good luck girly!

    Also, Kit-cat is adorable. <3

  29. Julie

    Oct 19, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    I love the new house and can’t wait to see what you do with it! We are currently in the market and as I’ve come across newer built homes, I’ve thought, “Nah, it’s too fancy for us.” I would have felt bad about going in and replacing things that were so new. Of course, you can always sell them on craigslist! Best wishes to you guys. And get on it would ya so I can have some new inspiration!

    • Layla

      Oct 19, 2012 at 4:59 pm

      Our thoughts exactly, Julie! We’ll definitely donate whatever we remove to Habitat for Humanity, or sell it on eBay.
      Happy house hunting! 😀

  30. Calico Child

    Oct 19, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Love Love Love it Layla I look forward to seeing all your styling you are both so talented.
    I see what you mean about the en-suit lucky you have the vision enjoy your new home 🙂

  31. Claire

    Oct 19, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    I am curios to see how you “cottage that up”. It’s so typical “builders beige”. It really is beautiful the way it is but I know you will change it up and I”ll learn a lot watching what you do. You’re so sure of yourself and you both seem fearless. Where will you start?

  32. Debbie

    Oct 19, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    Hi Layla,

    I love your house! It is precious and beautiful! I personnally like all the finishes, except carpet, I’m a hardwood lover. But the carpet you have looks so plush and pretty. I even love the masterbath, cozy yet there’s privacy with the toilet room secluded with a door. And all the framed windows! Oh my! It’s so light and bright! I Love it!

    I have only one suggestion, and it may not be popular. :-). I would move your laundry room down to the basement if you have one. Now hear me out… :-). The washer hoses are the LAST thing we think of maintaining, and trust me, they DO burst! If one of them burst you would come home to water pouring through your first floor ceiling and down your stairs. It would be devastating. Also, when you have a little one you will have a boatload of laundry and VERY LITTLE sleep. You will want to do laundry whenever you want to, especially when your sweet child is sleeping. With the laundry upstairs it can be noisy. I learned this the hard way with our last two houses when my daughter’s room was next to the laundry room. Never again! The laundry room is in the basement where it’s secluded from the rest of the house. It’s quiet, I can run a load whenever I need to, even in the middle of the night, it hides the laundry room mess, I don’t have to worry about a hose bursting because it would all go down the drain, and I get “free exercise” going up and down the stairs. And with as busy as you will be with a baby, and as cute and tiny as you are, exercise will be a luxury! 🙂

    I love your design and can’t wait to see how you decorate your home. It’s so lovely!

    Blessings,
    Debbie

  33. Rachel

    Oct 20, 2012 at 6:00 am

    Our cat’s look so much a like it’s SCARY! Our girl is Raja.

  34. Karen

    Oct 20, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    I am so thrilled with your new home. That neighborhood, that view, the lake so close, all the other beautiful homes and a beautiful boned new home. Which you guys would only be truly happy putting your personal stamp on. Your clean, sophisticated style and wonderful use of color, space and balance is the reason so many of us are constantly inspired. Besides the fact that you are both a beautiful, devoted and faith filled loving couple who go through the same ups and downs we all do. This always makes you seem the neighbors you pray for next door. ( sorry know grammar and punctuation off there:).
    Happy wonderful times are coming. My husband ended up doing our nursery all by himself as I was hospitalized from 4th month on so there is special meaning in every drop of work. ( he did a whole of sawing, mite ring, hammering( anything he could be aggressive with) worked his tension out in that beautiful little boys room.
    I wish you both the best. What an amazing place.
    Karen

  35. Lisa

    Oct 20, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    Can not wait to see y’all work your magic….especially on a new house this time! The possibilities seem endless!!!!

  36. Carole

    Oct 21, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    What a beautiful place. With all that space from where you were standing to the actual kitchen, I’m surprised that the kitchen itself is so small. I’m often surprised by house layouts though.

    We’re currently looking after our neighbors cat, and being in her house brings back memories of the first house that hubby and I owned. It was a split level (same layout and builder as hers actually), and we had turned part of the basement into our master bedroom. Besides the vaulted ceilings, the silliest thing I miss are the stairs. I miss having stairs in my house for some reason.

  37. Josey

    Oct 22, 2012 at 9:40 am

    Something tells me those orangey oak balusters won’t be orangey for long.

  38. Trude

    Oct 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    I can definitely see the potential, you guys are going to do amazing things here. Jealous of the lake nearby too! 🙂 Congrats on everything working out just how you hoped!

  39. [email protected]

    Oct 24, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    I am SO excited to see what you will be doing with your new home! Can’t wait to keep following along:):)

    Oh and Kit-Cat is looking adorable as usual;)

  40. Deborah

    Oct 27, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    Thanks for sharing a tour of your new home with us. I can’t wait to see what you do with it, but for now it is already a really wonderful home. Blessings in you new diggs!

    Deborah

  41. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch)

    Oct 30, 2012 at 1:07 am

    Love all your plans and ideas. That view is awesome! I don’t know why but when I saw that view and I saw the porches in your other post, I keep picturing Seaside, a community that I’ve always loved, though I’ve never been there. Just love looking across all those pretty roofs with the lake beyond. I’m sooo happy for you guys!

  42. Kim in MD

    Nov 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Your new home is already gorgeous, but I can’t wait to see what you and Kevin do to “cottageize” it! 🙂

  43. Pam Vanicek

    Apr 7, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    I LOVE the outside of your new house! How lucky to have a BLANK CANVAS inside. I know after much thought and a little time…you will have the inside looking UNBELIEVEABLE! I can’t wait to see pictures! Good for you!!!

  44. Susan Henderson

    Aug 6, 2013 at 8:11 am

    Hi Layla,

    My name is Susan Henderson and I’m the architect that designed your house many years ago. I was given a size limitation and the program for bedrooms and baths, and there you go. But there is a master bedroom addition for the rear of the house that I can send you if you’re interested. No cost to you, the developer paid for it.

    My firm, PlaceMakers, designed The Waters original master plan, so I’ve been involved with it for quite awhile although not since the new owners have been in place.

    Please let me know if you’d like a PDF of the downstairs master.

    Enjoy the house!
    Susan

    • Layla

      Aug 6, 2013 at 3:40 pm

      Hi Susan!
      We actually got that plan from Andrew shortly after we moved in, and we’re excited to customize and make it happen at some point in the future!
      We’re having SO MUCH fun living out here, and are so happy to e-meet you today! 😀

  45. Heidi Holdridge Frantz

    Apr 24, 2014 at 12:15 am

    I have only recently discovered ur blog, and this is the first time I’ve had a chance to check out anything more than ur recent posts. I love your new home. The house and neighborhood are delightful. I wish you the best of luck with all of your projects and look forward to reading about them. I adore the photos of Kit Cat…children and pets help make a house a home. From the sounds, you will be fulfilling the other half of that soon. The house really looks like a great place for a child to grow up. God bless you, your family and your new home.

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