Closet Encounters Of The Painted Kind

We clooooosed! We clooooooosed! It took almost 3 hours at the attorney office and the HUD-1 changed so I had to find $6 in cash and spare change in my purse but WE CLOOOOOOOSED!

I must admit that the work and time involved to purchase the home has left me stalled with a plan on renovating and moving in. Because of the delays, I put a mental block on the plan to move in because a small part of me feared it wouldn't happen. So now, I'm almost fearful to start because even though it's in dire need of renovation, it's an empty house full of potential! I see it as a fresh new start and don't want to junk it up!

My main goal now is lining up the to-do-list priorities. I think I'll be starting on the closets. Preparing and organizing the internal spaces give me a happy area to put away the things I do bring into the house at first. The budget is $40 for all closets. That is for paint and additional hardware since we will be reusing as much wood and wire shelving as possible. So for inspiration, here are some amazing closet ideas for storage and color in a normal budget range:


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I love the idea of the towel racks on the inside of this linen closet. My closets are usually so disorganized and jammed full I can't CLOSE the door but this idea might inspire me to keep things pretty:





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Painting these bifold closet doors in chalk paint is genius. A nice place to keep the running grocery list! Although I'm not sure I want a huge spanse of black in my kitchen, I love the creative ideas to alter the plain bifold doors:

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Have you considered painting the inside of your closet spaces? Comment here or link to share!

UP to DATE

WE HAVE A CLOSING DATE!!! AUGUST 24TH!!!

I am still in a state of shock but you guys it's in writing... we will be closing at noon on August 24th. In preparation for the big event, I've been spinning around in the glamorous world of floor coverings. While I am still debating between carpet and laminate upstairs, the staircase itself is an area I'd like to have a little bit of fun with even though the budget is slim.

These are images from some amazing staircase remodels and unique flooring options from blogs I have been following. I've found so much inspiration, I can't wait to get started! (remind me that I said that once my hands are dirty and my knees are sore!):

The Creative Junkie's Complete Remodeling Process: This is an amazing step by step guide to how to approach this daunting task.



Remodelaholic is one of my favorite blogs and she has so many brilliant ideas. This staircase remodel is one that I am hoping to achieve myself:



Unfortunately, the hope of hardwood risers hiding underneath my carpet is long gone. I already know that my staircase is entirely made up of plywood and carpet staple remnants, so I will have to be installing new treads. But, if Rhoda at Southern Hospitality can turn this into a beauty then I have hope! (Plus, she lives in nearby Atlanta so if I find myself in a pickle I will know where to turn for help!)



Finally, ours is a house of fun. And while I want a home that is clean and clutter free, we also need a little whimsy in the mix. I think one of these little critters and a tiny mouse hole would be so cute rising from an elegant ebony stair tread...


Anna at Take the Side Street repainted her steps to create the sunniest happiest staircase ever!


I'm torn. Stain? Paint? They all look beautiful! Which do you prefer?

One Step Closer

After being under contract for 87 days, read again EIGHTY SEVEN DAYS... we have a commitment to close from Wells Fargo! This step towards a resolution is only the second post in this blog but it's been an entire season of phone calls, emails and visits down to the mortgage company just to get someone's attention. I still can't believe this step is true. We still have a ways to go before the package goes out and before closing... but you guys, I breathed today!

Now, on Friday we had to submit a 4th extension request to HUD. The bank won't prepare the closing package until we know that we were granted the extension - and HUD may require the package to grant it. So dancing in the middle of my own private catch 22 will be this week's activity but I don't care. It's a different waiting game than before!

Wells FarStop

The house hunting portion of this experience was emotional and tiring but it was also interesting and exciting. Our second real estate agent has been a dream. I'd never have gotten to this point without her knowledge and suggestions.

Unfortunately "this point" isn't a great one. We are on day 89 of trying to secure financing for our new home. The first 40 days were happily spent thinking that our mortgage broker was truthful and on top of things. I had a big learning curve ahead of me. We were lied to directly, we were mislead with inferences. We changed lenders on day 40... 5 days before the contract was to end. Luckily our little venture is a HUD home and they were gracious in granting us a 15 day extension.

We were assigned to Wells Fargo by a more reputable mortgage broker. Elated to have found someone who knew her stuff and could work under a tight timeline, we were once again excited! National bank should have their stuff together! (or at least understand the process of writing a mortgage process). W.R.O.N.G.... with a capital OMGWRONG.

I could write for days about all the instances of them being mistaken, negligent, and outright lying as well. I could share with you the instance where my children and I had to go to their offices in person to get someone to pay attention enough to even START our file since 2 weeks of phone calls and emails had gotten absolutely no response. I could share with you and write and write. But I have wallowed in so much negativity during this process that I can't do it any longer. We are at day 89. I am told that today someone in underwriting will look at my file. Tomorrow we either have to have the closing package sent to HUD or put in a request for a 4th extension which I don't in my heart believe they will grant.

The purpose of this initial post is to say "I've been there" to others who are having mortgage issues. It's also to serve as a remebering point once this house is indeed ours and we are happily making memories there. But for today, it's out of my hands. I wait for God's sign and hope that the last 89 days haven't been repeated signs that this isn't for me right now.