As our required quarantine continues for another month, I have decided that I like my house.
This was never meant to be a forever place. My husband and I purchased it at the lowest point in the Seattle market as a semi fixer. We liked the simplicity of the mid century style and the Magnolia neighborhood and the fact that we did not have to park one car on the street. We planned and executed a major remodel, inside and out, anticipating a move to something larger in two years.
10 years later, we are still here. Although modest, we have territorial views from Mt Rainier to Mt Baker, the city skyline, Queen Anne's west slope and Fisherman's terminal. Due to our one way street and how high we sit on the terrain, we need no window coverings for privacy and we maximize the light exposure. We face mainly east but our backyard faces west to capture the sunset glows. With some assistance from professionals, we have transformed the backyard and it is lush with trees and flowers and a deck. Right now, I am looking out to a pale pink cherry tree in our front yard and our “Old Man’s Walking Stick” is ready to burst with golden buds. The harbinger of spring.
One of the reasons we purchased this home was the full height lower level. The huge bedroom there allows us both to work from home which has been a godsend lately.
Our main floor maintains the 1965 ambiance but has been renovated from floor to ceiling--kitchen, baths, windows, systems. Downstairs we have made a cozy home theater room with fireplace which has become especially enticing for watching the last seasons of Homeland over the last few weeks.
Does it have warts? Of course, but not ones readily apparent on these days of lockdown. Sitting on my living room sofa with views of the Mountain, laptop in hand and 2 cats to keep me company is not bad duty.
There is another home or two in our future. I am in real estate and we love having a project but, for now, I am appreciating what I have and feeling thankful to be right here. As Compass says, I have found my place in the world. For the next month at least.