Differences…

When we left our home is Arkansas, I felt like I would never ever love a house like I loved that one.  It was our first home, and the first home that we owned.  When we moved, I remember telling the kids that our new home would feel just as good because it would be ours(it’s not really ours because we are leasing, but we take care of it like it is.)  I also reminded them that we would be together and all the same stuff in this house would be in our new house.

Mind you… I told them that, but I don’t know if I believed it.

I was so worried about living in an older home.

There are definitely many differences between these two houses, but I have to say I actually love this house.

This home was built in 1940.  Our old home was built in 2008.

Everything in this house is old, or has been updated.

Our old house had brand new everything.

Now the question is…. would I choose old or new next time?

I can’t believe I am saying this, but I actually love this old house.

I love living in an old established neighborhood.

I love the wood floors, and the character.

I also love that someone has figured out everything this house needs and already added it.  ie: hooks on the backs of doors, and inside cabinets.  A work bench for tools, and shelves.

I also love having an established yard; which you don’t get with a new home.

It is nice reaping the benefits of someone else’s hard work.

I know the new owners of our home in Arkansas are reaping some of those benefits also.

With that said… I like being in an old home that has been updated.

An old home that needs work? Don’t know if I am up for that challenge.

Yes… there are a few changes that I would make, and several upgrades; but the charm in this house is awesome.

So in honor of discovering how much I love old charm… I am sharing my favorites and my not so favorites.  What I have discovered so far.

First off, we don’t have a garage.  All of the homes on this street have an alley out back that they drive down. Not particularly a favorite part of old charm.  I have this small spot to park in.  Jonathan parks on the street.

But, I have this cute side entry to come in which is close and convenient.

Yes my pot needs a plant.  Please ignore.

The walkway leading up to the door… all brick.  Such charm, such charm.

We also don’t have central air.  It is an old home.  We have 3 window units, and lots of fans. (which isn’t really charming)  

We also have radiant heat.

…but we have cute radiator covers for them …and yes once again, I think they are… yep. charming.

I don’t love this room that is painted four colors.

 

One not so great perk of someone else’s handiwork.

 

I do think the playroom turned out nice regardless.  I will do a post on that room soon.

The art in that room happens to be one of my new favorites.  I made these; while I was in Utah.

  Each canvas has a state that we have lived in on it.  Utah has a heart in it of course.

This monkey mural in the boys room.. NOT A FAN.  Hoping to get permission to take it down.

 

I do love all the old door handles.

 

Each one is different and unique. 

I have skeleton keys for all of them too.  Can you say, Charming?

I do not love our internet connection.  It stinks.  I also have to put our modem in this really odd place.  I hate seeing cords.  I am trying to figure out a solution for this.  Any ideas?

See… it is hidden on this table in our living room, or not really hidden with all those cords.

I do not love that this room or our bedroom does not have a light. I guess they did that in old homes.  Can you say lamps?

I love love love…. all the built-ins.

Oh..and arched entryways.

My favorite is the rock on our fireplace.

It is also the same rock as the outside of the house.

Oh and see that charming street lamp.  Each house on our street has one.  They all turn on by themselves at the same time each evening.

I love having stairs.  It is so nice to have an upstairs space and a downstairs space.

I don’t love my laundry space which is down downstairs.  I am working with it.  (No picture… I forgot that one.) just picture a dungeon.

I am getting my exercise going up and down the stairs.

I do love our attic.  It is huge, and messy.  I didn’t unpack a lot of boxes because we will only be here a year.

 

and I saved our boxes for our move… see how big this attic is?

We also have a walk-in cedar closet up in the attic. Which I love.

 

I can store all our off season clothes up here because….

we have small closets. One more not so favorite thing about an older home.

Remember our closets in our old house?

That has been a small change for me.  However, this house has lots more closets.

My favorite and yes I do love it; is the old wallpaper in the girls closet.  The baseboards in here are even pink.  See… character.

My most favorite is how the owner added these candle holders to the stairs.  Love this idea.

I also love having a hydrangea bush.

I can cut and add fresh flowers to my rooms.

and my new favorite additions that I have added to this charming house…

my new comforter. Ruffles.  Yes.

This adorable owl from my sis for my birthday.

and making Stella’s lamps my own for a new addition to my room.

Phew… that got lengthy.

Hope you enjoyed checking out my fav’s and my not so fav’s.

What would you choose; old or new?

Post-edited: In writing this post I realized how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.  Making changes, and uprooting your life is never easy. It has been a hard few months. However, I am blessed.  I have a roof over my head, a family to share it with, and a husband who loves and provides for us.  What more can I ask for?