{Open House}

When we spotted this drawing on our nightly Zillow search, I laughed to my husband “This is the one!” (I was only kind of kidding.)

As many of you know, last spring we bought a new house. Well, new to us, because in truth it was an old house that needed some love. What can I say? We fell hard for the charming block and beautiful light, so we didn’t mind taking on a significant project.

And already we’ve done a great deal. Some improvements, like refinished warm grey floors and crisp white paint *everywhere*, have made a real impact, while others, like seismic retrofitting and new systems throughout, have proven important albeit decidedly less thrilling. Like when friends come over, I don’t show them our brand new electrical panels. (I leave that to my husband. Sigh.)

It’s a sweet, comfortable home, and not at all formal like our San Francisco flat with its Edwardian details and extravagantly high ceilings. But for this time in our life as a young family, it feels juuuust right.

So very much remains to be done. (Truly. The list gives me heart palpitations.) But already there are some places in the house that make me smile every time I happen by.

The view from my daughter’s bed where we frequently convene for early morning snuggles. I may have fallen in love with the trees on our block before I even set foot in the house.

A peek upstairs into the second floor hall and my son’s nursery. The glossy railing painted in (appropriately) Farrow & Ball “Railings” turned out more deep navy than dark bronze as advertised, a happy accident. The new Thomas O’Brien “Vendome” sconce (one of a pair) really anchors the style we’re embracing in this home: casual. california. ease.

Having private outdoor space feels impossibly luxurious after 15 years of San Francisco apartment living. Somebody pinch me (and bring me a glass of rosé).

The entry makes it plain that we are sentimental fools: a flea market demilune I painted myself (badly, with Annie Sloane Chalk Paint in “French Linen,” if you must know), fresh blooms from our garden, an antique lamp I adored so much my husband had it rewired for me, and a photo booth snapshot from the early days of our courtship. Awwwwww.

This vignette is all about my husband: an antique French buffet he selected on his own (I know!) which we currently use as a bar, topped with books about New York, California and Bruce Springsteen (his past, present and FOREVER, in that order), with a map of his hometown hanging above. (I take full responsibility for the orchid.)

The future site of my writing desk. (Insert heart Emojis here.)