Background. Our house search and our house.

After getting accepted into school at The Willowbank School for Restoration Arts in June, our search for a house began in earnest.

We had looked around casually before my admissions and had many discussions on how far away from the school we could really live feasibly. After deciding that I wouldn't be able to work while going to school everyday from 9-4p, we had decided we needed to live right in Queenston or within the ride-able/walkable vicinity, so that I could get to school on the days that Tim was out of town.

So we began our house search and unlike when we'd looked around before, there was nothing - nada! zilch! zero! Well, okay, there was a terrible two bedroom apartment in a building that looked like it was going to fall down, but with a cat and a dog, we thought that that might be a little tight. Plus, it didn't quite fit with our romantic visions of the country life we had been anticipating living.

My best friend, who also lives in the area, had been told to keep her eyes and ears open for any For Rent signs that we wouldn't come across living two hours away. And no sooner, had I almost resigned myself to the apartment I received a call from her, asking me if we'd like to live in a farmhouse that her in-laws happened to have vacant, just a few concessions away from the school.

Isn't the house adorable?

We gave a resounding "Yes!!! Hooray!! Yippee!!" and rushed back down to Niagara to take a look at the house. The house had everything we were looking for and more - not only was it huge for us - with a room we could dedicate to a full-time study and our very first guest room (we'd always had to split our guest room and office) but it had a huge fenced backyard for the dog, and area for a large garden AND was only minutes from school.

Before moving in we were lucky enough to be able to get in there and paint a couple of rooms and move in some boxes of books. Here are the pictures of the house nice and vacant, and newly painted (in the living room/dining room and kitchen) and just vacant everywhere else.

The Kitchen:

We painted it this yellow colour, it used to just be white. They had recently put in new cupboards and appliances. 

   The Living/Dining Room:                        

This is the view of the living/dining room from the front of the room. Note the gorgeous (original!) hardwood floors, we've been told that all the wood in the house used to be painted a horrible dark brown colour before they were stripped. The pine staircase was actually painted as well and was beautifully and painstakingly stripped by hand.

The Study:

The study, which is awesomely called 'The New Parlour'  on the breaker box, was already painted this deep dark red, which we really liked. So we've kept it, and think it is a nice contrast with the bluish colour in the living room.

The Landing:

The landing at the top of the stairs, is quite big. Note the beautiful pine floors and incredibly low but historical railings! I'm putting a little Crystal nook in there (where I can sew and keep all my handy/crafty things). I've already called this cozy spot, since Tim's already got dibs on the study being 'his spot.'

The Master Bedroom:

This is the master bedroom. Aren't the hip walls awesome! This is the same colour/suede finish that the living/dining room was before we painted it the bluish colour. We have plans for painting the master a yellow colour similar to the kitchen. So it'll be nice and sunny every morning!

The Guest Room:

This is the lovely shade of blue that the guest bedroom was, we've since painted it a bit more of a calming tan/taupey colour.

And the bathroom:

The bathroom isn't much to write home about. It's pretty modern, is humongous, and has a spot for a washer and dryer and an extra utility sink. So it's got everything we need. The standup shower is just to the left of the door when you walk in (it's just poking into the left part of the picture). That's me,  in my lovely painting clothes, reflected in the mirror!