We Bought a Yard… and a House Came With It

We’ve been putting in offers, getting beat out, and honestly just spinning our wheels. But then—plot twist—we found a house that wasn’t selling (probably because it was overpriced), but it checked all the right boxes: clean disclosure, solid bones… and a killer backyard.

After some negotiations we’re officially under contract (!!), and while I’m not sharing all the juicy details just yet, I can spill the part that sold us on the place: the yard. It’s massive—like dream backyard wedding massive. I’ve even thought about renting it out for receptions one day. But mostly, I’m just so excited to make it beautiful and functional for our family.

Think:

• Pretty landscaping
• Chicken coop
• Garden beds and greenhouse
• In-ground Trampoline + play area
• A little hill with a tunnel (don’t worry—I’ll explain more on that soon)
• Sport court
• Sidewalk that loops the yard
• Plenty of grass area

It’s going to be both dreamy and functional. Basically, this yard had my DIY brain in overdrive, and I couldn’t say no.

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Let’s Talk Kitchen Plans

We’re not showing the full house just yet, but I am ready to share what the kitchen looks like today—and where it’s headed. It’s perfectly dated, not too old that it won’t function for us in the meantime but not new enough that I feel bad about ripping anything out. 

The Plan:

• That weird little breakfast nook pop-out? Gone. We’re flattening the wall which will give us a few extra feet to add on to the kitchen, and moving the door further down on the wall 
• Ditch the peninsula and replace it with a large island to improve the flow.
• Move the fridge to the other side of the kitchen and center the oven on the wall with a large range hood over it
• Bust out the tiny pantry and close up the entrance to the current dining room (can’t wait to show you why!) and add for floor-to-ceiling cabinetry on the entire wall (plus a built-in appliance garage!).

And a Few More Kitchen Details I’m Loving:

• Ceiling-height cabinets – to make the space feel taller and more custom.
• No tile floors – I know they look pretty, but tile and kids are a disaster waiting to happen. We’ll do continuous wood flooring throughout for a warmer, more cohesive look.
• Wall molding + trim – We started this in our last bathroom reno, and this house will lean into that elevated, classic charm.
• Form + function – I need both. Stuart would always vote function first, but I keep reminding him… design matters too.

Oh, and speaking of Stuart—he says he wants to be “more opinionated” in this house. I told him that’s fine… for our forever home. This one? I’m still steering the design ship 😅

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A Quick Life Update

We won’t be moving until July—which also happens to be just a few weeks after I’m due with baby #… well, we’ve lost count at this point, ha! I’m due June 7, so the timing is wild, but also so US. Why not move out of state with a newborn?

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Stay Tuned

I’ll be sharing more about the house as things get official (and as I start pulling out the paint samples and project plans). Until then, send all the good vibes for smooth closings, solid sleep (ha!), and flooring that hides crumbs.

—Crystel

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Watch This Month’s DIY in Action