Feb
1
2009
1
2009
Home At Last
Filed under: Home in Bozeman
We’ve been living in our “house without wheels” for exactly 2 months…and we’re finally settled! We have a few more boxes to go through, but for the most part, we’re done. Everyday, we look at each other and say “Don’t you love our house?!”. It fits us perfectly and we love every nook and cranny. It took Matt about 2 weeks to do the complete remodel (paid for in full by the owners, including labor…yay!). We replaced all of the flooring and painted every surface in the house with zero-voc paint…it truly feels like “our home” now.
This transition found us without ANY furniture…because we sold it all before the tour. We did have our bed, which we took out of the RV, but that was it. So, the 6 weeks before we moved into town were filled with lots and lots of Craigslist searches and “going to see” trips. We were able to furnish the entire house with used items…with the exception of a few handmade goodies and things like curtain rods, etc. We had so much fun piecing it all together…one amazing “find” at a time. Here are some of the cool things we found:
Couch: The previous tenant left the couch in the house, and it’s exactly what we were looking for. Yay! A total blessing.
Futon: We got our organic/non-toxic futon from a lovely couple, whom we are now friends with because of that transaction. It’s made a really comfy guest bed for our family. Love it.
Table/Chairs: This was something that I was really struggling with because I was so missing having a family dinner and being able to serve my family on a “real” table. The Christmas tree stood where the table is now, and we had just been using the bar as our eating area. However, this always left one person out in the cold 
On the couch, floor, etc. The catch was that there isn’t a clear “dining area”. We had a VERY small space to work with and the table needed to fit perfectly, have compact chairs, etc. We finally found our gem on Craigslist and I knew the moment I saw it that God sent it for me 
The chairs matched the berry color in the rug and curtains perfectly, and were exactly what we wanted! The table fit the space like a glove as well. The best part, we got it all (plus a 5th chair) for $80.00. Patience pays off!
Desk: I needed a place to set up my printer, hard drives, etc. but there really was no place to put a “real” office space. We brainstormed and decided that behind the door in the bedroom would work perfectly. We found an old, tiny desk at the thrift store and it works great. It just goes to show that when you live in a small space, you can utilize every corner!
Glider Rocker & Changing Table: As you know, we’re getting ready for the arrival a new baby, so we were on the look out for a rocker and other baby goodies. We found both the rocker and changing table on Craigslist for a steal.
A few of our other “treasured items” (aka: things we didn’t sell) were brought to Montana from Iowa by my lovely parents when they came for Christmas…Bella’s wooden kitchen, wooden doll bed, etc.
There are so many things we love about this house…the location, the great parking, the layout, the laundry, the woodburning stove, the shower head…we love it all. I can’t wait for summer to come so I can find more things to love about it. Flowers, trees, proximity to the park. Oooooh so good.
So without further ado…I invite you to come on in for a cup of tea, and have a look around!
Note: Each Flickr photo has little notes and more information on it, so be sure to click on the individual images and run your mouse across it to see them. Don’t miss The Happy Wall and the “Rejoice” banner…two of my favorites
Edited to add:
The paint is No-VOC paint from Columbia Pure Coat:
Yellow: Tropical Dream
Green: Motherland
Blue: Stillwater
Brown: Blonde Shell
Posted by Sara @ 1:20 am | Leave a Comment
1
2009
So cute!!! I was hoping you’d put together a slide show. Your house is SOOO cute. Perhaps, are there pics of the outside or just the front door?
1
2009
Hi Jen…
Here is the post with the exterior photo
http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/2008/12/04/a-house-without-wheels/
1
2009
What a gorgeous space! You have such an eye for decorating. Every room looks so warm and inviting – unique and yet a cohesive whole. Thank you for posting pictures. They are so inspiring.
1
2009
This is gorgeous! I love all the bright pops of color! I’ve made notes of little odds and ends to hunt for in States for our small space here. I love it!
1
2009
It looks so nice and cozy! Thanks for giving us a tour, Sara.
1
2009
Thank you for sharing your house.You have made it very welcoming and cosy.
1
2009
Sara,
I love how you make EVERY place you live so homey and yours. Your home is beautiful. I love it.
1
2009
I knew it would be just that adorable! I love the hanging birds, Bella’s room, and the circles! I might have to borrow that idea, too. It’s so colorful and fun.
Enjoy your beautiful home!
1
2009
Your house is absolutely beautiful!! I love all the colors you’ve used. It looks like a wonderful place to call home!
1
2009
I’m always curious to what your landlords think about your renovations. Do they like it? Are they surprised? Indifferent?
It is lovely Sara. And I love seeing all the little details that adorned your previous dwellings. It made me very happy:).
1
2009
Makes me happy. I have only one complaint. There are no paint color names listed. How are people supposed to rip off your ideas if you don’t provide them easy access?
1
2009
I love your home! I absolutely adore your decorating style, ever since I stumbled across your Small is Big flickr set 2 years ago. You are a great inspiration! Now I really want to hit up some Etsy shops and thrift stores. Haha!
1
2009
So beautiful! I just love your style!
1
2009
Gen…I knew that someone would ask that
I just didn’t feel like crawling down in the storage space last night to find the names, but I will dig them out and post them soon!
LaLibertad: We had our landlady approve the colors and showed her photos of our previous apts. before we started. The colors that were in here before were just as “dramatic”, so she didn’t put up too much of a fight
1
2009
What a lovely house-so uncluttered and yet so cozy-love the colours that you’ve used-thanks for posting the photos
1
2009
It looks lovely, but that’s what I’ve come to expect from you. Everytime I see your new spaces it totally gives me the decorating bug. You really should be an interior designer! You are pretty darn amazing
1
2009
Sarah,
It’s lovely! You’ve done a wonderful job. I get so many good ideas from you, decorating and otherwise (food, simplicity…). Thank you!
I really like that most of the items are thrifted! Such a good and beautiful reuse! Great job!
1
2009
The color of the hard wood floor works so well with the wall color!
1
2009
Where did you get the wooden kitchen and the wooden doll bed?
And is that an electric teapot? Do you like that better than heating on the stove?
1
2009
Sara, Awesome job!!
…waiting on paint colors and lamp fixure info. hee. You are so good at that.
1
2009
What a beautiful home. I love it. And to have gotten all your furniture used is awesome. I love your style, it fits perfect with the house. Now it’s a home!!
1
2009
I had to go through the photos twice because your dwelling is just so darn precious!! You do such amazing things with your homes, Sara! And let me add that Matt is quite the handy-man!! If I lived where you are I’d hire him in a minute. My “honey-do” list is long and my skills are short!! The love and comfort is so clear in your house!!
Susan
1
2009
I love how colorful and cozy your home is. I love all the textures and patterns you use! Thanks for sharing!
1
2009
Beautiful!
1
2009
Sara, your home is awsome! You inspire me to try harder to be creative with the space we were given, thank you
Enjoy your new home and staying put for a while!
1
2009
Oh wow, it’s beeeautiful. Honestly how did you DO that in two weeks?! We’ve been here nearer two YEARS! And we’re getting nowhere close!
Lovely colours. Serenity, quirkiness .. HOME!
Jackie
1
2009
Oh, Sara! It’s so beautiful and so you! I love it. Very cozy and inspiring.
1
2009
Thank you so much for sharing your house with us! I love it! Would you mind sharing paint colors?
1
2009
Thanks for the tour–you definitely have an eye for design. Your home looks like a magazine spread! I love all the colors and choice of artwork/placement/composition. Thanks for sharing these photos with all of us. Inspiring!
1
2009
I love looking around at your new places. Always feels like home and so happy!
Steph
1
2009
Thanks for the tour…lots of neat, inexpensive tips here! And the colors look warm and inviting too!!
1
2009
Your home is so cozy! I love the colors and your fun, thrifted items. I know many happy memories will be made in your home.
1
2009
It’s gorgeous, so cosy, warm and welcoming!!
1
2009
Oh wow, it’s amazing!! Everything looks so perfect and cheerful and cozy and fun. I love it.
1
2009
Thanks for the tour! Your home is beautiful, and I love the eclectic art everywhere. Life is better lived surrounded by art for sure.
1
2009
I think what I love about the house most is how small and simple it is. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with “stuff” lately – unable to get rid of it, feeling like we need more space, knowing it will only mean more stuff, not knowing how to cull the stash, not feeling totally settled or “done”. Being in such a state of change in our home and especially yard can be overwhelming.
Maybe you could post a blog on how to simplify and cull without a huge lifestyle change inspiring it?
~Tara
1
2009
it was fun to go through and see all the things we both have- from books to hand soap! how funny!
we are in the market for a new kitchen for our kids. do you remember where you got bella’s?
1
2009
Absolutely lovely. You and Matt both have done a fantastic, impressive job! I love everything.
1
2009
I had a look at your flickr photos before coming over here for a read of you post, and I have to say that The Happy Wall is my favourite too!
1
2009
For those of you that have asked, the wooden kitchen is from Nova Naturals http://www.novanatural.com/ . They also have the doll bed and quilt, although my mother in law actually had a local carpenter make the bed for Bella and had a quilter sew the mini-quilt.
1
2009
Awww, I so love your home! Putting my home to shame. *grin* Thanks for posting pictures of your sweet home.
1
2009
Oh yeah, and I was curious if you guys happened to take before photos? That would be fun to compare!
1
2009
I really took my time and enjoyed the “visit” to your home. So welcoming!
I love the Happy Wall. I’ve been waiting for some inspiration with regards to our bulletin board. Right now, it functions as a artwork display but I love the idea of making it into something more–like what is making our family happy right now. Love!
Thank you so much.
1
2009
I absolutely love your style and use of color!!! Beautiful!
1
2009
Your home is so warm & wonderful! It’s FULL of inspiration. It’s truly what I inspire to have my home look like for my family!
1
2009
Beautiful…inspiring! Thanks for sharing. We’re getting ready to move (again!) and I plan to use several of your ideas in our new place.
1
2009
I love the new place!!!…I found the embroidery rings idea on apartment therapy as well and have a few of my favorite fabrics hanging in our living room…the circles make for a nice change from the rectangle picture frames.
2
2009
Sarah–what a wonderfully warm and welcoming home you have. If you don’t mind, would you please share the paint color you used in your kitchen and family room. I really like it–it’s bright, but warm. Thanks much!
2
2009
Thanks for posting these pictures! We are renting an even smaller space (and there are 5 of us!!) and many times I just don’t know what to do with it to make it look uncluttered and homey. I have seen several things you have done that I think will work for me! I was wondering…where did you get the rejoice banner? Did you make it? I just love it!
2
2009
Thank you for sharing your ideas. It looks like a wonderful place to live and grow