Goodbye, Old Charm
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyWell, friends, it’s official. This past Friday I signed the papers and sold my house in St. Marys.
If you are new to IBC (or just want a quick refresher), back in 2008, I bought a bed and breakfast called Old Charm. In 2013, I closed the B&B and used the entire house as my home.
Sidenote: For those of you who didn’t know, the name of my blog “Inspired by Charm” (which premiered in 2009) is based on the name of the B&B.
In June of last year, I decided to spread my wings a bit and move to an apartment in Pittsburgh. Although I hadn’t intended to sell my place in St. Marys, an opportunity to do so presented itself recently, and it was just too good to resist.
For the past six months or so, I’ve been hunting for a house here in Pittsburgh, and if you check out my Instagram post today, you can get a sneak peek at how that’s progressing.
As you might guess, selling my home (and previous business) of almost 10 years was bittersweet. However, as I’ve made this transition over the past year, I am confident that everything is working out as it should. And that, my friends, is a great feeling.
With the travel back and forth between homes and the ups and downs of selling and buying, this past year did not go as planned. And although at various points, it made me want to pull my hair out, things could have been so much worse. Most of the rough times were when I let myself get caught up in the downs and drama of life. Now I’m aware there was something bigger at work, and while difficult, this process was essential.
At the end of the day, I’m moving on to the next chapter of my life with joy, excitement, and anticipation. Even though it’s sure to have challenges, I firmly believe this new era will be bright, happy, and beautiful.
So, as I turn the final page of the Old Charm chapter of my life, it seems fitting to take a walk down memory lane. If you don’t mind, I want to share some reflections on my previous home. Obviously, there are dozens and dozens of memories, so I’m going to limit myself as much as possible.
I’d also love for you to join in. If you’ve been following for a while, please leave a comment below with your favorites from my previous home: favorite room, best makeover, coolest craft, tastiest recipe, and so on. It would mean so much to hear from you.
Let’s get to it …. (in no particular order)
The view looking into my dining room.
This was easily my favorite view in my entire house. It was almost magical. Not only does it look pretty, but it was so easy to photograph. The light almost always worked perfectly, and I was able to create many truly magical moments there.
I also have fond memories of this room because at one point I got to chat on the phone with Nate Berkus about it. In fact, he chose that gray paint color. I still love it!
The deck.
This house was located in downtown St. Marys so yard space was lacking. In fact, I didn’t have a yard.
Installing this artfully placed deck in the back of the house was one of the best decisions I made. It gave me space to create an outdoor seating area, have a small fireplace, and hang string lights.
100-year-old character.
I unofficially moved out on the 100th birthday of the house. (Not the exact day, but the year.) This old house solidified my love of older homes. I was enamored of the detailed/wide woodwork, all of the built-ins, the pocket doors, and the high ceilings.
Press.
My work in this home brought Inspired by Charm to the attention of others. Not only was my St. Marys home featured in several magazines (most notably the cover and a spread in BHG’s Christmas Ideas magazine), but it allowed me to work with many amazing brands and people throughout the years.
And I’m not telling you this to be braggadocios, but it makes saying goodbye a little easier. I gave this home so much, and it gave so much back to me. I’m especially grateful to have this blog as a journal of my journey
Lots of practice.
As I mentioned last week, I’ve been working on improving the backend of the blog, which means looking through old posts. Blogging was so different back in 2009 in some very good and some very bad ways. When I go back that far, my inclination is to be judgemental of my work. However, I’m forcing myself to take a different approach, and that has helped me realize how much I’ve grown and learned.
My photography has improved, my decorating skills have evolved, my writing has changed, and my overall style has shifted into something I’m actually proud of.
On top of that, I’ve learned some handy skills, including how to hang light fixtures, add molding, and even do minor plumbing.
This picture / view of my living room.
To this day, I still get a couple emails a month asking where this rug is from. (It’s from CB2, but they haven’t sold it since 2013.)
Anytime I would share this picture (or a similar shot on Instagram), it would get so many likes and comments. It was a beautiful space.
Okay, I think I’m getting a bit carried away, so I’m going to stop here. However, a few quick honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions:
My Mom’s 60th Birthday
Rainbow Christmas Tree
My Home Tours
A Small but Mighty Kitchen
Forged Nail Curtain Rod
Thank you all so much for being a part of this journey. Whether you have been following along since 2009 or just joined yesterday, I am thrilled that you are here. I look forward to sharing my next chapter with you!
Yes Bittersweet I am sure.
I LOVE this home. And, have been with you from the beginning…because of this home.
I am envious of the new owner 🙂
Good luck with the next chapter.
I will watch, quietly, as I always do from the sidelines.
I have been following IBC for a few years now, probably since 2013. The room that drew me to your blog was a post on Pinterest of your living room. I then went to your website and have loved it all since then. Congrats on the next chapter. I’ll be here.
Following since the early days..I always loved your seasonal home tours. I love the simple changes (and sometimes pretty big) to transform a room, I look forward to your new adventures…
I forgot! Your recipes! LOVE your recipes too!
Congratulations on your new home! I know it will be equally as beautiful as the “Charm” I look forward to all your new posts coming up!
Congratulations on this new chapter! I will miss that old house though! I remember the red and white curtains you had it seems like I commented or something… And you said you bought the fabric at Walmart. Don’t know if those facts are correct but I did/do love those red and white curtains! Also I copied your Christmas tree where you did each color grouped together. I love that look I think I may do that this year ha ha. Best of luck Michael you are such a sweet soul!
I am so happy for the wonderful progress you have made in your life! Doing what you love is always awesome! The B and B was always extra incentive to get my brother to come visit me in St. Marys. I will always thank you for hosting him so warmly
OH MY WORD! Do you ever see so many great things at once that you are just like, “Wait…I have to get a long look…at…every…single…thing?” That was me just now looking at your previous home! Holy Moly! I am new to your blog, so I had never seen photos, except from your apartment. (Which is also AMAZING.) I found SO much inspiration that I want to go shopping right now. lol I’m having a big Memorial Day party at the end of May and plan to use some of your recipes. So, I know you said in your post to leave a comment about a favorite thing – I CAN’T! I’m loving everything I see. Seriously. So glad I found your blog. Good luck with your new house – I’m excited to see how you decorate.
This post was such a lovely way to pay tribute to a home that started this all for you. You did this home so much justice! I remember when you were still sleeping in some attic or basement, offering the very best for your guests. It warmed my heart when you changed things out and started treating YOU just as well through your beautiful spaces that became yours, one at a time.
I’m celebrating you from afar and personally, cannot WAIT to see what your new digs holds for you… and more selfishly… for us! 🙂
All the very best M, and am eagerly cheering you on from the Canadian peanut section, eh?!
Congratulations!!! Now you can focus on your new life and the next adventure!
Doesn’t it feel freeing since selling you house as you can now use all your energy for a new you in a different place? Have you ever considered having you past blog posts and pictures made into a book for preservation of the blog. I did this for my quilting blog and it turned out quite lovely. I used Blog2Print and they were wonderful to work with. I set the date range of my posts I wanted to have printed. I did select just the comments I wanted to be included since I did participate in blog hops and people responded that I never heard from again. This is now a keepsake. Looking forward to new posts as you spread your wings. JudyCinNC
Congrats this is so exciting! One of my fave spaces in your home didn’t make the cut, lol. It was your pink kitchen. I remember when you shared it (nervously) and when I saw it, it made me like you even more as a person because the way you captured your kitchen and presented it with such care made me know that even though things aren’t “perfect” you are still able love them in your own way. Ok, I’m probably reading too much into this lmao but yeah that’s my favorite space 🙂
I love how you took a grand old house and kept the charm while adding a modern flair. But my absolute favorite was your fat pants sign. I smiled everytime I saw it! Congratulations on the sale, know it is rather poignant, and looking forward to reading more about your adventures in the city!
I’m sad to see the magnificent St.Mary home go. I’ve followed you for years and loved everything you did to add your personal “charm” to the house. My all time favorite room is that vintage kitchen with the living room a close second. Looking forward to your next project.