Goodbye, Old Charm

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Well, 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.

Dining Room - Dior Gray

White Christmas Tree Dining Room Dior Gray

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.

Adding a small deck to a yard.

Adding a small deck to 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.

Kitchen Woodwork Detailing

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.

Aqua Bedroom Decor

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.

Colorful Bedroom Decor

basement stairwell makeover

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.)

Colorful Modern Living Room

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!

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54 Comments

  1. I loved your home in St Mary’s, and following along your journey has helped us target historical homes as we think about our future plans. So excited to watch you tackle another new space soon!

  2. I have been following for years and love it all! Especially the living room, the Christmas trees, and the Nutella Rolls recipe. Yay! Excited to see the new house and what you will do with it, you are so talented. Also love your life posts. 😊

  3. Oh man. So many good spaces. Of course I loved the Christmas posts. But going far back, around when I first started reading blogs, you did the chevron wall in the gift shop. It’s still beautiful to me, even after we all moved on from that pattern. It inspired me to paint something chevron as well. Good luck in Pittsburgh!

  4. Congrats Michael on your courage to move forward. Life is hard and closing the chapter is bittersweet. Keep moving forward, I love your blog.

  5. Loved the old house at Christmas time!! Also your outdoor area. However I have also came to realize you have the talent. To make any space beautiful.

  6. your Christmas trees have KILLED me every. single. year.
    it has really inspired me to have fun and think outside of the box for my own Christmas tree decorating the past several years. 🙂

  7. I would REALLY love to know more about how you started a B&B and why you decided to end that part of your business? I think it sounds like so much for to be a B&B owner. 🙂

  8. I’m a newer reader, and didn’t know that it was a B&B. How incredibly charming, I love your style and pictures…especially during Christmas 🙂 Congratulations and Good Luck!

  9. Omg, can’t believe it’s been since 2009!! Glad to hear you are in a good place now, the rough times make the good times so much more sweet! I have enjoyed so many things in your posts over the years, but I have to say, l really loved the outdoor space you created. It is so cozy! And all of your holiday decor is stunning and inspires me to do more.

  10. I so enjoyed staying at Inspired by Charm, Michael, and think of you and the B&B and gift shop on my annual visits to St. Marys for our family reunion. You created a beautiful space there and I know you’ll do the same in your new home in Pittsburgh. All good luck!

  11. I’m so glad you’re moving forward while taking time to reflect on your journey with the house. Probably my fave thing you’ve ever done is that multi-colored Christmas garland on your stairs a few years back. And of course your trees are always amazing. I’m very excited to follow your next chapter.

  12. My favorite room was your dining room and I loved all of the great tablescapes, your bar cart and the food you filmed there. I have loved seeing your fabulous Christmas trees each year and that banister full of baubles was beautiful! Best of all Michael I love that in this post you sound happy and at peace with closing one chapter and excited and positive about the future. You must be so excited! I already love those big windows and the natural light in the new house and can’t wait to see your creativity at work as you turn it into your home.❤️

  13. I think I have been following you for two years now. I love your blog posts and adventure you are now taking in finding a new home! I cannot wait to see what you finally get to call home and see how you decorate. You are a very talented young man and I love you sharing your life with us. Hugs!

  14. I just loved your house in St. Mary’s, but I know your new home will be just as in as inspiring! One of my favorite places was your living room, especially at Christmas! The vintage tree with tree toppers and the rockin’ around the Christmastree video…loved it!! Good luck to you, so very happy for you!

  15. It’s wonderful to hear the upbeat tone in this post. I wanted so much for the move to Pittsburgh to be a positive step for you. I can’t wait to see your new home.
    My favorite in Old Charm is hard to choose. The living room is so pretty and I’m a huge fan of that rug too. I loved your deck. I have to mention the espaliered tree. You’re the blogger that I would love to have give my home a makeover. Oh – the Christmas trees – they were always fabulous!

  16. Hi! I just recently found your blog. I am pretty picky/selective about which blogs I will follow, but I knew instantly yours was one I wanted to tune into.

    Your content and your fresh, real way you write and share is excellent. Good luck to you with your new home and I’m so glad to be along with you for your next adventure!

    Best to you Michael!!

  17. Congratulations!!! I’ve been following since the early days…found so much inspiration in every project, even the things you sold in the gift shop! Can’t wait to see your new home!