My New Home (+Video Tour)
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyIt feels a bit surreal to be typing this, but let me welcome each of you to my new home!
My house hunting adventure has finally ended. I now have a new home here in Pittsburgh, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it! *cue Leslie Knope dance* Today, it’s my pleasure to show you around via photos and a short video at the end of this post.
I have so much I want to tell you about this new house. I wish I could just invite you over for snacks and cocktails so we could chat about my plans and any questions you have about the space.
In order to keep this post a reasonable length, I’m only going to show you around and save discussions of needed repairs, future plans, and my current brainstorming for separate posts. Sound good? We have a lot to talk about. I hope you’re ready for all things house.
Without further ado, let me give you the Before Tour of my house!
As you can see, the house is a colonial with a mix of white siding and white painted brick. Although it has a Pittsburgh address, it’s located about 20 minutes from the city.
The house sits on two acres and has a big front yard, good-size backyard, and small wooded area out back.
The garage is underneath the house (specifically, the dining room and living room.) While the garage is considered a 2-stall, I’m calling it a 1 1/2.
The home also has a semi-finished basement. I didn’t photograph it for this post, but this is where the laundry is located. There’s also a funky wood-paneled bar and another big wood-burning brick fireplace. I’ll save that for another post.
Off the family room, there’s a small side porch. I love this porch. In fact, I’m sitting on it as I write this post. From here I currently see a bunny as well as a couple chipmunks “playing.” And there are birds singing away. It’s so peaceful. I’ve also been told that deer are often in the backyard.
Speaking of the backyard, there is a big deck on the back of the house. It was added in the 90s. It’s not my favorite thing about the house, but its unique shape is growing on me.
Now, let’s go inside through the front door.
You can head straight back to the kitchen or use the stairs to reach the second floor. If you turn left, you’ll be in the family room. Turn right and you’re in the living room.
In the living room, there’s a wood burning fireplace and big bay window.
There’s also a large opening which leads into the dining room.
Once in the dining room, a set of French doors open onto the deck. On the opposite wall, through the swinging door, is the kitchen.
From this perspective, you can see most of the kitchen. The dining room is straight ahead, and the front door of the home is to the right. There is a set of doors that lead to the deck on the left.
This is the opposite wall, which takes you back to the front of the house. The door on the right goes to the basement.
The kitchen also connects to the family room.
I’m in love with this room. The big fireplace, ceiling beams, and Dutch door (which provides access to the side porch I mentioned earlier) tugged at my heartstrings and ultimately sold me on this house.
On the back wall of this room, you’ll find a small closet and full bathroom (with shower). There’s even a wet bar behind those sliding closet doors. (You can see the kitchen peeking through next to those doors.)
That wraps up the first floor. Now let’s go upstairs.
At the top of the stairs, on the left, you’ll find the master bedroom. This room has a semi-walk-in closet and bathroom.
If you make a right at the top of the stairs, the first door on your left is the main bathroom which has a tub/shower combo and large linen closet.
Continuing down the hall, there are two bedrooms on the right, one on the left, and one at the end of the hall. (If I did my math right, that’s five bedrooms in all.)
There is also an attic, which can be accessed from pulldown stairs in the hallway.
I think that’s it! Your first look at my new place is complete!
Because I have a feeling someone may ask (A few of you did on Instagram.), I do not have specific paint colors used in this house at this moment. However, there are some paint cans lying around, so when/if I can figure out paint colors, I will be sure to share those with you.
Now, if any of that was confusing to you, I made a short video per your request. I just filmed it on my phone, so it’s nothing fancy or well-edited, but I agreed that a video walkthrough would be really helpful. You can watch that below.
VIDEO TOUR:
I know many of you are curious about my plans and ideas. I am too! Have no fear, I will take you along every step of the way so that you can see how this house becomes my home.
And this isn’t all about me. I hope to share ideas that you can implement in your own space too. So if you have questions, want specific advice, or need more details about something, please let me know. The more we can communicate, the better journey is for all of us.
One final note: I know that naming things can be kind of annoying and weird (I get it.), but I couldn’t resist giving my new home a name. I decided to call it Bayberry House. Bayberry is a super special name to me because my late-grandparents lived on a street with that name. Before they passed, it was my intention to purchase their home. Since life has had different plans for me, naming my house is my small way of keeping that memory and other memories of them alive.
Thank you so much for being a part of my adventures. I’ve never been more excited to take you with me into a new chapter of my life. Let’s do this!
Beautiful home! Can’t wait to see all the personal touches you do to it. Congratulations!
Thank you!!
xo Michael
What a beauty! So happy for you. Will be following your transformation of making this house your home.
Thank you so much!!
xo Michael
What a gorgeous house! Truly a colonial with the center hallway. And that side porch! All on 2 acres of sweet outdoors. I like the name you chose and the reasons for it. May this house quickly turn into a home for you where you will enjoy it and have great memories to go along with its namesake. Being a life-long Pittsburgher, I’m so glad that you’ve grown to love Pittsburgh too and decided to allow your roots to grow deep here.
Thank you Michelle! It’s been such a joy to experience this city. I’m so happy to build some roots here.
xo Michael
Michael you have done it again, but this house is so beautiful, warm and inviting, just as the owner is. The front view of the house and its surroundings are pristine. I cannot wait to see your magic evolve inside of Bayberry House.
You are so sweet! Thank you Jonna!! 🙂
xo Michael
Wow! Congratulations, it’s beautiful!
Thanks, Sarah!
xo Michael
That is one cool house! I love, love, love the family room. And that little patio off the family is amazing. You are going to have so much fun making the house your own style. Can’t wait to see what you do!!!
Yes! I agree! Those are my favorite spaces too!
xo Michael
Michael! Beautiful home both inside & out!!! So happy for you. XO
Thanks, Linda!!
xo Michael
I have been reading your blog for years and have absolutely loved everything you have done. I’m a native Pittsburgher and was so excited when you said you were moving here. Our house has a similar downstairs layout to yours so I can’t wait to see what you are going to do with the house. Congratulations! And welcome to being an official Pittsburgher now!
It’s official, YINZ!! Haha. Thank you Jackie!
xo Michael
Oh my Lordy…Congrats…it’s beautiful! I can’t wait to see your renovation and updating process…great bones…and that side porch – To Die For!
PS For what it’s worth…I love naming homes/estates/properties…. Ours is Woodwater Farmhouse
Awww! I love that name! Thank you Melissa!
xo Michael
Beautiful! Love the name,love the house. Congratulations!
Thank you!!
xo Michael
Congrats on Bayberry House Michael! So happy for you! What a fitting tribute, it’s beautiful! You are so blessed! Can hardly wait to see what you are going to do. Wishing you much happiness and lots of wonderful memories!
I appreciate this so much Karen! Thank you!!
xo Michael
What a beautiful home and on 2 acres! Loving the den. Cannot wait to see all your plans. Congratulations!
Thanks Gina!!
xo Michael
Congratulations! It’s truly lovely with a lot of potential for sure especially in your hands! YOURE so gifted, talented, and know you will make this home warm and inviting. I love the name. I name things too. You will love that covered side porch and will probably end up spending more time out than you could fathom right now right. Best regards and happiness in your new home!
Thank you, Karen! And I agree! That’s where I’ve been spending a lot of time already!
xo Michael
LOVE IT, love the name and love you!!! Congrats!!
Thank you!!
xo Michael
I haveIt is beautiful! What a lovely setting and I like that you have privacy and all the cool stuff that comes from being in the woods (birds, animals, spring peepers, fireflies). I cannot wait to see what your creativity and skills are going to bring to this house and you know, the Mayan Ruin-style staircase on the back porch is pretty cool. : )
I mean to say I have been waiting for these photos!! stupid computer brainfreeze
I’m so excited to give this house my personal touch. I think it’s going to be great!
xo Michael
Wow! After all the “teaser” pictures you have posted, I did a little breath skip as I saw the full pic of the front of the house. Loved the tour. Absolutely stunning! Can’t wait for all the styling and decorating to begin. Congratulations!
Awww. Thank you Sandra!
xo Michael
I love the name and sentiment behind it. Can’t wait to see more!
Thank you Julie!
xo Michael
What a lovely house! I am so excited to follow along as you make it your home.
Thanks, Lori!!
xo Michael
Cant wait to meet you every morning with my coffee in hand, watching you update and redo! You are so very, very gifted.
This is all I want in life – happy to be your company with your morning brew! Thank you!!
xo Michael
Congratulations!! It’s beautiful already, I love the flow of the main rooms – so good for entertaining! I can’t wait to see what you do with it! So happy for you!
Thank you so much Annie! There’s lots to do, but I’m certain it’s going to be a home I’ll love for a long time!
xo Michael