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!
Gorgeous house! I love your blog and am so excited to see what you do to make it your own. It looks like it has amazing potential!
Yes! So much potential! I’m excited to see it come together!
xo Michael
Great tour. Thanks for sharing. The house is Beautiful! I’m excited to follow your journey because my family recently moved into our dream home. We are going room by room deciding how we want to use the rooms and how to style them. Enjoy your new house and I can’t wait to see what you do.
Thank you Jennifer!!
xo Michael
Congratulations Michael!! I’m a newbie to your talents!! Awesome site, you had me at Pittsburgh(I’m a burg girl as well) AND Dutch doors!! Welcome to your beautiful and very charming home!! Cheers! 🥂
Cheers! Thanks Cindy!!
xo Michael
Congratulations, it’s gorgeous! I can’t wait to see all the fabulous things you have in store!!
I’m excited! Thank you!
xo Michael
Congratulations. This house is so beautiful.
Thank you!!
xo Michael
Michael!!!!!! I’m so excited for you! Love the homage to your grandparents in the totally acceptable naming of your beautiful home. Can not wait for the updates with the renovations. Happy to be on this adventure with you! Congratulations!
Thank you so much!! I’m excited too!!
xo Michael
Can’t wait to see it all decked out for Christmas 🎄
I’m so excited, Pam! Let’s hope I can make some decorating process between now and then!
xo Michael
I love this house! From the large yard to the adorable side porch, and of course the den with its huge fireplace and Dutch door. I can’t wait to see what you do with the place. The best part of all is the name you have given it, your grandparents live on through this beautiful home❤️
Thank you so much Nancy! I’m really looking forward to calling this place home.
xo Michael
Thanks so much for the tour of your new house. It is already quite charming, with a beautiful yard. I can’t wait to see it evolve with your talented touch! Congratulations!
I appreciate it! I’m excited to make it my own! 🙂
xo Michael
I love your new home and the grounds surrounding it are just beautiful! Can not wait to follow along to see you work your magic. How sweet of you to name your home Bayberry after the street your grandparents lived on. I am sure they are smiling down on you at this very moment. The video was very helpful to see the flow of the rooms. Congratulations on your new beginning …
Thanks, Paula. And yes, I agree, so much potential. I’m excited to share the progress here on the blog!
xo Michael
Wow, so many comments on this amazing post! Your new home is so lovely. I must say that side porch is also a favorite part for me, too!! I can not wait to see how you make this home you!
It’s such a great porch! That and the family room / den really sold me on the house!
xo Michael
Bayberry House is pure magic. I cannot wait to see it in every season…particularly autumn, with those woods! I could almost see the wheels turning in your mind for what you plan to do. It’s beautiful. And I just CANNOT WAIT to watch the evolution of Bayberry House!
Thank you! And yes, the wheels are totally turning! Excited to share more.
xo Michael
Michael, it’s beautiful! I love the name and the reason you chose it. I think it’s perfect for the colonial house and setting. Quaint and pretty. Will look forward to seeing all you do with it. Congratulations!!!
Thanks, Janet!
xo Michael
Congrats! She’s beautiful. I have a very similar main floor layout, so I’m excited to see how you style it.
Thank you. Sue!
xo Michael
Congratulations on finding a true jewel of a new home!!
Many thanks!!
xo Michael
Congratulations on your new home! As a designer, I agree that the room with the large brick fireplace is amazing. I cannot wait to see what you do with it! Fun times!
Yes! It’s one of my favorites in the house!
xo Michael
So beautiful, I know it’s going to be so much fun to see the transformation that you will work on this lovely space. What a sweet gesture to name it in memory of your grandparents. Wishing you many years of happiness in your new home
I am so jealous, this is the type of home I always dreamed about, but my home is tiny would probably fit into 2 of your rooms together. I wish you years of happiness and joy
WOW!! I am SO happy for you! The house is beautiful empty but I know you are going to make it even more beautiful! Can’t wait to follow along. Congrats!
Michael,
This house is perfect for you. I see lots of wonderful projects ahead and many backyard parties in your future. You a gifted designer and I know I am not the only one who is inspired by your charm!