My New Home (+Video Tour)

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It 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!

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

In the living room, there’s a wood burning fireplace and big bay window.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

There’s also a large opening which leads into the dining room.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

This is the opposite wall, which takes you back to the front of the house. The door on the right goes to the basement.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

The kitchen also connects to the family room.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.)

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

That wraps up the first floor. Now let’s go upstairs.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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.)

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

There is also an attic, which can be accessed from pulldown stairs in the hallway.

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

I think that’s it! Your first look at my new place is complete!

Tour my new Modern Colonial Home in Pittsburgh, PA. Inspired by Charm's New Home. #moderncolonial #inspiredbycharm #hometour

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!

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193 Comments

  1. Michael, what a lovely place to call home. So happy for you. There is so much potential for you to use your amazing talents here. I can’t wait to follow along as your new story unfolds.

  2. What a wonderful canvas for the life you’re going to paint here! It looks like a great home for entertainment … and staging ground for the drinks and munchies you’re always posting. That back deck looks like an opportunity to do something fabulous … a real “Ta Dah” moment coming down those stairs.
    We’re going to have fun watching this house come to life with you.

  3. Love it! I think I would have fallen for the family room as well with that fireplace and beams! Love it! Congrats and enjoy making it your own. Can’t wait to follow along.

  4. Sweet Michael very charming . Looks like you have arrived. Now it’s time to put your famous stamp
    On each of those rooms congrats again😁

  5. Congratulations! It is gorgeous! Love the big rooms and the floor plan. I knew you would find something special, but didn’t even think about out of town. How special to name it in memory of your grandparents. Can not wait to hear your plans.

  6. Congratulations! Bayberry House looks amazing! Looking forward to seeing you transform such a great blank canvas into your home.As I watched the video I was imagining the rooms decked out for the holidays.Can’t wait to follow along on your journey.

  7. So gorgeous!!! I love how spacious it is and how much light it lets in 🙂 I absolutely cannot wait to see what you do with it!!! That porch is to die for!

  8. What a wonderfully beautiful new home! I love the name! I hope to catch every detail on your updates, because my husband and I were thinking of doing some updates to ours before we eventually sell, and I’d LOVE some ideas from you. I’ll definitely stay tuned, for sure. Breathtaking back yard, especially from someone here who has a smidgen of one 😉

  9. OMG its beautiful and I absolutely love the front hall floor (slate I believe). Don’t take it out…in 10 years the next generation will be crying about all the lovely pink/green/blue tile of the 50’s that were taken out in this decade. So pleased with your choice and know it is exciting for you. Take your time, don’t overspend; save $$ for retirement; and keep on DIY to save money. I am so bored wth all the bloggers who hire someone to totally renovate a house…most of us don’t have those funds available. My husband and I have plenty to retire on and house is liveable and not up to date … but we love it.

    1. Great advice here! Thank you, Barbara. I think it will end up being a mix of both. I wish I had the skills and knowledge to DIY everything!

      xo Michael

  10. It is a beautiful home Michael. So happy that you and Bayberry chose one another. I am looking forward to seeing
    your decorating decisions as I love your style. A new chapter has begun!