My Kitchen For Sale. I'll throw in a house and 1+ acre too.

12 years ago

Well, Boo Hoo.

We are relocating. I knew it might happen. And now it is.

The house isn't going on the market until the end of September due to too many things going on and couple of projects (basement) that must be wrapped up in a hasty manner.

On the bright side, Better Homes & Gardens Budget Kitchens is coming soon to photograph it for a 2012 issue. That will be very exciting!!!

I suppose I will take this as an opportunity to "do it all again" but this time make some changes that I couldn't do with this project. I have learned so much since my reno from all of you. Thank you.

I really want a "proper kitchen", aka "Huge Kitchen". The kitchen is truly my favorite place to be in the house and I want to make sure in the next house it is a place for multiple cooks, people to hang out around an island, drink wine while there is cooking going on. I know, it's a fantasy, but it is one I can't get out of my head.

I am hoping that we can build a house. We have never done that, but I really want to try it. I have become too picky in what I like and what I don't like and to buy someone else's house and basically undo everything is like buying a house twice. Don't want to do that. Unless, financially, it is the right thing to do. I really pity the realtor who is assigned to us in the new location. You know I will be showing them photos of my kitchen in order to give them an idea...I think I will frighten them. "Here's my kitchen, I want this, but 3 times as big, more sinks, bigger stove, no island but rather a continent that seats a ton of people..."

So, you will be seeing me here to get help with floor plans, I'm sure. I never look at the "Help with my floor plan" posts, because quite frankly--I'm not very good at that! Although, I can pick out when a builder's plan is just wrong. But with your help I'm sure we will be able to get it "right".

Hopefully I won't have to be forcefully removed from my old kitchen. I can just see it now, I'll chain myself to my island.

Thanks again for everything gang.

Bee

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Comments (23)

honorbiltkit
12 years ago
You are a brave woman, bkw, to walk away from a gorgeous project into which you put so much imagination, work, and care without an ounce of self-pity. That said, we can hardly wait to see what you will achieve with the next phase.

Best of luck. hbk
mtnfever (9b AZ/HZ 11)
12 years ago
You have a great attitude of being positive and looking forward rather than backward (well, um, ignoring the chaining to the island part...). Your DIY reno is so fabulous, it'll be great to see your new kitchen!

So, do the bees get to move too??

good luck, and cheers
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beekeeperswife
Original Author
12 years ago
I'll take all the luck I can get, so thanks.

mtnfever, yes, the bees are moving too. Probably have to go to a foster home if we end up in an apartment whil waiting for a house. Bees have to be moved either 20 feet or 20 miles. So, they will be fine. BUT, I can tell you I will NOT be participating in that part of this move. I think they wrap the hive, and then move it somehow. So, if you see someone in a beekeeper outfit driving really erratically down the highway, that would be my husband!
chicagoans
12 years ago
Best of luck with your move, your sale, and finding your next home to make gorgeous. You will have the absolute most stunning kitchen photos that a realtor has ever put in a listing!
brianadarnell
12 years ago
Bee- good luck with the move! all of your fabulous taste will undoubtedly make your house sell very quickly.

A new project will be very fun and I personally can't wait to see what you do this time around. Building a house can be great fun if you trust your builder. I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again and I'm not even moved in yet!
cplover
12 years ago
Your home is simply gorgeous-- and if home is a true reflection of a person, I think yours must sing you! It must be difficult to get to where you are at then have to start again. But if anyone can do it--I think it is you! The selfish part of me is excited to see what you come up with your next home! OOH and big kuddos for Better Homes & Gardens coming--that is so exciting!!
bigjim24
12 years ago
Put the copy of BHG on the kitchen counters for your walk throughs. ANYONE would be lucky to have your kitchen! Exciting but bittersweet for you I'm sure. I love your attitude, chains and all.

I stink with layouts but I'll be here to cheer you on :)

Here's to your new endeavor.
erinct
12 years ago
Some lucky family moving into your area is about to hit the jackpot -- wish it were me! Be prepared for them to ask for your furnishing as well! I know I would! :)

Best of luck with this new chapter in your life!! Bigger islands and better plans await you . . . I can't wait to see what you do with them!
kateskouros
12 years ago
i know you must be sad leaving a home you've worked so hard on. but it's an exciting idea to build a house. notice i said exciting IDEA! okay, so maybe i'm biased but this is seriously the WORST situation i've ever been in. try to find something that you love first. imo, renovating was much less stressful -although, never mind. that's stupid. same thing, really...

ok, so my advice is to pitch a teepee and live happily ever after.

and BTW: i used to work on BH&G budget kitchens. a lonnnnnnnng time ago!
dianalo
12 years ago
What part of the country are you leaving? I bet there could be someone on GW who might be seriously interested in your house!
I cannot wait to see what you do to your next house. On the bright side, if there were choices where you had to go one way on your last house, you can go the other way this time just for variety's sake. Some of the choices were so hard because I liked several options a lot. As much as your current kitchen is awesome, I don't think I'd make a carbon copy the next time. I am the kind that never buys the same color car again.....
However, my big question is if you go for arabesque tiles or not?
Also, I really want to know if you are anywhere near NY and doing a a garage sale ;)
function_first
12 years ago
I'm with dianalo -- I think you could very well find your own buyer based on how many people love your home here -- posting your region might bring a few inquiries. In any case, you should be sure to write a clause into your contract with your real estate agent that you'll get a credit if the buyer is found through you because i think that's likely to happen -- you have a beautiful and well known house that many people would love to take off your hands.
lascatx
12 years ago
My kitchen would be the biggest reason I couldn't leave this house, but I agree that I would not make a carbon copy. If I were to build, I'd have a lot more options, and I know I'd have to take advantage of them. I know it will be hard for you to leave, but exciting to get a chance to do it all again -- especially if you don't have to live with reno mess.

Sounds like the house will be on the market before the magazine goes to print, but maybe they can mock up something with the magazine cover and title saying coming soon -- or at least give you permission to do something like that for marketing the house. I can only imagine how many people would fall all over themselves to get that house and tell people their "new house" is going to be in a magazine.

I think the credit if you find the buyer is a good idea in your case. Shoot, if this heat doesn't let up I might be ready for a move and I could only do it with a great kitchen! ;-)

Best of luck with the sale and the build.
lisa_a
12 years ago
How exciting that your kitchen will be in one of BHG's mags! I hope the move and new kitchen prove to be as exciting, even though leaving your current kitchen will be heartbreaking. I wish you all the best in your move, bee.
Noma Finney
12 years ago
I would love to see your kitchen! Do you have a link to your finished kitchen pictures?
breezygirl
12 years ago
You've been hinting at it, but I couldn't believe it would come true. You're leaving one of my first GW kitchen loves. I'm not sure I can associate you with a space that doesn't include BA and arabesques! Wishing you good luck in your next project.
boxerpups
12 years ago
I hope the new owners love your kitchen as much as me.
: (
Sad you are leaving this fantastic kitchen.
~boxerpups
flwrs_n_co
12 years ago
I'm so sorry you have to move, but it sounds like you have a great attitude about it. I think the others may be right that you could find a buyer right here on GW and should get some kind of credit from your realtor if you did. Best of luck with your move and finding/building a home. I too look forward to seeing your next dream kitchen!

And congratulations on the BH&G spread--that's so exciting!
greenhousems
12 years ago
I googled Beekeeper's wife kitchen For anyone that hasn't seen it here is the link.
What a beautiful and original kitchen!

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0308101228695.html
desertsteph
12 years ago
oh dear. that wouldn't work for me. once I get moved, I never plan to move again - until they cart me off to the old ladies farm. that'll be soon I think...and I'm not moved yet! It's too much work! can't imagine doing another house again.

If you do build, see if you can find a builder who uses Amish for carpenters. They do awesome woodworking. The builder for our addition back in the 70's (it was bigger than the original part) did - and it was done early and under budget! I doubt it'd ever be under budget again (I was too young and knew NOTHING back then). I sure was glad it was done early tho - I was due with my youngest son within wks. Of course, he ended up being 2 wks late - but that gave me more time to get the room ready for him.

Anyway, I'd only build a house today if I KNEW absolutely for sure that I could trust the builder and his people to do everything correctly and to my liking. And that wouldn't happen. I don't need the stress.

Are you moving to a different part of the country with this move?
darbuka
12 years ago
Oh no! You're leaving that gorgeous Arabesque tile!

I certainly hope your buyer appreciates what you're 'giving' them...a
very special kitchen.

Best of luck with your next project!
mountaineergirl
12 years ago
I saw where you eluded to something going on in another thread. It will be so hard to leave that beautiful kitchen that you worked so hard on! And I really envy the person that will end up in your kitchen. Best of luck to you with your move.
katieob
12 years ago
Hi BKW~

Firstly, congrats on the magazine shoot. Can't wait to see the photos.

As for the move: Coming from someone who is doing the exact same thing, you'll love it-I'm really enjoying having another go round and being kitchen obsessed again. So fun to get to do it again and incorporate some different elements.

The new owner will be beyond delighted with your gorgeous kitchen!
Good luck,
Katie
rhome410
12 years ago
Congratulations on the BH&G shoot! That should help sell the house. Major free advertising.

I could feel both heartbreak and extreme excitement with the opportunity to move to and create a new kitchen. I, too, would NOT do a copy of what I already have, but we all learn so much in this process, it sometimes feels a waste to not be able to take it on and do 'better.' Anyway, best wishes. A new adventure awaits.

My Kitchen For Sale. I'll throw in a house and 1+ acre too.

Comments (23)

honorbiltkit

mtnfever (9b AZ/HZ 11)

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