My husband and I decided to turn our old house into an investment property instead of selling right now. The housing market in our area isn’t depressed, but it’s slow. Real estate professionals advise us to hold off selling for a year or two. We figure we’ll need the equity more down the line. The rental income is helpful, too, in increasing retirement income. Our 1st couple is moving in this weekend! We are very happy to have them and sure hope it works out well for all of us. It’ll be great to put all our attention on our new house for awhile. It’s like a bare canvas! There’s so much we want to do to make it even prettier than it is now.

My downfall is window treatments. We have the standard faux-wood blinds, but want to dress up the windows. I have looked, a bit, but haven’t taken the jump to buy anything. So many styles and colors, and so many price points to choose from! Anybody have any advice?

I have 2 double windows across the back of the house with a door in the middle. One window is in the kitchen eating area and one in the living room. They give us a beautiful panoramic view of the pasture and trees behind us. We don’t want to obstruct that view.

I guess I’ll have to watch more Nate Berkus. Anybody want to recommend any other home decor shows?

The chair by the door came from a “rastro,” or flea market in Madrid, Spain. My father was an Air Force officer. Our family had the privilege of going with him on European tours. We lived in Spain in the early to mid-sixties. Living there was a highlight of my life. We enjoyed great adventures while there: witnessing a bullfight, walking through ancient castles, vacationing at the coast, going on a pilgrimage through the north of Spain to Santiago. It was a great life that we’ve never forgotten. I inherited, from my parents, several pieces from Spain. I love them because they’re unique and they make me feel connected to my parents and to my childhood home.

That’s all for today. Seems like every day is overfilled with things to do. It’s bright, breezy, and gorgeous outside. Hope you’re enjoying fall as much as I am!

“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to.” John Ed Pearce

©2010 BLN