House Hunting: Mid-Century Cool

California house hunting is revving up now that our house is officially for sale (check out the listing here).   My lastest MLS find is a cool mid-century home located high in the Berkeley Hills.  I love the views, the open floor plan and the internal courtyard.  The only feature that seems to be missing is a functional yard for the kids to kick a soccer ball around.  However, Tilden Park is located right behind this property, so we may not even need a level yard... If this one is still available when hubby and I travel to the East Bay in early May, we'll definitely check it out.

So, what do YOU think of this home?

House Hunting: The Dream House

California house hunting is in full swing.  Our current home goes on the market in 2 weeks and my sleepless nights are spent scouring the East Bay's MLS listings.  Recently, at the wee hours of the morning, I found a dream house.  Although this house has everything we're looking for in a home:  mid-century design, open floor plan, great light and awesome outdoor areas, it comes with a price tag we may not be able to swing.  This one may just have to stay in my dreams:

living room

Moving Mode: Before And After Exterior Painting

Moving mode is in full swing.  Getting the house ready for sale has prompted a new coat of exterior paint, interior touch-ups, closet clean outs and a fresh layer of garden mulch.  Honestly, all of that would have been done regardless of our move to the west coast.  So, for the next few months that we are still here,  the house will look its best and we will thoroughly enjoy it.  Take a look at the before and after photos of the exterior:

'Til Monday: Moving Mode

Since our move to California will be here before we realize it, we have began prepping our house for its upcoming sale.  Last week's warm, dry weather allowed us to get started and complete the exterior painting.  The once red brick foundation is now black, and a newly added runner runs up the center of our entry stairs.  I'm loving it and feel really good about leaving this house looking its best.  While taking photos of the recent home improvements, our son Max (clearly not camera shy) stepped in front of the lens.  I wonder what he REALLY  thinks about all this change...

Stay posted for more photos of the house as it gets ready for the market.

California Style

Since last Friday's announcement of our upcoming move to California, I've been experiencing relief.  Knowing that our friends and family are now aware of the big changes ahead for us, I feel like I can begin 'California dreaming' (aka decorating).  I so love our current home but I'm excited about creating another look and feel for our new abode.  Not yet having bought a house on the west coast keeps the concepts very broad,  but I would love for it to be a mix of midcentury glamour and ethnic touches.  Call it bohemian chic.   Layered rugs, comfortable and eclectic furniture, gold accents and one of these for sure.

 The chairs I recently spied at Reside [see below] would fit the look perfectly.  I'm seriously considering buying them for the house we don't own yet.  What do you think?

 I received so many wonderful comments about our move.  Thank you all for  your well wishes and sharing in our excitement of it!