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In the summer of 2011 I purchased my very first home. I actually started my blog right before that and I actually documented the entire building process on here but that was back when my photography skills were mediocre at best and I’m pretty sure every pic was super dark and blurry and I may or may not have deleted them all at some point. HA!
Luckily since then my photography skills have improved and the camera on my iPhone is much better!
If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time then you know I put my house on the market last summer. I listed it, it was under contract and I was moved out all within a month. It was CRAZY. It was FUN. And it was also bittersweet. This was my first home. I brought my Sophie pup home here and it was the only house she ever knew. She had a HUGE backyard to run free in.
She misses this house. And while I was glad to be free of the responsibility of home ownership and just be a renter for a while I miss it too.
I realized the other day that I never shared my final photos of the house on here and since this was such an important chapter in my life (and I LOVED the decor here) I want it documented.
I staged my home myself. I Marie Kondoed the crap out of it before that was even a thing. I started a few months before I listed it and I went through every single drawer, closet and piece of furniture. I took sooooo many loads of stuff to Goodwill. I sold SO MUCH STUFF on Facebook and Poshmark. Who knew one person (and a dog) could accumulate so much stuff? It was unreal.
Ok, ok. Enough rambling. Here is my Riveria Cove (there street I lived on) home tour!!
First up…the entryway/hall. When you walk in the house you see a hallway that led to the living room and kitchen. Immediately to the right are two bedrooms, one a guest bedroom and one a home office, and the guest bathroom.
Down the hallway and on the right was the master suite. The master bedroom was HUGE and had it’s own attached bathroom and closet. I LOVED that closet!!
The end of the hallway opened up into the living room/kitchen/dining room. The thing I loved about this home was the open floor plan. I loved being able to cook dinner and still see everything that was going on in the living room!
This door off the dining room led into the laundry room, pantry and garage.
This pantry was a huge selling point for me. I LOVE a big pantry!
And the door on the other side of the dining room led to the back porch. There was a HUGE backyard because this house is situated on the corner of a cup-de-sac.
So there you have it, a tour of the very first home I bought and sold myself. Like I said earlier, I LOVED that house and I do miss it but I also love the freedom of not being a responsible homeowner and I do love the money I have saved by renting.
Will I be a homeowner again in the future? I’m sure I will but for now I think renting suits me (and Sophie).
Happy Monday! I hope you have a fabulous week!!
Alli Smith says
January 28, 2019 at 5:30 amWhat a pretty house! I know it’s bittersweet to move because you have so many memories tied to that house. Thankfully, we always get to keep the memories even when we sell the house. I know you are enjoying the next chapter in your life and I enjoy reading about it.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 1:00 amThis is so true!!
robin rue says
January 28, 2019 at 5:34 amWhat a cute house. I have to remember to take photos when I do sell my house someday. I have SO many memories here.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:59 amYes!!
Julie Connelly says
January 28, 2019 at 6:05 amSuch a beautiful house!!!! I totally understand your bittersweet feelings. It was kind of hard selling our very first house even though we KNEW it was the best decision for our family. I wish you lived closer to me…I could use some MAJOR help decorating my house :) HAHAHA!!!!! Enjoy your homeowner freedom!!!!
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:59 amThank you for your sweet words!! My only advice is to decorate your home with things that make you happy!!
candy says
January 28, 2019 at 6:26 amWhat a beautiful home inside and out. I remember the post you telling us you were moving and starting to rent. Change is good and remembering is even better.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:58 amThank you!!
Janet says
January 28, 2019 at 6:55 amWhat a beautiful home it was! I know that home ownership is a huge commitment and sometimes it’s best to let others worry about the upkeep and simply rent.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:58 amExactly!
Amber Myers says
January 28, 2019 at 7:17 amThis is a lovely home. You decorated it so well! And it’s so nice and clean. I’m glad you were able to sell it as well.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:58 amThank you!! Me too!
Jeanette says
January 28, 2019 at 7:26 amThat house looks absolutely beautiful. I would love to decorate my house similar to that. I would like to redo my entire house because it feels like there are too many walls. This gives me some ideas.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:58 amThank you!
Karen says
January 28, 2019 at 7:30 amThat is such a pretty house! I’ve rented and been a homeowner. While I love owning my own home, there is a certain convenience to not having to manage home upkeep.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:58 amAMEM to that!!
Paula Schuck says
January 28, 2019 at 7:54 amWOW what a gorgeous job you did!! I love the hallway and the lit up letters in the foyer too. So pretty. I think that you have done a truly professional job here.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:58 amThank you so much!
cait says
January 28, 2019 at 8:12 amoh my gosh what a gorgeous house- i love what you did with the hallway and the letters – its very welcoming!
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:58 amThank you! That was my goal, to have a welcoming home!
KIM CROISANT says
January 28, 2019 at 10:44 amI love the wooden floors, but my favorite is that red carpet outside. Great job.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:57 amI LOVE a bright, pop of color!
Marcie W. says
January 28, 2019 at 12:09 pmI absolutely love your home! The style is perfect and your staging looks nothing short of professional. The gold angel wings above the bed are my favorite .
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:57 amThank you! I bought those a long time ago, before I purchased my house even! They were my first Pinterest find that I actually purchased, LOL!
Tasheena says
January 28, 2019 at 1:07 pmThank you for the tour. When you do decide to own again, your next home will be even better.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:56 amI think so too!!
Pam says
January 28, 2019 at 5:55 pmHomeowning is definitely not for everyone. It can be challenging, especially if it’s just one person living there. Your house was adorable but I am glad you are enjoying renting.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:56 amSo true!! I was so scared of something big breaking and having to fix it myself! It was so stressful!!
Heather says
January 28, 2019 at 7:06 pmI love it! You decorated it so beautifully. And I LOVE the RAE letters. That’s my youngest daughter’s middle name.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:56 amI got them on sale at Nordstrom a few years ago! They are super fun and inviting when they are lit up!
Beth says
January 28, 2019 at 9:00 pmI can see why you wanted to have it documented. Lovely! You have great taste and style.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:55 amThank you!!
Terri Steffes says
January 28, 2019 at 10:36 pmYour house was lovely! I love your taste and how the home looked like YOU. By the way, I got the eye cream and love it. It is awesome. I used your link, so I hope you get credit for the purchase!
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:55 amThank you!! I did get credit for it, thank you!!!
Chubskulit Rose says
January 29, 2019 at 5:32 amYour walk in closet is awesome. I would love to have one like that! You have the knack for decorating.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:55 amThank you!!
Mellissa says
January 29, 2019 at 7:27 amIt looks so organized. I especially loved what you did with your closet. I’ve been using the KonMari Method on my closet. Its the only organized place right now in my house. Still need to transition into the other rooms. You did awesome.
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:55 amYou should see my closet now…I have rid of sooo much stuff! It feels so GOOD!!
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
January 30, 2019 at 12:10 amYour home is very inviting and pretty. Love all of the personal touches you’ve sprinkled!
Ricci says
January 30, 2019 at 12:54 amThank you so much!!
Michael says
February 5, 2019 at 10:01 amUmm, is that a collection of Starbucks travel mugs I see?! LOVE! I have a New Mexico one my boyfriend brought me and I kind of want to start collecting them from other states. The hardwood floors in the living room are beautiful!