The Home

In August 2020, Poole and I began searching for our first home in Charleston, South Carolina. The market was hot, the listings were scarce, and the buyers were motivated. 

The avenue of oaks.

We had fallen in love with the highly-coveted neighborhood across the street from our apartment. On every run, I trotted down the oak-lined streets searching for listings. Passing by the 1950’s bungalows and spacious waterfront homes, I daydreamed of our own little space in the eclectic mix.

So many pretty homes!

What we ended up with in March of 2021 was not what I had envisioned - not even close. There were pink and red walls, various styles of animal-clad wallpaper trim, and a bathroom the size of a sprinter van. But for whatever reason, this 2003 3-bed 3-bath surrounded by concrete spoke to us.

I think it said to Poole, “It will only take a half-hour to mow the yard.” 

To me, it said potential: room to grow, freedom to design (perhaps make a few mistakes) and overall an opportunity to leave something better than the way we found it. It had also been listed for a long time - too long - and that was a bargaining chip we needed!

As we work through renovations, I wanted a place to document the progress and the time it takes to DIY this thing. Warning: it will not be pretty for a while! But with Poole, some amazing true-blue friends, and my contractor father-in-law maybe, just maybe, we can make something special.

Taking down the shed in the backyard.