Until recently I've always lived in older homes, previously occupied. When we built a new one and moved in I was unprepared for how foreign it felt despite all our personal planning. What was missing was memory! There was no soul in the walls! :) It takes patience and time - as we cook, host family events, burn candles, break in furniture, the patina of memory is starting to build. Yes - it takes time to make a house a home. Time and intimacy.
Congrats and happy settling! 4 years into our dream home and still hanging art in some rooms lol but sometimes it pays to just take your time and get it right :) Some things cannot be rushed -- like settling in!
Thanks so much! I think we're likely to be on a similar timeline. We have only one piece of art for the house! I'm looking forward to this next phase actually (and enjoying it so far).
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Homeward, thanks Amanda.
I"m wondering if the tile in your primary bath is from Heath and if so I'd appreciate you passing on the color . It is the perfect MCM green in my mind.
Thanks for reading, Kathy! The shower tile is Fireclay Sap Green in matte -- I'm not seeing that color on their site right now, or perhaps they renamed it. It looks a lot like the Bonsai green.
This really captures something most renovation content skips over. The gap between finsihed construction and emotional arrival is longer than people expect. I went through this with my first place, kept waiting for that "home" feeling to kick in automatically, but it genuinly took months of small rituals before the space felt truly mine.
This is encouraging to hear. It's something that perhaps should have been obvious to me, but wasn't. And now that we're in the house, I'm actually quite happy that it will take time. It feels right.
Does this mean all the unpacking, organizing and merchandising of everything will be done when I arrive? Please tell me there will be something for me to sort, label or alphabetize.
We’re fellow Ojai newcomers (from the big, bad city), and honestly, we’re having the best time finding our rhythm and pouring some love into our Spanish Revival home that we’re restoring in this special town. And, yes, it’s also a big adjustment and jarring. When I’m not fully submerged in public interest law (the fight is keeping us busier than ever right now), I’m totally—and happily—leaning into my 'home-making and cooking' era! I keep reminding myself that settling in is a slow-burn journey, not a race. I’d love to trade tales about our respective settling-in adventures over tea and a treat at The Dutchess sometime.
As I have said before, we "finished" our second/retirement home in December 2024. Now, 14 months in, we are more settled when we visit, and, for better or worse, things are starting to need filters replaced or systems checked - real homeowner stuff. Now, we have memories there, and friends who are returning for visits and telling stories. That is what makes a home. Happy nesting to you!
Yay! Looks great! Sneak peek of the lengthening punch list was also fun and REAL!
We got to spend Christmas in our son’s SF house still under construction and they’re not even to the punch list yet. Just hoping it won’t go on for months and months.
Congratulations on finally moving in. The house looks stunning and I hope in future posts we will see more of how it all comes together. Would be interesting for you to write more about what you say as "infuriated by all of the small issues we were going to have to fix." What was possibly avoidable and what was par for the course in the many project delays and why you still weren't 100% happy.
Thanks, Sarah -- and yes, I'll be getting to how it comes together, how the punch list process worked, what my takeaways are -- what we got right, what we got wrong. Lots to share!
I am writing here to express my deep disappointment in your trajectory that has led to the ruination of a local store here in Portland, Schoolhouse. Very upsetting to see yet another private equity disaster that you too had a hand in.
Hi Anna, believe me, I understand and share your deep disappointment. I loved Schoolhouse, which is why I wanted to acquire it. I can’t say I’m entirely blameless, but when I stepped down from my ceo role in 2022, Schoolhouse was doing well.
a happy journey at your new home Amanda! a home is a never-ending project which is both exciting and exhausting. but I'm sure you choose to enjoy all the settling in stages.
for me a house becomes a home when you cook something there for the first time after everyone leaves. I wonder what have you cooked?
Until recently I've always lived in older homes, previously occupied. When we built a new one and moved in I was unprepared for how foreign it felt despite all our personal planning. What was missing was memory! There was no soul in the walls! :) It takes patience and time - as we cook, host family events, burn candles, break in furniture, the patina of memory is starting to build. Yes - it takes time to make a house a home. Time and intimacy.
So well put!
Congrats and happy settling! 4 years into our dream home and still hanging art in some rooms lol but sometimes it pays to just take your time and get it right :) Some things cannot be rushed -- like settling in!
Thanks so much! I think we're likely to be on a similar timeline. We have only one piece of art for the house! I'm looking forward to this next phase actually (and enjoying it so far).
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Homeward, thanks Amanda.
I"m wondering if the tile in your primary bath is from Heath and if so I'd appreciate you passing on the color . It is the perfect MCM green in my mind.
Your home is spectacular , congratulations !
Thanks for reading, Kathy! The shower tile is Fireclay Sap Green in matte -- I'm not seeing that color on their site right now, or perhaps they renamed it. It looks a lot like the Bonsai green.
It’s in the natural press line, it’s in my kitchen too 🙃
https://www.fireclaytile.com/natural-press-ceramic-tile/colors/detail/sap-green-matte/tile-natural-press-3x9?_gl=1*5reqxq*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0_TkoL62kgMVqhatBh0OURboEAAYASAAEgJ3dvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAD2kgOgUpia_muXWnuAlUxb2-RDgY
This really captures something most renovation content skips over. The gap between finsihed construction and emotional arrival is longer than people expect. I went through this with my first place, kept waiting for that "home" feeling to kick in automatically, but it genuinly took months of small rituals before the space felt truly mine.
This is encouraging to hear. It's something that perhaps should have been obvious to me, but wasn't. And now that we're in the house, I'm actually quite happy that it will take time. It feels right.
Does this mean all the unpacking, organizing and merchandising of everything will be done when I arrive? Please tell me there will be something for me to sort, label or alphabetize.
Oh no, there’s plenty left. You and I are going to figure out the pizza oven!
We’re fellow Ojai newcomers (from the big, bad city), and honestly, we’re having the best time finding our rhythm and pouring some love into our Spanish Revival home that we’re restoring in this special town. And, yes, it’s also a big adjustment and jarring. When I’m not fully submerged in public interest law (the fight is keeping us busier than ever right now), I’m totally—and happily—leaning into my 'home-making and cooking' era! I keep reminding myself that settling in is a slow-burn journey, not a race. I’d love to trade tales about our respective settling-in adventures over tea and a treat at The Dutchess sometime.
That would be lovely! I’ll dm you.
As I have said before, we "finished" our second/retirement home in December 2024. Now, 14 months in, we are more settled when we visit, and, for better or worse, things are starting to need filters replaced or systems checked - real homeowner stuff. Now, we have memories there, and friends who are returning for visits and telling stories. That is what makes a home. Happy nesting to you!
Thanks, Shoshana!
Thank you for this.
Congratulations Amanda! I can’t wait to see more photos in the future!
Thanks, Angie!
Yay! Looks great! Sneak peek of the lengthening punch list was also fun and REAL!
We got to spend Christmas in our son’s SF house still under construction and they’re not even to the punch list yet. Just hoping it won’t go on for months and months.
More on that punch list soon! And sending your son best wishes... and fortitude!
SO SO SO HAPPY for you!!! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!! You worked hard for this ♥️♥️no doubt it will be a home very soon…follow fivers lead! 🥳🥳
Thanks Carly! Dogs are so instinctive, pure, and clear about everything -- trying my best to mimic, not doing that well yet!
Congratulations on finally moving in. The house looks stunning and I hope in future posts we will see more of how it all comes together. Would be interesting for you to write more about what you say as "infuriated by all of the small issues we were going to have to fix." What was possibly avoidable and what was par for the course in the many project delays and why you still weren't 100% happy.
Thanks, Sarah -- and yes, I'll be getting to how it comes together, how the punch list process worked, what my takeaways are -- what we got right, what we got wrong. Lots to share!
Also meant to say love those cantaloupe bowls.
I am writing here to express my deep disappointment in your trajectory that has led to the ruination of a local store here in Portland, Schoolhouse. Very upsetting to see yet another private equity disaster that you too had a hand in.
Hi Anna, believe me, I understand and share your deep disappointment. I loved Schoolhouse, which is why I wanted to acquire it. I can’t say I’m entirely blameless, but when I stepped down from my ceo role in 2022, Schoolhouse was doing well.
How much did the reno cost?
I love the lamps! Especially the lamp with the ceramic ribbon running down the sides.
a happy journey at your new home Amanda! a home is a never-ending project which is both exciting and exhausting. but I'm sure you choose to enjoy all the settling in stages.
for me a house becomes a home when you cook something there for the first time after everyone leaves. I wonder what have you cooked?