Updating the YellowDoorWorld blog once a year probably isn’t considered a best practice in the blogging world but goll darn, if time is hard to come by. Regardless, I’m so excited about the project we just finished and I think people might be excited to see what a big difference a small change can make, and frankly, a kind of small investment.

The very first thing we did when we moved into YDW 2.0 in June 2017 was to have the kitchen cabinets painted the same color white and the island the same color gray as YDW 1.0. The kitchen had been remodeled and updated by the previous owners with beautiful cherry cabinetry but that style just wasn’t right for us.

It was a great change and immediately transformed the space. We talked about adding Subway for the backsplash and a new island with a carrerra-look because omg, the black quartz island is pretty but it shows everything–like everything. But it’s amazing how quickly months pass by and then a year passes by. This fall, we finally ordered the counter for the island but couldn’t find time to have them come measure. Then we thought, let’s start with subway tile and then decide if we need to invest in the island. So we cancelled the island and ordered the tile. Gorgeous and again, transformed the space but it was obvious the faucets had to go. We definitely needed something taller and bolder.

Ben and I agreed that brushed gold, like the hardware on the cabinets, would do the trick so off we went to our three go tos–Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menard’s. Zip. Nada. Nothing we liked so to the world wide web and Amazon we went and in a flash found the perfect time faucet and soap dispenser. And for such a respectable price.

Handy Benji got things installed this weekend and poof it’s like a new kitchen. I love the look and once again am smitten with our kitchen.

But now, about that new island… 😉

It’s back! The yellow door. Oh, how I missed our yellow door. It seriously just makes my heart happy. Doesn’t yellow just make you smile?!

The story goes that when we decided to build a house in 2012Edit, I knew I wanted a yellow door. It’s a bright, happy, optimistic, joy-filled color and we wanted it on our house. Then came finding the right hue. I mean, hello yellow, there are so many choices but the second I saw this one particular color, I knew it was it. The color name? Decisive Yellow by Sherwin Williams. Of course it was because if there is one thing I typically am, it’s decisive. 

Next up, the style of the door. We knew wanted one different than what the standard was for our development and after some scouring, our home builder was able to find exactly what we were looking for. Four panes vs just a big window.  So we had the perfect door with the perfect color and all was perfect except for when we decided to move we couldn’t take it with us. So long YellowDoorWorld? Never!

With the house we found to buy, we could see that the style of our yellow door would work great so I looked for it online. And I looked, and I looked, and I looked. Nowhere was the door. It was very sad. I called the home builder and they gave me the company from which they got it. I called so excitedly only to be told they only sell to contractors and builders. I was crushed but apparently the sound of defeat was sky high in my voice because the kind woman on the phone said she’d transfer me to their sales dept to see if there was anything they could do to help. 

It was then I met my door angel Brian. He understood how important this door was to me the second we started talking. He looked up our address and since we built with Robert Thomas Homes and our house was in the system we counted as a customers and he could help me! It was the best day and this guy was definitely one of the most helpful people I have ever encountered. The door came four weeks later and last week Ben finished painting it. Then, on Friday after several hours of finagling, it was up. And it was once again perfect. 

YellowDoorWorld 2.0 is coming along. 

It’s the first day of summer. The longest day of the year. And today was perfectly beautiful. It was a day I forced myself to walk back and forth two times from my office building to our Life Time club across the parking lot to just get some fresh air. That might not seem like much but it was and I loved it. What I really longed for though was to get home and enjoy a few minutes of real summer solstice bliss. 

Here’s why…

There were many things we loved about this new house (YellowDoorWorld 2.0) when we saw it online and then in person. Tall ceilings, lots of windows, open floor plan, major things already updated in a 1990’s house like the ceilings, the master bath, the flooring, the kitchen and the finished and walk out basement and the backyard. Definitely the back yard. 

It was 2009, the first time we attempted to sell our West Pond Road house, that we found a house with an awesome backyard that had a sport court and a pool. It was so cool and we thought it would be perfect for the boys. We lost out on it but we never forgot it. Since then we’ve always kept our eyes open for a house with a pool but never found one that was right so it was an idea we just kept the idea in the back of our minds. That is, until last summer. Following Logan’s discharge after his transplant we had to stay in St. Louis for a week and my most amazing high school friend Shawn and his wife Crystal opened up their house to us. The kindest gesture and the greatest house. It was warm and inviting and had a pool and sport court in the backyard. We were in love. The boys were in love. We decided at that time that a house like that would be truly be awesome for the boys as they started high school — “the hang out house” — what could be better. 

When the house we ultimately now live in came in the market we couldn’t believe it. It had everything in our list and enough room for a sport court and the pool. And, it was priced right. Meant to be. 

So tonight after the most wonderfully beautiful day I came home went into the backyard and took in a few minutes of summer. solstice. bliss. 

Then I went to watch a soccer game. 

Moving.

Oh my.

So. Much. Work.

We closed on the new house the Friday of Memorial Day. It was smooth sailing thanks to our fantastic realtor Kevin Conoryea of Sherwood Realty (highly recommend). We came to the house after lunch and it was spotless and ready for its new owners. Sadly, like all of our houses to date, I missed being carried over the threshold but the reality was Benji needed to save his muscles for the move. We brought a few things over to make it feel a little homey including our front porch rug and chairs and a new rug  I picked up for the deck. Those small touches, and me cleaning some windows on day one, was a perfect way to end the day

Similar to Ben’s dad, he likes manual labor, so rather than hire a moving company we packed up YDW and we’re able to rally a few of Ben’s players and our amazing family to help us out. Saturday and Sunday were the big move days while Monday (Memorial Day) and Tuesday were everything else.  Every time we thought we were done we’d find something else. Moving really is so much work but the end goal is usually worth it.

We got the original Yellow DoorWorld house finished up on Tuesday which included Benji building and hanging a new sliding barn door (our yellow barn door was non-negotiable).  It turned out amazing. I took the lead on getting the house clean and just prayed it all looked okay for the new owners.

After a final looksee Wednesday morning I said goodbye to YDW. A wonderful and most beautiful place that will leave lasting memories and friendships.

Now on to YDW 2.0