Celebrating a first with Sarah

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily routine of architectural design. From proposals to client new project notification letters, and from master plans to ribbon-cutting ceremonies, we thrive on drawings, details, and deadlines. At the same time, we know that balancing life at work and home is important for our health and well-being.

That’s why we’re slowing down for a bit to celebrate Sarah’s latest adulting “first.” She and her husband, Jess, recently purchased their first home!

From the first moment, they fell in love with the layout. “This is by far the largest home we visited during our search, yet somehow it was still within our budget,” she said. “The adjacencies of the spaces make the home flow very well. In total, it has three living spaces – plenty of room for hosting gatherings!”

The exterior caught their eye and features white plaster and brown trim that contrasts with the brick. The dark gutters make the façade pop, she says. The first major renovation will be to restore the inground pool in the backyard. “Lord willing, we hope to have it up and running for this summer!”

“Each space is unique and holds its own character and function, but I’d have to say that my top favorite is what we call the Library. It has a large picture window and a wood burning fireplace. Our first interior update will occur in this room; our plan is to create a butcherblock desk and shelves and paint the whole room black!”

Not all new homeowners start moving in furniture on the closing day, but Sarah and Jess were lucky. “We actually purchased a sectional the weekend before we closed. It just so happened they could deliver it on the day we closed. Within a couple of hours after we were handed the keys, we had a massive couch in our living room!”

And saying good-bye to their apartment wasn’t difficult, though it entailed some careful planning and painstaking choreography. “The last item moved was Jess’s precious Star War’s star destroyer LEGO which is about 4.5’ long and very fragile. I wasn’t looking forward to that car ride. I drove with as much care as I could muster, while he cradled his most prized possession, willing it to not break into a thousand pieces. Thankfully, we made it to our new place without any casualties.”

Congratulations to Sarah and Jess! We’re all on board to help you christen that pool with a JJCA picnic this summer!