Saturday, April 14, 2007


A Home Fit for a King or... My Prince

Our new home-to-be in Chattanooga, Tennessee

We are signing the papers (contingent on selling our house) this morning.

We had a list of must-haves for the house that we would buy. One was that it would not be cookie cutter, meaning that it would have a personality different from the crowd. This Tudor design is the surprising choice, as I would never have guessed that we would fall in love with such a traditional design. The all brick exterior was high on our list, as was the established landscaping. It is kind of grown up and a tad starchy, but you know I can use a bit of starch.



A corner bubble tub was high on the list and who would think that it would come with a house like this? Brand new, and one of three full baths in the house. Four bedrooms and several other extra rooms make this a 3000 square foot blank canvas for my decorating.
And it comes with a koi pond! Can I be dreaming? Oops, no koi in there yet, but the pump works great and there is a teeny waterfall at the top and a pot of water lilies already growing. The front yard has a fountain and lots of brick work defines the plantings.



The garden has many lovely established specimens, including azaleas, holly, dogwood, a red climbing rose in bloom, hosta, clematis, and wisteria. I am so thrilled! Twin ancient oaks grace the front yard and a Japanese maple, hydrangea, and a fig tree too. Where is my desired magnolia? At the nursery waiting my purchase, but there is plenty of room for it.



Our street ends four houses down, in a cul de sac and what have we here? This is Lake Chickamauga, a swollen stretch of the Tennessee River, with a private dock for our use. Dave had water on his list, thinking of a stream or creek, but got a gonzo lake instead!





I guess there will be a boat sometime in our future. And fishing rods too. I will be happy to cook the catch up on the grill or in my new kitchen,






a spiffy new neat as a pin galley design. All electric, so there will be an adjustment from cooking with gas. We'll eat on the deck or in our fancy schmancy grown up dining room.
Or out in the screened porch.
So many choices of places to be!

My studio will be on the main floor but I will have a downstairs dyeroom. There are two family rooms and a formal living room besides. We cannot believe this will all be our new stompin' grounds. Speaking of grounds, the woods are dense as a jungle across the street and the mountain rises behind us sans neighbors. The other homes on the street are grand with driveways that are totally vertical. Good thing winters here are gentle and short.

I am about 12 minutes from the Chattanooga airport, which has only four gates. I will be able to work easily from here, and it's a good thing. I have lots of shopping in my future!

TJMaxx is at the bottom of the ridge and IKEA is in Atlanta, only 2 hours away. Hobby Lobby, Michael's, AC Moore and Panera, all down the street. Plenty of Mexican food and downtown, Porker's BBQ. Art abounds and I will find my muse here. You can count on it.

Our house in IL is still waiting to make someone as happy as it made us, so until then, we are just hoping to move this June or July...

32 comments:

  1. Congratulations - it looks wonderful and it must be great to have the search over!

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  2. Anonymous9:07 AM

    Mel and Dave,
    I am so happy you got this house. I can't wait to see your decorating touch on it.
    Love, Wanda H

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  3. Anonymous9:21 AM

    Mel and David,
    I am sooo happy for you...your house looks like a dream !
    Best of luck...
    Rose

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  4. Congratulations Melody - it's a beautiful house. I hope you have many happy times there.

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  5. gorgeous place-I'm thrilled for you both..happy dance...

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  6. The list really does work!

    I hate to be the one to tell you, but you've already found your muse, you just have to figure out how to pack it up in a box! Um, I had 30 fabric boxes that landed in Tucson just last Wednesday. I think I hear them callin'.

    Your place is wonderful. Don't let the contingency get in the way if time get's tight, it'll break your collective hearts.

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  7. Congrats on the new place. It looks lovely!

    Hope your current home sells quickly and for exactly what you want.

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  8. Anonymous11:26 AM

    I've been watching this from the beginning; the easiest house hunt I've ever had. *L* And it is surprising that this style came together with all your "wants."
    We'll miss you in Illinois, but I'm glad for you.

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  9. Wow! It looks gorgeous and big and the setting is so lovely. What a great new home! I'm especially envious of the lake right there. I'm so glad you have found your dream house.

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  10. It's a great house and I'm very happy for you both. Mazeltov!

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  12. Anonymous12:43 PM

    Too cool. Don't think you could ask for anything more! Well, except for the IL house to sell quickly! Break out the St. Joseph!!

    teri

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  13. Very exciting!! Good luck on a quick sell for your old house! You are soooo lucky to have found your perfect house. I can't wait for pictures of the new house once it has been Melodyized!

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  14. Anonymous1:28 PM

    two hours to Atlanta, piece of cake, The house looks great. aND THE LAKE AND THE LANDSCAPE. AND ONCE YOU GET USE TO IT YOU WILL LOVE THE SMOOTH TOP RANGE. You will love the tub if the water heater makes enough hot water to fill it. Check this out. If it doesn't get one of those hot water on demand systems like we have here. We can wash clothes do the dishes, John and I can shower and Lyn can fill the tub all at the same time and not run out of hot water. Juanita

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  15. Well, I have to admit that I got the chills when reading about your new home in Chattanooga! Welcome! Did you read in this morning's paper about the artist relocation program sponsored by the Association of Visual Artists? If you have already left town or want more information, please let me know. From your new neighbor, Peggy.

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  16. Anonymous2:06 PM

    And so BIG - 3,000 square feet! WOW.

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  17. Anonymous6:50 PM

    Here's to a quick sale in Cary! It looks great, Mel. I hope it all works out for you.

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  18. Wow...very cool! I want one just like it! Looks like you got a real winner...hope your other house gets snapped up quickly so you can be on your way!

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  19. It's great. You must be glad to have made a decision and with such a wonderful location.

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  20. Congratulations! My best to you and Dave.

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  21. Congrats and what a wonderful space. Here's to hoping the weather in Illinios decides to cooperate and entice those buyers!

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  22. Such gooooood news! Congratulations... I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that your house in Cary sells this week. Have fun dreaming!

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  23. Anonymous12:20 AM

    So, is this on Signal Mountain? Whether it is or not, what a great name for a quilt/quilt series! Good luck on all the paperwork!

    Candy in California

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  24. Hooray!!!! Who's taking bets on how long it'll be before that kitchen is RED?!?!

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  25. Anonymous12:41 AM

    Oh, this is fantastic Good luck with the move.

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  26. Yea! Yea! Happy, happy!

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  27. Congrats - the garden and pond would have sold me on it if the house had been a cardboard box!

    Maybe you could sprinkle some of your successful house-hunting dust on ME??

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  28. Wow! It looks beautiful. I agree- can't wait to see it once all your personal touches come into play.

    The lake and mountain views sound lovely!

    COngratulations!
    LB

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  29. So thrilled for you two.Everything is so nearby.So many places for "Dave's get laid buffet"to be served.Congrats.

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  30. Dreams DO come true! Congratulations.

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  31. looks awesome Mel, I hope you have an easier time selling your house than I did when I left California. you can always go out and buy yourself a St joseph to bury in the yard. i did it for TX and CA when things weren't movin.

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  32. Okay, so are you in Ooltewah, Collegedale (home of Little Debbie's and the Seventh Day Adventist college)or Harrison?

    Great looking house? Can I look you up when I breeze through? LOL!

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