Someday Beach House

My long time blog readers have heard time and time again over the years how much I want a beach house.  Every since I got married Tom and I have spent at least a week in Seaside, Oregon each summer.  The town holds many memories for me and fun times with Ben and Kate.  Lots of memories watching them grow up and just happy family times.  I have been getting email alerts for a bit when a house would come on the market.  Seaside isn't a large town (6,500) and I wanted to live in a certain area of the town, so houses were few and far between.  Those that were in my price range were either too small or needed lots of work.  I finally got an email update about a house that was within my budget and had much of what I was looking for.  My mom and I went to look at it initially and then Tom and I made a second trip.  We made an offer and it was accepted. We got the keys last week.

Here I am in one of my swim caps from my collection standing in front of it.  If you follow me on Instagram you know I have used the hashtag #somedaybeachhouse quite a bit.  This summer we will get a new roof and paint the exterior a fun color.  I am hoping for a coral colored front door. (also hoping for a Dutch door)

It is a solid house.  1900 square feet with 2 bedrooms, 2 bath on the main floor and 2 more quirky bedrooms upstairs.  It has a family and living room.  There are plenty of projects.  Lots of painting and tearing up carpet, but I like to do that stuff.  It will be fun to put my Magpie Ethel twist on the house and make it my own.  I have tons of vintage beach stuff stored up to decorate.  If you follow me on Instagram you have seen the start of the transformation.  It is four blocks from the ocean, so after a long day of projects we can take a break with a stroll on the sand.

These photos are all BEFORE PHOTOS.  This is the way the house looked when I first saw it.  THIS IS NOT MY STUFF.  I love this wood wall.   I think I will keep the grayish blue wall paint color for now.  There are hardwoods in the living and dining room. We are hoping hardwoods are under the carpet in the two main floor bedrooms and hall as well. Cross your fingers.

The living and dining rooms open up to one another and the kitchen is to the right of the dining room. There are tons of windows and this is a pretty bright room.

Lots of counter space and storage in the kitchen.
The garage was converted to a family room.  There is still an unattached garage in the back that is huge. That back wall will display my swim cap collection...which numbers 43!

A good size master bedroom.

The two upstairs bedrooms are quirkier attic bedrooms with lower head room.  They are still two extra bedrooms.  I am going to put 4 twin beds in this room like a dorm room. The house will be able to sleep 12 once I get everything squared away.  (and perhaps some grandkids wayyyyy down the road).I love the back garage.  There is an outdoor shower as well.

I am giddy with finally owning a beach house.  It will be a ton of projects, but I am excited to have a new spot to decorate and play with. I also just love the ocean and the beach. We have taken 3 carloads and a U-haul truck load over so far.   I bought some furniture for the house once we made the offer.  My parents are also downsizing to a retirement home so I was able to shop their house for things that I needed. The timing worked out really well with that.

I have soooo many things tucked away.  This house is going to be crazy fun.  Here are a few things I have done in the week we have had the house.

My whale collection has come out of boxes.

I bought a cabinet from a girlfriend and painted the inside blue.  I wanted it to look like an aquarium.  I added my collection of ceramic fish and some shells and coral that were my Auntie Kathy's.  My aunt passed away last year and had lived overseas in the Marshall Islands. She had collected and crafted with shells and had some wonderful things.

Last but not least a peek at the living room.  I still have much to do.  A new rug and couch.  Cover the orange chairs (thank you Amy).  I still need to unpack boxes lurking in the background. This is the start.  I think it is fun to see it in the beginning.

So off I go on this beach house adventure.  I will share as I get rooms finished and we make progress.  I am just happy.  Happy to finally have my someday beach house.

Comments

[Judy]

I have been following your blog and your great vintage finds. You find the absolute best "stuff" and treasures and congratulations on finding your someday beach house dream house!! What a charmer it is and will be even more fantastic when you give it your own signature Magpie Ethel makeover!

[jody]

So happy for you~ A wonderful dream come true with dreaming and hard work on your part....Enjoy~
jody in Michigan (*J*)

[Linda @ A La Carte]

What a fun for you. I love it when dreams come true!

[Melissa's Antiques]

I've been following your blog for years and years and you've always talked about the beach house. SO so happy for you that it finally a reality. It truly is a HAPPY DAY, isn't it? :)

[Kipper]

Finally! Congratulations.

[Erica H]

Can't wait to see what you do to the place!! Growing up 30 minutes from the beach in NJ, I certainly miss being so close to the ocean here in the middle of TX. You are going to make so many wonderful memories - it will be like you're on vacation all the time!

[Liz]

Congratulations! Love your whale collection

[janet]

So happy for you. Dreams do come true.

[Doreen]

So happy for you and Tom Laurie!
It's been fun seeing your finds on your posts about your someday beach house. Excited that we get to come along on your journey too:-)
Congratulations again!

[Kathy]

Love it!!! Will there be another studio in the detached garage?

[Kim K.]

I'm just so darn happy for you, Laurie. Your special treasures and amazing talents are going to make this sweet beach house magazine worthy!! Enjoy every single minute. I know I will be constantly refreshing your IG feed so that I won't miss a single detail. Happy decorating! Happy playing!

[Melissa]

I think you have it backwards...the house is the one getting the dream come true. I can't wait to see you work your magic on it. I am SO happy for you!!!
Congratulations!

[Gayle]

Wow, Laurie. This is a wonderful house! It has great spaces and nice details like the wood wall. All of your charming collections will weave a vintage thread throughout and make it your own magic place to relax and celebrate. I am so happy for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your process along the way It is such a treat to follow. I know how much joy you will have transforming this special home! Lots of memory making to come! Enjoy!

[Tammy]

Seaside! You lucky girl!! I'm so happy for you and can't wait to see the beach treasures displayed in your new digs!

[vivian]

HOw exciting! and now.. I "shell" live vicariously through you! lol! I seriously cant wait to see all that you do with it. I know it will be fabulous. Also... that fish collection???? OMG!!
have fun Laurie!
xoxo
vivian

[Erica]

I can't wait for Hanna, Nori, and I to visit! I am so excited for you guys!

[karen]

Yay! It is an awesome house and you will make it "awesomer!!!" (yes, that's a word, in the dictionary of Karen!)
Congratulations Laurie! karen...

[pam]

I'm so happy for you!

[Sarah]

So great that you got your beach house at last! Look forward to seeing how it develops.

[rae]

this is so wonderful! i've always loved seeing the treasures you've packed away and wondered if the "someday beach house" was a "we'll get to it someday" dream or if you were actively looking for houses! I know this place is going to be AMAZING! I'm so happy for your family and happy for us, your readers who will get to see the transformation!

[Kelley Wright]

Congratulations! So happy you got what you wanted!

[mary scott]

Good things come to those who wait....especially to good people. Congrats!! Can't wait to see it all decked out in your vintage beach collectibles.

[Jan]

Congrats on your new house! Do you still have all those shells that belonged to your Aunt? They would look great attached to your fireplace around the bricks!

[Leslie]

Congratulations!! I'm so glad your dream came true! And thanks so much for sharing "Ethel's" world with the rest of us!

[Marci]

OMG I am soon late to this party! I have been off the blogs for awhile and I was actually in Fayetteville this weekend and Shara told me that you finally got a beach house! I am SO thrilled for you and now I have to go devour all these posts and IG and see all the pics!