Where we are right now

There are many reasons for my lapse in posting, but not to fear, we are still hot on the idea of a new home.
We've looked in to some new building lots. We're done negotiating with the farmer with the field next to Wolfgang & Hildegard's. We gave up once he offered us 40,000 Euro for us to buy his field in return for Joern's grandmother's entire house. I guess its time to move on from that thought!
There is a huge lot next to Wolfgang and Hildegard, on the other side, that has been bought by two different people. The lot has been subdivided into three lots for duplexes, one for a single family, and two lots on the street for multi-family homes. Wolfgang met with the owner of the duplex appropriated properties recently. We could purchase the land to build an entire duplex, and rent out the other side. I guess we should not rule out this option, simply because, financially, it could make quite a bit of sense.
We're also considering purchasing the apartment of one of our neighbors (in our building.) They are desperate to move, and the apartment is in top condition. For us, the positive would be that we would pay cash for the apartment, and rent it out, which would be a consistent income to put towards our mortgage.
We are still thinking about that 3 acre building plot in Neckartenzlingen. As I said before, I love the neighborhood, and I love the size of the property. Joern did find out that we would have to leave a path open for tractors between the building lot and the field, which detracts a bit. Plus, now that we know exactly where the building lot is located, we would have to put the garage (or carport for right now,) in the front of the house, which isn't exactly ideal.
Which brings us back to our first option. We are beginning the process of asking the town if we are actually allowed to build in Wolfgang & Hildegard's front yard. Obviously, the results of this application will tell us if this is even a realistic option, or if we need to continue our search for building lots.
We still have a long road ahead. I'm very excited though because in two weeks, we are headed to Dresden. I have an Americn friend there, Lelia, who buit a home not too long ago. I am particularly excited to see her, and to hear about her home building process in my language, and through the eyes of a fellow American. We tend to view things a bit differently sometimes.

That's about all for now. I still constantly daydream about our house, and am so excited to see where we are one year from now!

Exciting finds!

While I was home, I was quite busy looking at furniture with my cousin, Elizabeth. Not only is my cousin fabulous, but it just so happens that she's also an interior design student. So, my interior designer and I spent lots of time in many, many stores! Since it looks pretty certain that we will be buying our furniture in the States and shipping it, I was very determined to look at many options.
We spent two days in Westport, Connecticut at Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware. Of course, the most fun was the decorating class at Pottery Barn, but spending lots of time at Pottery Barn is fun in itself!

Here are some things that we loved!

Brooks Slipcovered Chair from www.potterybarn.com

Malika rug from www.potterybarn.com



Azure chair from www.crateandbarrel.com


Axis sectional from www.crateandbarrel.com


Portman Framed Sleigh Bed from www.restorationhardware.com
Incidentally, I figured that despite my love of sleigh beds, a king sized sleigh bed would be far too massive for anything but the biggest of bedrooms. So, I decided that a sleigh headboard keeps the curved look of the sleigh without so much wood.

We also spent an afternoon in Milford looking in furniture stores too. We visited Pilgrim Furniture, Raymour and Flannigan (which was HUGE) and Ethan Allen (mom's favorite.)
I liked a bedroom set in Raymour and Flannigan, but I didn't write down the name. I hope it will be there when we get home.
We also enjoyed all the beautiful furniture at Ethan Allen. We had lots of time there, because we got locked in due to a storm! I found out a few days later that there was a tornado in the area of the furniture store that day. Elizabeth and I believe though that there was some divine intervention involved. I plan to make an appointment with the interior designer at Ethan Allen though for Christmas time.

We also spent time at the Home Depot, looking at countertops and kitchens, and floor samples.

We even drove out to Long Island to the Riverhead Outlet Center because they have Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware outlets. I am certain that we'll be able to get something for our new home at the outlets, the only challenge will be transporting the furniture from Long Island to Connecticut.

Its easy to see that we have lots of work and lots of decisions ahead. It is a lot of fun and really exciting though!