You’ve already heard about this news a million times over on Instagram and Facebook. I have had so many questions that I thought this would be probably the easiest place to discuss all of the things. Along with your questions, I wanted to share our feelings of our decision, too. We usually don’t say a word to anyone until the paperwork is signed and monies are exchanged on our homes that we sell. Because really anything can happen. We say… it’s not final until it’s final. BUT, with stories over on Instagram being the big thing, you would all see us living amongst boxes and there would be no hiding it. So we announced it on social media several weeks ago. I have never officially announced it over here on the blog until today. And, I am only doing that because we closed on the sale today. It is FINAL.
The House on Winchester is where this particular chapter of our lives began.
Back Story: We have flipped several homes in the last 20 years. 12-15 maybe…??? We lost count. We’ve always wanted to move south, so we sold all of our properties in 2015, including our main home, store front, and a rental, and kept one small tiny house of around 600 square feet. We ended up moving there until we gained our bearings with a nightmare move. Our plans were to move to Tennessee because we think the mountains are just beautiful. Meanwhile, we decided we wanted to flip another house while we waited until something came up there. So, we put an offer on the perfect flip house and our offer was accepted.
I happened to hop onto the sheriff’s sale site and saw the House on Winchester was being auctioned off. Long story short. It was in ROUGH shape. It was a very sad house, filled with trash, and needed SO MUCH WORK. We have ALWAYS loved this house and said many, many times… “If that house EVER goes up for sale, it’s ours.” Well…. it did. And we bought it. So we found ourselves again with three homes: the tiny house we were living in, the flip house, and the House on Winchester.
We ended up falling in love with this house and decided since we hadn’t found anything in Tennessee yet, we could live here for a few years and then move. Both other houses were sold.
In the midst of working on the House on Winchester, I decided I wanted to document the entire process. Because I wanted other people to see that two women can do ALL OF THE THINGS. I wanted to show others that you can have a home you love and by being very creative, you won’t have to spend tons of money. With that idea, the House on Winchester blog began.
It became bigger and better than I ever could imagine. I had people tuning into our Instagram stories every single day to see what we were up to and what projects we were doing. Companies started to take notice and reaching out to see if I would work with them… reviewing products… or simply decorating my home with their products, trying different cosmetics, and then writing about them. And our business began!
Tennessee is where we wanted to be. Actually… we just wanted to be stuck on a mountain nestled in a forest. We both LOVE being outside and listening to the birds. Yes, we are bird-watching ladies. But, we gave up on that idea a few years ago because all of our family is here and we didn’t want to leave them. There was still something nagging at us. We were dying to be out in the country again where we both grew up. We wanted to hear nothing but silence…… and birds.
Every now and then, we would look at the real estate available in our area and there was nothing we were interested in. We have lived in several homes and have a long list of MUST HAVES. At this stage in our lives, we aren’t settling. This next home is our final move…. it’s the NEXT CHAPTER. We would need to build OUR perfect house. We joke that our next move will either be to the nursing home or the funeral home. Because the next one is it!
Our discussion during happy hour on the porch one evening:
Danelle: “I just want to be in the country so bad… I feel so at peace out there.”
Deb: “I know…. but do you really want to do this now? I mean we are busy with our business and have a lot of commitments. Can you imagine adding a move into the mix?”
Danelle: “No… but I just can’t get over the feeling… it almost makes me sad. I feel like we are just pushing this off because of a dumb reason. We both long for that feeling and that feeling isn’t going away. I think we should pay attention to that.”
Deb: “I think we should wait 2-3 more years and then make the move.”
Danelle: “Do you think being 2-3 years older, we will want to do it then? I think not. I’m so afraid that we will stay here out of pure laziness and comfort and never follow our dream of building OUR perfect house in the country.”
Deb and I were at dinner with two of the girls. My phone rang. It was a real estate agent in our town who is also my friend. She said, “I have a client from out of town. She is describing the house she wants and I can’t stop thinking that she is describing yours. Would you ever be interested in selling?”
HELLO, sign from the Universe.
It took a few days to sink in after we actually signed the paperwork on the deal. We walked around not knowing where we would go or how I would run a lifestyle blog business out of a tent. ???? To tell you the truth, that was my biggest fear. But, Deb and I KNOW… without a doubt, that everything ALWAYS works out. It may seem like there is NO WAY things will fall into place, but they always do.
We ended up receiving a phone call from a friend, who has several rental homes in our town, saying one of hers was available. She got an unexpected notice that someone was moving out of one, so we took her up on that offer. We will be living in the rental until we start the building process on some land that has been in Deb’s family for years… 15 minutes away…. in a very peaceful woods… with lots of birds.
This house was a HUGE stepping stone for so much that has happened in this chapter of our lives. It not only allowed me to start our business, but it made both of us realize that we need to stay right here in this area of the country to be with family and friends.
The heart wants what the heart wants. And, our hearts belong in the peaceful country.
Therefore, we have nothing but gratitude for the House on Winchester.
I am SO EXCITED to share EVERYTHING with you guys…. from decorating the rental, what we have in mind for our new house and new property, remodeling our camper. Yes, we bought a camper to keep on the property while we work on the land and house. It will be documented over on our You-Tube channel and we will share here, too. I have a few videos that I threw together already that are janky as hell, BUT…. hey…. they can only get better. ????
We will soon be talking about how I am going to incorporate our business name in the mix of it all. Because it will be staying the same for those of you wondering.
So…… make sure you subscribe to get the updates.
Just the fact that you stick around and read my blog makes me a little emotional. I sometimes cannot believe anyone would want to read about what we are doing. We are pretty boring, if you ask me. ???? Your support throughout this entire journey is appreciated more than you know. So, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for being on this journey…. and in this chapter with us.
CHEERS… as we close this one and open a new one! Are you ready for the ride?
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Yes! So ready!!
Can’t wait to see what’s next..thank you for sharing and opening your beautiful home to us
I am so happy for you ladies!! There is nothing like finding your happy place in the country. I took that leap with my family 3 years ago and it was the best decision ever. I wish you so much happiness and can not wait to see your projects. You both inspire me so much, my home thanks you!!
Looking forward to taking this journey with you via Instagram and YouTube. I tune on most days because you girls make me smile and sometimes even giggle. Most of all I love your decorating style.
Yep, very ready. Let’s get on with it, I think it’s exciting.
PS
I love bird watching too!! I’m a tree hugger, literally. ????
Faithful follower!!
Lily
Congratulations!!! Love everything you do and looking forward to see what’s nezt!!!
Absolutely! I will be nostalgic for your house but I am so excited with anticipation for whats to come! Living vicariously through you two! ????
I think you’ll be glad your doing it now rather than later. My husband and I are in our late 50’s and we want to sell, move to a year around cottage on a lake and I’m not looking forward to another move. We haven’t moved as many times as you but our count is 4, this will be #5. I will be done after this one! I’m slowly letting go of some things so when we do move there is less to move???? I sing ???? let it go from frozen as I toss in garbage or goodwill pile. Can’t wait to see what you have planned and watch it come into fruition ????
I’m so excited to watch your new journey!
Excited for you guys! Looking forward to all of the blogs and picks! You go girls!!????????????????????
I’m excited for you as type begin this new chapter in your lives!! Can’t wait to see more and Happy Happy Birthday!!!!????
I can’t wait to see what you’ll do! I love your house in Winchester, and I’m sure the new house you’re building will be even better
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful memories. And Yes! I’m ready to see your future endeavors.
I would not miss this ride for anything!
Your stories are funny as hell and you guys make me pee my pants laughing all the time. I might have to have that checked out when I go see my Doctor next month!
Cheers!????????????????????
Drivers, start your engines…runners, take your mark…can you tell how ready I am? LET’S DO THIS! Go Double D’s – #teamHoW is here to cheer you on!!!
Can’t wait to live vicariously through you two! It’s going to be stunning!!
I am so happy for y’all. I can’t wait to live vicariously through this with y’all. It’s going to be beautiful. Thanks for sharing. And, y’all are not boring at all. I read Insta stories every night before i go to sleep. Makes my day. Take care! <3
So excited for both of you! I check in with you everyday, I feel like your my friends down the street! My husband and I are also in our 50’s waiting to find our final home…I have started the 30 year purge so I won’t have any excuses when we find our fixer upper. My husband rehabs/flips houses for a living with my son and I can’t wait to go on your journey with you and Deb.
Best wishes, enjoy, breathe, listen to the birds and smile….
So happy to hear about your new journey! As one that has passed the fifty mark, do it now before the energy level slows down. LOL Can’t wait to see the plans for the rental, the makeover of your camper and the new house plans. Enjoy the journey!
I was so shocked when you made the announcement that y’all would be selling and building a new home because your place is so perfect. Then I realized you really can’t get what you really want unless you build the house with your plans and where you want that house to sit. Having lived in a subdivision and then building a house in the county with acreage I totally get it!! You’ll never look back because it’s wonderful. Also, I can’t wait to see Deb on a Tractor because I know it’s coming and I bet she can’t wait ????
OMG! So happy for you two! (and sweet Ivy) Exciting and nerve wracking? sure, but mostly exciting that you are taking life by the boobs and making your dream come true. Woods and birds and a new home that you design? Not much better than that. So Congrats!
I’m happy for you guys and happy to see what comes next. I loved the home that you are in now it’s so beautiful but I know it can only get better from here and I can’t wait to see what you do to the rental and to the the new build. I don’t think you guys are boring at all I think y’all are so crazy ???? but a good crazy. Y’all make me laugh all the time and sometimes even my husband when I get him to watch. Love to you both ????????
I am so ready for the ride Danielle and Deb I have enjoyed your Instagram page. At the beginning I was like OMG these girls are crazy what are they doing they’re saying all of this stuff on Instagram!!! The more I watched the more I got hooked I got my family and friends involved in watching you and We messaged each other back and forth saying how crazy you are. how do you wake up every morning just to run to the phone to look at what you guys posted LOL. I am so happy for you two I’m so happy that you’re taking us on your journey. I can’t wait to see everything he feels from the bottom to the top.. may God bless you guys on this beautiful journey and keep you healthy during the time see you and your new home. your friends forever Pat Gutierrez
hahahahaha awwww. what a sweet message. Thanks so much for the kind words.
Yay!! Congratulations you two! I started following you two this year and I swear y’all get funnier and funnier! I can’t wait to watch this next season of life and what that looks like as you two create the perfect country home!
So happy for you two but now I need to hear ALL THE THINGS about this store you used to have!!
[…] recently moved from the original House on Winchester into a rental house while we build our dream home. I say “original” because so many […]
Just started following your blog. LOVE IT!! My husband and I purchased land, 50 acres and will be building in a couple of years. I am so excited to follow yours and Debs journey to the county! I know you will have great advice on building a country home!!
Oh my gosh… congrats on your purchase. I’m so excited to start the process.
This is awesome!! I give you both a lot of credit!
It ain’t easy that’s for sure. Waiting is hard but it will be worth it in the end I’m sure.
Best of luck.
[…] Selling the House on Winchester was probably THE MOST exciting thing for the year 2019! It was so random, unplanned, and unexpected. It felt right, so we went with it! […]
Awww I missed the opportunity to visit your old house, I am catching up on what I missed awhile. Enjoy the decorating on your new home!