This is my first decorating post for Blissfully Domestic, so I thought
I'd start by introducing myself.
I'm Julia. I live in Cincinnati with my husband and two kids, Jake and Lily. I write textbook copy by day and I blog by night.
And oh, yeah, one more thing–I'm hooked on houses (which also happens to be the name of my blog).
Can you relate? Are you hooked on houses, too? Give yourself a point for each of the following statements that you agree with:
- If there's a "For Sale" sign in my neighbor's yard, I can tell you how much they're asking for their house–and whether it's worth it.
- I remember the name of a paint color I used in my last house.
- I know who Clive Pearse is.
- I've been known to visit Open Houses and model homes, just for fun.
- When I visit someone's home, I immediately start looking around to see
what changes they've made since the last time I was there. - I get upset when I see a beautiful old home that looks neglected and unloved, and I fantasize about "rescuing" it.
- If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd do is buy or build my dream home.
- I've been known to check out the local house listings when I'm on vacation to see how much it would cost to live there.
- I have stacks of decorating magazines and mark or file pages for future reference.
- If I drive through a pretty neighborhood, I slow to a crawl so I don't miss anything.
- I'm always redecorating my house. It's never "finished."
If you could relate to four or more, then I have a feeling you love houses as much as I do. Where are my fellow house junkies? Can I see a show of hands? I hope you'll leave a comment and fess up. You'll feel better if you admit it!
In the weeks to come you'll find me chatting here at Blissfully Domestic about some of my favorite topics, including celebrity homes, decorating trends, before-and-afters, and more good stuff. If you're hooked on houses, then you won't want to miss any of it!
Until next time, you can find me blogging about decorating and real estate over at Hooked on Houses. Stop by and say hello!
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OH MY! Your blog on "houses" made me laugh…I fit all those descriptions…with the open house, knowing how much your neighbor is selling for….when I take the kids to activities..I usually go the long way to look at houses! My kids get so tired of it!!!…I do the crawl. Hey, I have stolen many of ideas from other houses..it's great! Your posting was great!
Sandy Toes at http://www.shellinyourpocket.blogspot.com
I'm so happy to meet a fellow house junkie!! I even go so far as to take pictures of houses with my phone as I'm driving along if I like the look of something: the garden, the windows, whatever!
I also appreciate the differences in each house and wonder about the people that live in them. I'm curious about why they chose their house. Was it because of how it looked on the outside or the layout on the inside. What was it about this particular house that made them want to live there.
i'm looking forward to your posts here, julia.
i'm a 5!
Hi Julia ~ I read you daily over at Hooked on Houses, and enjoyed your post here at Blissfully Domestic. How bad does a person have H.O.H. disease if they answer YES to every one of the statements?!?
I never considered being a house-nut was a hobby, (although I was the only 8th grader who read Architectural Digest) but after taking your survey, I can see why I don't have much time for many other hobbies. I love houses and decorating ideas so much! Now, after taking your survey, I realize being Hooked on Houses is an all-encompassing hobby!
That is so funny because I am definitely not hooked on houses, but LOVE living vicariously through those of you who do…does that count?
Going down your list, the first few I started nodding my head. By the end I was laughing out loud because every one was spot on! My husband hates the "crawl" and I get so excited when I see that someone has their blinds open and the lights on just so I can see what it looks like inside! Oh, and, open houses, they are on my TO DO list every saturday.
Julia – congratulations on your new gig – I'm sure you will do a fab job. Looks like I am guilty of being "hooked" as well after taking your little quiz. More than anything I hate to see an old historic home falling into disrepair. I always wish I were some kind of developer who could fix it up, sell it, and make a profit – make money and preserve history all at the same time!
I:
-I remember the name of a paint color I used in my last house.
-I know who Clive Pearse is.
-I've been known to visit Open Houses and model homes, just for fun.
-When I visit someone's home, I immediately start looking around to see what changes they've made since the last time I was there.
-I get upset when I see a beautiful old home that looks neglected and unloved, and I fantasize about "rescuing" it.
- I've been known to check out the local house listings when I'm on vacation to see how much it would cost to live there.
-I have stacks of decorating magazines and mark or file pages for future reference.
- I'm always redecorating my house. It's never "finished."
Oh, goodness – I fit almost every single one! Too funny! Especially "looking around to see what's changed" at a friend's house. Love it – I'll be looking forward to your next article!
Yea, Julia! You know I'm hopelessly hooked on houses! And, another item for your quiz: If you are not in the driver's seat while driving through a lovely neighborhood, do you yell at your husband to slow down to the crawl?
I get whiplash as I try to see the homes on both sides of the street.
Congrats!
I scored 100% on that test!
glad I am not alone!
Hi Julia, If four match, try all!! I am most certainly a house junkie. As a former real estate agent, I just think it's in my blood!! I love everything about houses and I alwasy will!!!
I guess I would qualify as "hooked on houses" but probably not as much as you! I love your blog!
Totally a HOUSE junkie!!
I do all the same things. Even "stalking" nearby houses for sale to see the progress.
Am I the only one who watched home improvement shows as a kid (as in on PBS before HGTV was around?)
I even have notebooks of simple houseplans I designed and "furnished" as a hobby. Going way back, I built houses/furniture out of legos!
Oh, I heart houses. Especially older homes.
And of course, I married a man who likes big square boring boxes. Sigh.
Guilty as charged! I was an realtor up until two years ago and my love for houses is deep within! I have even formed a weekly walking schedule in my next dream neighborhood with a friend! We walk the neighborhood a couple times a week- being there on foot allows me to get a much better view of the houses with a slightly less stalker look! Looking forward to your future posts!
I'm a regular reader of your blog and am thrilled to see you diversifying!
I just took the quiz and was surprised to find that while I have a slight "house problem" I'm not completely "hooked" and in need of rehab. That said, I love living vicariously through you!
OMG!!! I was cracking up! I am EVERY one of those. I didn't know others existed. I absolutely HATE to see an old house neglected or knocked down to build a bigger & better one! I just chalked it up to having an old soul! There's something about…taking something old & making it new again! Glad to know others are out there!
Julia ~
I am right there with you on all counts…especially that decor magazine thing…and if that is a disease then I don't want the cure! I relate so much that we must be related!!!
Congratulations and what fun to find you here!
Smiles ~ Ramona
yep, i'm totally a house junkie too! i just sat and smiled as i read through your list. i enjoy your blog, and now i get to see you on two blogs – terrific!
Oh no…it would appear I am completely hooked on houses just as you are!!!! LOL..I love your blog so I'm so glad to see you branching out
)Congratulations…I look forward to reading your great posts here too!
~Des
You forgot this one:
Do you slow down when you drive by fancy houses that have their blinds open at night because you can see inside at how they have decorated?
Yes, I am definitely hooked on houses. ugh. I have issues. ha!
Oh my gosh. I do everyone one of those. I as laughing so hard at the end:) I can't wait to check out your other blog!
I just started reading your blog and I love seeing all those beautiful house you have there. I really have to start decorateing my house.
I also go on open house just so I can see how other's decorate their house so I can "borrow" some ideas…
I'd tell you that I'm, indeed, hooked on houses but you already know that. Congrats on being on Blissfully Domestic.
Julia,
Welcome to your new job. Those of us who have been reading your blog know you and love you despite your obsession, after all we are just as obsessed. As they used to say in grade school, way back when, "it takes one to know one".
Janet
Hi Julia, Congratulations on Blissfully Domestic, I love looking at houses too, in fact I was just in an open house on Wednesday, which is different, most of the open homes are on the weekend, it was a brand new Craftsman Style.I always enjoy reading your Hooked on Houses Blog, now I can enjoy reading this blog too. Thanks, Julia.
When my husband and I go on vacation, we ALWAYS find a real estate book in the grocery and check out the local listings! I thought we were the only peeps who did that – glad to know we aren't alone!
LOL, seems you're in good company! And yep, I do all that too.
Sometimes my kids get so tired of it and other times, they're like "Hey mom, let's go look at houses!"
It's pretty funny.
And now I'm off to check out your blog.
~ Annie
OK, I answered YES to every one of those!!! I'm totally hooked on houses! I do have a hard time committing to decorations sometimes because I know I'm going to want to change it later on. lol
~melody~
Not only did I score 100% on your test I can go one further~ I got my real estate LICENSE so I could show houses all the time and look at any house I wanted!!
Is that sick or what? HA!
Hey, Julia! Fellow house junkie here – and I also live in Cincinnati! More than being excited about finding another house junkie, I'm excited to find a fellow Cincinnatian! Now I am going to check out your blog…
Hi Julia
I bet you won't be able to guess my score
let's just say…. 100% LOL
rue
Yes! I totally agree with you. I think I do everything you fessed up to! My hubby and I are buying our first house, and I am ecstatic! woo hoo! I Heart Houses too!
Oh hey! Bonus! Two of my favorite blogs have come together!
I relate to several of those – I DO like houses! Even though we have been in current house for almost 3 years, I still get the daily e-mail of new homes on the market (that we started when we were looking for this house)and watch the prices and look at pics of any like our model to get redecorating ideas!
I am looking forward to your posts!
Hi, my name is Patti, and I, too, am a house junkie! When on a beautiful street out-of-town, I even drive slowly down the street looking at all the houses on one side of the street, then I turn around & drive back again so I can then look at all the houses on the other side of the street. When any people outside stop & stare as I'm making my 2nd pass through (probably thinking I'm some kind of stalker), I just smile & wave! Patti
I think I qualify- I had to agree with every item on the list! But you knew that already! This looks like a fun site- bookmarking now.
Wow! I've had so much fun reading all of your comments today! Looks like a lot of you are just as crazy as I am when it comes to houses. I'm so glad to know I'm not alone, and that I'll have some readers who might be interested in my posts in the weeks to come.
Thanks for taking the time to say hello and introduce yourselves to me, fellow house junkies! Looking forward to chatting with you all again next week. -Julia
I am shocked 'cause I answered "yes" to every one of those, and I didn't even know I was "hooked on houses"! Here's another question for you to add to your list:
"Do you only go door-to-door trick-or-treating with your kids so that you can see the insides of all your neighbors houses?" I'm ashamed to admit that I've been doing it for years!!! =)
Welcome Babe. We are honored to have you as part of the family! xoxo.
YIKES I am a junkie alright. I even love to walk at night so I can see into peoples houses.
Love your other blog, well you know that already I tell you enough lol, will be back to check you out here again too.
Nice post,
Kathy
Sitting at my computer chuckling once again.
You crack me up.
I would also add…
stalking the auditor's website to find out what people you know paid for thier house
checking zillow for your home price (and not agreeing with it!)
Well, hey Julia! Welcome to BD. I'm happy to see you over here contributing too. What fun we'll have.
And yes, I'm afraid I'm another who is hooked on houses too. My hubby always teases me about wanting to stop by the neighborhood open houses on Sunday.
Rhoda
I'm totally a house junkie! But I have to disagree with one point. The winning the lottery and then buying or building a 'dream home.'
C'mon, us house junkies can't have a dream home. We'll never settle down. We'll never stop gazing and fantasizing and tucking tidbits of roof-lines and windows and landscaping into our mental file-boxes…
Alissa, you're right. We'd buy or build a "dreamier" home than we have now. How's that? -Julia
No surprise here, I had a feeling I would say Yes yes yes to every question on that quiz! That is ME to a T!
I'm Hooked! Totally!
LOVED your article!! Congratulations!!
Melissa
>who will be joining you at BlissfullyDomestic next week!