My mom and my sister Elizabeth (who already live in Yarrow, one hour and 10 minutes East of Vancouver) went to see the house first. They reported that it was great and we should go look at it.
‘What colour is it’, I asked my sister.
‘It’s pinky beige’, she replied.
Photo by Maria Killam
The actual colour is BM OC-16 Cedar Keys. It’s vinyl siding. Sigh. Oh well, at least it’s not screaming pink. The above photo is mine, this is the how it really looks.
It recently dawned on me that with this blog, I can live anywhere. My first dream would have been that my ebook would suddenly have brought in enough money every month to buy a house in Vancouver. Well you already know that didn’t happen, haha.
So then I thought, if I have to move outside of the city to buy a place, and I can live anywhere because of this blog, why not live in the same neighbourhood as my sister and my mom? My other 2 sisters, Anita and Lea live in the valley as well, where I grew up. We don’t have children so being close to my nephews is really important to me.
The Vedder River (one block away from our house) source
When I read this post about how much more money you have to make in order for your level of happiness to increase when you move AWAY from your friends and family, it has always stuck with me. I wish I had known about that before I moved to Toronto for a relationship in 2002. Being away from my family was terrible for me, I was very unhappy there. Happiness comes from the quality of your personal relationships, period.
At the time I decided to move to Toronto I had started my decorating business here in Vancouver and was not making enough money to support myself so I had to get a job working in a furniture store to supplement my consultations. Retail did not thrill and inspire me and my sales reflected that. I had this little fantasy about moving that it would suddenly change my circumstances (which it didn’t), that’s when I learned the hard lesson called, ‘everywhere you go, there you are’.
It was only when I came back to Vancouver and got a job as a colour consultant working out of a paint store that suddenly I became the star of booking consultations from just talking to people looking for colour help. Some of us need to find our passion before we can really shine!
Click here to see what the inside is like – oak cabinets, they are sooooo going to be painted ASAP until we renovate the kitchen next summer.
I want to thank every single person reading this blog for just being here number one! For your emails encouraging me to keep writing and be myself. To everyone who supported me by purchasing my ebook, hiring me for consultations or to decorate your house. It’s because of you that I get to own my very own house for the first time in my life! My sister and I both cried on Friday when we closed, she says she feels like she’s won the lottery because I’ll be living 2 minutes away from her. Thank you so much!
Gotta run, my Spring True Colour Expert Workshop starts in 2 days, there’s lots to do!
xoxo Maria
ps. We take possession mid April and then we will replace most of the flooring, paint and renovate the out-building in the backyard and turn it into my office. We’ll move in May. Those of you who might be worried I won’t post the bad, before and on-going photos – I certainly will – the countertops are pink, eeeeeek!
Related posts:
Sometimes being Happy is too Obvious
Review of last years Goals and a New List for 2012
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.
To make sure the undertones in your home are right, get some large samples!
So incredibly happy for you Maria. You are finally home.
Big hug for you Maria!!! Isn’t it funny how life changes? Go where you are the happiest. Keep writing because it makes US happy to. You’re talented, beautiful and more great things will come your way because you are you!
By the way, I just used Cedar Key in a contemporary home paired with a gray blue. It is a pinky beige but you can make it work! Here’s a blog post I wrote about how I had to make pinky beige work in my own dining room. What’s that they say? If you can’t change things, just make them work. Well, at least that’s what I say. Here’s the link:
http://colorspecialist-charlotte.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-make-pinky-beige-work.html
Love your above letter Maria and so happy for you with your new house. I am sure itwill look quite beautiful before too much time passes. I do so enjoy keeping up with you and am so happy you are living so close to your mother and sister. Give Helen a big hug for me, I think of her often and hope she is well and happy. Jean x
Congratulations Maria! There is nothing like Family, so happy for you!
Congratulations Maria! Looks like a gorgeous, serence and inspiring place to live. Can’t wait to see what you do with the place.
WOW, GIRL! You wasted no time finding and buying a home – CONGRATULATIONS!!
Congratulation Maria!
Congratulations, Maria! So happy for you and thankful for your honesty and truth in this post, and for all that I have learned from you. I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation of this house into your beautiful home!
I hope you take many pictures of the process in both the main house and the outhouse office space. I know you belivie in showing only”pretty” pictures, but so many of of like to see the details of the transition, in addition to the before and after pics. That way we could learn what factors influenced your choices of color, flooring, hardware, furnishings and all the other details that make up a cohesive design.
It looks like a beautiful area in which to live and I can’t wait to see how you transform the space into your own.
Teresa
Hi Teresa,
I will definitely be posting the before’s to show the process!! Maria
I’m so happy for you!!!
You will also feel fantastic the day you pick up the house keys and you walk through the front door knowing that it’s YOURS…all yours. 🙂
Congratulations Maria, that’s very exciting news!
How exciting for you! Congratulations!
I wish you the best for your new adventure. I am sure you and T. will be very happy there and still not much far away from the city. Looking forward to see even the “before” images, we’ll learn a lot. Ciao.
Welcome to the neighbourhood, house looks great. You’ll love it out here. Let me know if you need some good local trades people, I know the best ones!
Jil
Maria- what a delight to read your post today! I was born in Chilliwack “The Wack” and lived there until I was 18. As a teen I think I could have driven the road to Cultus Lake blindfolded. We were there constantly! I miss the place. My mother recently went into complex care here in South Surrey so I haven’t been to the area in a year. I miss it. Will always be home. Chilliwack has a pretty good arts community too. Congratulations! And one more thing… is the sign that says “Welcome to Yarrow, Fun City BC” still there? 🙂
Ah, so what they say is true. location, location, location. By family! Happy for you. Blessings to you and your family.
Maria,
It looks very nice from the outside! I hope you are very happy in your new home.
Congratualtions Maria. Close to family and getting to work on your own home is fantastic.
Congrats, Maria. I was one of those who bought your e-book so I’d like to think that I helped you pay for your home in a oh so small way. Ha ha. Can’t wait to see the before and after pics. So much fun! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. It means a lot coming from you. Keep up the good work.
Great news! Congratulations! I’m looking forward to the ongoing renovation. You can paint vinyl siding, you know, or even replace it with cement board.
All the best with this new project.
Maria, I am so happy for you! I would love to live minutes from my sister rather than days away.
One of the great things about buying an older house that needs sprucing up is that you replace the ugly ASAP rather than living with it because “it is only a few years old and still in good condition.”
Congratulations Maria! I look forward to seeing the photos. My own dream of home ownership has been bashed to bits so I shall live vicariously through you. The beige of your house isn’t as bad as it could be. I share your dislike of pinky-beige and refer to the colour as “Original Silly Putty”. I had neighbours who did the exterior of their beautiful hard-plank home in that hideous colour. Their house has been on the market for a couple of years now. I want to tell them they should re-paint it and it would probably sell.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! House, family, nature, career.
Now then, let’s talk, that frontyard is horrendous. You can make your house the right color but if the landscape is awful the 1st impression is made.
I still give your site for color advice AND blogging advice. Of course they’ve all paid for blogging advice, ha. Yours is better.
Still needing to tweek my blog with ideas taken from your wisdom. In the meantime having the best years of a 30 year career. And been doing some exciting real estate things too.
My blog and great contractors are huge components to success in a bad economy.
Thanks for making me laugh at your hard-learned wisdom. Seems to be the only way I learn.
Congratulations………..again.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
I’m so happy for you!!!!! If there’s anyone in blogland who deserves to have their own home – it’s you!! You work so hard, are so dedicated to your readers and teach us so much. Congratulations!!!!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to see what you do with your new abode and I wish you many happy years there.
So happy for you!!! Looking forward to hearing all about your decorating changes.
Oh Maria…its gonna be beautiful!….congratulations…pinky beige….. minor detail!
Awesome, Maria! So happy for you – I know you’ll make it your own and it’ll be FABULOUS.
xoxo
Kristie
Congratulations!!!!
congratulations on your new HOME!! How exciting! You will decorate and redecorate a hundred times over before you even get to REALLY decorate. A home of your own, so close to family. FANTASTIC. Much ♥ to you! Now we can all come visit you…
Dolores
Congratulations Maria!! You are so right, family makes life wonderful! I’m sure your sweet nephews will LOVE having your fun, happy personality around more often. Blessings to you my friend, your new home is lovely!
Ruthie
I think this is proof of the powers of your intentions! SO VERY HAAPY FOR YOU! This is only the beginning of many great blessings coming. Enjoy! Can’t wait to watch the unfolding of your new projects.
Maria,
How exciting!!! You are going to love it “Home is where your heart swells” I can’t wait till you move in and feel you are home. Happy Happy Joy Joy!
Bette
Maria, this is such happy news. I am thrilled for you! You are a wonderful mentor, and I am looking forward to following the progress on your house. You will love having your family near. It is one of the best joys of life to be close to family!
Congratulations! I”m so happy for you, Maria. I think buying the house is not the only accomplishment here. Also, working so hard to establish your own business so that you have control over the life and can live anywhere. That’s huge and we should all celebrate when someone can do this.
Penelope
Congratulations! I am so very happy for you!!
How Gorgeous – Love it and I know you will make it yours – it will in the end reflect who you are and that too will make you happy. What an adventure for you and all to share – can’t wait.
Congratulation Maria!! 🙂
Carmel
Like all the above, I too want to say I’m very happy for you. It’s a big deal, have fun with it! And just think how much fodder you’ll have for blog posts now 🙂
Cathy
Way to go Maria. Wait to watch everything you will change.
Maria how exciting. You will be so much happier living nearer your family. Your new house looks like it has “good bones” and we know you’ll enjoy the challenge of “Colouring it Happy”. Can’t wait to see more pics. Love and best wishes
Congratulations Maria, so happy for you.
Cheers
Congratulations!!! This is wonderful news to hear. I, and all of your readers, have no doubt that you will take this place and turn into a fabulous home where you will be creating memories to last a lifetime. Love love love….. Continue to follow your heart, your passions, and all of your dreams will come true. When one is truly honest with who they are, they become the person that makes themselves happy then everyone around them benefits just as much as you do. Bliss. Congratulations again. Looking forward to following you on this exciting journey. xo
How exciting! I look forward to many before/during/after pictures as you turn this house into a home you can be proud of.
Congratulations! I am looking forward to many posts on your adventures in decorating your new home.
Congradulations !I was curious what color would you have made the house if it wasn’t siding?
I for one will enjoy your transitions with the house,again Congradulations,
Brenda
I can just feel your enthusiasm and passion for your new place – What fun you will have turning it into ” you” – and we will enjoy following your journey. Maria – you have so much style – I can hardly wait to see what you will do.
Karen
Congratulations!!! This is so exciting and heart-warming too. You even get to go through your own true home renovation…without a doubt this is a dream come true:)
Congratulations! I’m looking forward to your before and afters!
So happy for you Maria! A new home is a lot of work- but it is happy work! So great working on your own place. Plus you will be close to your nephews to play! Yay! xo
Congratulations on the darling house.. I can’t wait to see the insides…good, bad and downright ugly! xo marlis
Congratulations, Maria! And best wishes for many happy years in your new home!
Congratulations! What a wonderful post to read. I’m sure you will be very happy in your new home. Can’t wait to watch you make it even more beautiful.
I’m so happy for you! It will be incredible to travel with you on this journey…what belongings you choose to highlight…your experiments with colors and finishes…how you feather your nest.
I love your posts (my daily, morning treat) and your e-book. We are getting ready for the reconfiguration/expansion of our 96-year-old house. Oh, so many decisions along the way…exciting…so many possibilities…
(It’s been a great justification for indulging in my love of interior design books, magazine, and websites.)
Congratulations. I’ll be right there with you on your journey.
Congratulations Maria,
Really great to “hear” the happiness in your words.
And how cool that you are achieving your goals and finding home.
LOVE your ebook, I am in the midst of remodeling and have learned so much. I am gaining confidence in my color choices, and love picking out the undertones in colors everywhere! 🙂
So, thanks for publishing it!
Congratulations on your new home! Can’t wait to see the transformations,, it looks great, with lots of potential!
Mary
I’m so happy for you! Congratulations…….
Congratulations! Like everyone else I’m looking forward to seeing what you do to it..
Isn’t it ironic that your house would be the dreaded Pinky Beige? 😉
Maggie
Congrats, pinky-beige and all! I think it will be a wonderful move for you 🙂
Congratulations, Maria! Wishing you every happiness in your new home!
That post made me smile…I am so happy for you and your family….the house is lovely and I’m sure by the time you finish making all the right choices for it’s renovation it will be spectacular!!! I don’t comment often but I read all your posts and I am a huge fan!!!
Good for you Maria. I am so happy for you. Having your own home is good and transforming it into something that thrills you every time you walk into it is GREAT! The home I am building for Nancy and I in Fort Langley is coming along very nicely, I hope to have a roof on it within two weeks. If you want to see how it is going, have a look at the facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stevenson-Design-Works-Ltd/292176670830176
Continued success to you.
First. Congratulations!!!!!!! I am so excited for you. Knowing that your blog helped get you there is so inspiring!!! Second, the fact that you are buying a pink beige house is too much — wow, I’m sure that will provide for some great posts in the future :). I actually like pinky beige, though not for myself. Good luck with it all. I couldn’t be happier for you guys.
Arizona here. EVERYTHING OUTSIDE IS PINKY_BEIGE! That’s just the reality and the result of the clay-based soil conditions. So I have bright red patio chairs, lots of deeper browns, timbers and every shade of greenery I can find. Add a few red humming-bird feeders and lavender plants. It’s probably not the newest, freshest, scheme but it’s lovely. You will so enjoy owning your home and being near your family. Congrats!
Congrats. I bought your eBook and love it, thank you for it!
Congrats! Just think, if anyone can take a pinky-beige house and make it look great it’s you 🙂 All the best.
home again, home again. . . :)!!!
xoxo,
susan
Congratulations on moving way up the happiness meter! And good luck with your new home.
Congratulations Maria. Lots of new challenges ahead for you, but living closer to family makes it all worth while! Enjoy.
CONGRATULATIONS MARIA!!! I am sooo happy for you!!! Can’t wait to come for a visit!!
Love and hugs,
Lea
Congratulations Maria, thats a wonderful accomplishment and wishing you all the happiness. Looks so lovely and serene and all my friends out that way just love it. Im sure we’ll be seeing pics of your touches before you know it and your right, we are happiest where we feel at home with our family and friends. Thank you! for giving us such great reading and sharing with us. I love reading your blogs. All the best making your new house your home.
How exciting!!! I cannot wait to see the before and after transformation. Looks like a nice house and being that close to your sis and her family must have sealed the deal. So happy for you.
This is so great! I am so happy for you! I can’t wait to see all you will do w/ your new place. I had to laugh at the pinky-beige exterior comment! Next you will tell us that is has granite counters w/ elaborate mosiac tile backsplashes, ha ha (we readers know your design pet peeves , don’t we?!)
I am thrilled for you…. oh you new home will be fabulous!
I’ve never met you but feel as if I know you. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for you. I actually got a little teary-eyed about your new adventure.
Congratulations!!!
Happy homeowner to you, happy homeowner to you, happy homeowner, dear Maria, happy homeowner to you!! YAY!! So excited for you both … and like everyone else, I can’t wait to see all of the transformation posts. Oh, and I have not given up on your ebook becoming a blockbuster just yet!!
Congrats, Maria. It is wonderful to know you can create your own authentic home. Have a ton of fun!
Oh Maria! So, so happy for you. There’s nothing like having a little place of your own! You’ve worked hard for it and the bonus is being near your family and being able to do what you love! The river is so pretty. Blessings!
xo
You continue to amaze and inspire. Congratulations!
Maria, So happy for you. May you always have peace and happiness in your new home. God Bless!
Oh Happy Days! You will love living out there close to your family but not too far from the city – can’t you just taste all that good Chilliwack corn! Congratulations on following your heart Maria…..ellen
That’s great news! Have fun making it look amazing. Can’t wait to see what you do with the place.
Congratulations Maria. Look forward to seeing your new home!
Congratulations, Maria! I’m thrilled for you! I’ve really enjoyed watching you decorate your present home, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with your house!
Congratulations Maria…..so happy for you , and cannot wait to see how you renovate and decorate!!
Maria, how exciting. I’m so glad you have a place to call your own that you can do with what you want. I have a feeling that having gorgeous places to walk like the river are going to be good for you too. It’s funny timing as my husband and i are thinking of moving to the country next year as well. We’re looking for a hobby farm that we can commute from now and then enjoy when we retire. Congrats again!
Happy, happy, joy, joy! Exciting news! I, too, love being with family. That’s what brings me my greatest joy. So happy for you and looking forward the progress you make on your new home!
Maria Congrats on your new “home sweet home”
So happy for you, not just for the new house but that you are close to your family again, truly the highest priority!! Can’t wait to see what you do with the place! Will no doubt be beautious!
Just wanted to say you were wonderful when I had a consultation with you and the ebook has helped me tremendously! I am a huge fan…will be waiting for the next “chapter” (so to speak)!
Congratulations! Looking forward for the transformation and reading all about your new adventures! Nothing like great sisters and a mom!!
All the best to you
Maureen
Maria,
We are so happy for you. Congratulations! Your consultations have been a huge help through our renovation and we look forward to seeing the progress in your new home.
Colleen & Lino in Calgary
Somehow I landed here and got drawn in … Now I Can’t wait to see how you turn this pinky-beige box into
your signature castle …
Will be returning to watch how this progresses and see the before and after.
Maria I am so excited for you to not only own your own home, with a soon to be fabulous office, but to be close to family and the earth. You deserve good things. You have inspired me so much. Sending a big love whoosh! Jen
I am very happy and excited for you! Congratulations. It will be fun to decorate your new home. It is yours, so you can make any changes you want….such as digging upmthe concrete! How exciting that you not only have a “mountain” in your back yard but you have a beautiful stream nearby and your sister withn 2 minutes! Yea! Enjoy!