When I was a kid, Iโd sneak away to the attic above my grandmotherโs garage on Victoria Avenue in Los Angeles โ a dusty, no-go zone for any reasonable adult. The stairs were rickety, the floorboards werenโt to be trusted, and the whole place was littered with the kind of forgotten storage adults pretend doesnโt exist.ย Mostly half empty boxes, paint cans, and miscellaneous mops, rags, and lamps. It was perfect.
I turned that forbidden loft into my clubhouse.ย I wasnโt supposed to be up there, but what I lacked in permission I made up for in sheer vision. I strung a discarded scrap of lace over the window as a curtain. I draped a tablecloth over a cardboard box for a table, arranged some wonky folding chairs around it (I still have one of those chairs, by the way), and got to work decorating my little corner of the world with the treasures I squirreled away from the parts of my grandmotherโs house I was actually allowed to explore. All in the effort of throwing my pretend dinner parties, of course.
What I wanted more than anything was a space to make mine โ to sweep, to decorate, to fill with tiny treasures I’d tuck into my pockets for safe keeping (think: pebbles, three leaf clovers, blown out birthday candles), and, of course, to boss my little sister around like any respectable clubhouse curator would.
Fast-forward thirty-some-odd years and I’m hundreds of miles from the garage attic on Victoria Avenue – physically, but not spiritually. This month marks one full year of living in the Painted Lady in Bellville, Texas โ a house built in 1888, with a wraparound porch, well-worn wood floors, and a particular kind of charm that borders on haunted if the wind hits just right (or you linger in a thought for too long).
Six months in to life here, I was sitting in the front room making a mental to-do list (which, if Iโm honest, I now know is more of a lifelong scroll), staring out through a pair of delicate lace curtains left by the previous owners.ย They suit the room nicely and keep me from having to buy new curtains anytime soon.ย Thatโs when it hit me โ that old scrap of lace I tried to hang in the attic window as a kid? This is what I was going for.ย Beyond my dreams, really.
But hereโs the thing no one tells you about finally getting the house of your dreams: itโs a lot. Thereโs no end. Nothing is ever done. Thereโs always something โ a plumbing emergency, a chimney in need of sweeping, foundation repairs, a floorboard that sighs too deeply underfoot.ย Just yesterday I cried about my pool being green and honestly, it wasn’t the first time I’ve cried over a home hiccup.ย The laundry list is long, and my Pinterest boards have wildly misled me about the pace of progress.
It turns out that making a home, especially in a house this old, is less about completing projects and more about fostering a relationship โ a slow, attentive rhythm of care and patience and presence. This place demands devotion.
A few of the best things Iโve done in this house so far:
โข Best thing Iโve baked: A chocolate stout cake with cream and raspberries โ the one we served at our front porch wedding.
โข Best spot for a second cup of coffee: The bench in the corner of the kitchen tucked behind the bistro breakfast table.ย
โข Best unexpected joy: Graham and Tron sleeping in the same bed…. which is so cute the humans in the bed are willing to sleep around the edges.ย
โข Best smell: Fresh kolaches in the oven. No question.ย
โข Best decision: Watching friends and family gather on the front lawn for surprise front porch wedding from my bedroom window (pictured above) and moving to charming Bellville, TX in the first place.
What I’ve learned in a year is that this house is drafty and opinionated. I know the dining room is on its third (and favorite) wallpaper. A period perfect selection from Bradbury & Bradbury’s William Morris Collection. I know I can’t pick curtains for the bedroom upstairs sand I might as well just close my eye and play eeny-meeny-miny-moe on some reasonably priced curtain website (jk those don’t exist).
Will and I learned together what itโs like to fill this house with people. Thatโs when it feels the most alive. Itโs why we got married on the front porch in front of our family on Thanksgiving Day. Itโs why I had to pause when I saw our loved ones hold hands around my kitchen as I said a prayer to bless Easter lunch. The house seems to hold it all so naturally โ the noise, the stillness, the love โ I can feel it in its bones.
Just last night, Will and I were playing that silly โWhat Would You Do If You Won the Lotteryโ game in the backyard. It was early evening and everyone had headed home after Easter lunch. Will was enjoying the last of a cigar and I sat on propped up against the pool shed, staring up at the house. Will had humble plans for his lottery winnings, a true Capricorn with a pension towards old cars and older Harleys. Me? I said, โYou wouldnโt know I won, but you would see me hire someone to remove every last wooden board from the outside of this house, insulate her properly, and reassemble her piece by loving piece with Hardie board.” He laughed. โReally? Thatโs your dream?โ Home repairs? YES. And new electrical.
Truth is โ even without the lottery โ we have more than enough. This house, in all its glorious chaos, is the dream (that I hope to share more of with you soon!). The little girl with a dusty attic clubhouse has grown up and learned to stress over galvanized plumbing, pinch pleat curtains, and a dog who is bound to catch one of the squirrels he chases through the backyard one of these days.
And I get to be here, fussing over every corner with a heart full of gratitude and a tape measure (if only I could find it).
One year in, and I still canโt believe I get to call this place home.
25 Responses
This is just beautiful! We’ve marked 20 years in our old house in Austin, and I still marvel all the time at what we’ve made here. The house had the spirit and the bones and the history. We created the home. I appreciate the challenge of it and the heart of it. And that you’re sharing the story with us.
A few weeks ago driving to Houston I was checking to see when you’d be ready for guests. I’ve been following you since at least 2009–I was googling while my husband drove, looking for the first recipe of yours I remember making, a Caesar salad (no longer on the site) but finding the root beer float cake I made myself for my birthday party. I’m excited to come visit when you open the doors. And meanwhile, cheering along the way.
I was sad when you were leaving NOLA and wondered what was next but knew it would be ok. You have followed your heart and have been led to a place that is home. You will make it even more of your home as time goes on! So happy for you and Will. Canโt wait to see what comes as times takes us in your journey! ?
Hi Joy,
I really enjoyed reading your story. You have such wonderful treasured memories about your grandmother’s home and how she freely allowed you to create and imagine/ which obviously contributed, and lovingly touched your life!
I love your beautiful home! From your post and reels, I’ve watched you put your love, blood, sweat, and tears work into it and the outcomes are remarkable.
Now you and Will have the privilege of adding to the history of your home. (Whew…but how exciting and satisfying that is right?!)
I live in a house built in the early 1930’s, so I definitely can relate to the the upkeep, repairs, renovating, etc.. My husband is a retired carpenter and has been blessed with all the know how’s, so that is a plus for us. (But as you know expensive! So a little bit at a time. No hurry because there’s always something waiting.)
Anyway, enjoy the journey, adventures, the warmth, (even if she’s not properly insulated), and all the love the ‘Painted Lady’ will provide for you & Will.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing the updates.
Thank you for sharing your life, your home, & your delicious recipes. You’re very generous, and kind Joy.
I just love everything about this and am so very happy for you ?
Your house is beautiful. We live just over the rr tracks part of our house was built in the late 1880’s. So they say and added on! I have called it our money pit but we love it! I am with you on the lottery. With my cousins we are redoing my grandpa’s house and found bead broad on the walls just beautiful! Lots of work yet but so much fun being with family on this project!
I, too, have a holey front porch (the steps on my 1912 sweetheart are going to see UPS go through any day now) but weโre making progress! Tell me if you find those curtains, Iโm on the same quest (and also dreaming of the lottery win that will allow me to open some of these old, swollen, rope-powered windows that are currently stuck shut).
This absolutely beautiful! My fiance and I bought a house built in 1892 almost two years ago and I absolutely love it’s history, it’s presence, and the attention it demands. I know exactly where the floorboard squeaks right outside our bedroom door on the second floor landing, how you have to sweep out the fireplace just a little every so often from the brick dust, and that you have to be extra mindful when hanging things up because none of the walls are exactly square. I’m so excited for all the love you’re pouring into this house! It’s truly shining!
She (the Painted Lady) is so fortunate to be in your care! And I know you’ll eventually get everything done, but enjoy the process! I’m so jealous, too! You’re very close to the best, and oldest, farmers’ markets in the state, Dilorios Farms in Hempstead. Happy decorating, cooking and baking, and researching the history of the house!
In a time of instant gratification, an old house and a garden are the exact opposite. 7 years in to owning my 1929, Iโm still working on embracing the never ending to-do list, but the main thing is enjoying the quiet days when nothings broken. Also, a house is more about what it feels to be inside of it, not what it looks like on Instagram (thank goodness).
I donโt think Iโve ever commented on any blog post in my life, but I loved this! At 41, my family and I are buying an 87 year old dream home that needs work in Corpus Christi and Iโm so excited to spend a lifetime restoring her and loving her! We already named her โStella Marisโ (akin to star of the sea in Latin) and our fingers are crossed we close on May 2!
Wow wow wow – I’m so excited for you! It’s a wild ride, but so rewarding! Reach out any time. I can’t say I know much, but I’ve learned a few handfuls of things the hard way. :)
I loved reading this! You have and are making such a beautiful home. ??
Thank you, friend!
Welcome home, dear neighbor! Hereโs to a lifetime of exploring, collecting, curating, and creating in the homes we dreamed into existence. Whether in reflecting on the past to or honoring the present, may we keep gratitude high and the dogs close by! โNan Dunnahoe
We really did dream them! Here’s to a cup of coffee together one of these days soon!
Awe this had me tearing me up! You are the best with words!!
That’s very kind, thank you!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and emotions. Beautiful. So happy for you!
Thank you! Big love back atcha!
Bellville is blessed to have you here. My husband and I moved here 31 years ago and still havenโt grown tired of its charm. I really enjoy your work, so glad you are!
Thank you, neighbor!
What a wonderful post. Very grateful for what God has given you. So special.
I am just in awe everyday! Thank you, Hope!
Beautifully written!
Thank you, Sarah – that’s really kind!