Welcome 2015!

Over the holidays I got to thinking about traditions. Every family seems to have their own set of traditions surrounding the holidays. One of the biggest traditions in the Daigle family was decorating the Christmas tree. My mother would have elaborate decorations for the tree, which seemed to change as the years progressed but we would always decorate the tree as a family. As we all got older, it seemed to be the biggest challenge to get everyone to come together and decorate the tree. 
This holiday season was a bit different than any other year as my mother is fighting breast cancer. This Christmas was literally not about gifts or material goods. It was about family, health, kindness and happiness. The outpouring of kindness that everyone showed my family has been the most humbling experience. Meals delivered, gifts for just about everyone in my family, emails, texts and phone calls from family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances. 
Then there was the kindest thing anyone has done. A local interior designer and 4 or 5 of my mother’s friends came over while my parents were out and decorated the tree and house for Christmas. I am not sure if they knew how important of a tradition tree decorating was for my mouther (and family) but it ended up being one of the most touching experiences. This act meant the world to us – a family that associates the home with the family.
Over the holidays I ended up taking close to two weeks off. I spent time in my pjs, helping out when needed and just taking it easy. Now 2015 has arrived and will be better than any year thus far full of health, happiness and paying to forward. I everyone had a spectacular holiday season as I did and is as excited for 2015!
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

The Denver Square

The Denver square is a very popular architectural style through Denver. Being somewhat new to Denver the Denver Square was a foreign term. The Denver Square is a home style that resulted out of the Silver Crash of 1983. Prior to that, Victorian Style was a very popular style of home. After the Silver Crash, homeowners and builders needed a economic style of home and the Denver Square became a model of efficiency.

The Denver square is a simple box typically made out of brick. As a box. it allowed most of the space in the house to be useable space. Denver Squares can be spotted in just about every neighborhood of Denver and offer the “modern day” homeowner a great option as it provides useable space as is or even as a remodel.

 


In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

A Rope Swing Shelf for the Home.

Any one who knows me knows I love the ocean. I am still scratching my head how I ended up landlocked in Colorado. Since there is no ocean in Denver, I am always on the lookout on ways to bring the the ocean into the home. 
I found this swing rope shelf here. What a unique way to bring the ocean feel into a home. This would be perfect for any room in the home but I love it for a bathroom or even nursery. The best thing is it is a creative way to provide shelving. 

Do you like this rope shelf? Is it something you would put in your home? 
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

Dealing with the Emotions of Relocation

In April, I loaded up my SUV with every single thing I owned and drove to Denver. I sold just about everything in my 2 bedroom/2 bath home the weeks leading up to this move. The physical and emotional act of moving was shockingly easy. I spent 5 years collecting the most perfect pieces of furniture, artwork and home accents and then in turn sold all of them. Going through the process I just forged forward and did not look back.
I was genuinely surprised at how easy it was to leave my home, family and friends and move 2,000 miles. Over the last seven months, I have anxiously awaited when and how the move would hit me. As the holidays approach the severity of this relocation has crept in. All the sudden I have started to greatly miss New Hampshire, my old home, the family and friends that still reside back East. As Denver slowly becomes ‘home’, I am sure the excitement is wearing off. Do not get me wrong, I LOVE Denver but it is becoming ‘real life’ and well, thats just not as exciting at times. 
When relocating often times people can find themselves in a transitional state for months or years. I can not tell you how many people I have spoke to that admit they rented when they first moved here and several years later they are still in the same rental because it just became easier to stay. With a big life change, often we find ourselves grasping on to the most comfortable thing and for many home is a comfortable thing. 
So how does one deal with the unexpected emotions of relocating that can come up?
1. Try to find a group of friends. Easier said than done, I know. I have found it comforting to make friends with people that are transplants from the East Coast. Look for meetup groups for people where you are from or things you enjoy doing.
2. Make time for old friends. Sometimes it can be especially hard with a time difference but try to maintain or enrich that connection. 
3. Better yet, convince family and friends that they should move out here. My sister was the first to move to Denver and over the past three years, my family has followed. For many, Denver is an easy sell. 
4. Try to make your current home homey no mater how temporary. When I first came to Denver, my natural inclination was to drop my bags and go explore. Try to unpack to make the please less transitional. Incorporate things from where you used to live – pictures and mementoes work well.
5. Get out and get to know the area. Make your new home actually home.
6. Take time to go back to your old home if you can. Depending on where you are originally from, that may not be as easy but try to plan something. 
7. Roll with the punches. If you are anything like me, homesickness will come at the most random times. 
8. Be patient. Making new friends, a new sense of community and a new home takes time. It will eventually fall into place. 
Remember…..

In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

The Indigo Grand Sofa

I have been searching for a new sofa and found this absolutely gorgeous sofa. Oversized, casual and comfortable, the Indigo Grand Sofa at Crate in Barrel, is a statement piece for any large living area. To me, this couch just screams “come lay down and relax”. Crate and Barrel’s description of the couch says it best:
“Paola Navone’s Indigo sofa has a soft, casual structure for the ultimate sink-in, cocooning experience. Not your conventional sofa, two loose bolsters stack as “arms” at each end of a long, premium down-filled bench cushion, and seven back feather-down pillows toss, nestle and layer. Washed 100% linen slipcover with contrasting jumbo edge-stitching is the natural choice for this fashionably slouched look. Beneath that casual attitude is a serious sinuous wire suspension—the gold standard for comfort— that supports and conforms to your every move, from upright sitting to downright napping.”
Would you purchase this sofa? 
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.

Hate your laminate countertops?

Granite countertops are often on the top of buyers list when purchasing a new home. Installing granite countertops into the kitchen can be an expensive endeavor. A less expensive option is concrete countertops. Concrete can offer a lot of the same benefits as granite with a slightly different look (and feel). 
If you find yourself in a home with laminate counters there are many options to replace it with. If you are considering concrete countertops, you do not need to replace the laminate. Instead, you can pour the concrete over the laminate countertops. Although, I have never done it there are a number of resources out there that explain how to do it and of course ‘after’ pictures that look great. Thinking of attempting concrete over the laminate countertops? 
Here are some resources for you:
Before attempting make sure you do your research and of course, let me know how it goes! 
In addition to writing for Daigle’s Digs, Elizabeth works full-time as a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Downtown, LLC. Elizabeth’s expertise is in buying and selling a home, first time home buyers, short sales, and investment properties. Contact Elizabeth for any real estate needs. Cell 303-819.73.71. Work 720-314-8352.