By Carolyn Crist
For the AJC
In their 55 years together, Steve and Patty Day have lived in more than 10 states and 35 homes. Five years ago, they moved from high-rise condominiums in Charlotte, N.C., to Sun City Peachtree, an active adult community in Griffin. As the development grew, they decided to buy a new home in Olde Towne Grayson, a 120-home neighborhood in suburban Atlanta.
Steve, 76, a retired restaurant manager, and Patty, 74, a retired real estate agent who blogs about interior design (PattysEpihonies.Blogspot.com), chatted about their three-bedroom home.
Q: What were you looking for?
Steve: We wanted something closer to shops, restaurants and amenities. We can walk to Kroger if we need.
Patty: We also wanted something in the same price range and square footage as before — a garage, at least two bedrooms, two baths and a den.
Q: How did you move on this home?
Steve: We drove up to look at the community and immediately knew. We absolutely had no intention of buying that day. I didn't even bring a checkbook. But we got here, talked to the agent and knew this was the place. One of our bank branches happened to be in Stone Mountain, so we put the contract down that day. Patty spent time choosing the flooring, paint and fixtures while I got the check for the deposit, and it was a done deal in less than four hours.
Q: What do you love about the house?
Patty: In our last home, we had just installed a walk-in shower with a frameless glass door, and this one came with it. We also had French doors that led to a terrace, and this one came with that as well. We didn't lose the two big things we looked forward to and had just finished.
Q: What have you added so far?
Patty: I like to style the bookshelves and tabletops with the items we've collected over 55 years. We also like to feature our granddaughter's art wherever we have space. She preserved our family's christening dress from the 1890s, and we hung it in our bedroom.
Steve: It's a fantastic family heirloom. Patty's mother was christened in it, and our kids and grandkids were christened in it. You can still see the beautiful lacework, and we're glad she preserved the brittle material after 100 years.
Q: Tell us about your blog.
Patty: I started it six years ago in Charlotte. It was my granddaughter's idea because we're always moving the furniture and getting crazy ideas. I usually have the epiphany and put Steve to work in creating it. People know him as MC – Master Carpenter, Master Chef, Master Carver – and he gets fan mail.
Q: Do you have a tip for buyers?
Steve: There's no such thing as the perfect house. We've discovered that for the past 36 homes. You've got to make compromises. You can look at 200 homes and never find exactly what you want, but if you can get eight of 10 items, you are ahead of the game.
At a Glance
Steve and Patty Day’s new home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 2,000 square feet. Homes in Olde Town Grayson range from the low $200,000s to low $300,000s.
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