Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Build Direct. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Recently I shared my family’s American Dream vision with you. We’ve been living in our 3rd house for over a decade now, having brought home both our babies to this house and made a million memories. For about a year now, my husband and I have been discussing what we want to do for the next phase of our lives. After all, it’s not that far off. In 9 years I’ll be eligible for retirement from the school system; yet I’ll be only 52 years old. Leaving the classroom will likely feel like leaving life! It’s important for us to have a sense of purpose outside of our roles as parents and educators. Our plan is to purchase a pretty property on which to spend our later years.  The house where we currently live was purchased with the intention to be in the city school district; living here forever wasn’t really a priority.  Once the kids are out of the house, we’d like to have a little mini-farm where I can garden and savor the sunshine on my face. We’d like to live closer to my husband’s job at that point. My husband has been actively seeking out land that will suit our needs, concerned with where we’ll live, while I’m thinking more about what we’ll live in. We’re currently leaning toward the idea of building a home that suits our needs.

I’m especially eager to design the house to fit our style.  We love clean, classic lines and rich warm tones.  I’d love to use hardwood floors (renewable sourced, of course) and tile throughout the house.  It’s so much fun to put the house together in my mind and research the materials.  The problem is, it seems so very expensive!!  Scouring sites that offer discounted building supplies and decor ideas is my guilty pleasure.  Build Direct’s Facebook page has a wealth of ideas and stories that give me food for thought.  I enjoy looking at pictures of other people’s renovation and building projects to help shape the picture of my own project.

Have you considered building a home?  Do you have experience with that type of project?  Where do you get ideas for decorating and remodeling projects?