Happy Monday, Friends! Guess what? I have some big exciting news! No, it’s not a new chandelier, although that always makes me happy. It’s a big, huge change!
Life is about to get very interesting. And different! So, the big, exciting news is we sold our home in Pennsylvania and bought one in North Carolina! Also, my husband will be retiring. So, not only will we be adjusting to a move but him being home all of the time. Really, it will be perfect timing since we have tons of projects to tackle at Happy Hill, (our lake house) and of course moving in and decorating a new house.
Unfortunately my husband’s new mantra is we will be “living on a fixed income”. I do not like these words already. I’ve named it and created it an alter ego. He is an ugly little creature that is bound to ruin my fun. Guano. Meet Loafi. (living on a fixed income)
Lucky for me, our new home is move in ready and lovely. Naturally there are a few things I want to change just to put our stamp on the home but it already has great bones. There are beautiful reclaimed hard wood floors, natural wood beams on the ceiling and a lovely golf course view. The house has a French Country vibe that we love. Also, the new house is a less formal version of homes we’d owned in the past. So this will be a fun, new challenge! There is no formal living or dining room but instead an open concept great room, kitchen and dining area. In this regard, downsizing is easy even for Loafi.
The new place also has a main floor master suite which we have been hoping for. So, for the most part everything we need is on one floor. And because we host a lot of family get togethers for our large families, the open concept design will suit us well. And there are lots of places to put chandeliers! There is a huge chandelier in the Great Room that looks similar to this one. There are some neat looking wooden decorations that look like wood crystals. Maybe I can add some actual glass crystals just to make it mine? Hmmm.
Yesterday I went to the Restoration Hardware Outlet mall with my bestie and saw this gorgeous chandelier. I really, really want it. I think it would look perfect in our new bedroom. (The sellers are taking their chandelier with them, so I DO need one in there.) A happy moving gift to me?
We are giving our formal dining room table and chairs to our son and daughter in law. I really want it to stay in the family because it was one of the first nice pieces of furniture we bought when we got married. They can take the leaves out and it will fit better in their apartment. And when we visit them, we can visit the table too!
So, we will pass this down and get something new and a bit more informal for the new house. Maybe something with a French Country feel? This set is from Restoration Hardware and probably out of Loafi’s price range. But, isn’t it stunning?
I love the shape of these chairs. There is a less expensive version at World Market so I’ll shop around for sure. Also I’m not sure about the furniture finish since I still have my antique sideboard and china cabinet and they are dark pieces.
I also love the look of double crystal chandeliers over an island or table. Perhaps my dream will finally come true! Sort of like this via French Country Cottage. (except mine are white)
Lots and lots of plans for the new place! And there will be lots of changes coming to Happy Hill too! The poor front porch is in desperate need of attention. Some of the wood has rotted over the last 50 years so the front porch and all of the decking around it will have to go. That’s going to be a big undertaking. Thankfully my husband will have lots of time to tinker and work on it! (in between golf games of course.)
Meanwhile, we have more purging, packing and planning to finish up things on this end. Then it will be time to get ready for our new life back home in the South! Carolina (and warmer weather) is calling our names! We will share pictures of the new place and our projects after we are officially the owners! My chandeliers are so excited!
Well, thank you for stopping by and hearing about our big news! Our families are excited about us finally moving home and so are we. The wheels in my head are already turning for the second half of the year in NC. My niece, Faith Elizabeth is getting married this fall so my sisters and I will host a bridal shower for her at our new house. Then comes the holidays! Yay! I hope you’ll follow along and give me some suggestions and feedback. Let’s chat again soon? xoxo Dell
