The last five days have been surreal and wonderful. I landed in Florida on Tuesday and if you’ve been following my Stories on Instagram you can see we hit the ground running with remodeling projects, starting with the electrician removing the ghastly florescent monster lights I mentioned here. The tile contractor starts on the bathroom floor next week, a local landscaper is helping me bring my “Palm Springs meets coastal” vibe to our planting beds, and the plumber is all dialed in for not one but two bathroom remodels. It’s awesome. The only thing slowing us down by a few days is the arrival of materials.
Meanwhile I’m selling off one piece at a time the furniture that came with the house so I can replace it with pieces that fit my style. Already I’ve discovered the most incredible source for vintage finds (see my Stories for the link) and I’ll be slowly redecorating the main living spaces and bedrooms with a “mid century meets coastal with a touch of retro” beach house style. The best part is that I’m here in an older single story home in totally different state, living at a much slower pace, looking at all the botanicals, driving unfamiliar streets, adjusting to the new community and climate, and loving every minute. Everyone I’ve met is so friendly, so laid back, so kind.
It’s not often in life we’re thrust into living in a completely different environment, it happens just a few times. I can only think of two from my past, my first week away at college, and my first month with my newborn daughter. How dramatically life changed in a moment and here I am living that experience again. It’s so different, it’s so interesting, and it’s exciting beyond words.
More reflections to come as this journey continues.
Favorite links from the week:
This transitional style home in Delaware with its lovely layered neutrals.
Pretty Swedish floral wallpapers.
Loose rocks between your pavers? Try mulch glue.
Etsy’s design awards for 2022.
Loved this peek at the basics of stained glass.
Eight clever ways to hide electrical outlets.
My new favorite baseball cap for running errands around town.
Seven “quality time” ideas for Father’s Day.
In conversation: things you might say instead.
99 date night ideas to reconnect with your partner.
Why you should suck at something in the beginning (but still do it).
The creative way Italy is handling excessive traffic on the Amalfi coast.
Hi Kate…
I have read your blog for years now. My husband and I also made a big move last year, after 30+ years in Michigan. We moved to coastal South Carolina. It was a big change from our life in Michigan, but found a wonderful neighborhood with lots of friendly transplants like ourselves. We are loving life in a much warmer state, and being 10 minutes from the beach is hard to beat! Best wishes in your new home, and enjoy life in the Sunshine State! 😎