New House Journal: First Look at the Sunroom and Armoire

I know to some of you our "move" seems unconventional to put it mildly. Even my husband commented last night that the way we've handled this renovation and the moving process "has been weird". The reno part took far longer than we had ever considered, since we ended up having to do much more work to get things ready to move in.

(I'm laughing when I see in this photo that the little white decorative piece on top of the cupboard had fallen over. It was almost dark when I took this, and I didn't realize it until we'd already left the house, so no time to go back and redo this shot.) 

Warning: Phone Pics Ahead

We've been doing a little at a time. Mostly because my husband is still working at a demanding job, and then there's "me". I'm not as young, healthy, or emotionally with it as I used to be; when a move was still a big deal, but not a serious life challenge.  Trying to keep my stress level manageable, we've been trying to get the new house put together to make it an easier transition. In the past I've done a move where I've had so many boxes clogging up the rooms that I couldn't even turn around. I can't handle that anymore.

We're getting a lot done, it's just taking us a long while. I've wanted to get furniture placed and boxes unpacked and put away before I take on the next installment. We got all the "white and chippy" pieces tucked into the Sunroom this weekend. It was so good seeing it all come together, finally having some space to use the pieces I've had in storage or unused in the corner of the basement. I'm still not sure about a few things and no doubt there will be some tweaking and musical chairs, but the bigger things are out there.

These sconces have been a mystery for the last almost 6 years. At the time they were packed away two moves ago, our daughter was doing most of the packing because I wasn't able to do much. Items were shuttled to different rooms, and even though they were used in the Dining Room, they ended up in a box marked for my office. I didn't have space in this house for many "office boxes", so much of it ended up in storage. I've hunted through tons of boxes looking for them, but they never showed up. I found them yesterday and I have to say it was the closest thing to a "jump for joy" moment that I've had in recent history.

From the first time I walked into the Hearth Room at the new house, I had wanted to turn it back to it's original purpose, which is a cozy spot by the fireplace and a snuggle-y place to relax and watch a little tv. I envisioned using one of our antique armoires as a tv cabinet, but I knew it would take a little clean up on the inside. I re-stained the outside of the cabinet and painted part of the interior in black. Here's a pic from the Master Bedroom in our current place, and below that used in the rental. 

Even though it's big, it's pretty versatile.

This pic below, was taken a few weeks ago, and we've made more progress in here. Things are looking more "homey", and last night we hung a mirror above the mantel, which makes a statement. Don't know if it will stay there because it's big, but it's on a test run. Lamps have been added, and a little bench from the kitchen sitting room for a coffee table/ottoman. As we work, we find ourselves taking a break on these comfy cushy slipcovered seating pieces.

I'm sorting through boxes and boxes of previous "flea market" inventory, trying to decide it's fate. Six years ago I had to shut down my vintage business without warning because I had a blood clot in my heart. Because of my health issues, so much of it ended up in our garage. I've needed to do this for the last 6 years, so I'm finally getting the opportunity to not only declutter, but shed some baggage that I've been dragging around for way too long. Just like everything with this move it's proving to be a process, but the new place is starting to look and feel like "home". 

xoxo,

joining in here:

 Sunday at Home at  Little Farmstead   Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Dishing It and Digging It at DIY180   The Scoop at Cedarhill Farmhouse

Inspiration Monday at Refresh Restyle   Tips and Tutorials at Home Stories A to Z

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life   Totally Terrific Tuesday at Sweet Parrish Place 

Keep in Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles   Share Your Style at French Ethereal 

Style Showcase at Shabby Fufu   Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage