Two years ago we bought this house that we lovingly call Sunnyside Manor.
You can read all about the house here, here, and here.
Before we moved even one box in, Hubby and I spent the first few weeks repainting the main living area … kitchen, living room, dining room. The walls were blue. And although I do think blue is a beautiful color, it’s not my go to paint color … ever.
We decided to go with a more neutral palette of grays with a little bit of a light green in the kitchen area. So clean and fresh.
Shortly after the one and only snow event we had that year, we moved all of our earthly possessions from the rental to this new place we would now call home.
We unpacked EVERYTHING. I was bound and determined that we weren’t going to have a bunch of unpacked boxes taking up residence in the basement, not after hauling them almost 3000 miles across the country. We did pretty good! I think last time I checked, we only had about two or three boxes still lingering. I know exactly what’s in them (that’s a good thing!) and they will eventually get unpacked, once the basement build-out is done.
The first year we spent a lot of time and a ton of $$$ working on the outside, putting in a raised garden bed, planting fruit trees, and building out a berry patch.
Two years ago we embarked on another outside project that I’ll be blogging about in the very near future. Let’s just say we might have had one or more of these hanging around the property for a few days.
But on the inside we’ve done virtually nothing, nada.
Yes, we’ve lived here for two whole years, a bit over 730 days, and have not a whole lot to show for it.
Which, if you’re a DIY blogger can cause just a bit of anxiety.
But you know what? I’m okay with that.
Here’s why.
You know how when you walk into a house, and in your mind you can instantly SEE where all of your stuff belongs, where every piece of furniture will go, what color the walls are going to be painted, how the house will be decorated for the holidays, and you can imagine what it would be like to have friends over for a party, Christmas mornings, sitting on the porch on a beautiful spring day?
Didn’t happen.
No visions.
Nothing.
Yet I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was the house God had provided for us.
A year went by and I still could not get a grasp on how I wanted to decorate and bring in all those “homey” touches.
What was wrong with me!
I spent countless hours pining away on Pinterest, looking for ideas and color schemes, and decor styles.
Follow Simply Fresh Vintage’s board Family Living Spaces on Pinterest.
Year two began and I thought for sure I’d get it figured out, but no, not much for most of that year either.
During this time I wasn’t discontent, certainly not unhappy.
I wasn’t anxious, not even frustrated.
A little perplexed, perhaps, because I felt a bit thrown off kilter.
But at the same time I felt perfectly at peace.
You see, at the end of the day I knew in my heart of hearts that God had provided an already beautiful home. It was safe, easily cooled and heated as the temperature outside dictated what we needed inside.
We had every modern appliance needed. Running water was plentiful. Electricity went on and off at our command, except when nature interrupted.
Literally, EVERYTHING WE NEEDED AND SO VERY MUCH MORE!
I knew that it didn’t really matter what color couch I had, or if it matched the paint on the walls.
That it’s okay to have a few chips on the dinner dishes, and a kitchen table that shows years and years of wear and tear.
And It’s okay that my bedroom is still blue, even though it’s my least favorite paint color.
For the last two years we’ve been able to really get to know the house.
We’ve gotten comfortable with how everything is laid out.
We’ve rearranged how we’ve used a few of the rooms.
And now, two years later, we’re ready. I’m ready.
God gave me a creative gift, and even though it’s been on hiatus for a few years, I’m ready to get back to having fun again.
And so we’re going back to the beginning.
The ideas are starting to come to my brain and I’m getting excited.
Even though we’ve been here for a while, really, we’ve only just begun.
We’ve already started working on a couple of spaces.
The first project series starts tomorrow.
It’s one that perhaps is the most dear to my heart and I can’t wait to share it with you!
What are your experiences in moving into a new home? I’d love to hear your story!