Big News: I Am Moving!
Inside: An unexpected change, a sad goodbye, and an exciting new adventure I’d love for you to share with me.
Once upon a time, a girl got her dream home. When she was little and growing up in Louisiana, she never dreamed she would live in a grand Southern residence such as this. But she would, and she would adore it. She would appreciate it every day because it took more than 30 years to get there. And she would pour her heart, time, and money into it (plus countless broken fingernails and wrenched backs).
Today a “for sale” sign sits in the front yard, marking the end of a bucket list chapter.
That girl is me. I’m not great with change. And this is a doozy.
The only thing you can count on is change.”
—Patti Smith
I knew the home was too large for us to stay forever, but I didn’t expect to leave so suddenly. Yes, I’m excited for the next chapter and my downsizing adventure. And to not be constantly taking care of soooooooo much.
But I also have to process my sadness over leaving this Southern charmer and its many enchanting qualities that make it so unique.
An elegant façade full of French doors and balconies sitting in a park-like wooded front yard. Brick floors and countless windows flooding every room with sunlight. A French country kitchen with a rustic brick backsplash and custom furniture style island. A master bathroom with a fireplace and a closet the size of a small bedroom (just for me!). A cozy media room that’s like having my own private movie theater. And a hidden third-floor bonus room where my crafts and home décor stay out of sight.
I’ll also miss things not so obvious, like a huge walk-in attic space that has massive storage for all my party and seasonal decorations. And water pressure so intense you don’t dare turn the shower on all the way or it might take your skin off.
You can see almost every room of this home on the page, “Southern Home and Hospitality House Tour“.
This house was partly my muse for the blog, as just living here made me feel more creative. She was a diamond in the rough and the victim of neglect when we bought her ten years ago. After I got the house all clean and shiny and ready to woo prospective buyers, I looked around and it really hit me just how much work we’d done. How far we’d brought it from the state where it started ten years ago. I feel like a proud mama and hope the next owners love her and appreciate her as much as I have.
See how we came to buy this home just as unexpectedly in the post “From Disaster to our Dream Home: A Southern Charmer“.
I bet by now the thought has popped into your head of what this move means for the blog. Is this goodbye to our Southern fixer-upper a goodbye to the blog too?
Absolutely not!! Even though my address will change, that’s all. I’ll be moving into a “new to me“, much smaller and manageable place, which means all new opportunities for decorating and makeovers to share with you! And I’m chomping at the bit to make changes over time like I did to this house, but on a smaller scale and budget.
If you’ve ever checked out the “Make Yourself at Home Here” page, I explain how Southern Home and Hospitality is about home. It’s not about the physical structure located on this piece of property. It’s about our shared passion for making our homes a place we love to start and end each day in. A place that brings us joy, comfort, and peace. And a place where we want to welcome family and friends.
a peek into the before and after transformation of this home
We’ll still visit this house together on the blog, but it will be joined by my new place after I get moved and unpacked. In the meantime, I’m adding new content as I can get it in. Getting this home ready and the move is eating up every bit of every day right now, and I cannot wait to get back to a regular work schedule!
In the meantime, I’d love to know what you’d like to read about until I can start creating new seasonal decorating content again, so feel free to comment or email me with your ideas.🙏
I’ll have to say that hard goodbye to this special place at the end of the month. There will be tears and sadness, but I’m trying to focus on what’s to come. And knowing that you’ll continue on with me to my new downsized digs will make this transition so much easier.
As always, I truly appreciate your support of my little corner of the internet which started on a whim as a hobby and has blossomed into a full-time job, thanks to all of you. Sometimes God can see the way for us even when we can’t.💗
Before you go:
I’d love it if you also follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube so you won’t miss any of my inspiration and ideas.
Just curious as to why you left???
I spent nearly 25 years in Texas, mostly in Austin. While I am grateful to be back in my home state of Kentucky, able to care for my aging-gracefully parents, my heart will always have a piece missing, back in my home away from home.
I stumbled across your blog while searching for golf-themed party ideas. My step-son turns 30 in early September and we are celebrating with a par-TEE! Thank you for some terrifically inspiring ideas! I will be using several of them!
Kate I”m anxious to see your new home. When do you think you”ll be showing it. Can”t wait to see how you decorate it.
Thank you for sharing this personal journey. I’m excited to see your creativity transform your new digs!
Will look forward to seeing your new digs! I’m so sure it will be beautiful! We can all learn more of your wonderful ideas. Best of everything ahead for you!
Kate, I’ve really enjoyed your posts and can’t wait till you start posting again in your new home. Can’t wait to see what you do with your new space. I know it will be just as beautiful as former home as you have a gift for decorating. Good luck with the move and try not to stress too much, you’ll get there girlfriend as we all do.
Looking forward to hearing from you again in the future. Karen
The squirrels did it!! 🙂
Would like downsizing knowledge,
need the whole enchilada!
Good luck and enjoy the days
ahead in your new pad.
I know this is hard but you will love it! Are you staying in Texas? I’m a born and bred Texan🙌🏻Goodness, what stays what goes? Paint colors? Style? Oh my what about your beautiful Christmas decor? Landscaping? See? You are so creative and will have a ton of topics. Keep the faith🙏🏻🙏🏻
You are such a creative and talented person, your new home will be awesome also. It will be FUN for you to work your magic in your new digs. Happy decorating and don’t look back but ahead…Best wishes…
Kate, I feel your pain. It is so hard to leave such a gorgeous home. You have put so much of your heart and your life into your home — and I know you will miss it. However, I also know that, in time, you will grow to love your new home.
We designed and built our beautiful home at the lake and it was so hard to make the decision to downsize and let new people enjoy it. However, we are now loving our beautiful Patio Home. It is smaller but is just perfect for us! We still miss our home at the lake so much but we are quite happy here. It has taken 6 months to get to this point. We have really enjoyed making this house our “home” and it has been fun adding all our personal touches to it.
Looking forward to reading about your new home. I know it will be beautiful! It will be exciting for you to plan and add all your personal touches. Your sweet little dog will enjoy her new home, too! It will be easier for her to follow you around!
Will pray that all goes well for you!
Looking forward to your new adventures. Best wishes!
All the best, Kate, in your new adventure. May the move go as smoothly as possible and may we soon be welcomed into your new home. You’ll make it a place of wonder and joy.
WOW! Good for you! Topics while moving….
1. How do you decide what to take with you? (Downsizing)
2. Any good moving/packing tips?
3. Besides being a smaller space, any other thoughts for what you wanted/needed in your next home?
Here’s to your next chapter! Cheers!
Joanna in Denver, CO
The love you have for your wonderful home is so evident in each of your posts! I know this decision must have been difficult. Although this move is bittersweet for you, I’m looking forward to your new adventures. I know you will make your new home just as wonderful!
Kate,
Praying God’s best for you and asking Him to fill you with the unexpected joy only He can bring as you seek to follow His lead. Thank you for taking us along on your journey to restore this beauty to its glory. I know you will do the same with your new home. ❤️
Hi Kate, oh my! What BIG news! We have been in our home for 27 years & are facing the prospect of downsizing & moving in the next couple of years too. It breaks my heart cause I love our home but know something smaller will be more manageable as we age. So for now, I appreciate every single day a little more. I’d love to see future articles on your decision making process of what to keep/sell/donate when downsizing. That will be my biggest hurdle when the time comes. So many sentimental memories. I’m wondering if you’ll be able to keep the gorgeous chandelier that was in your family for years?
I know it will be difficult & a process with many tears but we have to look at it as a new chapter & adventure. It’s people & memories that make a house a home not things. Wishing you all the best with your move & looking forward to reading about your next steps in your journey! 💕xo
Kate, I have enjoyed your blog so much! I will look forward to seeing pictures of your new home, as will many others.
Please post pictures as you can!
(Will you be staying in the DFW
area? Just curious; our grown children and their families live in Richardson and Ft. Worth. Their Dad and I live in Tyler.)
I’ll be praying that your move goes smoothly-
Mary (a.k.a. Tootsie to my grandchildren:)
I
Sending hugs your way as change can be hard! I’m excited to follow along on your new adventure. 🙂
I hate change too! You’ll do great and I can’t wait to follow along on your next adventure!
We recently moved, fairly unexpectedly, too. In my older age, I knew that if I discarded anything that I decided later that I wanted, I would not be able to purchase a replacement. In fact, I could not, nor did I desire, to buy new furniture. Before the movers arrived to pack, I personally packed my favorite things and labeled them. Some items were to go to our new house. Some would go to storage, temporarily, or at least until I was sure that I could do without them. Surprisingly, I have found a place for most things, without cluttering the new house. The other surprise is that I am actually using my fine china and crystal. Enjoy the excitement of building a new nest. I am looking forward to see what you create. There will be rewards that come with the move. You never know what wonderful things God has in store for us. Best Wishes!
Oh Kate! I do know exactly how you feel! Although we built my dream home of 30 years, it was exactly what I had always dreamed of. Loved our home! After living there 20 years, my husband was transferred with his job. I still think of that home often and all the many memories we made there! The good news is that you meet new friends and do things you wouldn’t have otherwise. I do feel your pain!
Oh my goodness! I know this must have been a hard decision. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has for you next though!
I can only imagine how you feel. Just yesterday my husband and I were talking about downsizing. Our home was great when the kids were here but it is much more than we need now. I am the resistant one. I, too, have a problem with change. For us it would probably mean moving to the Atlanta area because that is where the kids and grandkids live. Currently we are about an hour southwest of the ATL. I think about looking for new doctors and making new friends, etc and it is somewhat overwhelming. I guess I will know when the time is right. I wish you much happiness with your new adventure and I am looking forward to your future posts. I would love to see how you actually handle the move – things that will be going with you and what you do with things that will not. Excited to see your new home. Thanks.
Hi Kate, this is Janette. You bought tears to my eyes when I read you were leaving this beautiful home. A home, not a house as this is what you’ve made it. I too have a beautiful home we have been working on for last 10 yrs. Built it ourselves.,only hall & 1 more bed. to do & all interior finish. I too love my home but often wonder how will I keep up the work needed. It too is very lge. I keep praying to God to keep me in good health so I can enjoy every day what he has given me. We are on 5 acres of rainforest with a creek. I have His creation all around me. I’m so grateful & never want to leave either. So I can truly relate .I live in Australia. Wish you every happiness. Love ❤️ Janette