We’re spending today packing things up, and although we thought it would feel monotonous and tiring, it’s oddly exciting.
Even the act of wrapping a bunch of cups in newspaper feels like “IT’S HAAAAAAPPENING! We’re really DOING IT!”
Can you believe Clara looked like this last time we moved?
Three birthdays (and a significant amount of hair) later, my baby’s gone. Sniffle. But there’s a pretty cool kid (complete with an arm tat) in her place, so it’s a fair trade.
Life will change with this big move, and our blog and our process for the new house might feel different to you because we’re approaching it, well, differently. More than any other house that we’ve lived in, our new place feels like it could become a long-term home for us and we want to make sure that the decisions we’re making, the projects we’re doing, and the materials we’re choosing will fit the vision of a place where we could live for decades and raise a family.
That means we may take more time to mull over design decisions, research options, weigh different approaches, and save up for materials and projects. So the pace at which this home transforms may be slower than the pace that you’re used to from us (it’ll most likely resemble the pace of our first house as opposed to our second one). But we hope that it’ll add up to a home that we love like crazy full of lots of thoughtful upgrades and exciting projects over time. Some weeks we might be humming right along (like our mad dash to paint the blue trim and install the hardwoods) and other weeks we might not make much progress at all because we’re stuck or delayed or saving up… but hey, that’s real life.
We’d also love to tackle more projects for the people we love, like this bathroom reno that we did for John’s grandma last fall. Beyond how awesome it feels to do something sweet like that for someone else, we’ve learned that those “off-campus” projects stretch us in new ways. After all, it was getting out of our house to do that makeover that later inspired our own bathroom paint color.
So it should end up being a nice smorgasbord of home, family, and random stuff – which has always been our favorite mix.
Some of you might like this new-ish approach more, others might like it less, and some folks probably won’t even notice a difference, but this little refresh makes us giddy in the nerdiest of ways. It feels just like it did when we started this back in 2007… the air is so thick with possibility that it’s fogging up our safety goggles.
So thank you thank you thank you for stopping in to see what’s going on in our house/life/brain. There’s so much fun stuff ahead, and we love you guys so much it’s borderline uncool. And you can bet your sweet buns that I’m teaching Clara the words (well, the clean ones). Turns out this kid is a HUGE fan of jumping around…
See you guys on the flip side when we’re all moved in!*
*And by the flip side, I mean Monday. And by moved in, I mean our house will look like a pillow and ceramic animal bomb went off.
Corinne says
So exciting! How is Clara handling the move? My parents moved me around so much as a kid that they would send me to my grandparents’ house for two weeks while they did all the packing and moving. I would then fly back to a new home, new room, new school. The first time I was actually “there” for an entire move was awful!
YoungHouseLove says
She’s crazy excited about the new house (all of her most fun toys are over there and we do lots of fun projects like painting fabric and wooden castles over there, so I think that really helps). As for the hard stuff, we do it when she’s sleeping or off with Grammy (ex: on moving weekend she’ll be with John’s mom). So grateful that she seems really excited about it!
xo
s
Corinne says
Oh good! Having toys in the new house and letting her help with stuff I think helps immensely! Glad she’s enjoying it, and I hope moving weekend goes smoothly.
Lilly says
Good luck with the move, though this weekend may be bittersweet. Best wishes as you move into your new home! Can’t wait to see what the next couple weeks/months bring.
Amy says
Good Luck moving! I would love to see a post about moving tips…hint, hint ;) I am really excited for the ‘new’ direction of your blog and to see the weekend makeovers.
Jessica @ The Desert Abode says
I hope everything goes smoothly with the move!!! I’m excited for the slower pace and the thoughtful decision-making process that goes into making a house a home that you plan to stay in. We bought a house 2 years ago that we hope will be our forever home. We give everything a lot of thought–so we’re not moving very quickly–but love the feeling of knowing we’re making decisions for the long haul.
I’d love to see one last video tour of the empty house. Is it weird that I’m going to miss it? Good luck and best wishes! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Me too! I think we’ll at least take a bunch of photos like we did last time! It’s so trippy to see!
xo
s
Sharon W. says
I am so excited for your move (well mostly glad that it is you moving and not me since my hubby is a bit of a pack-rat). Wishing you sunshine, mild temperatures and rainless days for the move.
On to the next inspiring chapter …
Erin@Managing the Manor says
It’s such a fun time, isn’t it? We are in a bit of a different situation, since we recently built our “forever home”, but I understand your concern with thinking more about projects for this house. We definitely opt to wait and save up for something and/or spend more time thinking about a space if we feel it will benefit us more in the long-run. Can’t wait to see what all you do to this house!!
Daria says
I’m a long time reader but I only rarely post a comment. I just wanted to tell you (and that’s because I know you read all comments) that this post has brought tears to my eyes. I am very excited for you and I hope you will enjoy many, many happy years in the new house. And as much as I loved seeing new projects being completed all the time in your second house, I will enjoy the slower pace on your blog. I think it will be an encouragement for people like me (still not done renovating our first fixer-upper bought 7 years ago) that things are worth doing even if it takes longer we would like. Too many of us have grown to expect instant gratification, both in our personal lives and from our favourite bloggers- it’s time to realize that life is not, and is not supposed to be, like that.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Daria! You’re so sweet!
xo
s
Jeanette says
So excited for you guys! With all the new projects you have in store do you think a second book could also be in the works?
Happy Packing!
Jeanette
YoungHouseLove says
Heck no! We’re so scared to dive back into the chaos of book-world that we’re happy to take a little breather. Haha! Maybe our next book can just be “A Spray Painter’s Guide To Resisting The Urge To Spray The Dog.”
xo
s
TRICIA says
BEST OF LUCK GUYS!! I’M GETTING ALL MISTY EYED OVER HERE!! I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU FOR SO LONG THAT I FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU! TELL JOHN NO MORE DRIVING INTO DITCHES ON THIS MOVE!! HAHA
Spring says
Best of luck! We just moved last week and I’m a bit overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done.
Mellissa says
I love the photo of John and Clara sitting down to a take-out meal in the new house. I have a fond memory of sharing a similar meal of pizza on the floor with my family when I was five. It was my parents first home (and they still live in it today) and like you they wanted to complete some work on the place before moving in. So, we had nowhere to sit or silverware/plates to eat from. But, there was still something so special about breaking bread together for the first time in our new place. Even as a young girl, I knew it was a special moment (most likely because my parents made it that way). Anyway, that photo really jogged that memory for me. So thanks for sharing!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet!
xo
s
Michelle says
I am so excited for you. Love the new house.
P.S. I just discovered we have a Habitat For Humanity Restore
Near our town. So far I found a $400 light fixture
for $100 and two outdoor chaise lounges for $15 each!
Woo hoo.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo
s
Nina says
Sniff sniff…I can’t believe moving day is here and that I’m feeling teary eyed over my “blogosphere friends” ! My husband routinely rolls his eyes when I tell him how well I feel like I “know” you from all these years of blog reading, haha! Good luck with the move and I’m excited about where YHL will go! The pace of the second house did seem kind of fast and furious at times but I think you’ll do great making this house over for the (potential) long haul! Xoxo
Megan L says
Good luck guys! I’m so excited to see more from YHL—– fast paced or not. Woohoo!!!
Alex Noel says
Congrats on the big move!
looks like Clara might be a future Wisconsin Badger with her Jump Around skillz! Jump Around is the song that signals the start of the fourth quarter at Badger football games. So fun and I think she would fit right in :)
Daria says
That’s pretty awesome!!!
YoungHouseLove says
So much fun!
xo
s
Debbie says
I can’t wait see the new house style. Modern Federal? My house is the same era. We have similiar fireplaces. If you use the dining room cabinets i could see them in a wild color or maybe black.
YoungHouseLove says
It’ll be so much fun to see where we end up!
xo
s
Natalie in Oklahoma says
$her,
Here’s hoping all goes smoothly with the move, there are no rental truck curb mishaps, and you make many memories as you close one door and open a new one. . .
My husband and I volunteered last week in Moore, OK to assist a family salvage what they could from the devastating tornado that hit their town on May 20. We were humbled and as I looked into the horizon and all I saw was destruction, as I sifted through their memories, and shoveled debris I realized that the things that matter in life, truly aren’t things… what matters in life is all about is our family and home we create is all about the love that grows wherever we are….
I love that we get to take these adventures with you, John, Clara, and Burgs… I love that you share with us all the quirky things that make you you…. I love that you are moving and growing and we get to be on this adventure called life right along with you… especially as you stated that this will hopefully be the “forever” home where you raise your family… where the love will grow exponentially (even if the state of the uterus 2013 tells us there is not another addition in the making just yet..).
THANK YOU for every adventure, memory, picture, fabric, and frame holding bits and pieces of your life and your love, thank you for sharing yourselves with us.. inspiring us… (going to Maui in July!).. (about to paint a brick fireplace white)… (and painted my kitchen cabinets and followed the tutorial to the letter..)
THANK YOU for hugging me in Dallas when I was so overcome with emotion to finally meet you guys and was so proud of everything with the book…
THANK YOU for all the memories of house #2…
We are all with you… no matter how long it takes… we are in, along for the ride, and thankful for the time we get to share with you as you transition.
Best of luck today, my “young house love peeps” as I so fondly call you to everyone I know…
Today and this weekend I will be thinking of you. Enjoy every moment.
love Love LOVE.
~Natalie in Oklahoma
YoungHouseLove says
OH NATALIE! Stop making me blubber like a two year old! Haha! I love you. Thank YOU for all the love.
xo
s
Stephanie says
I am SO SO SO excited with this new-old approach. Consider this a virtual high five, Sherry & John!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Stephanie!
xo
s
ShellyP says
I love that you choose Kristin Wiig as your crazy over-the-top excited alter ego and House of Pain’s Jump Around!!! as your hip hop adieu. You so ghetto Sherry!!! Good luck on your move and I’m looking forward to reading about all the changes and transformation in the big house!
katalina says
As a very longtime reader from the beginning–now I can’t remember how I found you in the first place–very excited for your family. also a little sad to leave my penny tile, peacock guest room, dandelion master light ( is that staying?!!!) and all the cozy but cheerful rooms.
For the readers that keep saying– I thought you post twice etc, I think it is amazing that you even post once a day with laying down floors, packing, writing book and traveling etc.
Idea for book number 2–organizing tips or projects you’ve done for family members, readers and strangers.
Best moving tip for me was bright color sheets of paper with which room it goes in, but i had movers and they quickly caught on to not pick up the pink sheeted boxes that had to go to the basement with stairs!
I was sore from stairs after moving– 2 sets of step stairs.
wishing you the best for the best! hope little burger will be safe and sound
at his grandparents house during the commotion!
my sister has a huge rhode island rock in the middle of her back deck!
mold update–was from furnace and coil leaking! 16 years old but now new variable furnace/ac sounds like an airplane in outtake vent in office!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad for the mold update! Hope it’s all better and the annoyance is behind you! As for the color coding tip, I love it! And thanks for the sweet words Katalina. You guys are the best.
xo
s
Cassie says
Saw a comment up there about how moving in June is great because there’s no snow… made me laugh because I live in Arizona and we’ve only ever moved in the summer when it’s a million degrees outside. June is not your friend for that! Haha, good thing our families still love us!
GOOD LUCK with the move! I hope all goes well and can’t wait to see what you do with the new house!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Oh yeah we’re gonna be roasting in the 90 degree weather but I still can’t wait! All of our water bottles are full. Momma’s ready!
xo
s
heyruthie says
I’m excited, and happy that if this is your “forever” home, you may be able to do more decorating for others. Have you ever thought about doing any charity projects–like Kate (Centsational Girl’s) Alma Project? I’ve loved those posts more than almost any in the bloggosphere, because I love to see her share her style and talent with people who are really needy. I know you and John have so much to offer the city of Richmond!
I hope the move goes well!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes we love that idea! We have been trying to get something like that worked out (we once did a makeover for a deserving momma a few years back and had so much fun!).
xo
s
Mary says
Good luck with the move!! EXCITING yet sad at the same time! We moved into our 3rd house a year and a half ago and was a little more sad moving out of our 2nd house since all 3 of our kids were born while we lived there! However, Home is wherever your family is at! Good luck!!
Katy says
I hope your move goes well! I am super excited to see how you transform this place. I think following your journey has helped me discover my own style. I loved a lot of things in your 2nd house which encouraged me to not be afraid of colour in my place.
Sometimes I feel kind of silly for enjoying your blog so much, but then I read the comments and find a whole bunch of kindred souls :)
Wendy says
I know you guys are excited, but I am SO SAD to see you leaving your house. It gave me so many ideas and so much inspiration for the projects we are doing in our new/first home. Do you think the aesthetic will be the same at your new house? Do you see yourself utilizing the same pieces of furniture/decor, or starting fresh and from scratch in each room?
YoungHouseLove says
We think it’ll be a relative of of our current house with a lot of the same furniture but an evolved feeling. Just like our first house and our second house are sort of like cousins. Haha! So not twins, but definitely related with a good bit of evolution and new discoveries as we go since that’s so much fun :)
xo
s
heyruthie says
I’m pretty impressed that John and Clara coordinated their outfits in the first picture!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Totally on purpose ;)
xo
s
LauraCinIndy says
I for one am glad you’re going to be slowing down a bit. Your second home seemed unreal at the speed you were going. Like the house was just for the blog and not a real home. You have to remember-we will read your blog no matter what! Some of my favorite posts have nothing to do with home DIY projects. Can’t wait to see what you do. Congrats!
JenB says
Good luck with the move this weekend. I’m looking forward to the new blog style…ever evolving, just like life, right?
I hope the new owners of your home will let you house crash sometime. It’d be cool to see what they do with it. If it were me, I wouldn’t change a thing. But different furniture and accessories will make it look very different, I’m sure!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’d LOVE to crash it someday!
xo
s
erica says
i love that pic of John & Clara having a picnic – we did the same thing the first night we owned our house
Christie says
Good for you! I like all of your new plans. It will be fun to read and watch.
karen says
that huge tree in the deck is so cool. tightly strung white lights around it would look awesome!
Karen L. says
Happy moving to y’all even if it’s a ton of work, too. There is just something special about a “fresh start” in a move: making new friends in a new neighborhood, and feeling a new sense of joy in what wonderful things are to come in the new place. Life is all about new beginnings, and as long as we’re open to them and not too wary of changes, they make life joyous (and dare I say it, FUN)! Glad you see it in that way! Thanks for sharing your feelings in this as it makes me happy for y’all!
Danielle says
I’m so excited for you guys and all of the fun that this house will bring…good luck with the move!!! Wrap the ceramic animals with extra bubble wrap ;)
Stacey says
You do you!
Erika says
So happy for you! Many blessings on your move!
And I moved almost a year ago and am still painting closets and unpacking! Like you, I moved into an older place and things were not exactly move in ready here. Anyhoo . . . I’m looking forward to trying to keep pace with you! I’ll just pretend I moved this weekend too . . . LOL.
myamogabi says
Best wishes on your move! Totally understand you want to take it slow with the new house! No matter how you do it, I’m sure it will turn out amazing!
Wendy @ New Moms Talk says
Yay for doing things your way in your time!
After three thousand (seemingly) ideas for a project for Susanna that never happened, it appears I landed on “the one” yesterday. It was a good reminder to have faith on projects!
Enjoy the move!
Jennifer says
Good luck with the move! You guys are such an inspiration to so many people, so I’m sure I speak for many when I say we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and your new home!
Much love from Pennsylvania.
Jeanna Sanchez says
I am so exited for you guys! I cant wait to see the new house journey you guys are about to embark on! The comment on making over other peoples spaces is something you guys should totally explore! I think you guys should have your own T.V. show for sure, ya know designing for the real family, people who are on a budget, you guys have great ideas and the two of you are seriously funny, I would would watch it!
Brittany says
Good luck with the move guys. I’m excited to watch the progress of this house.
Alyssa says
So I just discovered you guys about a month ago when I randomly picked up your book at the local library and I feel like it was fate! I just closed on my first place in early May, have been scrubbing and cleaning everything since, and will be moving in this weekend as well!! Reading your blog has given me inspiration and motivation to save some cash to DIY my way to an awesome home and also made me realize the house doesn’t have to be “done” right away. I can have my housewarming party now and not feel super embarrassed about the carpet that will eventually need replacing and the dated kitchen cabinets and appliances. Thank you so much for reminding me to cherish the journey and to be happy with whatever stage the house is in – even the one with ceramic animals and pillows strewn about ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that makes me all verklempt. All the best of luck with your home Alyssa! And so glad you enjoyed our book.
xo
s
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
Good luck with your move! We moved into our new house this day last year and I still remember the giddy feeling :)
Carrie Lea says
I liked the first house pace anyway. :) But seriously, do what feels right, do projects for others, do what fun for you. Share stuff you are thinking about maybe doing but don’t be worried if you change your minds. And feel free to share more Burger pics!
I’m glad you love us so much it’s borderline uncool. Cause I think we all love you so much it’s borderline uncool too. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Carrie!
xo
s
Angel says
I am moving soon too! Funny how many of your readers seem to be moving at the same time as you.
We are going from rental to rental as we always have, but I am such a nostalgic sap leaving is always so hard for me. Our first place, that was the first place we lived together as a couple (Waaaa!) then our second place is where we brought our son home from the hospital (Waaaa!) and now this place, we moved across the country and it was such an adventure for our little family (Waaaa!) LOL
Of course for every time I have to be dragged crying from an apartment, I get to happy dance in a new one! I am excited for you guys and excited for my family too! Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I do that too Angel! All the best with everything!
xo
s
Susan says
We moved at the begining of the month to our first it’s exhausting, and tiring and wonderful!! Excited for the new place! Sherry – did you give the penny tile one last caress?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s still going on. I have a few more days here, and I’m very committed to that job. Haha!
xo
s
Heidi says
Maybe you can house crash your house next year! Good luck and have fun. I can’t wait to see what happens with the new one!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love that!
xo
s
Margaret says
Totally off topic but I know John loves bikes and I saw these PJ’s I’m sure would make a great welcome home present :)
http://www.piggypajamas.com/Bicycle-Long-Pajamas-p/bicycle.htm
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! I think he’d chase me around the house in those…
xo
s
Nichole K says
Thank you for making my days brighter!
I’m so pumped for you all for MANY reasons, but mostly I’m happy because YOU seem so happy for this new chapter in your lives.
Also, my house is traditional-ish so having your new house lean more traditional than MCM is a selfish bonus :)
Karen Q. says
Good luck this weekend with everything! I hope the move goes great and can’t wait to hear all about it on Monday. Here’s to you and your forever home and all the memories and fun to come! Congratulations!! :)
Madelaine says
Like most everyone else here, I’m so excited for you guys to get into your new home! I can’t wait to see how it evolves in the future to meet your needs and style.
Congratulations!