The Next Chapter: Introducing Our New Rental House
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Our New (Rental) House
Author’s Note: If you’re new to my site, this post might seem a little odd… you might want to check out the earlier posts in my Charlotte Moves series to get caught up!
We’ve known for months that we’d have to say goodbye to our beloved home at the end of the year, but we weren’t sure where we’d be going. And although we won’t be able to move into another permanent spot, we have landed on the next best thing… a rental house for us to call home for the indefinite future. Before I give you the low down, please know how appreciative and touched I have been by ALL of your kind and thoughtful words throughout this unfortunate time for us. You have shared your own personal experiences. You have shared how you overcame your own challenges. You have been an unwavering cheering squad!
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I also need to be honest that it’s hard for me to write about this new house with complete effusiveness, since obviously we’d rather not have to be moving in the first place, but I’m going to do by best. I’m excited for a new project and eager to have this crappy year behind us! Without further ado… here’s a look at our new rental!
First, the details. It’s in the same school district which was important to us obviously, but it sits on much more land than we’re used to and feels extremely remote compared to our current house in town! In fact, the front yard has a giant zipline which was one of the things that sold the kids on the house! The backyard overlooks a lake below and is lovely if not slightly treacherous!
Inside, there are 6 bedrooms which is amazing. One is a bit smaller so we’re going to put two kids together and I’ll use this smaller bedroom as my office/ workspace.
The main living space will be the family room/ dining area. I suspect it will feel much bigger once our furniture comes in, but it’s a lovely open room with windows overlooking the stone patio.
There’s a living room with a fireplace that is quite large and will probably be big enough to act as a dual living room/ dining room, but TBD how it will all fit together until we get the furniture moved in. I try to plan ahead and map out which furniture will make most sense in which room, but sometimes you just have to see it all in person.
I’m hoping that I can make this lovely sunroom into a playroom. It’s long and narrow and the doors open onto the patio so traffic flow will be a concern, but it’s the only spot other than the opposite end of the living room that could work so fingers crossed we can figure something out!
Three bedrooms are downstairs and three are upstairs. We’ve put the three big kids together and then have the younger two next to us… I’m hoping we can paint a few of the rooms white. I’ve decided that our furniture and decor is so colorful that I really love how a clean white wall looks with our stuff in person and especially in photographs!
I *think* I’ve talked Oliver into his room doubling as the guest room so we may get rid of his trundle bed in exchange for a pair of twin beds. Eleanor has insisted on keeping her full size bed… who can blame her. And Martha will inherit the daybed that I made with my own two hands! Her room has a secret little hideout which was another selling point. I can’t wait to make that into something fun!
Louisa and Arthur are THRILLED to be roommates in the next house. They’ll get the bunk bed which is also super exciting for both of them.
It’s definitely a smaller house than our current one so we’ll have to get rid of quite a bit and might consider a long-term storage situation for a handful of items. The kitchen is plenty big, but doesn’t allow for any extra stuff. There’s no workshop for me so I’ll have to tuck any tools I can into the garage. Honestly I’m completely on board with purging and minimizing quite a bit. It’s plenty big enough for our gang so it’s more of a logistical issue than anything else to makes sense of what will stay and what will go!
If I can organize my thoughts, I’ll try to post about how I’m planning for the move and any tips I can think of so stay tuned! Good news also that we still have one dated bathroom to work around! Ha!
Youre going to make it awesome!
Thanks, Diane!
You’ll make it bea your own. Sending love and peaceful moving thoughts. I know how stressful it Can be. XO
Thanks, Bari! One foot in front of the other! We’ll get there!
It looks lovely and I can’t wait to see how you make it the Smith family home. And a zipline? My kid will be over as soon as the weather Warms…
Haha! Right now there’s no brake so it’s… gnarly. 🙂
Oh! Its a lovely house and you will make it Into a WONDERFUL home!
Thanks, Vicki!
This is such a cute house! And you’re going to make it amazing. Can’t wait. Also if this is still in all caps when the comment publishes i am so sorry – i can’t make it stop!
Ohhh just saw the thing about the capSloCk, nevermind me …
Haha!
Ha! That’s the way my blog theme makes it… sorry! And thank you!
Charlotte, i am super excited to see all the things you dO,with this spaCe. I am in for the ride!
Thanks, Tanja! I’m excited for a project!
I LOVE THAT dated bathroom!
🙂 🙂 It’s not quite as charming in person, but I’m a big fan of the pink!
Thank you for sharing! I know this muSt be so challengIng With all of the changes but youre going to have sooooo much to blog about, woohoo!! <3
Thanks, Kate! I’m inclined to agree. 🙂 Lots of projects!
Charlotte, it is a beautiful house and I know you are going to make it your own for as long as you are there. Full of your character and whimsey!
Thank you Mary! Fingers crossed!
I HONESTLY love the pink bathroom! I know you’ll make it incredible. Wishing you and your family the best of luck in a smooth and easy transition. You’ve got this!
Thank you so much! It will nice to have this all behind us!
May god hep you through with grace under pressure. have a blessed Thanksgiving and a peacful christmas in your new home.
Thank you so much, Nancy. I really appreciate your kind words and thoughts! xx
House looks amazing-and those floors! Wishing you An easy move and so glad you will be in the same school DISTRICt. What a win! Know you will make it a home in no time:)
Thanks, Beth! All things considered, this is a great solution for us. Excited for a new project. Thank you!
I love To read how you’ve set up your kids for a smooth transition- you rock Charlotte! By the way …the Neighbors are spectacular!
Fingers crossed! We have a VERY excited child about the new neighbors. 🙂 🙂
Hey Charlotte,
I’ve moved 10 times since I was married to Mr Smith! Three times in London and 7 here in the states. I have two words for moving….edit and organize!
Also, never ever spend money on storage units, biggest waste of money. If you don’t have space for it in the house, you don’t need it in your life.
Love the rental!
Mia
Thanks, Mia! It’s not ideal but what can you do. And yes! That’s great advice… so much to edit!!!
Your blue and green color scheme will look great in that dated bathroom. I look forward to seeing what you do in the house. Hopefully your landlord will be accepting of a clean white paint in some of the rooms. Best of luck!
Thank you, Gina! I’m hoping the same thing re. the white walls! ALways a great place to start! xx
Yikes ! I grew up knowing the family that lived in that house and used to babysit there!! We lived up a long driveway across the pond and i spent much of my life skating AT that very POND! From what i know now, no one skates there anymore but in the 69,70s and early 80’s it was a gathering place in the winter with Big hockey games and lots of kids and adults skating! Great neighborhood when I was a kid.
That’s amazing! We have friends who say that there is occasional skating! Love knowing about these happy memories!
Oh gosh, I just figured out what was going on. I am so very sorry. But, having been thru similar crap when we were young (I am Much older than you Are) I can tell you that you will SURVIVE and will find many great memories and blessings that come from UPHEAVAL and uncertainty. All that matters is that you are all together on this ADVENTURE. I predict fun times ahead and I am blessed to go on the journey and see how you decorate wherever it is that you land! (I do worry about that pond and the littles. Can they all swim?)
Thanks so much, Susan! Everyone but Arthur can swim, but we’ll make sure it’s OFF limits when the weather warms up!!
OMYGOSH! That “dated” bathroom is begging to become a flamingo bathroom! There’s so much cute flamingo stuff out there now. can’t wait to see what you do.
Haha! I’ll have to see how my son feels about that, but yes… could definitely work! 🙂