Casa de Krause

Brian and I are on the move again!  I have spent 85% of my life in two homes...the home I grew up in and the home I raised my children in.  Since becoming A REAL RETIRED HOUSEWIFE OF FLORIDA, I have moved twice in two years. 

And the moves could not be more different

• The first move was from Ohio to Florida.  The second move was next door.
• It took 9 months to sell the Ohio home.  It took less than a week to sell the Florida home.
• The first move involved packing a POD, a month of looking for a new home, buy new furniture, etc.  The second move was done by two guys and a dolly.  Brian and I took care of most of the boxes.

You get the idea.  Now that it is over, I can say it was worth it.

I loved my first Florida home.  I spent a lot of effort (and money) to make it just right.  However, it was a bit small and I was constantly working to make the most of "living in a small space".  The biggest obstacle was the 2-car garage, which housed a SUV, golf cart and a growing herd of motorcycles (sometimes 3, sometimes 4).  The new Florida home has the same layout with more space.  The garage went from 400 sq. ft to 500 sq.ft.  Let me tell you, that extra 100 sq. ft makes a big difference.

It is easier to show you the differences in the houses.  Here are some before and after pictures...

Living Room - First House

Living Room - New House

It is kinda like a "Find the Differences" quiz.   The old house...I like the floors, wall colors and the two ceiling fans.  The new house...I like the one entrance to the kitchen area and I am getting used to the carpet.  

Dining Room - Old House

Dining Room - New House

Again, the obvious differences is the flooring, wall colors and lighting. 

Kitchen - Old House

Kitchen - New House

Now you can see why I wanted to move.  The kitchen is much larger.  Lots more cabinet space.  All the bottom cabinets have pull-out shelves...oh ya. 

Kitchen Eating Area - Old House
 

Kitchen Eating Area - New House
 

Brian asked for a kitchen table in the new house (rather than a TV area).  I bought this table from the previous owner.  I love it because the chairs are very comfortable, they swivel and rock! 

Garage - Old House
 

Garage - New House

My motto is "A place for everything and everything in its place".  Motorcycles on the left, golf cart on the right and the SUV in the middle.  It may be a small thing, but I love that the passenger can get out of the car in the garage.  The old garage was so small that you couldn't open the passenger door in the garage.

Project List

Of course, the move has created a whole new list of projects.  

 

The painter can't get to my house for at least a month.  I am hoping I can cope with the white walls until then.  Can I hold off hanging stuff until the painting is done?

 

I have fabric samples for window treatments.  This is where I start to waver.  Do I paint first, then pick out the window treatments?  Do I buy the drapes?  Do I leave up the vertical blinds?  So many decisions. 

 

I spent a lot of money putting in a wall organizing system in the old garage.  It was great for organzing a small garage.  It don't think it is needed for this garage.  I do want some way to hang things in the new garage.  Do I go with reliable pegboard?   Would plastic shelving work?

 

So many choices...so many blog opportunities.

 



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