Stepping off the Red Carpet
So many changes, and tearing myself away from the familiar!
I took my first big move in my stride, and did not rush anything. I am a silver gal after all, so I have enough time on my hands to do the things I love in between. Getting used to the new vibe from a big house to a smaller apartment in a complex originally designed for the over fifties, and still filled with many 50-plus people, took some getting used to. I kept on moving furniture backwards and forwards till I can now say, I am happy that every sentimental piece of furniture has found its place. It was quite a harsh decluttering before I moved from my home of fifty years. The things I kept are really precious. I had to find the best position for them in their new home!
I was excited when the boxes started arriving. Everything looked so bare. I hurt my back in a fall and could not bend. What a blessing when Bonginkosi, my ex-gardener cum handyman, said he was available to work for me once a week. He is like a son, helped me through many dark moments, but we always managed to find something to laugh about.
He unpacked and started putting stuff away where he thought best, when I was busy with other stuff.
I kept the red carpet. Hubby arrived with it one day after disappearing for a couple of hours. He loved shopping, but decor was my department. The red carpet wasn't what I would have chosen, but he had good taste, and it looked good with my previous, darker living room set. It had to go now that I bought the light grey set, which I had to wait quite a while for. I was 'camping' for a couple of weeks. What luxury to finally sit in comfort!
Camp and patio chairs, for sure, were not comfortable for watching television.
The camping is over, replaced with the long-awaited comfy living room set. The delay took place when I ordered one that was too big, and thankfully, the manufacturer accepted my cancellation and order a smaller set!
The red carpet had to go! I'm
repeating myself aren't I? My living room is small, and light colours make everything look more open.
The red carpet had served his purpose, and was given to someone who could use it, and a lighter one was bought through...blush...blush...Temu... I did not want to spend a fortune at this stage. It looks way better than the red carpet!
My brother thought my television was too small. I stubbornly did not agree! He has a massive one where the people are bigger than lifesize. I eventually saw the light, having stayed with them for a while before my move and got used to the clarity and being able to read the screen better. So, when black Friday specials came along, I bought a bigger one, not as big as his. The old one is perfect for my bedroom. I was thinking about the cold winter nights that come every year, so I moved it there. It gets extremely cold where I now find myself!
So cold that the previous owner installed a wall panel heater on the wall by the kitchen island. I moved it to the guest bedroom, as I'm looking at options to keep the temperature comfortable in both the living room and the kitchen area.
The kitchen dresser was given a revamp and moved from the living room to the kitchen, where it belongs! I bought two kitchen counter benches as extra seating, but turned one into a stand for the dehumidifier, till I find something suitable. I switch it on during the day, and it needs emptying twice - that is 3,6 litres of clear water from the air! It would be more if I left it on 24/7. One for sure cannot use that water for consumption, but it can be used for watering plants or during water outages for the bathroom.
The entrance hall is looking more complete and welcoming, although most visitors come in through my verandah door straight into the living room.
The kitchen needs a revamp, but that's for later. I want a white kitchen, which would lighten the entire area. We did remove a wide shelf right on top. It served no purpose, only made the room darker and collected dust!
The guest bedroom has small touches of yesteryear.
Moving to the main bedroom, which now has a wooden headboard which my brother arranged to have manufactured.
It's some four months now, and I still find myself shifting small stuff around, but as you saw in the first image, there is no sign of any red carpet now. I've stepped off it. I'm no celeb after all!
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Your new place looks so warm. I imagine it feels more like home now that you have more of your sentimental furnishings there.
Thank you @coinjoe, it for sure feels more like home now!
You have good taste, I have to give you that. I love what I see here and I understand why you want to get new kitchen furniture. I like dark brown, but in a small place it looks really depressing, so better a lighter color. Enjoy the new phase of your life 💚
Thank you @erikah, I am enjoying settling in, and meeting new people.
I had a dark brown living room set and it looked good with the red carpet but would not have fitted in my new house, not just in size but also the darker colours.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
I remember when I was living temporary in my flat for 6 months when we were trying to sell it, we were sitting in camping chairs, it was quite uncomfortable! Bet you must be loving the comfort of your new sofas now, they look so nice.
As to that top panel in the kitchen corner, I wonder why it was installed in the first place? Maybe it was one big piece along the rest of the cabinets? Did those cabinet tops have a nice finishing once you removed the top piece or did you have to spice them up?
Everything is looking so nice and homely now!
Thank you, LUT! Camp chairs don't feel too bad initially, but after a couple of weeks, they for sure get very uncomfortable;) It was pure luxury when it finally arrived.
Everyone whose kitchen still has the original kitchen cupboards complains about that 'rack'. Almost as if they had extra material and someone got the bright idea of a rack high up in the sky! We thought we were going to have to do something to finish the cupboards off, but they're perfectly fine!
It for sure is starting to feel like home <3
Your hubby knew that one day the red carpet would be rolled out for you in a welcoming to your new abode Lady Lizzie.
It seems to me that you and Fiona are both turning your homes into very comfortable places. A pity that you are about a 16 hour drive from our area, but maybe one day we will also pop in to visit.
Everything looks great and we are happy for you.
Thank you, my friend! That's exactly what Arthur would have wanted to do. I've given it to our friends who lost their home in the mudslides of 2022, so it's going to a good home. There is lovely scenery and quaint places to visit around here - tons of photo opportunities. I have the accommodation, and the spare bedroom has its own bathroom. I'll take you both to the North Coast if you ever come this way. 16 hours is awfully long, but it would be such a treat!
I agree with you that Arthur would love it milady, and also the fact that you gave the carpet to some people that need it. I think that Hillcrest is the ideal location for you, as you sound happy, and that's all that counts.
My base was in Mtunzini on the north coast when we did the Eskom line from Durban to Empangeni years ago, and I would love to show Marian what the north coast looks like. So, who knows? Maybe I will take you up on your kind offer when an opportunity arises.
All blessings and salutations.
!PIZZA and !LUV
You sure were right about that red carpet! I liked it, until I saw what the new one did for the room.
I'm so happy that your big move is working out for you!
Ah, thank you @owasco, I was quite content with the red carpet, but when I saw the light colours of the neighbour above me, I realised that would be best.
It's looking lovely! I love the verandah doors and their window dressing. Lovely to have something comfy to sit in, too ❤️
I'm really so happy in my little house. It is cosy and very comfy, especially with the new couches. Thank you @shanibeer!
🎉🎉🥳 Congratulations 🥳🎊🎊
Your post has just been curated and upvoted by @Ecency , keep up the good work !
A lovely sense of decor you have. Quite a nice home you have made for yourself. That television is just about the size of my computer monitor. As you say, I can see clearly now--without my glasses.
I applaud you for stepping off the red carpet. What a brave, inspiring woman you are.
That is a lovely looking apartment, and there is nothing wrong with TEMU, lol
SHi @lizelle, moving is usually a bit complicated, but then you gradually get used to the new space and assimilate the changes. The decoration turned out beautifully, simple, elegant and welcoming. I loved the bicycle and the wooden sculpture, they look spectacular.
Thank you, @belkyscabrera. Yes, it takes a while to get the feel of a new home, but I'm on my way.
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@papilloncharity(1/15) tipped @lizelle
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