An Unexpected Journey: Why We’re Moving & All Your Burning Questions Answered!
About a month ago, in a blog post that truly caught many off guard, I shared the monumental news that our family has decided to move. The decision has stirred a whirlwind of emotions within me, but I was genuinely astonished by the sheer volume of shock and sentiment it evoked in all of you. It seems our home, which has been the backdrop to countless DIY home improvements and projects over the past seven years, has become as much a part of your journey as it has ours. I could never have anticipated the deluge of questions that flooded my Instagram DMs, covering every conceivable detail about this significant life change.
Facing such an outpouring of curiosity and shared feelings, it became clear that a simple blog post wouldn’t suffice to address everything. This pivotal moment presented the perfect opportunity to resurrect the podcast that Thea and I had been eager to restart. We knew this platform would allow us to delve deeper into the ‘what, why, and where’ of our move, providing you with the comprehensive answers you deserve. While we’ve cherished every moment in our current residence, an undeniable sense of excitement now bubbles within us for the fresh perspectives and new adventures a different home will bring – not only for our family but also for the content we’ll share on the blog.
In our latest podcast episode, Thea and I openly discuss the multifaceted reasons behind our relocation, providing an unfiltered look into our decision-making process. We tackle all the pressing questions you’ve sent our way, from the practicalities of choosing a new community to the emotional aspects of uprooting our lives. We invite you to tune in below to hear our candid conversation and get all the inside scoop on our upcoming transition!
Listen to our latest podcast episode where we spill all the details about our move!
Click here to listen to “Why Are We Moving?”
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Unveiling the Details: Our Big Move to Oak Ridge
The announcement of our move clearly struck a chord, and your overwhelming reaction made me truly understand the deep connection you all share with our home. It has been a central character in our story, having witnessed and undergone countless DIY home improvement projects over the years, all meticulously documented and shared on the blog. I admit, I mistakenly underestimated the impact this news would have, foolishly thinking it wouldn’t be such a significant revelation. But as it turns out, this transition is as momentous for you, our cherished community, as it is for us. The sheer volume of your questions compelled us to reignite the podcast, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be back, sharing our journey with you! We understand the audio quality may not be pristine right now, given the challenges of social distancing during recording, but we promise to improve it with each new episode.
Our decision to move stems from a variety of factors, but at its core is a desire for a change in lifestyle. We yearned for a smaller, more tranquil community, a place that offered a different pace of life than our current home in Greensboro. This led us to Oak Ridge, a charming small town just outside the city. What truly captivated us about Oak Ridge is its self-contained nature and, crucially, its outstanding school district. We envision a life where community ties are stronger, and everyday living feels a bit more serene.
For a considerable period, I was quite resistant to the idea of moving, despite Joe subtly raising the topic for the past two years. My stance eventually softened as I began to acknowledge certain inherent challenges within our current house – issues that, we realized, could only be resolved by relocating. I briefly touched upon these in this previous blog post, and I’ll delve a bit deeper into them below:
- The placement of my home office right in the heart of our house has become an increasing source of stress and inefficiency. While it initially seemed convenient, operating a creative business from a central, high-traffic area means constant interruptions. It’s incredibly challenging to maintain focus and productivity when everyone has direct access to me at all times, making deep work sessions a rarity. This layout, while cozy for family life, has become a significant hurdle for my professional endeavors.
- While our current garage isn’t objectively small, it has become a significant bottleneck for our family and business. As you know, our brand is deeply rooted in DIY home improvement, which means we’ve accumulated an enormous collection of tools. This space also serves as Joe’s home gym and the parking spot for one car. It is perpetually packed to the brim, making organization a constant struggle and leaving virtually no room for new projects or even comfortable movement. We desperately need a larger, more functional space that can accommodate both our extensive tool collection and our personal needs without feeling overwhelmed.
- Let’s clear up some facts about Oak Ridge, thanks to a quick Google search! It is indeed a legitimate, incorporated town, although it operates without a traditional mayor. Instead, it is governed by a dedicated five-person town council. So, now we all know the details! My apologies to Thea; it seems her aspirations to become mayor will have to be redirected!
- We are incredibly excited to embark on a fresh wave of projects in our new home. However, unlike our previous house, the focus will be less on major structural renovations and more on cosmetic transformations. The house, in its current state, is a symphony of brown hues – a color palette that, as you well know, starkly contrasts with my vibrant style. The thought of painting every single surface is a daunting prospect, but it’s an absolute necessity; there’s simply no getting around it. Seriously, the amount of brown is overwhelming! Yet, this challenge also presents an exciting opportunity. The DIY projects in this house will be incredibly doable and budget-friendly, focusing on accessible changes that anyone can replicate. I am genuinely thrilled to demonstrate what’s possible with paint, creativity, and a bit of elbow grease. The color lover within me is practically bursting to get started, and I cannot wait to share these remarkable transformations with all of you!
- You’ll get to see all the detailed photos of our new house once we officially close. I’m a little superstitious and don’t want to jinx anything before it’s truly ours. This house marks the third offer we’ve made, and it feels absolutely perfect in every way. The floorplan aligns precisely with our vision, and the outdoor space is nothing short of AMAZING – a true sanctuary we can’t wait to personalize. So, if you’ve listened to the podcast and read this far, consider this your special reward! Here is the very first official sneak peek of our new home: the incredible outdoor living area that has us completely obsessed!
- In an exciting turn of events, Thea, my podcast co-host and dear friend, is also contemplating a move! After years of discussion, I truly believe this time she’s serious about making it happen. It’s almost unbelievable that both of us might navigate such a significant, albeit stressful, transition during this crazy period. But then again, why not embrace change, right? Her primary hurdle now is the Herculean task of purging a decade’s worth of “home shrapnel” and then meticulously staging her current home. No big deal, she says, with a laugh!
- Our girls initially experienced a mix of emotions about moving, much like I did. The idea of leaving their familiar surroundings was understandably difficult. However, once we began discussing the exciting possibilities for their new rooms – allowing them to envision and design their own personalized spaces – their outlook completely transformed. Their sadness quickly morphed into enthusiastic anticipation, filled with creative ideas for exactly what they want. I consistently reminded them that it’s perfectly natural to feel both sad about leaving and incredibly excited about what’s to come, helping them embrace this full-circle emotional journey.
- While our current house might not immediately strike you as neutral, largely due to our vibrant decor, if you strip away all our personal touches, you’ll find that our paint colors are actually quite adaptable. Of course, my bold navy blue doors are a bit unconventional, but even that rich hue can be considered a versatile neutral in the right context (after all, good jeans go with everything, right?!). The wildest departure from neutrality is undoubtedly the powder room mural. I simply ran out of time to paint over it before the move, but it’s an easy and quick fix for any potential buyer looking to customize the space.
- Finding the delicate balance between what needs to be neutralized and professionally staged for selling, versus what personal touches are acceptable to leave, is always a tricky endeavor. As a prime example of bold personal expression, you can still catch a glimpse of Thea’s vibrant red dining room and the memorable curtains we often reference here. It highlights the fine line between showcasing personality and appealing to a broader market.
- I was immensely proud when we finally completed the guest room, achieving a look that felt truly finished and inviting. However, the laundry room, despite being the very first space I tackled in this house (you can revisit that initial makeover here), felt like it needed a quick refresh to truly complement the rest of our updated home. So, I gave it a swift, invigorating makeover to bring it up to speed and ensure every corner felt cohesively designed.
- You can explore numerous before-and-after photos of our kitchen transformation here. To this day, I’m still taken aback by the occasional outrage from people who criticize our decision to paint those cabinets. It’s a reaction I will likely never fully comprehend. Let me be clear: if you choose to attack me in any comment section regarding this choice, be forewarned – my loyal and beloved readers will rally to my defense! Consider this your friendly warning, folks!
- My affinity for our belongings runs deep, and I absolutely adore the design choices we’ve meticulously made for our current house. Therefore, you can fully expect to see a significant amount of our cherished furniture, decor, and signature style seamlessly integrated into our new home. Unlike Joe, who is quite pragmatic and would happily sell anything for the right price, I adamantly refuse to part with MY curated treasures. I have invested time and love into collecting pieces that genuinely speak to me, and I have absolutely no interest in starting from scratch! Every beloved item is coming with us.
- For those curious about the unconventional setup required to record this podcast episode, especially with social distancing measures in place, you can catch a glimpse of our temporary “studio” in the guest room. We were committed to responsible social distancing, which, unfortunately, did impact the audio quality. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this caused!
- We absolutely love hearing from you and seeing how you engage with our content! Don’t forget to tag us at @tasha.kaleidoscope in your photos, or screenshot your current episode and tell us what you’re doing while you listen. We truly cherish seeing these moments and make an effort to share them as often as possible. Moreover, ensure you are following me on Instagram to keep up with my stories and get all the exclusive behind-the-scenes action of our move and more. I delve into ALL sorts of topics there, extending beyond just home decor and DIY, making it a very engaging and fun space for connection and conversation.
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Transform Your Home with Confidence: Introducing Designer in a Binder®
I often receive questions about my unique design process, a system I am excited to apply once again as I design our new home! It’s a consistent, step-by-step approach I employ every single time I embark on transforming a room. I’ve finally distilled this proven system onto paper, making it accessible for you to utilize in your own design endeavors. It’s an empowering, affordable alternative to hiring an interior designer, and it’s called Designer in a Binder®!
This comprehensive guide meticulously walks you through each crucial stage of the design process. From understanding how to choose items that are the correct scale for your space to mastering the art of space planning, mixing patterns like a pro, and confidently selecting colors that truly sing, Designer in a Binder® covers it all. I provide easy-to-understand, actionable guidance on every aspect of home design, ensuring you feel equipped and inspired to create spaces you love. With over 5,900 happy customers already transforming their homes, this system is tried, tested, and loved!
You can order your very own binder today and embark on your journey to a beautifully designed home. Click here to learn more about how Designer in a Binder® can revolutionize your approach to interior design.
Curious about how I tackle the exciting challenge of transforming rooms and spaces within our home? All the secrets and strategies are laid out in Designer in a Binder® – your ultimate guide to confident home design.
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Explore More of Our Podcast Episodes
- Discover all our inspiring conversations and DIY insights.
- Dive into topics ranging from home decor to family life.
- Revisit the initial announcement that sparked this journey.