Hi Everyone!
Happy Thursday loves. Who else is excited Friday is almost here? This week has been killer and for some of you who live along the Eastern US its been brutal. I hope you all have been safe and bundled up. This was the first full week back to work/school after holiday vacation and it has not been an easy transition for the kids. I’m hoping next week will be easier.
Speaking of Friday, tomorrow is the last day to enter the Theit bag giveaway. There’s still time to enter, so make sure you do and pass the word along if you know someone who’d love it. Ill be announcing the winner on Monday.
Yesterday my IG buddy @Remodelaholic posted this on her feed and it evoked great conversation.
I wanted to take a minute to talk to you guys about it so bear with me as this isn’t usually what I do here. I have to say this struck me to my core. I haven’t disclosed this on the blog yet because its something that is still so at the early stages of conversation and thought between Naomi and I that I didn’t want to mention it if it never even happens, BUT… I want a smaller house. There, I said it.
When we purchased our house almost three years ago, I went in knowing this would not be our forever home. To me, this was the house that would allow us a foot in the door in a housing market that was turning around, was affordable, and offered the space our growing family “needed”. It was the house we would start out in and eventually move on to something different. At the time I thought that something different would be something older and larger, like possibly a craftsman or farmhouse that needs restoration, but the truth of the matter is right now my heart is in something older and smaller. In reality I think it always will be. While I never intended to be in this house more than 5-6 years, Naomi never intended to leave intended to stay a tad longer than that. Such is the story of our life!
This house has clearly become our home, and we’ve created, and still continue to create an environment we’ve grown to love, BUT, I’ve never been completely “all-in” here. There are a few things about it that we settled for and compromised on, but overall the house had about 90% of what we were looking for when we set out to house hunt. While we love the fact that our house has 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and plenty of square footage, its far too new for me and has much more space on the interior than our family actually needs and uses, and far less space on the exterior than we desire. I mean there’s an entire portion of our house that we barely ever even enter! The concept of wasted space kills me and the idea that we are paying for this unused space every month makes me furious. I always knew that if the opportunity presented itself I would have no problem letting go of this house in lieu of a better fit for us.
Inspired by stories such as this, and this, and articles such as this, I brought up the idea of downsizing and its been a topic of serious consideration for a little while now. Make no mistake, I have no intention on moving our family into a 400 sqft restored Airstream and high jacking them across the country or anything drastic like that, but I do think a smaller home would be a great option for us for multiple reasons.
Last year I “resolved” to live life with intention and that really got me started seeing things from a completely different perspective. My overall approach to life changed which influenced my desire to make this years focus about simplifying. For me the prospect of downsizing is all about simplification and freedom. Financial freedom and freedom from debt. Freedom to travel. Freedom for Naomi not to have to work so damn much. Freedom from guilt that I’m at home with the kids and am not contributing as much financially as I always had before. Freedom for her to pursue her passions just as I do through blogging.
For me its all relative. I want my kids to understand that success and wealth and happiness are measured in ways far beyond the monetary. I want them to have to ability to be content with less, and joyful and appreciative of the simple things in life. There are so many details to consider surrounding the idea of downsizing, but its a concept that could potentially become a reality for us sometime down the line.
I mean in “Shavonda’s fantasy land perfect world” we’d be living in a humble CA bungalow with a large yard and I’d have a big garden reminiscent of something out of a Jane Austen novel with some city chickens, and I’d make gourmet meals with the veggies and fruits grown from said garden, and Naomi would quit her job and take on a different job she enjoys more but maybe pays less, and she’d go back to school full time, and I would design beautiful spaces all day and blog about them, and we’d have zero debt with the exception of a mortgage that we could have paid off by the time we are 40, and we’d be able to afford to go on a huge trip somewhere new every year, and unicorns would be real, and ATMs would give out free money, and dentists would never exist, and I’d be two inches taller.
Anyway, its all just ideas, and possibily’s, and could-be’s at this point. I’ve been doing my research and reading up and asking tons of questions, and Naomi and I have been having plenty of heart to heart conversations. I just really wanted to see how you all felt about it. Have you considered downsizing? Could you? Do you live in a small home?
Until next time…..
Xo-Shavonda
mossum says
Occasionally I suffer a bout of square footage envy, but then I remember that more SF means more to clean (lol) and that my money can be better spent on other, more philanthropic efforts. Plus, it’s oddly important to me to remain in the house my kids grew up in so as to provide them with a super-solid foundation. (Other aspects of their lives have been too erratic.) My biggest problem is lack of efficient organization. I know it’s possible, and I love the nifty use of space ideas one sees in good RVs, but I lack the time to make those positive changes in my home. Sigh….someday….
Anonymous says
Hi….I too just found your blog after reading my January 2014 BHG. You, Miss Shavonda, missed your calling. You would be a great interior designer and frankly your tastes are so close to mine that I would feel comfortable letting you do my whole house. When I look at other remodels I never feel that way! I particularly loved your piece on the kitchen makeover and also on the large $20 kitchen table makeover. Don’t think you are running on too long with the details, I love (and need) each and every detail you can offer. Great Blog and great work.
Anonymous says
I just found you after seeing you in BHG, and I love your thoughts here. My brother recently bought a 4000 sq foot gorgeous house, and at first I had a pang of jealousy, but after thinking about it, I realized I truly would not want to trade my old 1500 sq foot bungalow, even when it feels a little crowded with 5 of us and 1 bathroom. (Ok, I would LOVE a second bathroom, but beside that, I love our house!) Small houses are cozy and sweet. I hope you find your dream home some day!
Lindsay says
Love that saying, “Less House, More Home.” Such a great reminder for all of us 🙂
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
That is an awesome goal my friend and I really appreciate this post. Love your honestly and your determination!
Caroline Nolazco says
1. Being tall is overrated. Not that I’d know 😉
2. Um yes!!! I thought I was the only one but this is our dream. I went from living at home with my parents to owning a home. So when we were searching I was obsessed with “getting enough space” even though we never planned to have kids here. Why do two people need 1600 sq ft?!?! I think it’s the American nature that pushed me to go that route and I regret it so much. We have wasted space that has been filled with CRAP I’ve accumulated. Debt. Clearance junk I never needed. I’m still working on the whole buying less and reconsidering what I need is and what I want is [like a teenager]. But after we travel the country with my nursing job, Oscar plants to retire me in Costa Rica. My family thinks I’m off my rocker but I can see us living a life of simplicity there. There we can afford to have Oscar as the bread winner and for me to quit nursing all together and just have babies and homeschool them [a dream to be honest]. We could have businesses more easily. And I feel like an awful person but I seriously want my kids to have like 10 or less toys. Meaningful and different toys. More books than toys. Experiences rather than toys. But I know I’m more hippie than others and that’s ok.
3. I feel that there should’ve been a number three. Instead that blog of stream of consciousness that happened in number two.
4. Oh yes! I have a point. I like this post. I will write a similar one one day when I announce my plans to sell my house to move… nowhere! 🙂
House Envy says
Love this! I completely agree with you! If there is one thing that drives me crazy is to see people put all their eggs in the purchase of the house and then they never really get to “live” in the house and make it their own because its too big for them and they are surrounded by empty undecorated rooms that they aren’t even that intent to get to because they don’t go into them. Seems like a waste. I think a great layout can far outweigh a huge space with a bunch of compartmentalized spaces.
Connie says
I’m totally for downsizing… or maybe we should use the word ‘right-sizing’. And small-er homes mean you just have to get a little creative with spaces and organization and function. But everyone’s right-size is different and some homes use their space just much more efficiently. But you can have just as complicated life & financials with a smaller house. Best not to romanticize it too much… That said, I can’t wait to hear more about your thoughts and this process… and of course city chickens!
Irina l says
I LOVE THIS! We lived in a large home and ended up having to move for my partners job. Because of the short notice to move, we ended up in an apartment less than half the size of our house. I thought I would HATE it because it was so small, but I ended up loving it. I actually see my family now! We have one living/family room now compared to the 3 living spaces we had before, so we pretty much have to see each other. With there only being 3 of us in my household (me, partner and 10 year old), we realized that the smaller space is perfect for us. Now that we are looking at a buying a new house, we know that the 3200 square feet be had before is not necessary.
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
I like Shavonda’s fantasy land. Choosing to stay in our house is the best decision we’ve made. We bought it with the intention to upgrade to a larger home but ideas change and we love that we will have it paid off quickly and can take our time making it ours. I also have always loved cozy spaces, I don’t want to have to yell at someone across the room to get their attention. To each his own and it will be interesting to see what you guys decide on. I have a live more less house mentality these days 🙂 Have a great weekend! xo Kristin
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
“Unicorns would be real, and ATMs would give out free money, and dentists would never exist, and I’d be two inches taller” – hilarious 🙂 This was interesting for me to read. There’s a part of me that’s really, really drawn to the idea of cottage living. When I come across pics/plans for a little house that is thoughtfully laid out and every inch is maximized, I think, wow, THAT is a great way to live. Low debt, less to clean, cozy spaces. But then there’s this other part of me that feels self-conscious in a little house when we have people over and it seems like everyone is shoulder-to-shoulder and things are cramped. I don’t think there’s a clear winner for me. I love my big new house, even though it comes with a big-ass mortgage and high heating bills and so much space to keep clean I want to cry a little. Overall, this works for me now. I wouldn’t be surprised if the future (like 40 years from now future) takes us to a smaller place. I’d love a retirement cottage/second home someday 🙂 Good luck with this decision – I’m sure it’s such a hard one!
A Designer's Tale says
Hey Shavonda, I could downsize in a New York minute. It’s just me and the Hubs in about 4000sqft. The space was fine when the kids were here. Basically we live downstairs, and the upstairs is empty until my son returns home from college or we have visitors. Hubs and I have talked about downsizing. I’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Have a Great weekend!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
I love your heart!! And we don’t live in a big house now, although it’s not a small one either. I hate wasted space, but I can’t be cramped either. I feel like our house is a great size with open sight lines and hopefully I’ll still feel that way after I add a kiddo or two! 😉
Miss Charming says
I loved that quote when Cassity posted it, too! To me, it means to make our current house really work for our family. To really make it OUR home. So that it’s functional for how we live and that it’s filled with the people and things we love and cherish.
Brit [House Updated] says
We lived in a small home with one kiddo and moved to a larger home with our second kiddo and now I find we definitely don’t use all the space in our bigger house! It totally makes sense to have your home fit your lifestyle – especially if that means you guys can do jobs (outside or inside the home) that you love! Good luck making this big decision…
Brandi says
My husband and I have this discussion a lot. He wants to move to a bigger, newer home while I am content (happy) in our home. I love our neighbors and my kids have friends on our street. I hope you get to fulfill your dreams one day…
Katrina ChicLittleHouse says
You already know my thoughts on the topic and last year during our home rebuild and with the floor plan changes we made our home now fits our family perfectly – I’ve learned to embrace the small and with that means more freedom to live our dreams, travel, payoff debt and no longer think that success is determined by home many sq feet your home is 🙂 I think that can happen a lot in Cali 🙂
eimrek says
I’ve just started trying to explain to my husband about making our house a home. He was a bachelor, and lived as such. Now we have a family and the house needs to function differently. I’ve also discovered “home style” and want a beautiful place to come home to everyday and raise our children. We use probably 95% of our space, but not effectively or efficiently. We’ve talked about our must-haves for our next home, but I feel like maybe we’ve lost sight of what we need for our “now home”.
Thank you for this post. Along with the “Less is the New More” post from http://www.thehandmadehome.net/ on Tuesday, I feel like I can overcome our inefficiencies and live a simpler, richer life.
And, I love your ridiculously long run on sentence. We all need a brain dump from time to time!!
Sandy says
Hi Shavonda! I just discovered your blog this morning and I love it! I’ve been reading it for over an hour now. You are a great writer and designer. I already live in a small home (1200 sq. feet) and we use every inch of it. There are only 2 of us and we have a gorgeous finished basement that hubby uses for his retreat. His space is designed and decorated completely different than the upstairs. I hope that you both find the perfect home for you and your family. You’ve inspired me to live my life this year with more intention. Looking forward to reading about your adventures in living and designing this year. I’m a new follower.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
i love this idea and i love where your heart is! and your fantasy land sounds pretty perfect to this girl, chickens and all.
Julia Konya says
LOL no I couldn’t downsize. I’m there already Never upsized. We live in a tiny half double. Why? So I can stay home and still travel to Germany every summer to see my family. I could use a guest room though for family to come visit 😉
I hear ya though and if that would make your personal life function better and happier then you should go for it but it sounds like Naomi doesn’t want to. You painted a beautiful picture with your words, didn’t that sell it to her?
Darnetha {ChippaSunshine} says
It is so funny how yet we don’t know each other personally we are connected. I was just writing last night how I want our mantra to be Say Yes to Less this year. We live in a 1048 sq ft home, all five of us with a cat and two fiddler crabs. We want to someday get a bigger house but for now we are content. I so understand how the loss of a income, by choice or circumstance, can invoke change. I hope find what you seek; your garden, chickens (why?), dreams, vacations (take me) and new careers.