Did you buy your new place?
It’s a rental!
Will you ever buy and settle in one area?
The goal is to live in this rental until I can figure out where I’d like to buy! I’m excited to enjoy this chapter being back by family while planning/saving but without thinking too much about what’s coming next. I had to start over in so many areas of life over the last couple of years, and that has taught me to be thankful for what I currently have, despite what my vision for the future may be. Long winded way of saying — hopefully someday soon but enjoying the adventure for now!
What was the biggest catalyst for this move?
So many things! My lease in Charleston was always only for a year – the owner was planning to renovate to a single family home and is selling the property. One: I was visiting family 1-2x a month… it felt like a good time to live closer (I have two nieces I’m obsessed with). Two: I loved Charleston as a city but didn’t feel like it was quite the right fit for me at this time in my life. I felt in between the younger crown and those more settled with children. I’m happy I experienced moving to a new city where I knew no one, but it was incredibly lovely and isolating at times. Three: I realized how much nature meant to me during my stint at the cabin and really was craving somewhere with a yard. Astor already loves his backyard and I can’t wait to garden later this year.
Are you going to do any yard design?
The owners gave me permission to plan in the raised garden beds! I’ll also be doing lots of potted plants. I have a screened porch and back deck/patio area to play with, so there will be lots of outdoor content coming!
What’s your favorite thing about living in Raleigh so far?
I forgot how much of a community I have here and reconnecting with people has been so nice!
Where in Raleigh are you?
Close to downtown!
Are you planning to wallpaper? And if you weren’t gifted paper, would you still spend the money?
I’d love to do peel and stick a couple places! I’m very fortunate that one of the owners of this house works in interior design and has impeccable taste – I love so many of the wall/lighting choices she made. I’d spend the money (but maybe not do an entire large room – as that’s when it gets pricey). It’s a truly renter-friendly way to add so much personalization to the space.
What’s the first space you’re going to work on?
I’ve ordered a couple things for the breakfast nook and am so excited for this space!
What’s the project you’re saddest to leave behind from Charleston?
1000000% the sunroom. I rediscovered my love of setting tables and hosting because of this sunny space. There were several days I’d put together a tablescape (a lot of the time just for myself) and it always provided me with a mood boost.
What plans do you have to showcase Raleigh?
I’ll be sharing bits of my adventure and new places I try – I feel like there’s so much new to explore! I’m looking forward to finding new local favorites – coffee, local flower shops, garden centers, farm stands, book stores, etc.
Do you specifically look for homes to rent? Asking for advice!
I spent A LOT of time on rental apps – like a whole lot. I search Realtor and Zillow for hours a day for the months leading up to my move in tons of different cities. Even if I wasn’t ready to sign anything yet, it gave me a really good idea of where homes were popping up in my budget/that I liked the style and neighborhood of. You get really good at being able to tell at first glance by the photos if it’s furnished/long term/legit/clean etc. I know way more about the rental market that I ever thought I would!
What other cities were you considering?
Quite a range – and some far more seriously than others! My most serious cites were any NC coastal (Wilmington, Outer Banks, New Bern, Southport) or mountain towns (Blowing Rock/Boone area) but I also looked around Lake Norman and into Virginia (east coast). I also looked a lot in upstate NY and Connecticut – but this was mostly because I like the vibes of those homes. Finding ones I liked in that market helped me refine what I was looking for here.
How big is your rental?
Not sure the sq ft but it’s a 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom.
Will you do an empty house tour?
I can show before and afters of the space but probably won’t be doing a full walk through empty house tour – just for safety!
How do you plan your space? Sketch it out? Drag furniture around the room?
I plan out the overall vibe of the space on Canva – I create a whiteboard with inspiration pictures for each space, and then drop in product images for items I’d like to purchase to help create a certain vibe. Once enough comes together, I’ll create a full room mockup. As far as furniture placement, it’s a lot of trial and error with the furniture!
How do you move so well? I don’t see any boxes in your pictures!
I wanted to feel settled immediately, so I put all the boxes in the guest room and organized them by room. I don’t have furniture for that space yet, so it’s allowed me to unpack at my own pace without the house feeling cluttered with boxes.
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned each time? Tips & tricks?
Always allow yourself more time than you need! Those last two cabinets that you think will take ten minutes to pack up can sometimes take the longest. I was actually so organized with this move – I had a note in my phone of what needed to be boxed/wrapped in every room, and what size box I was packing those items in. I then labeled the box by room with a description of exactly what’s in it. It made unpacking SO much easier. I also packed items together that I know I’d want to unpack first. My most used kitchen supplies all went in a box together, and that was one of the first boxes I unpacked. I like to arrange living room furniture, bed, and unpack the kitchen as soon as possible – these areas make a space feel most functional. I probably started packing the first week of December, but didn’t actually move until 12/31.
Did you tour the rental before you paid a deposit?
Yes! I spoke to the owner on the phone, had her send me a video tour and then toured the house first. There are so many scams these days – I would say this is also important so you can get a good feel of things you can’t tell through photos (smells, neighborhood, etc).
Is it just you and your dog?
My two cats are here also 🙂
Can you share ideas an aesthetic cat trees or litter box options?
I use these litter boxes and just got the cats this tower! Not the most aesthetic, but it’s what they like.
Loved your last bedroom! Are you planning a similar theme or scheming something different?
Something different! I loved my last one, but I have so much fun creating different vibes for each home I’m in. My Charleston bedroom was so different from my NYC one and I loved that! I’m challenging myself to use a lot of what I already have, just in new ways. If lamps were in my bedroom in Charleston, I have to try them somewhere new here. It’s been really exciting to see things I already have take on a new personality in a different space.
Did you have to undo any/many of the changes to your old place?
Thankfully, not a ton! Because they are renovating the property, my landlord was very accommodating to my changes. I undid a few things – took down all the peel and stick, shelving, etc, but I didn’t have to repaint any of the walls. So thankful!
What do you do for work?
Content creation is my full-time job! There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for the life and opportunities this career has provided.
What gratitude journal and planner do you use?
I’m currently using this gratitude journal, and just started morning journal. I’ve been using this planner for the last year and don’t think I could ever use another – it’s the best!
Are you going to be able to decorate your new house (paint, wallpaper etc)?
Yes! I have free rein to paint (though I’ll have to paint it back) – I love most of what’s already here and the neutral palette, but I do have plans for a couple of the spaces. I’m thankful to be at the place in my life where I could move into a place that already felt like me, and I can focus on just tweaking a few of the things and playing with finishes.
Thank you for sending in all of your questions, let me know if there’s anything else in the comments! xx