Last week Gwyneth and I shared the Part I of our NC home tour, and today we’re back for Part II – the living room. As with our Expedit bookcase, we’ve tried to find new uses for the same pieces we had in our New York apartment. Unlike our bookcase post, you’ll see a few “new” things incorporated into the space. Starting with “The Big Guy.”
“The Big Guy,” named by my Dad (for obvious reasons) is an antique my parents have had in their home longer than I can remember. Like me, Mom is always on a quest to hide the TV. (What better place to store the electronics than in a giant antique?)
As you can deduct from the name, “The Big Guy” is not easy to move. So while I was packing up the NYC apartment, and my parents were clearing out my Dad’s “man cave” to become my living room, it was decided that “The Big Guy” would stay in the space to be my entertainment center. The pie safe you may remember from the NYC apartment is carefully wrapped in moving blankets and stored in a corner of the garage until Gwyneth and I figure out a more permanent plan.
And as you can see, a few things have not changed. Gwyneth continues to claim the top corner of the couch as her prime napping space (#whydoweownadogbed?), and we kept our Pottery Barn console table behind the couch to display a few of our favorite photos.
To balance out the height of “The Big Guy,” we decided to turn our Dumpster Dive Bookcase on its side and use it as a console. It took great restraint for these two maximalists, but we decided to keep a few of the cubbies open. The eye needs a place to rest, right? We did, however, decided to create a mini gallery wall above the bookcase. Life is all about balance, right?
Gwyneth’s favorite antique is the trough underneath The Big Guy. What once held lunch at a North Carolina pig farm now holds Gwyneth’s growing collection of squeaky toys and bones.
Another piece being used differently in North Carolina than in New York is our Dumpster Dive End of Bed Bench. Because there isn’t quite room for the bench at the end of the bed in our new space, we decided to use it as a coffee table. The DIY Upholstered Ottoman that we used as a coffee table in NYC is now extra seating in the living room. We are both loving all the extra space to store the magazines and books – they make for a great couch party.
Lastly, we kept our Pottery Barn side table with the couch because it matches the console behind.
And that’s the living room! A few “new” things and a lot of new uses for the old.
To keep it 100% real here, Gwyneth and I are doing our best to put a positive spin on our new life in North Carolina – a life that despite the milder climate, we’re having a tough time warming up to. Our original thought was that finding new uses for our things might add elements of customization and excitement to our new space. We’ve got a few more areas to work on, so we’re not giving up on the theory entirely.
And while we believe if you don’t have anything nice to say, you shouldn’t say it on the internet, we believe in being authentic and keepin’ it real just a little bit more. We’re decorating our hearts out, surrounding ourselves with what we love and praying the method that worked in making NYC feel like home will apply in North Carolina. But we miss our lives in NYC every day, and we are struggling. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you to to pull yourself up?
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
Moving around from state to state has taught me this: Staying busy and planning special outings, experiences or trips (no matter how big or small) to look forward to every month are key elements of adjusting to a tenuous situation. Oh, and learning one new activity or sport in the new location gives a new sense of community and purpose to any new living situation. Hugs!
Hi, I’ve moved around the country too. A group that has been helpful to me is http://www.just-moved.org. It is specifically designed for women that have relocated. It meets in Cary in your area. Check it out! Blessings!
It looks gorgeous! Change can be rough but it can be exciting too. Wishing you and Gwenth all the best!
PS-Who did your painting of G on (what I think is) canvas? It’s lovely!
OMG I loooooove your apt., M. You do SUCH a fab job decorating and I love how you’re a self-professed ‘maximalist’ (sweet!).
I know the feeling, well, sort of but over time I’m sure things will look up and you’ll get more and more comfortable and happy as each day passes. I’m thinking about you and sending positive vibes to North Carolina from Canada
(corny, I know!).
Been there, but with two babies and $2500 to my name (after leaving an abusive relationship). I moved 1000miles into my parents’ new mountain home- leaving the majority of my personal possessions behind. That was tough. It was MY stuff. It took me a long time to let go of that “stuff”. I found a job with good benefits within a month and worked towards building a new foundation. My mom helped me with childcare. I felt so guilty about intruding on their space and I really longed to feel like an adult again. I bought a car within 3 months and rented a condo within 5 months. 4 years later, I bought a house. I really needed my parents as a springboard. That’s why our parents are there for us. One day you’ll look back on this time and you’ll be really proud of the adult/grown-up decisions you made. I wouldn’t be who I am now without that experience. It’s good that it doesn’t feel comfortable. That means you’ll move on into your life. For the moment, you are exactly where you are supposed to be! Believe it.
i know how you feel when you move somewhere and it just doesnt feel like home. maybe once you have your own place again it will feel like home. i keep saying the next place i move into will be more like home.
I so agree with Carrie…you will be fine and yes, that’s what parents are for!
Sorry, forgot to say how sweet you have done your livingroom, love how you decorate!
First of all, your room looks absolutely amazing! What is about Yorkies loving the back cushion? Mine did that, too! I had a chair with a permanent dent in it
It’s only natural to feel unsettled. You’re dealing with a lot of things so just be patient, keep busy – which you clearly are! – and remember, time really does heal all. 
So, I ran across this quote today:
“Anyone who’s watched Oprah knows that being grateful for what you’ve got can end up bringing you great things”…
written by YOU, when I clicked on the link to read about the dumpster dive bookcase… and that’s part of your answer. Think of all the things you have in NC that you didn’t have in NYC…
like no rent!
The barbecue is MUCH better (we Yankees can’t hold a candle to good Southern barbecue!)
No rent.
It’s frigid in the NE right now.
No rent.
You & Gwyneth are together still.
No rent.
You get my point.
What @Carrie put so movingly is true, but that comes later. Sometimes living through it (whatever “it” is) is just hard.
Finally, I moved into a new place in September, and last night was the first night my bedroom felt like home. It just takes time.
(Maybe I should start a blog – how to create curtains with just fabric and fabric glue or Stitch-Witchery!!!!!)
Blessings –
MJ
PS – What did you end up buying from Ikea???
Bailey sleeps in the same exact spot on my PB sofa in the sun room and on the back of the sofa in the great room. She won’t use a dog bed, but she loves her crate at bed time. Love the big armoire.
Happy birthday on your own MLK day.
Another funny story about MLK. Detroit, as most cities, has a Martin Luther King Road -always abbreviated as MLK Road. Quite a while ago a radio announcer was doing traffic reporting and reported that there was a traffic accident on “Milk” Road.
How did I forget to wish you a happy birthday! Hope it was great!
The thing about Gwyneth that is so good, is that she’s just the right size to eat.
THAT would be a sugar rush, wouldn’t it!
The thing about Meredith that is so good, is that she is just the right person to start doing other peoples homes and apartments for them!
That would probably be a sugar rush, too.
For everybody involved.
So this is my second day reading your blog and I am super impressed, inspired and intrigued. I currently live in NYC and lived in a 400 sq ft apt with NO windows so I can totally get where you are coming from with an apartment that didnt feel like home and all you wanted to do was be at home. After three months in the city, I packed up to move back home. Which coincidentally is also the south, Texas to be exact. Perhaps that is what drew me to your blog.
I am still in NYC – 3 years now and I am an interior designer with a blog and i can still totally relate to you 100%. there are days where i want to throw in the towel and just move back home to an “easier” life, so parts of me do envy you. New York City will always be here, your family unfortunately won’t. Enjoy what you have where you are at this moment. Meanwhile, I will return to being an avid reader/fan and continue to get homesick.
I have faith in you girl, we’re from the south and the south is full of strong women.
xo- liz
Liz –
First, so glad you found us. We are your blog’s newest followers!
Secondly, thank you so much for this kind comment. Brought tears to my eyes! It is so encouraging to get support like this popping up in the inbox – and it always seems to come on days I need it most!
THANK YOU!
xoxo,
mk & G
I love “the big guy” and the homey feel you brought to your space. (And of course, Gwyneth’s idea of keeping her toys in the old trough was perfect!)
Thank you!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie