Whether you’re starting out or starting over, setting up your home represents a new beginning. Depending on your circumstances, you could be really excited, really scared or completely numb. You might be graduating from college or starting that first job as a professional. Maybe you’ve just gone through a divorce or significant break-up and don’t want anything from the past (or didn’t get awarded anything from the past!). Maybe it’s your first mortgage and things are really tight. Whatever your situation, no matter where you are in life, there’s something out there for everyone when it comes to creating your home. Whether you’ve just received a settlement check for a sizeable amount or your credit cards have been declined for some uncertain reason, the idea is that you need to create a sanctuary for you, your new marriage, your new life and/or maybe even your kids. It doesn’t have to cost a gazillion dollars, it just has to make you feel cozy and loved—it has to say “home” to you.
Over the years I’ve mentioned my son Michael many times in my column. He’s lived in L.A. most of these last eight years, but just recently, something I never thought possible has happened—Michael moved to Knoxville, Tenn.
Yippee! Michael, who’s now 26, has entered a brand-new and exciting time in his life. Not only has he moved to the great South, but he didn’t come alone—Michael has met the girl of his dreams and is engaged to be married! (In case y’all are wondering, I really like her—in fact, I can honestly say that I love her.) Aphrodite Mihalopoulos—I call her Aphi—is drop-dead gorgeous and a full-blooded Greek. Yes, I know, we’re going to have one “big fat Greek wedding.”
The amazing thing is that Mike has made some huge changes in his life in a very short time, and is handling it quite beautifully. Oh, and did I mention that they have a new addition already? Yes, I’m a new grandmother to a black lab named Jasmine. It’s great—it’s like practicing for parenthood, only you can leave the dog home alone for a few hours. You still have to clean up the little forget-me-not packages they deposit for you, however. Then, of course, there’s the worst-case scenario—you might lose a Jimmy Choo or two!
Anyway, a new city, newly engaged, a new baby Jasmine and a new (old) house. Wow! I know you can relate on some level. We’ve all been there and in different ways. And I didn’t even mention things like heat and air bills, gardening and mowing the lawn, fixing the toilet and insurance. Now I bet you feel their pain. I know I do.
As Michael and Aphi begin their life together, they’ll experience these things one day at a time, one incident at a time. They’ll make a lot of decisions, but (thank goodness) they both have a great sense of humor. So whether you’re starting out, like the kids, or you’re just trying to figure out where to begin starting over, here are some helpful tips:
1. Concentrate on creating a finished living area that you’ll use the most—even if that means your living space is outdoors. You know your life. Make sure that when you create an inviting home, you’ll still be able to live peacefully—and eat, of course. Stress is something you create by going over budget.
2. Hot tip of the month: Get online! There are so many really cool budget-conscious catalogs available online. You can browse and shop for just about anything you can think of. My new favorite? CB2. It’s Crate and Barrel’s new, amazingly affordable, hot line of furniture. (www.cb2.com)
3. When you’re beginning the process, you can always go for the chic minimal look. When people ask you what you’re going for, just hold your head high and say, “We’re Minimalists!”
4. If you have a balcony, back yard, smidgeon of grass, or even a concrete slab, create an escape outside, whatever the size. Create a destination you can visit just steps away, and have a glass of wine—by yourself, with a friend, or with your significant other. It makes a big difference in your life!
What Are You Waiting For?
Change Your Home, Change the World
www.mollandersonhome.com