[Quixote]

When we bought our first home in TV (on a whim, with no lifestyle preview, in fact not even with a trolley tour!), we felt we needed basics for our own comfort immediately. We went to the Rooms to Go Clearance WAREHOUSE (not one of their small clearance stores) in Seffner FL which is ENORMOUS with an equally ENORMOUS selection! One of us picked out a bed (partial bedroom set), the other the dining table and chairs, and we let the dog in his service vest pick “his” sofa (he’s partial to microfiber). They are negotiable, particularly when buying several items, and yes there is a delivery charge (Seffner is near Tampa!) but it is reasonable and negotiable as well. This way we were able to move in and start off having places to sit, eat, and sleep.

The rest of the furnishing evolved. Everything else came from house sales, garage sales, estate sales, craigslist, local community websites, ads in various papers, thrift shops, consignment shops, conventional store sale items, you name it…. One of the benefits of buying a resale home was that the previous owners left things behind, some of which we liked and incorporated. (Hey, even the bond had been paid!) Final touches (as if it’s ever final…) are personal and family pieces, travel memorabilia, and the like. Do we look like Southern Lifestyles? For sure not! But are we comfortable? Yes! And do we love the end result (as if we’re really ever finished…)? You bet! (Excuse me, “you betcha!!!”)