[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

It's also really easy to mix your decorating styles here, we brought with us some antique side tables, and a couple of other pieces and purchased our living room and sun room furniture from Whites. Whites is more conservative in their styles. We went from mahogany dining room furniture to a glass topped table with rattan chairs. Works well, looks very Havana(ish), while still keeping our northern charm.

By the way, the mahogany dining room set looks wonderful in my daughter-in-law's home and I get to visit with it when I go back!

Madelaine - we also brought some antiques with us and have had so many compliments on how they work with my Florida purchases. I am not a theme decorator so the eclectic works for me just fine - and having moved more times than I can remember I've gotten pretty good at it!

So if you have precious pieces keep them and there is a good chance you can work them in with your decorating in The Villages.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by SantaClaus

Just my 2¢, I don't think northern comfort cues work well with the Fl lifestyle. Eastlake walnut dressers, Hooker entertainment centers, mahogany dining rooms, dark stained moldings are things that make a house feel warm and cozy when it's cold and dark outside. At TV (and FL in general) light and airy feel comfortable, and contemporary styling seems to convey that best. As was advised to me recently, it is probably best to sell everything that isn't precious to you and arrive with a small moving truck and a big wallet, rather than the other way around, and make TV a fresh start.

Dear Santa: Respectfully, I feel the need to disagree with you.

I moved to southeast Florida in 1983.
We happened to have brought most of our furniture with us.
I got my real estate license in 1984 and and got my certification in
home staging to better serve my customers.
Between then and now, I have been in and out of well over 100s of houses.

Over the years what I have found is that when people move here,
they think they want the light, white, airy, etc. furniture and chatchkas with that look
(shells, pelicans -- you know what I mean), in addition to palm trees, of course!

After one of two summers they still like the palm trees,
even though they don't know how to care for them,
but they want shade from trees!
That bare white look gets boring and wood and interesting fabrics have taken their place.
Over the years I'm sure you have seen the change from mica furniture (OMG!)
to warm woody tones, overstuffed, comfortable sofas and chairs, and even fireplaces.
It works up north and works very well here in Florida.

Mixing period furniture with traditional or contemporary pieces for an eclectic look,
or going with a "set" of something is personal choice, and can and does look right in Florida.
Truthfully, it's the older and 'newly moved to Florida' folks,
that think they want that plain, monocromatic, pale look.

I would never advise anyone to "sell everything."
I would say that new residents should bring what they like
and perhaps mix with some new things for a warm, different
and inviting look that no one else has and is all your own.

[graciegirl]

[SantaClaus]

Like I said, my 2¢.

[mickey100]

Beth, other posters are correct when they talk about remodeling. Almost everyone I know has made changes - many upgrade their landscaping, add hardwood floors, granite & stainless, crown molding, add birdcages, enclose or expand the lanai, etc. Try to think of the homes as kind of a starting point, and envision what some upgrades can add to the home. The lots are tiny unless you choose to pay a huge premium for a golf course or water view. Its a compromise we've made to enjoy the activities here. Good luck with your decision.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Bingo, Gracie.
You hit the nail on the head!

A perfect example of an eclectic look that is pleasing to the eye.
Beautiful.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

No Gracie!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

No Gracie!

Non? This isn't mine. Thought I was offering an example. I think it is pretty.
Everyone likes different stuff.


I wish we had a home forum where we could talk about this stuff. I love to read and see home décor.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Non? This isn't mine. Thought I was offering an example. I think it is pretty.
Everyone likes different stuff.


I wish we had a home forum where we could talk about this stuff. I love to read and see home décor.

Too eclectic for my taste .............. too much "stuff"!

[cquick]

the only thing I really miss in my house is a nice front porch area. So we sit in our garage!

[Beth P]

Thanks everyone. We will do a lifestyle visit in October and will most likely try to rent someplace starting next March. We can use that time to be available for true house hunting and renovating when we find something. We would be looking for a Williamsburg type layout on a scenic lot. Y'all have been very helpful.

Beth P.
Marietta, Ga

[Maryc7878]

Our home may not be craftsman on the outside (Gardenia) but it is, on the inside. It is our favorite type of decorating, Craftsman. We have Stickley furniture, mission style lights, wood floors. If you visualize it you can make it work. Now, that we have the house as we like it we go play golf or go dancing...

[justjim]

Originally Posted by SantaClaus

Just my 2¢, I don't think northern comfort cues work well with the Fl lifestyle. Eastlake walnut dressers, Hooker entertainment centers, mahogany dining rooms, dark stained moldings are things that make a house feel warm and cozy when it's cold and dark outside. At TV (and FL in general) light and airy feel comfortable, and contemporary styling seems to convey that best. As was advised to me recently, it is probably best to sell everything that isn't precious to you and arrive with a small moving truck and a big wallet, rather than the other way around, and make TV a fresh start.

Santa, you "hit the nail on the head.". Living in the Florida climate and environment is different than living in a northern environment and climate. Light and contemporary styling does better describe the "Florida look". Thus our homes here are much different.

OP, hopefully you are open to change because living here in TV as a Retiree is soooo different. If a custom built traditional home is what you feel you must have, you can find that in Central Florida near TV but not as a new home currently built and sold in TV.

[graciegirl]

I typed in this on google and came up with a bunch of rooms of Florida décor. There are many that are very traditional.


florida decorating ideas - Bing Images

[SantaClaus]

Houzz.com is another great resource for decorating ideas. Search for "Florida style" for a good starting point.