[graciegirl]

I just wrote something about my experiences with the local furniture store and it got put in Contractors and stuff and I don't think many people read that. I am pouting.

[renielarson]

And I responded to your post Gracie...

Can we not mention any store names without it being considered an advertisement?

[conn8757]

wow - I never looked at that forum before. I also noticed a prior question on closet designing there. Did not know they moved discussions like this to another board.

[Hoosiervillager]

I would love a discussion on decorating. We're closing on our villa on 7/30 and I need to completely furnish it as it will be a second home so we are not bringing any of our current furniture or furnishings with us. I've been buying some things here just to occupy my time while I wait for the closing date.

I'm trying to decide what "style" I want in the new villa. We'll also be renting it out during the winter months so I want to choose something that would appeal to renters as well.

Right now I'm thinking of using lots of white furniture and bright fabrics. My home here in Indiana is beige, black, green, and burgundy. So I thought my Florida home should look different.

I'm driving myself crazy. I currently have three different quilted coverlets for each of the beds! Just can't make up my mind what I want to do.

So I guess my question to all of you is if you own two homes is the decorating similar in each or very different?

[chelsea24]

It's funny, but my initial thought, when moving here from Illinois, was to go "all Florida". As it turned out we stayed with earthy tones, caramel, sage, tans, etc. but did bring in leafy accents and added some paprika in our living room as the "bright color." hmmm, sounds like I'm cooking something! Me? That can't be!

For me, comfort is the key. We're here full time, but if we did have two homes, I think I would probably decorate them differently. Just my opinion.

[graciegirl]

Our home in Ohio is English Regency. It has very tall ceilings and it has antique bronze light fixtures and the upholstered furniture is deep eggplant and teal velvet. I am like you. I am enjoying making the one in Hadley different...more cottagy and the color scheme is pink and teal with some white, cream furniture and some simple cherry wooden pieces. The light fixtures here are brushed nickel but none of them are big enough. They will be replaced. (Sooner or later.) I am a shopper. I am thrifty. (Make that cheap) I sew. NOT well but enough to make window treatment.

This is so much fun. I am obsessing over it since I can't be there. We are shopping here and pulling another trailer down on the 24th.

[Hoosiervillager]

Chelsea and Gracie, I would love to see your homes. They both sound gorgeous! I also sew. I have fabric samples all over my dining room table. I'll make the bed skirts, window toppers, and pillows. I'm also a shopper. That's why so many different coverlets. Still trying to talk myself into the ones that were the best deal but will probably go with my heart and choose the ones I love even though they cost twice as much. (Even then, I did use a Bed, Bath & Beyond 20% off coupon.) My DH, the normally frugal one, has told me to get what I want. He keeps reminding me that in the grand scheme of things the difference in cost is not that much.

I will probably hold off on some of my selections until our first visit in two weeks. I feel like I need to select the sofa first. That should give me an idea of where I'm finally headed on the style and colors of this villa. We'll go home mid August and return mid September. I'll sew like a mad woman for those weeks. And shop some more! I really want to get this pulled together by early October as we have friends coming to visit that are really interested in The Villages. I want them to see how cute a little villa can be.

We get to TV on 7/29 and will be staying at the Comfort Suites before our closing the next day. I think a shopping trip to SL is in order for Tuesday evening! I'm really hoping I'll see something that I just fall in love with that will pull together all these ideas I have in my head.

[graciegirl]

Hoosier, It sounds like you are having as much fun as I am. I can't explain why I like all this. My surroundings are important to me, not for showing off, just for the joy of having things placed right and to feel homey and pretty, at least to me. I like all styles if done well....at least in my view for what that is worth...(nothing)

[chelsea24]

hoosier, at Southern Life..., you might want to ask for a young man named Riley. He helped me so much in pulling things together. Really a nice person with great taste. And he goes back and forth between the two stores. Just a suggestion. :bigthumbsup:

[nONIE]

Hoosier,

You may want to reconsider decorating with all white furniture in your rental home. Not saying that people you rent to would not respect your furnishings but you really dont know? White of course always looks beautiful, but tends to show dirt, dust and grime much quicker then colors or prints. You might end up spending more on constant cleaning then you want to.

I admit to making a big mistake in furnishing my TV home. I have victorian country up North which I have always loved and its a look I can pull together very easily. Im finding that it is not as comfortable as I had hoped and now Im thinking of changing for comfort sake.
It all boils down to what you love to look at and be surrounded by while incorporating comfort as well. Good luck. It is very exciting to furnish and decorate a new TV home.
Woman's nesting instinct I guess!

[graciegirl]

I am guided by the "C's" on this house. Comfortable, Casual, Carefree, Cheap, Chic and C-side looking.

[jojo]

Gracie, Thanks for opening this thread. I found one of my posts over on the other thread and discovered a lot of helpful info that otherwise I would not have known about. I am planning to camp out for a few months when we get down there next week until I figure out what I want. My priorities are the same as yours - comfort first, casual etc. I used to sew but no more so will purchase services.

[Hoosiervillager]

Oh, Gracie, I love your C's. I'm really trying to do this right and not regret my choices. Comfortable, casual, carefree - definitely. This is really important. It goes with the lifestyle I'm looking for. Cheap and chic - that's what my DH is looking for!

Besides SL I've found Havertys Furniture and American Signature. Nonie, I hope I'm not sorry about the white furniture. It's just so different than my current home that I think it would feel so fresh and new when I return to TV every time. However, I am considering black furniture for the master bedroom.

Okay, only 15 more days until I step foot in this new villa. I can't believe that my DH, my BIL, SIL, and a couple of friends have all seen this place in person and all I have are five little pictures that my sales rep sent me.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do to occupy my time for the next two weeks. I can't buy anything more because nothing else will fit in the car. We each bought new golf clubs to leave at TV and now there is absolutely no more room. I wish we were pulling a trailer like you, Gracie. Then I could keep on shopping.

My friends confirmed today that they are showing up in TV on 10/18. So I have a goal to get everything done.

What a fun thread.

[mmclover]

graciegirl,

I left all of my antiques in Maine and went shopping at SL. Had a ball, found pricing as good as any other furniture store and they had the floor plans of the homes at TV and will even furnish a rental for set pricing. I found the staff very helpful and the young man I worked with seemed to spend some time listening to me and the next day had found almost everything I needed. It was a good experience.

[chelsea24]

Yeeeeeks! That happened to me. Within the first 2 weeks here we had three visitors (one was my daughter. But the great thing was, they all helped me do some of the unpacking. I remember being so tired, I couldn't see straight. But it was also a great deal of fun! Happy days ahead! :bigthumbsup: