Surrounding Yourself with the Treasures that Mean the Most

Have you considered moving to a smaller space, but aren’t quite ready to part with your treasured belongings? You are not alone!

Janet Lorusso 5 13 entry 1

Downsizing is a popular trend right now and the reasons for it vary widely … sometimes it is empty nesters looking for less to maintain and more freedom to travel and enjoy newfound leisure time, sometimes it is the result of a life-change like loss of a spouse due to death or divorce, and sometimes it is a move from sprawling suburbia to more compact city spaces to be close to work or to all the cultural opportunities the city has to offer (or both!).

Though the reasons are varied, the goal is always the same: to arrive at a place that still feels like home and to be surrounded with the things you treasure most.

Here are the top 3 challenges to moving to a smaller space:

1.  Not sure WHERE to move to

While this is a perfectly valid reason, a little research can help – check out different neighborhoods and areas to find one that resonates with you, then connect with a real estate professional so you get informed when something comes on the market in your preferred location.

2.  Overwhelmed by the idea of sorting through your stuff

There are professionals to help with this, but you can start immediately by tackling different areas one at a time and sorting and organizing. Sorting can be painful and time consuming, but far less so than the pain of storing or moving things you won’t really ever use. The popular The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is an inspiring book on the subject of editing and organizing your belongings – even if, like me, you can’t buy into all of it, the premise is sound, and anything you can accomplish is a step in the right direction

3.  Worried about feeling at home with less of your stuff

Bringing the important things with you is the key – pictures, artwork, things with special memories attached. Thoughtful attention to the relocation of the things that make you smile every day is what will make you feel like your new space is truly YOUR home!

What’s the biggest challenge for you in considering downsizing or moving?

If you need help contact us today to get started, or learn more today about our ReNesting services.

Seen Around Town

Here are some of the highlights from a recent visit to the Boston Design Center. Blue is finally back in vogue in all shades from cadet to periwinkle to midnight .. .but these embroidered fabrics seen at the Lee Jofa showroom are also full of luscious texture that make the blues better than ever!

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And speaking of embroidered fabrics ... I just can't get enough of them!  The embroidery and detail is what makes these neutrals anything but bland.

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Love, love, love the addition of little wooden buttons in the embroidery on this one from Kravet!

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And these gray embroidered linens ... could make me forget that gray is so ubiquitous right now and fall in love anyway.

Toss pillows have reached new heights of creativity too - with contrasting cutouts and unique fabric application, texture and ties, or oversize fabric loop trim, these from FDO can take a sofa or bed from ordinary to extraordinary.

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And who says end tables should be boring just because they are functional?  This round up from a few showrooms shows some of the variety available for the oh so hard-working end table.

Like this all wood "draped" side table at Lee Jofa

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Or this more contemporary tiny 'spring' one at Brunschwig and Fils

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This elegantly structured glass and metal one ...

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Or the subtle texture of two tiers of hammered copper

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and then there is this - one of a pair of charming rustic wood petite tables seen in the Market Stalls

Speaking of furniture - we loved the covered button detail dressing the back of this dining chair from Kravet - after all you see the BACK of a dining chair far more often than the front!

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and the metal trim detail on the footrest of this barstool

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The toile applied to the front of this chest complements the beautiful hardware perfectly

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This slipcovered sofa at Kravet is beautifully tailored - distinctly different from the slouchy slipcover of yore that came with the popularity of 'shabby chic' a decade ago

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And, of course, nailhead trim still abounds ... here on a rich navy velvet upholstered bed.  A classic furniture detail that has been elevated to more creative uses than just embellishment for a leather sofa!

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We love the asymmetrical seams and butter soft leather on these ottomans at Webster and Co. 

Beautiful lighting ...

this classic regal chandelier at Webster and Co

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or this one with an interesting mix of rock crystals and flint colored cut crystals

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Or this great rendition of the currently popular bottle chandelier ... there's that color again!

And finally, a couple of wall treatments that made an impression.

This wallpaper that looks like a woven sisal - you have to touch it to believe it is just an image and not the real thing

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or, finally, this wall texture created by the application of individual puzzle pieces - a striking effect worth mentioning for its uniqueness alone!

Hope you enjoyed the armchair sprint through a couple of floors of the Design Center!  Check back for more as "Seen Around Town" becomes a regular feature here at Nestfeathers by JRL.