April been a hectic month already; the tiny boys have started pre-school — and we’ve upped their days to 4 long mornings a week — plus my in-laws are moving house.
They’re downsizing from their large 5 bedroom family home to a 3 bed penthouse apartment. Contracts have already been exchanged, the removal men were in yesterday, the cleaners tomorrow and the new owners will take possession of the keys on Thursday.
And breathe… I literally feel as though I was holding my breath as I typed that.
It feels so odd!
I absolutely love moving house myself but it feels really weird for them to be doing it — almost like the horizon has shifted. When our own status quo is unsettled and things are new and unfamiliar, it’s always lovely to think we have their house as a safe haven. Solid ground, if you like.
It’s definitely the end of an era; in so many ways. Really strange to think that we’ll never set foot in there again. I’m feeling excited and unsettled in equal measures.
Needless to say, there has been a lot to do.
My boy and I left the twins with my parents a couple of weekends ago and went down to help sort through the belongings that 62 years of marriage accumulates.
Stuff to keep, stuff for charity — a LOT of stuff.
We were lucky enough to be given some lovely things; framed prints for me and some beautiful books for him.
They are a set of 3 that belonged to his maternal grandfather:
The Reader’s Digest Complete Library of the Garden.
As relevant today as the day they were printed. Which makes them the perfect heirloom for my gardening mad boy.
Since we’ve owned our own home he’s always loved to garden; plus this year we took over a plot in the village allotment, so he’s got even more room to grow things.
As a result, he’s been poring over magazines and books, planning a growing schedule, plotting his space. So these books are are such a welcome asset.
Plus they’re absolutely gorgeous. Beautifully bound with wood effect covers, pretty embossed spines and pages and pages of the loveliest botanical etchings.
So my styling the seasons post for April is a little bit mixed.
This month is bringing such a lot of change. Growth in our garden and allotment, change at home. New milestones for the Twinkles. A new and exciting era for my extended family.
We’re embracing it all so this month I’m putting out the bunting and celebrating new beginnings.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
I can understand how you feel Caro. My dad is considering selling the family home and, since I have never known any other, it would be really strange. On the other hand, living there alone is a burden.
So lovely that you got a few heirlooms. I have two Penguin Specials from WWII that your husband would love – food growing and storage for the war effort. Still relevant now, although we have better storage options now.
Lovely post Caro.
I dread to think what will happen when my mum and dad sell their home!! They’ve been there since I was 18 months old so I can’t imagine how weird it will be. Similar to your dad though, my in-laws’ house was a burden. Too big — and the garden especially was too much for them to manage. The Penguin books sound AMAZING btw! :)
Aww that was a bitter sweet read. Houses are homes first and foremost and 62 years is such a long time. I’m sure the apartment sounds nice. Lovely post
Thanks so much for your lovely message :) You’re right — houses hold SO many memories. But I’m sure they’ll love their new home when they settle in — and we’ll make lots of lovely memories there too :)
Caro, beautiful post and I love the photos. I can imagine how emotional and difficult the move of your in-laws must have been. My boyfriend is moving back to London and therefore started to clean out our flat. Even though we only lived there for about three years there are so many memories attached to it. Therefore I can only imagine what it must be like for your in-laws.
However, it is great that you were able to get those beautiful gardening books and some other things that remind you of the good times.
Thanks so much for your lovely message Mina! :) It’s been such a strange time. My boy and I have been together for 20 years so I’ve known that house for half of my life! It was so weird when we drove away the other day, knowing that I’d never go there again. Really unsettling. But I’m sure that when they’re in their new home, everything will be back to normal and the balance restored once more x
Aah I totally get what you mean with regards to your in-laws moving. Mine downsized last Jan after nearly 30 years in a beautiful home. It was weird and sad for everyone for a while, but now they have a lovely place nearby that’s become a new home-from-home, and we’ve loved making new memories there! x
It’s SO weird!!! I’ve always loved moving house but that feels OK, cos everyone else is still in the same place!! Now my surrogate ma and pa have moved I sort of feel like I’ve lost my balance slightly. But you’re right. When they’ve settled in their new home, I’m sure everything will be right in the world again :)
Such beautiful books, I’m a sucker for an old book. Me and James visites Hay On Wye on our honeymoon and bought loads of random old books just because. It’s so nice that you now have them and they’ve been passed down! I hope you’re in laws are happy in their new home, my mum recently downsized to an apartment and she seems so much more happier, easier for her to manage and she is literally just around the corner from us which is lovely xx
I wish they had moved closer to be honest — they’re still in the same place which is tough, as we don’t see them as often as we’d like. And yep – am totally with you re the old books! I bought a stack off Ebay the other day, just because I liked the covers! Dickie is chuffed to bits with these of his grandad’s. So nice to have something that has been passed down :)
I love your Styling the Seasons posts so much – just beautiful, words and pictures. Here’s to April and weathering the showers and all the changes ahead x
Aah thanks so much Molly, that’s lovely of you xxxx
Lovely post and gorgeous pictures – they books are beautiful. I hate moving so understand how it can be stressful for everyone – but moving after such a long time in one home is heart wrenching. When my gran moved after being in her home for 56years – as my grandad passed – I had such a massive cry as spent my whole childhood there – but we have made her little bungalow home and it feels right for her. x x x #homeetc
Thanks darling :) The books are divine aren’t they? We’re so lucky to have things like that passed down to us. It’s weird — I LOVE moving! The thrill of getting the keys to your new house and running round all the rooms exploring. I love it. This feels really final though, as it will be their last move, I think. They completed today so are officially ‘homeless’!! Their new place isn’t ready ’til June so they’ll be living in a hotel until then!! ;)
I know exactly what you mean! I love moving house, less when my parents move. It’s like you almost feel like you are losing a bit of your safety net or perhaps your anchor would be a better way of explaining it. Like you say, it is the idea of always having the nest to fly back to should you need to and then when your parents decide that they want to leave then it can leave you feeling a little disorientated. You will soon get over the initial anxious feelings and I am sure love their new place! How gorgeous are those books too! Something to really treasure, very special :-) #HomeEtc
Weird isn’t it? In this instance I’m SO glad that we don’t currently have any plans to move!!! I’m happy to know that our own anchor is here — and solid — at the moment!! :)
I can’t imagine what a task it must be helping your in-laws to move from somewhere they’ve lived for so many years. I remember when I helped my parents move a few years back and I found some brilliant pieces which my mum had just hidden away. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to really see the value in items – these books are fabulous xx #HomeEtc
Gosh — there were so many things from so many periods in their lives. They travelled a lot in their younger years so there were lots of mementoes of times past. I’m looking forward to a bright future though — the only downside is, the completed today and their new home isn’t ready until mid-June!! They’re going to be living out of a hotel until then!!
It must be strange time for you all. I know the feeling – my parents moved house last year from our childhood home. Once they were in, decorated and surrounded by all their things it felt like home – I’m sure you’ll feel the same! :)
xxxx
Aah I think you’re right Nicola! :) I think it will be exciting once they’re in and we’ve all gotten over the fact that we won’t be going to the old house any longer :) x