There’s been some craziness in the Komenda household the past couple of weeks. It feels SO good to finally get to share some news with you all. We’re leaving New York this month and moving back to Arizona.
I’m sure you can imagine our mix of feelings about the move. I keep telling people that we’re 50% devastated and 50% ecstatic. Part of me thought we would make New York our forever home. We’ve loved it SO much, despite it being expensive and a somewhat tricky place to raise kids. But Arizona is home for both me and Michael, so when he was offered a complete dream job a few weeks ago, we felt like we couldn’t walk away. I wish we could have waited a year or two longer, but after lots of long talks, lists and contemplating, we know this is the right time for us to move and put down roots.
This is actually a great time for me to move my business too. I’ve recently wrapped up a few long term projects and I think I’ll probably take some time off client work for the rest of the summer while we get settled. (If you’re looking for an interiors job in the Phoenix area though, I’m hiring – email me).
And in the VERY exciting news category: We bought a house! I’ve been waiting eight years to say that again, and it feels so, so good. Being both a DIY blogger and a renter has been a little tricky to say the least. And now, no more landlords! Hallelujah.
We found a perfect-for-us house with lots of potential. It has just the right layout and is in a great neighborhood with really great schools and a short commute for Michael. The exterior of the house is pretty strange (especially for Arizona) with its shake roof and gingerbread mouldings. It’s an understatement to say this house needs work, but that just happens to be my speciality. She’ll be pretty inside and out when we’re done with her. And there’s at least a decent chance I’ll be bringing my Dremel saw with me to the closing so there won’t be any time wasted with those gingerbread details. Yuck.
Anyway, crazy right!? There are lots of high emotions about buying (and renovating) a big house, leaving New York and all our friends here, starting all over again with new jobs and new schools… but at my core, I feel peaceful about it all, which helps me feel like this is right for us. Thanks for continuing to follow along on this next chapter. Pretty weird to think this will be the fifth house I’ll decorate and share with you on LGN. Hopefully there won’t be another one for a good long while. :)
WoW! Great news! This house looks amazing and huge! Can't wait to see what you do with it :)
Following you as a DIYer and renter has been an inspiration all the way, so congratulations and I'm sure it worth every effort.
XO
Big, exciting news! Looking forward to new and inspiring rooms. Congratulations.
Big, exciting news! Looking forward to new and inspiring rooms. Congratulations.
How exciting!! I always cheer when someone "escapes" NYC, an ex-new yorker myself. NYC is magical but at some point it turns into a pumpkin and the trick is to leave before that happens for you. New house looks dreamy!!! can't wait to see what you'll do with it!
Congratulations that's such exciting news for your family (and your readers). I can't imagine how many great projects you are going to be able to share with us while redoing a whole house of your very own.
Good luck with the move
Emily
Ugh, moving os such a pain! It sounds like you will be in a much better place though, good luck!
Wow what an exciting move, and that house looks enormous! Such amazing potential for you – can't wait to see the progress xx
Anna (My Design Ethos)
Wishing you all the best on your BIG news and your move.
pve
my new site is up, so have a look when you have a minute. http://www.pvedesign.com/
pve
The house is huge!! I know you will lots of interesting blog updates that we will all be looking forward to. This certainly came as a big surprise but I wish you good luck in this endeavor.
Congrats, Jenny! Yes, it is a VERY un-typical AZ house – but I am happy for you! It is huge so that means tons of work for you ;) Good Luck!
Is it weird that I am also 50% devastated and 50% ecstatic for you?! An urbanite myself, I know how magical city living can be and I selfishly love your NYC perspective…but, moving home is also magical and important and a very good thing. Can't wait for you to continue to share your world with us from AZ. Good luck and Bon Voyage to you, Michael and the girls!
Congrats to you on the move. No doubt this will be a busy and exciting time for your family and it will be wonderful to be "home!" Can't wait to see what deliciousness is in store for your new place!
Very very exciting stuff happening with you! Embrace it and we'll certainly enjoy the ride as long as you'll have us!
a huge congratulations to you Jenny and family! That is one huge looking home! and oozes fun and potential. Youre the master to take it on and I cannot wait for you to journal the process. This is blog porn! I hope this summer isn't too stressful and that your move goes well.
So happy for you.
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
i can't wait to watch the transformation!! congratulations!
Wow congratulations. I'm looking forward to your new DIY renovations!
http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
Congratulations! Can't wait to see what you do to your new home!
That. is. awesome! I can totally see being equally ecstatic and devastated about leaving NYC and moving home. THANK YOU for making New York feel a lot less intimidating to a Southern girl – I feel like I know Brooklyn a tiny bit now! – so please know your love for your temporary hometown has been an inspiration! Can't wait to hear about life and awesome projects in AZ! :)
Congratulations!! We left 7 years ago. Can't wait to see how you transform your new home! This will be the third move of yours I'll be tagging along on. : )
And PS need any help finding someone to take over your lease? I'm sure my friends would be happy to help!
Wow! Congrats!
Congrats! Good thing you are both use to the Arizona heat, it's a tricky time to move in the heat of the summer! Good luck with everything!
Wow that is really exciting! I am sure the slower pace, bigger house, close to family and short commute will be a nice change. Congrats, cant wait to see what you do with the house!
Congratulations!
The house looks HUge!
Congratulations! Can't wait to follow the move and renovation!
How thrilling for you! But so sad for me! I'm just moving to NYC with my family and hoped I'd get to meet you and soak up all your design sensibilities! I hope your landlord realizes what an amazing tenant they are losing!
Oh — and if you have any helpful parting words of wisdom on NYC with kids, please do share! Congrats on your new adventure!
Wow! I am floored! Can't wait to see what you do.
Congrats! That's awesome. I can't wait to see what you do with a non-rental.
You've been such an inspiration for us, and with our house being a full renovation, it helped me not be lazy, seeing how quickly you moved on projects.
I look forward to all the before/after!
Well, this post made my mouth fall open :) I'm sure the kids will love it and I know you'll love having a big place to paint furniture again.
i wish you and your family the best! I don't know anything about Arizona… so it will be fun to discover it with you!
What huge news, Jenny! It sounds like you and your family have thought a lot about the move and I wish you only the best. Congrats on your husband's dream job and your next big project (your new home)!
Congratulations, Jenny! So exciting and your new house looks very special. I can only imagine what you'll do with it! Best of luck in the coming months.
Holy wow! I wasn't expecting that. That house is beautiful. Congrats on your new adventure in life. I wish I lived in AZ so that I could work with you (M.A. Interior Architect here)but I'm here in PA for life. It seems like so many people in blog world are moving. So exciting!
Congratulations, and wishing you many years of happiness and DYI'ing in your new home! Looking forward to seeing all of your home improvements!
How exciting! That is about the least Arizona-looking house I've ever seen and I can't wait to see what you do with it. Who has that much grass in Arizona?!
What FAB news! I have always loved your NY neighborhood posts! Look SO forward to the sharing of the DIY of your new abode! Viva Arizona!
Holy cow, that's just one house!?! It's HUGE! What exciting news for you guys! I can't WAIT to see what you do to the house! You are so talented! :) Congratulations on this big move!
Congratulations! Sad for NYC but wonderful for you! Good luck Jenny!
Congrats! How exciting and lovely to buy a house of your own. I look forward to following along and seeing how you use your skills on it!
Huge enormous congratulations on the new house and new job for Michael, and blessings to your whole family for the move. It'll be a joy to us to get to see how you transform this new place – so exciting!!
On my goodness is that all one house?!! Can't wait to follow along :)
Congrats and good luck with the move! We actually left AZ to move back to family and if I was there I would be first in line to work with you!
This house is ginormous! I mean I'm Canadian and I think it's huge! I can't even imagine how much it costs (here in our national Capital a high price for a house is around $500,000…..so this looks like it could easily cost a million or two US dollars). I do think it's gorgeous though!
What a treat for your readers, to see you weigh and implement design choices in a place of your own (and with SO MUCH SPACE). Best wishes to you and your family for a smooth transition.
Congratulations all around! Looking forward to following along on this new adventure. Cannot wait to see what you do with the new house!
Congratulations!! I also grew up in Phx- north west valley, but currently live in FL. I am sure this new adventure will be awesome!
First younghouselove moves and now you guys! Wow! I'llbe sad to see the gingerbread detailing go, especially if its original to the house!
Oh my goodness! Congrats! that's super exciting!!
Congrats! As a fellow Arizonan, I'm kind of excited that you'll be in the area. Especially looking forward to seeing what you do with the house in this dusty southwestern city, of course :).