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. :)
Congrats, this sounds like a super exciting (and satisfying for a DIY blogger) adventure for the whole family! If you need someone to rent that great brownstone with so much potential, I'd be happy to oblige :)
So excited for you and looking forward to see new projects!
http://erinstaussdesign.co/
OMG! I know EXACTLY where that house is! My in-laws are down the street! My husband and I are both from 'The Valley', but he is serving in the military right now, so we haven't lived there in 17+ years! Next year, he completes his commitment (retires) and we plan to move 'home' to the Phoenix area. I am looking at homes in your area, and plan to remodel/DIY. You have been a huge inspiration for me and I love your Blog – I can't wait to see what you do with it and perhaps I can hire you!?!?!
wow! That's one BIG NEWS! Congratulations on moving back to AZ and buying the new house!
Great news indeed! I recently fell in love with your style and as a fellow Phoenician, can't wait to see how you incorporate your ideas in this new 'desert' home!
(Although, I have to agree with other comments, this does not look like a typical Arizona home :)
Congratulations and Blessings to you & yours!
AHHH! I am so excited!! I'm a Phoenix resident too, and that would be THE BEST opportunity! I really have never seen a house like that here, that is for sure. I second the comment about vintage in the West, it is a lot harder to come by!
Congrats to you, and yours about the job, I hope its a great change for you guys!
-Stephanie
That is fantastic news! I'll miss living in NY vicariously through you, but what a fun adventure! That new house is stunning – and so big! Especially after tiny NY apartments, you're not going to know what to do with yourself! :) I'm so excited for you all. Congrats and good luck!
This is so awesome! As a fellow Arizona resident I'm excited to find out your favorite stores and finds in the area!
Congratulations and good luck with the move! I'm excited to see the new things to come.
So excited for you! And for us readers to follow along. Now between you, Caitlin Wilson, and YHL I'm ready to start packing up my apartment too (just have to wait for that perfect opportunity!). Wishing you a quick and easy move! xo Maggie
I'm so excited for you! Can't wait to see what you do to this new lovely – good luck with the move.
Congrats Jenny, that place looks HUGE. I'm sure it feels like a mansion compared your places in NY, huh? Can't WAIT to see how it comes around. AND what the inside looks like!
Oh my! I get the wanting to move back to your roots. That is an odd house for AZ. I'm thinking Mesa/Gilbert area:) I'll have to watch out for you at the SAS!
Welcome back! As a Phoenician, I'm so curious about that house! We're in central Phoenix in a mid-century fixer upper, and there some older homes in the area with that character, but it certainly isn't the norm!
This is amazing Jenny! I've only been with you for two houses in the blog world, and so excited to see the next one! That house is super cute! Can't wait to see you bring your style to it. Wish I lived in Arizona so I could apply for your job vacancy! Congratulations and good luck!
OH MY GOD!….. I don't know how excited u r but I really am!!! I live in AZ, in Scottsdale specifically! I am such a fan & regular reader although this is the first time I have ever commented! I'm so looking forward to u sharing ur tips about AZ deals etc as u know it's no NY, & thrift finds are not the same. I am definitely shooting u an email, hopefully u can help me with some design dilemmas with my southwestern style house that I am slowly transforming. Welcome to AZ!
so very fantastic as I live in Phoenix so I am so excited to have a wonderful blogger dyi in my neck of the desert. Good luck on your move,
m
I am majorly bummed that you are leaving brooklyn (I also rent in bk and only recently found your blog and was loving your attitude for refreshing something that isn't yours to keep), but wow – that new house looks huge!! It looks like it's two houses (I've been in the city for far too long and everything looks big to me now) and I can't wait to see a floor plan. Congrats on the Big News!
I am majorly bummed that you are leaving brooklyn (I also rent in bk and only recently found your blog and was loving your attitude for refreshing something that isn't yours to keep), but wow – that new house looks huge!! It looks like it's two houses (I've been in the city for far too long and everything looks big to me now) and I can't wait to see a floor plan. Congrats on the Big News!
Congratulations, Jenny! So excited for you guys! Your new house looks like it's full of potential – can't wait to see the inside!
That's so exciting Jenny! I'm very excited for your future blog posts from your new home – it looks great.
holy house! congrats!
whoa, this will be fun to watch you renovate. Looks beautiful! And would never have guessed it to be in AZ.
How exciting! I cannot wait to follow the reno process! That house looks great and so not the typical AZ style house. Congrats!
How exciting! I cannot wait to follow the reno process! That house looks great and so not the typical AZ style house. Congrats!
Wish you guys luck in moving to AZ. The house looks beautiful on the outside.
I am originally from New Jersey SO I can agree that the Big City is not really the best place to raise a kid, so I am glad you guys are moving! :) I look forward to reviewing your new designs.
Congrats!
What exciting and wonderful news!!!!!! I'm sad for us here in New York, but I bet I'll see you more in Arizona than I do here!!
Wow! Great News!
Wow that is big news! It's been so fun to follow along on your adventures. But welcome back to AZ! You'll get here just in time to enjoy the heat. And maybe I will now fulfill my long-held dream of running into you at Home Goods!
Thats so awesome!! My hubby and I live in Phoenix {arcadia area}. Hope the move goes well, sorry about yall coming just in time for the heat!
congrats on the new house! i can not wait to see what you do with it, it's going to be amazing!
Congrats, how exciting!!! I cannot wait to see how you transform this space, your style is one my absolute favorites and I know you'll do wonders to this house, too!
Great news, Jenny! I've been reading forever, and we live in Tempe! So welcome back! It's awful right now, though, as I'm sure you know! Warn the girls before they get here! And great house, btw! It's hard to find a non-stucco house in Phoenix…
Great News! I can't wait to read all about it!
Congrats! All the best to you all! I'll look forward to hear about all your new projects in the new house!
As another who has lived vicariously through you a life in New York City, I am sad to see you move. But as someone who lived in Philadelphia with young kids for a time and returned to my western home, the big sky, and my supportive family a couple of years ago, I'm so happy for you that you have this opportunity and that it feels good to you.
That house is…WOW…and I can't wait to see the inside and see what you do with it. It wasn't at all what I was expecting when you said you bought a home in Arizona.
Congrats and welcome back to the west! Good luck with the move.
Congrats! All the best to you and your family! Can't wait to follow along.
Best of luck! Can't wait to go along with you for the virtual ride.
Oh, shoot. Stupid auto correct on my phone. I meant to type that the girls may get lost … :)
Congratulations! Can't wait to see what you do with your new home. I always enjoy your ideas.
Congratulations! Moving back "home" certainly is exciting. Looking forward to following your progress as you redesign the new house into your family home. I am a little sad that we won't get to see all the amazing things you would have done to the brownstone. Good luck on your move!!!
congratulations! Peace means so much… so glad you are heading out with peace! We are all excited to follow along – you don't even have to pack up and say goodbye to your blog friends!!! xoxo
congratulations! i can't wait to see all of the befores & afters. your posts are always lovely and insightful. your diys are definitely do-able, too! xo
Happy for you. I have been reading your blog only a few months and love it! I can't wait to see the inside of the house too! Is it really one big house? At first I thought it was several.
Wow! Great news! I have been reading your blog for a few months now and love it! Can't wait to see the inside of your new house! Is it really a singly family home? It looks huge!
That's wonderful news! I have no vision when it comes to the exterior of a house. Can't wait to see what you do with it!
Congratulations for this "new life"!
Moving is scary but exciting and I'm sure you'll make this new home a dream home for your family!!!
I look forward to see your great projects :)
Congratulations! I'm excited to watch the house transformation.
OKay! We have been looking for a house in AZ for a year—how did you find this beauty? We live in Mesa (my husband and I actually went to school/grew up with Kyle and know Mike)and I am sure you don;t want to disclose your address and what not but what city is this in? It looks North Mesa but I swear we have seen every house here and have never seen this one! Maybe Phoenix since a short commute? I don't know but it's beautiful–CONGRATS! We can't wait to own again too!
Thanks for sharing your news! We've moved a lot over the years so I can relate to moving yet again. What an interesting-looking house! I have so appreciated your attitude toward so many areas, including your business, your family values, etc. Looking forward to seeing how it goes with this new house, new job, new location,etc. Many best wishes and prayers for a smooth transition for you all!