Happy Friday! Back today with part 2 of the move-in process. Thank you so much for the comments and support in part 1. One of my favorite blogging perks? Hearing from you!
Wednesday was a big day. With the house completely painted, today’s schedule included carpet installation, 2 closet design consults, and meetings/phone calls with various contractors. Talk about carpet timing. When I ordered the carpet a few weeks ago, they told me, based on my carpet/color choice, install would be wednesday, August 7. The same day the movers were to arrive.
*insert nail biting moment here*
Because I tend to over-think and lean into the negative (understatement), I figured the timing wouldn’t come together and the movers would either arrive before the carpet or they would both arrive at the same time, making for a fun collision. But, as with all things in life, everything came together as intended. Turns out the movers were behind schedule. The Department of Transportation allows them to drive no more than 11 hours in a day. They left Arkansas first thing Monday morning and by Wednesday night had only made it to scenic Bakersfield, California. Instead of a Wednesday unload start, it was pushed to Thursday around lunch.
Which meant the carpet guys were clear to come in and get the job done, free of movers and boxes. I shared the carpet install right here, in case you missed…
The carpet install wrapped up around 11, after 2 hours of work. In perfect timing too, because as they drove away the first closet design appointment pulled up. In my first home (which I still need to share in here), I hired California Closets to design a master closet and pantry. Best decision ever. The house was small (1,500 sq ft) and I wanted to maximize every square inch of closet space. Of course, just as the install wrapped, we found out we’d be moving to Arkansas. Meaning I wasn’t able to thoroughly enjoy the new organized spaces. But it made for great re-sale! Any time you can customize a closet and use all of the vertical space, buyers flip.
After seeing the blank slate of a master closet in this home, I called California Closets to schedule a consult. But I wanted a second consult too. The space is big. Read = the budget will be big. And when you have a big ticket item like this, it’s best to get a 2nd or even 3rd quote. I found a local company to give me the 2nd quote. First appointment of the day was the local company.
She was amazing! Not only because she had this OCD lady to deal with (pointing at self). I knew exactly what I was dreaming of, but she came in with closet design expertise. She’s far more experienced than me because she does this all day, every day. All along I had dreams of an island. But after measuring out the space and seeing on paper how far the shelving / hanging space would stick out, we decided on a peninsula instead. A peninsula wasn’t even on my radar. I am loving it much more than an island. To remind you, here is the empty closet before demo and paint…
Still stumped over how this system was working for the previous owners???…
Basically, the closet is a blank slate without base moulding. The possibilities are endless!
Here’s the overhead view of the first design…
Since that probably makes no sense to you, here’s the details…
Here’s a view of the longest wall in the closet. I’ve designed it with a lot of hanging space and the peninsula is in the middle of that wall. Under the drawing of the long wall, you see the side of the peninsula. It’s the same view for both sides – each side has 5 drawers and the front of the peninsula has 2 hampers and 2 additional drawers…
Here’s a view of the wall with the window…
For some reason I don’t have a drawing of the final short wall – maybe she took it with her on accident, but it includes more drawers, shoe storage and hanging space. The design also includes crown and base moulding.
I was motivated and excited after spending 2 hours with her designing the space. When we wrapped up and she hit me with the price (choke), I had just enough time to grab lunch and get ready for closet design appointment #2.
After another long nearly 2 hour appointment, here’s what the consultant came up with. These are obviously much better images than the first quote, so little explanation is required. The overhead view…
View walking in from bathroom…
View of short wall…
View from window…
Views of the long wall, peninsula and wall with the window…
I wasn’t unhappy with the 2nd consult, but I wasn’t totally satisfied with the design or cost. I went with the local company (design #1) because not only were they $3,000 less (!!) but they added in more features to make the closet truly appear built-in, like the addition of crown and base moulding. And for the price of company #1, I had more wall space finished out!
Oh, did I mention design #1 is $3,000 less??
The closet install will be the week of September 11. Have a bit of time to wait, but that wait will be worth it! In the meantime, I’m living out of wardrobe boxes and folding tables. Photos coming soon – am sure you don’t want to miss that scene ;-).
The rest of Wednesday was spent running errands and talking with contractors. Oh, and texting the movers every hour asking where they were. They just loved me!
Thursday morning the movers checked in from Bakersfield letting me know they would arrive around noon. That worked out well because I had the door trimmer out early that morning to trim down the doors after the thick carpet was laid…
With the paint, carpet and doors up…
…let’s get these Arkansas boys here with the house contents. Was I ever happy to see this view at the end of the driveway…
Did my southern boys make an entrance, or what?…
Now, let me say….this wasn’t really how they rolled into california. Terry was up there pushing away the branches and flowers as the trucks pulled in through the driveway. They took extra care not to completely demo the trees. But it took us one truck coming through backwards to realize going in head first was probably best. When they pulled in going forward, all he had to do was sit up top to gently move the branches out of the way.
I shared a great video of them pulling in on instagram, but here are some stills of them backing in the first truck. What you can’t see is me on the other end, camera in hand, with a huge smile on my face…
It was a long process with one guy driving the truck while the other 2 pushed trees away and yelled orders at the driver…
Orders I could barely understand because their southern accents are thick…but wow, did they keep me in stitches…
And they made it in!…
Good thing the front area is large enough for 2 penske trucks…
And many more trucks/cars…just wait until you see how many trucks were in front on Friday!
Time to unload truck #1…
Thursday was a short unloading day because, again, the Department of Transportation and moving company dictate how many hours in a day the guys can drive / unload. We made good progress in 5 hours…
My beautiful, clean, empty garage filled up fast…
As well as the kitchen…
Between directing the movers on where to take boxes and answering questions (and laughing at their one liners), I started digging into the playroom to stay out of their way…
Am so glad to have started in here…the amount of toys was overwhelming. I almost fell to pieces each time I heard “ma’am, here’s another playroom box.”…
Needless to say, it was a very good thing the kids weren’t here for this part of the unpacking stage. About 10 large boxes made their way to our local donation center. There’s more to go once they’re back in school and don’t know any better. 😉
Friday Friday Friday – biggest day of the week. Thank God for Peet’s Coffee, which is around the corner from the house. They already know me by first name. The day started early with the movers pulling in at 8am…
Then came the swing set installers…
Then came the tree trimmers…
Then came the plumber…
Then came a surprise visit from friends that live in the area. Wine and sweets? She knows the way to this girl’s heart! Thank you, Laura!!…
Then came the roofer…
Roof is done (photos soon), but he stopped by to remove the trash left behind on the roof…
Then came more unloading…
And mounds of packing paper…
Before I knew it, we were on the last of 3 trucks!…
Suddenly, the house was starting to look (a little bit) like a home…
While the house had been full of trucks and activity all day…
Before I knew it, everyone was gone. Including the movers! They wrapped up (a full day ahead of schedule) by 4pm friday after a long, hard day of unloading and southern antics. Here I was in a house full of boxes to unload, but at least I had somewhere to blow off steam…
I wrapped up Friday with a great time at the giants game with friends and cousins. A welcome break from all things moving and boxes. I still had a weekend of box unloading ahead of me before 3 little people arrived, but I had a night away to unwind and enjoy.
Part 3, the final recap post, coming soon!
Next week is huge here at Simply Organized. Can’t wait to celebrate Martha Stewart back to routine week and an awesome giveaway. See you Monday bright and early!
Busy, busy lady! Ok, I have to say I am confused about the closets. When you say 2nd, do you mean 2nd of be day or 2nd to California closets? Maybe reexplain to me which company you chose and which design? $3000 is a lot of dough!!
humm, sorry if i confused you! i'll go back to re-read and edit, if necessary.
i had 2 closet quotes – 1 from calif closets and 1 from a local company. i went with the local company b/c they were $3k less then calif closets and their design really is a finished closet – with moulding and additional features. 🙂 hope that answers your question. if not, let me know and i'll reply again 🙂
In Malaysia, we can never have a house this big unless we are a millionaire. It's so fun seeing the blank slate and then to follow the progress and all the future projects! Look forward for more!
I read through your account of moving and it brings back so much! My husband is military and every 3-4 years we go through similar scenarios, minus the kids and remodeling! lol I can't imagine all the things you're doing on top of all the stress from just a regular move. It sounds like your movers were great though, which I think is half the battle. One of the guys that packed us on our last move complained non-stop about how much stuff we had and we don't even have that much. LOL Can't wait to see the wrap up post and follow along as you and your family get settled in!!
The closet is going to be fabulous!! Can't wait to see how you organize this new house. 🙂 Your kids are going to flip when they see that awesome playset! Looks like everything is starting to come together. 🙂
Hi… I've been reading your blog for about a year maybe??? This is the first time I comment. But I wanted to tell you that I look forward to your posts every day and it has been great reading about the move. Best of luck to you and your family!
We built a house about two years ago and I have a huge walk in closet- we did cheap organizing stuff at the time and are getting ready to get a custom design done so that was fun for me to see. i'm interested in the peninsula idea! i had also been thinking island, but might have to change that one up!
Also where is your rug from in the living/family room?! I love it!
I don't comment enough, considering how much I enjoy your blog. Thanks for taking us through the move and all the fun stuff with the new house…can't wait to see more!
Busy, busy lady! Ok, I have to say I am confused about the closets. When you say 2nd, do you mean 2nd of be day or 2nd to California closets? Maybe reexplain to me which company you chose and which design? $3000 is a lot of dough!!
humm, sorry if i confused you! i'll go back to re-read and edit, if necessary.
i had 2 closet quotes – 1 from calif closets and 1 from a local company. i went with the local company b/c they were $3k less then calif closets and their design really is a finished closet – with moulding and additional features. 🙂 hope that answers your question. if not, let me know and i'll reply again 🙂
best,
sam
I am loving following you on this journey. Everything is looking great!
thank you!!!
YOU ROCK!!!! I am also enjoying this journey.
In Malaysia, we can never have a house this big unless we are a millionaire. It's so fun seeing the blank slate and then to follow the progress and all the future projects! Look forward for more!
I read through your account of moving and it brings back so much! My husband is military and every 3-4 years we go through similar scenarios, minus the kids and remodeling! lol I can't imagine all the things you're doing on top of all the stress from just a regular move. It sounds like your movers were great though, which I think is half the battle. One of the guys that packed us on our last move complained non-stop about how much stuff we had and we don't even have that much. LOL Can't wait to see the wrap up post and follow along as you and your family get settled in!!
The closet is going to be fabulous!! Can't wait to see how you organize this new house. 🙂 Your kids are going to flip when they see that awesome playset! Looks like everything is starting to come together. 🙂
I love reading these recaps! Thanks for sharing with us!
Hi… I've been reading your blog for about a year maybe??? This is the first time I comment. But I wanted to tell you that I look forward to your posts every day and it has been great reading about the move. Best of luck to you and your family!
We built a house about two years ago and I have a huge walk in closet- we did cheap organizing stuff at the time and are getting ready to get a custom design done so that was fun for me to see. i'm interested in the peninsula idea! i had also been thinking island, but might have to change that one up!
Also where is your rug from in the living/family room?! I love it!
I don't comment enough, considering how much I enjoy your blog. Thanks for taking us through the move and all the fun stuff with the new house…can't wait to see more!