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Season of Life #4 Empty Nest Room Changes for Our New Lifestyle

April 11, 2024 12 Comments

11 Apr
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JIm sitting and reading in blue chair

I can’t tell you how much pleasure the new arrangement in our middle room gives me a smile when I walk in it and it’s often! 

As you may know we are empty nesters. That means some lifestyle changes. Bedrooms to be cleaned and maybe repurposed. Or you maybe packing up childhood treasures as you sort, give away or toss from those rooms as our now grown children move out. Not to college, but it is a moving out!

PLEASANT room for ‘sitting’

When I come downstairs in the morning, this is room that greets me. It is the middle room, the one between the living room and kitchen.

This odd room has two windows, 4 doors and two built in china cabinets from years gone by. Notice the built in clock shelf over the glass book case.

Often, I’ll just bring my coffee with my book to sit. It’s a favorite spot in the afternoon. Serene.

Sometimes Jim and I have our morning devotions and coffee here. Sometimes it’s the spot where we join each other during the day to sit and talk.  

conversation, games and cards

Home Middle Room

The French style card table is in front of the cabinet with the pale grey side chairs. This china cabinet was made to close the Dutch door long before we bought this old farmhouse.

During Easter weekend our kids and grandkids were here minus the ones traveling in Italy.  Some of us sat in the middle room just talking. Others drifted through as we had a free floating conversations. Some pulled up an extra chair to join in.

Two grandkids sat at the card table legs crossed playing two different games on the same board. He was playing one and she was playing another in their own little world, making up their own rules and enjoying every minute of it. 

Card table for games, cards and play

That’s the beauty of this room. The TV was on the the living room where the girls lounged. The boys were up and down playing whatever little boys play as they run up and down all our stairs to the attic and down. There are three staircases.

We were right in the middle of the action!

changes over the years

Matching Chairs MIddle Room with bookshelves and Chinese antique buffet

It just took 20 years and a pair of chairs to get this room right!

This room has been the dining room, a den, the office and a craft room.

Honestly, I’ve done a lot of moving furniture around.

Nothing ever lasted. The room never functioned well; it just wasn’t right.

a pair of chairs was key

Matching Chairs MIddle Room with bookshelves and Chinese antique buffet

 It all came together when I bought these sweet wing back chairs from a friend who posted them on FB. I messaged her right away!

No one was sure about these chairs. Who buys furniture when you are taking steps to move stuff out of the door?

Well, me. I just knew they were right.

The two chairs are situated by the antique Chinese buffet between the tall bookcases made with reclaimed wood and architecture pieces also from China.

finding a new purpose for us empty nesters

Middle Room at Christmas

This middle room has finally found its purpose that works for us! It has new life breathed into it!

Do you have a room like that?

finishing touches

Elegant Simple Corner

Jim brought down from the attic the room sized rug. There is nothing like a rug that is the right size and design to anchor a room!

The corner is simple with the Chinese antique horseshoe chair. It gets moved around alot!

Just one more thing needed

Classic Blue and White Lamp

But then one night when we were playing cards I realized there was one more thing needed. 

A lamp! 

Eventually, I found this blue and white charmer. Perfect in size, price and style!

You can’t go wrong with a classic style blue and white ginger jar lamp. It does have to be the right size and scale though. Just like the rug.

a room to bring a smile

Pause for Coffee and Conversation at Card Table

So on Easter Sunday, family sat and talked, enjoying the space. One said this is just so nice to have this room like this. A space for conversation, playing games or cards as activity swirls through and around us.

The room’s charm suits this old farmhouse.

a room to enjoy

Do you have a room that just makes you smile? That you enjoy being in, just because?  

A home is ever evolving as our family grew and children moved out. Grandkids run freely inour home and around the yard.

I do have some to do yet in a bedroom that is now a guest room with mattresses leaning against a wall.

Room for visiting kids and grandkids is important to us. So is this space to capture a peaceful respite for us during our day.

So satisfying. Isn’t that the way our home should be? It doesn’t have to be expensive or follow trends. It just has to suit you and yours.  

Hope you enjoy your home today!  

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I have linked products I used that are the same or similar. Please note I may recive a small commission for purchases made at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your purchase!

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Previous Post: « Whimsical Easter Centerpiece
Next Post: Table Mix & Match for Spring »

Reader Interactions

linda

Comments

  1. jj says

    July 28, 2024 at 5:16 pm

    How lovely to have a room such as that, where multiple generations of family gather and memories are made. It seems warm and inviting and I’m glad you found your finishing touches.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      August 1, 2024 at 11:27 am

      Thank you for your kind comments. Amazing how rooms function can change over time. It really suits us well.

      Reply
  2. Rosemary Palmer says

    April 25, 2024 at 7:48 am

    I love your middle room – and your updates seemed to have given it more purpose than just a place to stop going to other rooms.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      April 27, 2024 at 8:03 pm

      We are loving it and so does the rest of the family!

      Reply
  3. Esme Slabbert says

    April 19, 2024 at 11:46 pm

    Thanks so much for participating Linda (and welcome to our Linky) and sharing at SSPS 306. See you again next week at https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      April 22, 2024 at 4:12 pm

      Looking forward to it! Have a wonderful week.

      Reply
  4. Joanne says

    April 11, 2024 at 10:23 pm

    That does look like such a wonderful and inviting space now.

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      April 13, 2024 at 11:45 am

      Good morning! Thanks Joanne for your kind comments.

      Reply
  5. Nuss Laura says

    April 11, 2024 at 7:01 pm

    hi linda
    Love the memories and the updates Linda!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      April 13, 2024 at 11:46 am

      Thank you Laura!! Apprciate it.

      Reply
  6. Charlotte says

    April 11, 2024 at 6:04 pm

    Hubby & I are empty nesters as well…have been for a few year…and we are loving it! I love our girls…but they have their own homes…and we enjoy when they come here or we visit them. Love the blue & white lamp…final touch to the space!

    Reply
    • bushel and a pickle says

      April 13, 2024 at 11:48 am

      We enjoy it too! Thankful all our kids leave near, either in town or a couple of hours away.

      Reply

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Welcome Friends !

Welcome! I’m Linda and I’m so glad you stopped by.
I live a rich and full life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in a very, very old farmhouse. Bushel & a Pickle (named for my daughter’s childhood saying) is my story of life experiences, family, travels and faith.

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