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Saying Goodbye to The Lily Pad Cottage

It’s about that time where I typically share all my fall decor and I’m all hyped up on pumpkin spice lattes and itching to break out my boots buuuuttt…

I’ve been sitting on a big secret this summer. Although if you follow me on instagram you may have noticed the empty shelves in my kitchen and figured it out for yourself. I can’t believe we are actually saying goodbye to The Lily Pad Cottage, but we are! I know, pick your jaw up off the floor with the rest of our neighbors, who can’t believe we are moving (including my parents) either. But I think you will be really excited when you hear about the new adventure we are about to begin…

which I can’t tell you about yet. ;)

A view of a living room

I know, don’t throw things at me, but I want to wait until everything closes (next friday) to spill all the beans. I promise you that it is killing me – just ask the Mr. or my mom, I have basically known every gift I have ever gotten, because I can’t deal with the suspense of surprises.

This is hugely bittersweet for our family, we have poured blood sweat and tears into this house. Of course there is the fact that this house brought me all of you as well. I started blogging just to share the little decorating projects I was doing after we moved in here with family and friends. I never dreamed that anyone other than my mom would read it! I’m so thankful you all have stuck around through all my ridiculous DIY attempts and shenanigans. This blog has truly become such a fun creative outlet for me, turned hobby, turned dream job and I’m grateful for all the sweet comments and emails you have encouraged me with over the past 4 years.

I have really slowed down blogging the last year mainly, because this house is basically done! It’s hard to have a DIY blog when you don’t have much to DIY, so I’m really excited to have a new (huge) project to undertake. It’s going to be so fun to blog from beginning to end (well, like it really ever ends) and be able to share every single paint color, fabric swatch, and light fixture source with you. I’m really hoping you are ready to come on the next part of our journey with me. I can promise you one thing I will be blogging my booty off because there will be so many projects, design decisions, and progress pics to share I can hardly wait!

I know some of you are wondering why on earth we would leave this house and we do love it here. But as our kids have grown we have realized certain things about the floor plan/space that could work better for our family. Having little man in my belly and a 3 year old when we designed this house we didn’t keep in mind what would work for our growing family of 4. We had been slowly realizing this for the past year, but never thought something would pop up that would check all our boxes. This whole decision has been such a God thing for us and we have truly felt His hand through this whole process. The new place is going to hopefully grow with us through the teen years (eek!) through the empty nester phase and back again to grand babies.

In the meantime you can’t walk two feet in our house without bumping into a box packed with all our earthly belongings. The house is feeling pretty empty and sad and I alternate between wanting to get the heck out of here, because the mess is making my eye twitch and being weepy about all we are leaving behind. Here, want a fancy fall home tour complete with hastily shot iPhone photos?

A messy room

Not a mum or sunflower in site, just piles and piles of mess and sad empty rooms! If you do need a little fall inspo you can check out my tour from last year here.

A room filled with a large window

My kitchen is down to the essentials, lunch boxes, water bottles and wine…have you ever seen my shelves styled so beautifully minimalist? Tupperware chic anyone?

A kitchen with a stove and a refrigerator

So stay tuned as I will be sharing the whole long story soon, I’ll just leave you with the fun fact that you should never take me to an open house just for fun…the Mr. learned that the hard way ;)

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37 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! WOW! Ok youre leaving that gorgeous bathtub with that lake view? Youre leaving that sunroom to DIE FOR? Ok I get it, Im an empty nester and I know how having more room is important. Yes Open Houses are SUPER DANGEROUS! lol. Ill be waiting and watching. Meanwhile Im 3 years into our Lake house reno and holding my breath until the exterior is resided and painted and i get a new kitchen. Hubby is taking his time because he knows that once its done, ill get itchy to move on. Look forward to seeing your new home! Is it a really run down reno? Or new home that needs character? Cant wait!

  2. You have a real gift Kelly. I also have a cottage home on a pond…and it’s full of lilypads, especially this time of year :) It is one of the reasons I ended up coming across your blog. I told my sister who is painting her unborn son’s room to go with the Clark+Kent ‘Peek-O-Blue’ that caught my eye in your re-do photo. I can only imagine you’re upgrading now towards renovating an old castle or French chateau! I’ll be sure to check in as your style and ideas are the types that bring people like me, looking for inspiration, back. Good luck with your move and wishing your family all the best as you move on to your next adventure!

  3. I love reading about all your projects..and your home is Beautiful !!! So excited and look forward to all your new post..Sandra N.C.

  4. Of course I’m still going to follow! A new journey and plenty of new projects! Sad that there is a chance I’ll have to say goodbye to the lake, but so excited for you otherwise. Love hearing about God things!

  5. Congrats on the new adventure! Can’t wait to hear all about it! So glad you are not leaving the blog world as I first thought when I read the title of your post bc your blog is one of my favorites! Good luck!

  6. Congrats on your new adventure, kelly. I will miss seeing this house decorated for each holiday. Us loyal blog lovers will follow you to your next home. Hope the move goes safety and easy. God Bless your lovely Family. Love Jennie

  7. So excited for you and your family! You know what a bigger house calls for though right? A new baby ???? just kidding. Can’t wait until next Friday to hear see where you are off to next! Big kisses! Helpful hint keep the wine close! ?

  8. I’m so happy for you. I’ve loved seeing your transformations. Looking forward to seeing your new adventure. We have moved three times in the last nine years (military) It’s always bittersweet and quite stressful, but super fun to decorate a blank canvas. Good Luck!

  9. Hi Kelly,
    I just can’t believe you are leaving. It has taken me a day to really grasp it! I have always thought your home was perfect and in the perfect setting. I wish I could buy it. I have throughly enjoyed this home and all you have done with it. I have duplicated so many of your ideas into my own home.
    I wish you happiness and blessings in your new home and adventure in life. I am excited to get more ideas from you as you begin again to transform your new place into something spectacular ! God Bless You

  10. Wow! Best of luck on the next adventure. Thanks for letting us tag along on this house. I adore your cottage so much that I have given my builder multiple photos of it. We are building a home in Ohio (sadly, not on the water) and I am borrowing elements from your kitchen and bath for inspiration. Can’t wait to see the new house!

  11. When I first read this, I thought you meant you were not going to blog at all anymore!! I’m so glad you will be sharing your journey with us! I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for you… maybe its just down the street ?? will you be changing the name of your blog?? so many questions! HA! Anyway, glad to hear God was directing this journey. Obedience brings blessings ;-) Best wishes with the move.

  12. In Shock! Love your home. I’m guessing your hubs took a new job and you will be building a new home…Traverse City ?? Can’t wait to see if I am right….when you do your reveal post. Your home is perfection and whoever is lucky to live there now, I will envy as well.. My dream retirement home…
    Your so lucky as a young family to be so blessed. Good luck on your next “new” home beginnings…

  13. I will miss your beautiful home!!!! Please don’t eliminate this home from your archives!!! I wish you and your family the best and look forward to sharing your new adventure’n

  14. wow! So exciting to start a new journey. I will miss the Lily Pad Cottage because I’ve loved following along in all your DIYs and decor. But am literally so excited for what’s to come! p.s. i used to open my christmas presents and rewrap them when I was a kid. Drove my mother nuts!

  15. Congrats…even though I cried for a few minutes when I read this even though I do follow you on Instagram and knew it was coming. ☹️ I am sure your next adventure will be just as entertaining and I am excited to follow along! I will really miss the Lily Pad Cottage, this is by far my favorite house. Will you change the name of your blog? Best of luck to you! Looking forward to hearing the rest of your news.

  16. Oh….sigh….this is sad…..happy for you…really….I hope you have a lovely water view still…..I will look forward to your posts, as usual….eager to see what the new place looks like and the wonderful designs and decorating you will do…..Happy Moving!

  17. I knew something was going on from your instagram pics, and have been anxiously awaiting your news. I LOVE this house, your blog and your wit. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Seriously, I will be looking at my inbox the moment I get up next Friday:)

  18. How exciting! Love your blog and can’t wait to join you on your next adventure! You inspire me! ?

  19. Such mixed emotions! But am excited for you and this new chapter of your lives! God has made everything fall into place so far and will continue to so! Love you!

  20. When I saw you had posted today I thought I can’t wait to see what you were up to. Was I surprised and will miss the updates to the cottage but look so forward to the new blank canvas coming to life. Wishing you and your family many happy projects ahead.

  21. So excited for you!!!!!! God does work in mysterious ways, but always for the good of those who know Him! We are anticipating a downsize move from our “dream home”, due to our age and thankfully due to my wonderful hubby’s retirement! Like you, sad but excited to see what God has in store for us!!!

  22. Oh my, your home is so gorgeous and that view! I think you sound so excited about what is coming up though I know it will be just as great. It’s true families grow and change and needs change too. Looking forward to hearing all about the next step. Good luck with the move.

  23. While I too will miss The Lily Pad Cottage – especially your sunroom! Sigh….. I am so happy for you and can’t wait to follow along on this next adventure. Will be looking forward to every post.

  24. Good luck with your move! I love your home and I’m sure the next one will be beautiful too! We moved last year from our first and only home we built to an older home on a beautiful lakefront lot. I have followed many of your paint choices as I SLOWLY remodel our new home. Change is tough but we learned quickly that it does not really matter where you are, as long as your family is together it feels like home. I will be anticipating what’s to come in your upcoming DIY projects!

  25. So intrigued to hear about the new adventure! I look forward to following along start to finish! Congrats!

  26. OMG, Kelly! I’m shocked about saying goodbye to the Lily Pad Cottage! I’ve always gotten excited when your blog popped up in my email. I will be just excited to follow along on your new journey! God has closed a door, but had opened a window for your families new adventure! I’m so happy for you, sweet friend!

  27. Wow! Can’t wait to hear about your new adventure. I do wish I lived closer so I could move right into your super cute house….

  28. You definitely have my interest and I’m excited to hear the rest of the story! We have moved ten times since we got married almost 23 years ago and I DO NOT enjoy that process, but I love renovating houses. I hope all goes well for you as you pack and move and start all over again.

  29. Um, I wish I could buy your cottage and squeeze my family of six in there!! It is SO super beautiful. I’ve loved getting little gimpses of your home the past year that I’ve been following you, and I can’t wait to see what you have in store! Good luck with your move xo

  30. Wow! Well I tell you what! A family will snap up your Gorgeous home in a New York minute! Yes, I’ll be following you in your next adventure. Love your writing, dyi, and well, everything! I feel sad for your family though, so close:(. Kathleen in Az

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