Home

Just about a year ago, #NewOldBae and I decided that we wanted to move and have space where we could possibly move my mother in with us. As the Atlanta real-estate market would prove, it was not the best decision at that time. With high interest rates and the type of house that we needed, the math was just not mathing!

One day, we were over at my mother’s house and down in the basement where we lived back in 2001 when we were together the first time. We began to reminisce about all the great times we had there. #NewOldBae said “What do you think if we move back here – with some renovations? Let’s talk to Mama and see what she thinks about it all”. Once the conversation was had, and Mom was okay with the idea, a plan was put in motion.

“Decide what’s right for your family and set up your home – accordingly.” -  Chrissy Halton

When my husband and I decided to move back in with my mom, I’ll admit - I had mixed emotions. On one hand, it was practical and made sense financially. On the other hand, our home was the first house I purchased, and I absolutely loved my little two-bedroom cottage in the city. Finally, I wondered if we could truly make someone else’s house feel like our home. What started as a basement renovation turned into something much deeper – a lesson in creating a space that would reflect who we are as a couple. I had done all the decorating in our previous home. This renovation would allow #NewOldBae to have some input. But we also knew that if we were going to thrive in this season, our living space would have to feel like ours and not just a temporary setup.

"Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love” - Nate Berkus

My mom’s basement was already cozy, but in her style (although I did help decorate – for her). It had good bones and the space we needed, but it lacked our personality. So, we rolled up our sleeves and started dreaming, asking ourselves: What makes us feel at home? What colors, textures, and layouts bring us peace and joy?

#NewOldBae and I loved how our previous home was decorated, so we started there and brought the same color schemes so that we would not have to purchase new furniture, wall décor, etc. We had a plush sectional that practically begs you to curl up with a blanket and a good movie, so that was the feature that we designed around. We opted for a cool grey on the living room walls to create a calming backdrop and removed the carpet and added a light-colored LVP on floors to make the space feel larger. A splash of color in the hallway leading to the entrance in orange and relaxing taupe on the bedroom and bathroom walls. Fluffy pillows on the sectional and bedding, wall fixtures and area rugs tied all the colors together as we did in our previous home allowing it to really feel like our space. The area lacked a full bathroom and a large walk-in closet (which we did not have in the house). My mom allowed us to take half of the large laundry room. Added to a small closet off the bedroom, we were able to create an en-suite bathroom with a large shower. We were also able to combine two closets to create one large space for us to build out a walk-in closet.

The real magic happened when we infused the space with pieces that told our story. We added photos from our wedding day and a personal bar with our favorite pastimes. The entrance has a sofa table that has the urn of #NewOldBae’s mother’s remains, candles with our favorite scents and beautiful artwork that represent our love. All these things turned the basement into more than just a living area. It became a reflection of us. We really could not have asked for more! The result has been a very nice one-bedroom apartment.

Creating our space wasn’t about square footage or expensive décor. It was about intentionality. Here are a few things we learned along the way:

1. Start with what matters most. For us, comfort and coziness were non-negotiable. We loved our sectional sofa, so we built around that piece.

2. Mix practicality with personality. Downsizing from a two-bedroom to one was a challenge. We found storage solutions that were stylish. In the process, we realized that functional pieces can still feel warm and inviting.

3. Don’t underestimate the power of small details. Pictures of us and our love story, favorite scents and drinks, and personalized artwork help us transform this space into our home.

“Home isn’t a place – it’s a feeling.” - Cecilia Ahern

Life after marriage isn’t always about picture-perfect homes or Pinterest-worthy aesthetics. Sometimes, it’s about making intentional choices that align with your goals. For us, moving in with my mom is allowing us to save money, reduce stress, and focus on building a strong foundation for our future – and hers.

As I think more about it, living in my mom’s home could have felt like a setback, but instead, it became an opportunity for us to grow closer as a couple. We learned to compromise, collaborate, and create something beautiful together. This basement isn’t just a space - it’s a symbol of resilience, creativity, and love.

So, if you’re in a season where your living situation isn’t what you imagined, remember this: home isn’t defined by location or size - it’s defined by the love, care, and intentionality you pour into it. And when you do that, even a basement can feel like the coziest place on earth – and with #NewOldBae, it really is!

Until next time…thanks for listening!