Movin' On Up!

If you follow me on Twitter or Tumblr, then chances are likely that you know we have decided to not move to Wilmington, North Carolina. ::breathe:: Okay, it's not because we don't love it, and it's not because it's anything shy of the perfect little town, but on our most recent trip earlier this month we realized just how many independent boutiques already exist. Two of them were identical to the shop I hope to open, and there were several others I didn't get to go into. So while the demographic was awesome, it's just not a good business plan to go into a flooded market and try to survive. Upon our initial heartbreak, we thought about other places that my shop might flourish. Then I realized how much I missed living in Franklin. I was tired of seeing the same faces and same places always, but I've officially been living outside of Franklin for 11 months (whoa!). I miss it. I do. Immediately we started researching houses and rental properties to move back. Downtown Franklin has the perfect area for a boutique, and there isn't anything quite like it existing already. The only problem: rent is insanely expensive! Also, Franklinites tend to be rather snoody and conservative. (Read: very snooty!) Still, they have money to burn. Of course I'm not thinking of a brick and mortar for several years, but I felt inspired by the area so we've opted to stay put a little while longer. Maybe for good, maybe for a year or so. Who knows!

We wanted to live in downtown Franklin, the Belmont area of Nashville, or East Nashville, but everything that came up was a bust. We walked around homes, called and emailed tons of people, and nothing worked out. But apparently my relentless internet scouring paid off! I found a factory-converted-loft in downtown Nashville up for rent! The timing was perfect. The price was perfect. And it was just neat! I immediately emailed the lady, set up an appointment for the next day (yesterday) and Mike fell in love with it right away. We drove up to Nashville yesterday for the day. We viewed a home in East Nash and it was just... awful. Then we headed over to the loft. We were early so we ran into a gal that would be our neighbor so she talked to us, showed us around, took us down to the loft available and the gal that was living there invited us in, told us everything there was to know about it and we were SOLD. We loved it. Other people showed up to see the place and that's when we knew we had to make a decision fast. Mike practically met the landlord at her car when she pulled up! We definitely weighed the pros and cons, and while it was a whole month earlier than we had anticipated moving, we put in our application because it was too good to pass up.

We spent the rest of the evening at Merissa and JT's house, and then we stopped by Bryan's work in Franklin on the way home. We woke up this morning to good news: The loft is ours! We go sign the lease tomorrow (my birthday!) and then move in this weekend! We're very excited and glad to have found something that appeals to us, in our price range, in a new part of town. I'll definitely share more photos as we decorate and such, but the next week will probably be just as hectic as this past one, even though I didn't even do anything! Please hold tight!

Here are a few listing photos of the space! The curtains on the lofted bed are my favorite! The porch you see is a community porch (there are 8 lofts in the building) and everyone is very much an artist. There are painters, guitar restorers, woodworkers, etc! It's like the coolest artist community ever and Mike and I are so excited to move in! The gal above us has her Masters in Sustainability and she rips old wood from barns and builds tables and mosaic countertops... all that jazz! As for the loft, we'll be decorating in a much different manner, but the best part: it is SO twinkle-light friendly! My dreams are coming true! I can't wait to go get the keys tomorrow! Hooray! Happy birthday me! :P

(the photos are awful listing quality, i apologize!)

Thanks to everyone who kept their fingers crossed for us! xo

39 comments:

  1. OMG I seriously don't think I could be any more jealous of you right now! This is so awesome! I love it! Congrats!!! :)

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  2. OH MY GOD AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOME. i am so jealous!!! I hope you have tons of fun in there. if i ever visit nashville, i'm comin' over!

    xo Moorea

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  3. ohmygosh yay! kaelah, it's gorgeous. i absolutely cannot wait to see how you decorate. and what an amazing mix of people you'll be living around. that is so great. you might make some friends for life living there. and i am *thrilled* that you're staying in tn. i know it's not always the best place to be, but it is your home, yanno? anyway, congrats again to you two! and happy early birthday! i hope the day is great! you have so much to celebrate this year! :)

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  4. Congrats girl!! the loft looks nice :D

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  5. Glad you've finally found somewhere :) it looks amazing, so much space and sounds like its in a very nice area. Hope you have fun decorating :)

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  6. Congratulations, Kaelah! The place looks amazing. :-)

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  7. how awesome! i love it! and i can't wait to see how you guys decorate.

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  8. Happy Birthday! Very nice loft! So excited for you guys. I know it's still a couple years until you have your "brick & mortar" boutique, but I'll be looking for pictures from you once you open! Love that you're following your dream wherever it takes you. Good Luck!

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  9. SO JEALOUS. That is the most AWESOME apartment!

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  10. Wow I love it!! Congrats!! :)

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  11. OMFD, how awesome is that?! So happy for y'all! =D

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  12. That looks perfect! What a great birthday present! Can't wait to see good quality photos of your new place all dolled up. Sounds like it's going to be an awesome place to bounce ideas off of other artists and get in there and create. Congrats!

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  13. Congrats! How exciting :D I've always wanted to live in a loft!

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  14. I'm SO excited for you both!! So awesome! =D I'm pretty jealous right about now, because I live in Los Angeles, and a loft like that would easily go for 5K/month!


    Jess

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  15. I can't wait to see this place once it's received some Kaelah/Mike magic. It's going to look amazing. I LOVE lofts and I think this place/area sounds perfect for you two! PS. Happy early birthday sweet mama <3

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  16. I dream of living in a loft like that.... *drool*

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  17. This is beyond exciting! My little heart is jealous! I have always wanted to live in a loft like this. Im so excited to see what the place will look like!

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  18. Loved the pics and that's great! Happy for you guys...congrats!! :D

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  19. Great place, congrats! I think you will be able to make it into something really special :)
    Nikki

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  20. oh myyyy, what an adorable little place! I would totally live there.
    I know this may sound goofy, but my favorite part about it is the teal-ish color on the inside of the window frame. I think it's the little things that make things great.

    This place has so much character... congrats to you both! :)

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  21. I'm so excited for you two and can't wait to see photos after you have moved in and decorated! Happy Birthday Kaelah!!

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  22. Hooray! How exciting is it when things like this work out so perfectly??

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  23. Oh how fantastic. It looks amazing. I always wanted to live in a loft. You must be so excited, and it's happened so fast!

    Congrats!

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  24. Kaelah, it's beautiful! Twinkle-light friendly places are THE best xxx

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  25. It looks so cute! Definitely very jealous =D

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  26. SOOOO in love with your new place! Though I can't say that I'm glad...I'm glad(lol) that you guys are still going to be in Nashville! I would love to do a blogger meet up sometime. That would be SO awesome. Can't wait to see the decorations, it will be SO pretty. I just know it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY beautiful lady! :D

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  27. So awesome and sooo exciting!! Congratulations!!

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  28. Yay for you! I'm excited to see how you utilize the space!

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  29. Awww, that sucks you won't be living in NC! I live a whiles away from Wilmington, but I"m still in NC. It would've been great to have you here :D But! I know wherever you and Mike end up, it'll be perfect for y'all.

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  30. Oh my! This place is amazing! I'm really jealous. You guys are going to have so much fun. And I'm kinda of stoked your staying in Nashville. At least for the time being.

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  31. Congrats guys! The loft looks amazing! Super jealous actually! I've always wanted a loft style home! Hope the move in goes as smoothly as possible!

    Hooray! =)

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  32. I was reading on Twitter they accepted your offer. If that's not the best birthday present, i don't know what is!! <3

    Congrats!

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  33. SO awesome and what an amazing birthday surprise :)

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  34. ohmygosh it's amazing! it's perfect! my dream apartment :) congratualtions!

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  35. The loft looks amazing! I am on the same thing about choosing an area where my future business will do good. I mean if there are way to many places similar what's the point but you don't want to go where there is no one at all because you need that bit of competition. Sorry all the school stuff is flooding out lol. Good luck with the apartment and a venue also Happy Birthday!

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  36. wow! that loft looks amazing! and i hope it works out for you to open a shop in downtown franklin. i love going down there (we're addicted to mccreary's) but there isn't a lot that i want to shop for (have you been in yarrow acres recently? it's suddenly gotten really cute!) can't wait to see how you decorate your loft!

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  37. the loft looks incredible! I dream of the day I'll be living in a loft in downtown nashville. how fun! so happy for you two!

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB