On the eve of our big move to Florida, we reflected on how living with almost none of our belongings for three weeks reshaped our relationship with “stuff.” Downsizing taught us what we truly miss — and, surprisingly, many of those things weren’t what we expected. We also asked design and construction experts how the pandemic may reshape future renovations and new home builds. From floor plan adjustments to more integrated smart technology, their predictions reveal trends likely to persist. And yes, we somehow wandered into a playful conversation about astrology, pet psychics, and whether the stars can help you decide where you should live.
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What’s New
- Follow our Instagram stories for updates on where we are now — Richmond, Florida, or somewhere on the road between?
- If you look closely at the photo above, you can spot our air purifier (between the media cabinet and the floor lamp). It’s one of only three items Sherry misses since we packed the POD because it noticeably helps her allergies. After trying a more designer-y and expensive purifier that didn’t work, she returned it, did research, and settled on this better-reviewed model. It arrives with two fabric covers (we use the gray one), so don’t be put off by the base color when shopping.
- Sherry describes herself as a “Maximizer” when researching purchases — you can hear us talk about what that means on a past episode titled “Are You A Maximizer or A Satisficer?” (Episode #159).
- We also miss our beloved printer — it comes up often and we really need it for printing school worksheets while we’re on the move.
- If you didn’t catch it before, we included our final video tour of the house after we packed the POD. The video shows items we sold to the new owners and highlights things like our “wedding” mirror left in the bedroom.
Note: You can also view this video on YouTube.
Can We Just Talk About Astrocartography?
- I came across a profile of astrocartographer Pati Carlson, who uses birthplace and birth time to suggest places on Earth where a person might thrive. I wasn’t able to find contact details for her — if you have any leads, we’d love to get a reading.
How Will The Pandemic Change Home Renovations & Building?
- Experts predict that post-pandemic homes will place more value on mudrooms, larger bedrooms that offer more flexibility, and outdoor spaces suited to work and relaxation. Designers and builders are also considering touchless fixtures and more multipurpose rooms as priorities shift.
- We’ve talked about oversized master bedrooms before (see our episode “The Trouble With Master Bedrooms” — Episode #115) and shared tips on how to furnish and make the most of that extra space.
- One growing trend is touchless kitchen faucets. They function much like automatic public restroom faucets: a hand wave or sensor activates the water. Some popular models can even be retrofitted with voice-activation kits so they work with smart home systems like Alexa or Google Home.
- Several faucet manufacturers offer models that can be adapted for voice control, which adds convenience and helps reduce contact with high-touch surfaces.
We’re Digging
- We’ve both finally had time to read. For a compelling thriller try The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager — we also enjoyed his earlier book, Final Girls. These are great choices if you want a gripping murder/mystery read.
- Sherry is immersed in Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas, the first book in a new adult series called House of Earth and Blood. She’s also rereading favorites like A Court of Thorns and Roses (especially book two) and the longer Throne of Glass series — many listeners are using extra time at home to dive into these books as well.
If you’re trying to remember an item we mentioned in a past episode, check our master list of everything we’ve been digging. You can also browse all book recommendations on our Book Club page.
Finally, thanks to Framebridge for sponsoring this episode. They make it easy to get photos, digital art, or textiles professionally framed from home.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
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