We found our “forever home”
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know it’s been a journey finding our forever home. After years of moving, renovating, and renting, we finally found the one — and it still doesn’t feel real.
For a little backstory… Dean and I sold our home in Australia (where he’s from) and moved to New Jersey (my home state) back in 2019, right before I gave birth to our son, Beau. We wanted to be closer to my family while starting our own, and like many first-time parents, we were just trying to figure it all out — new baby, new country, new everything.
our very first home we bought in Engadine, New South Wales, Australia — 2016. we sold it in 2020.
Fast forward to 2022 — we bought a home in Point Pleasant, NJ. It wasn’t our “dream house,” but it was perfect for where we were at the time. The plan was to fix it up, live in it for a few years, and eventually resell once we found something more long-term. It sat on a busy road, but we saw the potential — and the price was right. We poured so much love (and sweat equity) into that home, turning it into something that truly reflected us.
This past May (2025), we sold that home and moved into one of my parents’ rentals — fully prepared to stay there for a while. We knew the market was tight, and we weren’t in a rush. I wanted to wait for something special — a home that felt like it could grow with us, not just another project to flip.
And then it happened.
A home popped up in our dream neighborhood — walking distance to the beach, close to downtown, and on the most family-friendly street you could imagine. We had looked at it when it first went on the market, but it was way above our budget. Months went by, it never sold, and then one day we saw it was listed as “For Sale By Owner.”
the day we looked at the house
We decided to reach out, just to see. Long story short — we met the owners, had some honest conversations, and ended up agreeing on a price that worked for everyone. It felt meant to be.
So here we are — finally in our forever home.
There is lots of work to do but this time, we’re doing things differently. No quick flips, no rushing renovations. We’re planning to live in it, enjoy it, and take our time transforming it into something truly ours. I’m so excited to bring you along for every step — from design planning to sourcing materials and, of course, the actual renovation process.
I’ve already been pulling together design boards for a few spaces (because I can’t help myself), and wanted to share some of the inspiration I’ve been loving lately. Think: colorful coastal tones, layered neutrals, natural textures — relaxed, timeless, and full of personality, just how I want our home to feel.
Below are some of the pieces I’ve been eyeing. The black and white vintage sectional has seen better days — I need to get it professionally cleaned. Please send recs! But I love how that large print looks with the sectional. Definitely going for a collected yet colorful and coastal vibe!
I can’t wait to share more of this next chapter with you — the projects, the progress, the chaos, and everything in between. It feels so good to finally say: we’re home.
