Hello from our new home (still empty–furniture on the way) in Atlantic Beach, Fl. After years of buying things from the catalog on-line, I finally got to go to retail store here in Jacksonville to find things to love at Ballard Designs. And they are having a 20% off sale plus free shipping on many items.
As much as possible, I am trying to order at the retail outlets and not just online so that they stay open!
At the end of the post, I’d like to give you an update on things and why we made the decision to move to Florida.
Ballard Designs Lighting
Ballard has really cute new outdoor lighting.
And these also caught my eye in the store:
Lamp Shades
I ordered the woven chandelier shades without seeing them in person.
So it was fun to see the other great options in lamp shades.
There is a long lead time but I think I am going to order these for our bedroom.
Upholstery: Things to Love At Ballard Designs
I sat in each of these chairs and they were really comfortable.
So cute for a nursery!
Tableware
This makes me want to have a dinner party.
Rugs
I will probably order this outdoor rug and saw this pretty indoor wool rug in the store below.
Those are things to love at Ballard Design!
Can I ask you a question? How many places have you lived? Would you ever consider moving?
Why Atlantic Beach, Florida?
The decision to move to Atlantic Beach, Florida was carefully considered. Not to bore you, but I have been lucky enough to have lived and gotten to know many places personally: born: San Bernardino, California, college: Santa Clara, California, then San Francisco, then Newport Beach, California, Los Angeles (met Howard and got married), New York (Alexandra was born there), Chicago, Orlando (Tommy was born there), Paris, Newport Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Newport Beach again, then most recently San Francisco.
Still awake? We stayed in these places for at least two years and sometimes a lot more. With us “getting up there in age” we would like to have friends and family around, a slower pace, friendly open-minded people, an ocean or vacation setting.
We have found it here. Having lived in Florida twice in the past, we are familiar with the weather. Our son is moving here for work. We love our friends, Mercedes and Mark and others in the state. We have family here and Howard grew up here. Oh, and there is no state income tax.
The secret’s out: Atlantic Beach is very nice!
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Thanks so much for following!
Congratulations on your recent move. You are so lucky to have lived in many different places and have a broader sense of the communities in the USA.
Did you attend high school in San Bernardino? If yes, which one? Just wondering as I also grew up in San Bernardino.
I went to grammar school at Holy Rosary and High School at Pomona Catholic.
Welcome to Florida Mary Ann! I live nearby, in Green Cove Springs. I think you’ll find the Atlantic Beach area to be just right! We live in a golf course community (mostly retired couples) and we are so close to Amelia Island and St. Augustine where we sail. We find Florida to be perfect for our lifestyle. Florida has something for all of us, enjoy! And again, welcome, I look forward to reading more of your blog. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Tamara. Lots to explore!!
I am going to miss you terribly but can’t wait to visit!! I want you to be my Ballard Scout!! Love what they are doing these days!!
I’m just going to keep calling you everyday, Cindy!
Enjoy Gov DeSantis!
Congratulations on the move, Mary Ann! Can I move to Atlantic Beach too or would that be too many blonde bloggers descending on that place???? I need that ocean, and I’m a tropical girl stuck in a place that is terrible for my health! And I don’t even need much space – when we travel to our home away from home in Hawaii, it’s a 400 s.f. shack. 🙂
Yes…live near me, Michele.
Hi Mary Ann,
Where you’re moving looks picturesque and wonderful. My husband of 48 years (who passed in August) and I were born and raised in California. We took a job transfer to Dallas/Fort Worth, and we lived there for 2 years. California is where all our friends and one of our sons and family are. Our oldest son and family live in Austin.
Best wishes to you and Howard. I know you will create a beautiful home and life in your new place.
Karen B.
I’m so sorry about your husband, Karen!!!
Dearest Mary Ann,
I am so excited for you and after seeing that gorgeous photo of the beach there, I was ready to pack up the house and move. You have lived such a wonderful life, seeing and living in such beautiful places and now it’s your time to settle in and enjoy your best life in a very special place. I look forward to following along with you as you once again wave your magic wand and bring your personal touch to your new home. I know it will be exquisite! Best wishes for an easy move and also for this amazing new adventure.
XOXO
Gail
I’m still waiting for the internet, Gail, and the movers are finally getting here on Thursday!
All the best to you in your new home. I look forward to seeing the decorating process. And thanks for the Ballard review. I get the catalog but the nearest store is about 90 minutes away and I haven’t been there. I’ve wondered about the quality. I ordered two lamp shades a few months ago as replacements on lamps in our living room and was very pleased with them so now I won’t hesitate over ordering other things.
Welcome to Florida!!! Atlantic Beach is such a great community. I’m a native Floridian and live nearby in St. Augustine. The Ballard Designs store at the TC is great! I can’t wait to see what you do with your new home!
All the best to you and Howard in your new home. I will miss your photos of SF, the prettiest of all cities, and your meet-ups with Cindy and Kim. Yet I look forward to your new adventures in Florida and the transformation of your new home. Be well.
I’m sure you guys have had many considerations on your plans moving forward, and that will be a good move to all involved. Wishing you the very best time in the new home and mingling with the friends you guys so much cherish. It will be so much fun decorating your new home. Enjoy every minute of the process. And if you need a great designer in Florida, call Mary Ann Pickett( she’s local snd she’s the best) You are in good hands !!
Thanks, Liana. I will be in L.A. in September and would LOVE to have lunch. I will call you soon though.
Looks like a lovely town to move to…you certainly have lived in enough places to figure out what will be best for you. It is very beautiful there. How nice they have a Ballard Designs nearby. They just opened up a Circa lighting in San Diego so that’s exciting! If I want to see something I might want to buy in the future I can go there in person now. 😊
Linda
Ha! I do feel like I know what I like. The lady at Circa in SD used to help me in SF and she was great.
Mary Ann, Fun little trip to see the Ballard shop. I have always wished we had one here. I love their things and I have four of their outdoor umbrellas and they have lasted five years now and look like new, which is hard to say about outdoor umbrellas which take a punishment. Great you went to the store. I just was at Pottery Barn today and being in the physical store is such a nice experience and to be honest they aren’t going to stay open if we keep shopping online!
Atlantic Beach looks so pretty. Can’t wait to see all you do. We are going to miss you tons, but hopefully we will keep in touch and plan things. I’m excited for you and Howard to have some fun and enjoy this next phase of your life! xo
We are also facing the choice of where to live now that both our careers are ended. It’s not easy to decide, especially if you have lived in many lovely places (as have we) and have dear friends/family in each.
It sounds like you have made the right choice for you. I wish you many happy years in your new home.
I’m new to your blog, but really enjoying your posts.
Thanks so much.
Thanks so much, Cathy. Good luck with your decision.
Yes we too have moved quite a lot, with 11 houses under our belts ( mostly rented). My husband is a Civil Engineer and Myself a teacher so we could easily move from his projects which were about 3 years each. We finally put down roots in a country town only 40 mins from Melbourne in Victoria Australia. It meant the children could attend private school then University in Melbourne by catching the train yet enjoy the country life. We have mountains, waterfalls and 2 beautiful rivers through our town which we are now enjoying in retirement with grandchildren.
That sounds like a dream, Glenda!! Thanks for telling us about it.
I grew up in Miami, FL. Moved to Marietta, Ga right after I got married and have lived here for 38 years. We did have a break in the middle and lived in Tokyo for two years. I loved it there and still stay in touch with friends that now live all over the world. Never know where life will take you.
So true, Peggy. It’s an adventure where ever you are.
We have lived in Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia, Texas, Florida (Punta Gorda on the West coast for 15 years.. much prefer it to the East coast of Florida myself) and Georgia for the second time. We have friends in all of these places and the moves have made us who we are today, well traveled senior citizens!
The sky is SO blue and the sand looks like powdered sugar. Your choice for moving sounds very logical and is highly personal.
I have also ordered from Ballard over the years and it would be fun to see a brick and mortar store. I’ve always had good luck with quality and the one time a piece of glass didn’t fit into the groove of a round table, they sent out a replacement two more times until it was right (I don’t think they made any money on that sale!). Among other things, I have small burlap shades on two sconces and had a vanity stool covered with fabric they offered. Very happy with Ballard.
It looks beautiful Mary Ann. How I wish for Florida weather during our winters. Can’t wait to see what you do with the house,
Thanks for sharing your move story. I live in Florida and we are glad to have you here, we need more people like you here.
I look forward to seeing how you decorate your new home.
I can’t really imagine living in one place all my life. I met my husband in Santa Fe, NM and we raised our children there. When the youngest went off to college in Hawaii, we moved to Montecito, CA. In my youth I lived in Colorado, Montana & Wyoming. The last 17 years has been a whirlwind and we have lived in Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, California (second time) and now in Florida.
Ballard has a store just across the bay in Tampa. Always a fun place to go for inspiration. Bonus – Our adult children & grandchild love to visit us here!
All the best!
Ry
That is so great you are in a place your kids like to visit. We love the Tampa area too!
So happy for you and your family, enjoy all that Florida has to offer!
Thanks, Joan!
Thank you for encouraging your readers to shop local! I work for a national retailer (that you shop at often) and we love helping our customers in the store. Store sales, even orders placed through us, help keep the doors open.
Sounds like you moved to a great area. Florida is lucky to have you back!
We definitely all need to shop local!
Hi Mary Ann,
In a “nutshell” I’m thrilled for you and Howard and your move. Being around like-minded people is so important and around family, and your forever friends and your son Tommy moving to Florida too is just wonderful. You love
Florida and have lived there before so you know so much about it, Florida is fortunate to have you back.
I understand also your collective thoughts about aging as well, I’m 70 years young, with chronic health issues but
have the heart of a youngster. The aging process can represent so many challenges as you well know having had parents. It’s wonderful that you were in the position to make this happen. Hopefully you will see less homeless people in Florida.
Sending warm smiles your way.
Yes…so glad we could make this move while we still have energy! And our health. Thanks for commenting. I wish I could meet you in person.
Hi Mary Ann,
Wow you have lived in a lot of really nice places. And Vienna, too! I love it. Hoping to be able to live abroad for a few years myself.
We will miss you here in CA, I hope you will be very happy in your new home. Having family and friends to surround you is most important, I’m glad that will be true for you.
Can’t wait to see your new place and how you fix it up.
Xo Heidi
You should definitely live abroad, Heidi. I owe you a thank you note.
Hi Mary Ann, Thanks for posting even in all your busyness. Welcome to your new home! You have been fortunate to have lived in so many great places. My husband and I are native Californians, and have remained here because our two adult kids and grandkids live here. We are retired, and if there is a move, it will be to downsize our home. Nice that your son will be moving to be near you. Does your daughter and son-in-law live in California?
Our daughter and son-on-law live in Los Angeles…so that is definitely a bad part. We are going to see them in Europe in May for a wedding, then in Los Angeles in September and they are coming here for Christmas. Just need to make plans.
Good luck downsizing!
Happy moving Mary Ann and thank you for the wonderful sources much appreciated. I have moved many times too both international and in the States and now we have been at the same address for over 20 years and the kids have gone!! I love this place and know we are very lucky to be here so I can’t see us moving just yet, though global warming is a concern because of the wildfires.I do love having an adventure though together, and seeing new things so never say never….take care and enjoy the newness.
The wild fires are so scary, Francesca. I got a notice here yesterday that our water usage had gone up significantly (which would give you a heart attack in California where we need it so much). But I think it was just that that house had been empty for a while…and then I came along taking showers and washing clothes. Thanks for commenting!
Of course we are happy to have you back in Florida. Just like everyone else, I am so excited to see how you make this new house a home!!!!! And PS, mom said cold coffee is not real coffee. LOL! We love you.
I know…can’t wait for the Nespresso machine to arrive, Kareen!
So glad you shared the Ballard finds and loved reading about your move to Florida. We, like many others in the comments, are considering a move to Florida for many of the reasons you mentioned. I have loved gaining your input on my home updates and would love to stay in touch. Its so fun (and helpful!) to read your blogs. Enjoy every minute of Atlantic Beach. It looks gorgeous.
Anne 🙂
I love your home, Anne, and now we are on the same time zone.
Welcome to Florida! I’m down in Naples, but your area is our overnight stop when we drive to NC to see our son. I just love Atlantic Beach too! Looking forward to seeing your decor in your new home. ( Also, I love that Ballard store. They always seem fully stocked.)
I love Naples!!! That used to be part of my territory when I was a rep for Scalamandre.
The salespeople at the store were really nice. I’m going to go in again to order and outside rug.
We have good friends who just made the move from beautiful Southern California to equally beautiful St. Petersburg, FL – for the same reasons – closer to family – beautiful surroundings, friendly people – and no income tax. The photo of Atlantic Beach does say it all – and shopping at Ballard Designs would be a treat. Your new home will be so much fun for your readers to see as it is brought to life with your skill. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Stacy…now that I’m actually here it’s exciting. I don’t know this part of the state that well. Thank God for GPS!
Good for you! We are in the midst of a move from the Chicago area to Columbus, Ohio (6 weeks in temporary housing, 5 days until we close on the new house). Ohio might seem an odd retirement destination, but our grandsons are here and we really didn’t want them to outgrow us, so here we are. And it was time, time for a simpler home and a change. I do think the pandemic gave us a nudge. We will both miss Chicago and friends there, but this just feels right. I’m sure you’re getting the same vibe in Florida.
Congratulations and best wishes on your next chapter!
Thanks, Janet! The nicest people are from Ohio! And how fun to be near your grandchildren.
I am so anxious to see what you do with your Florida home. We live in Chicago and have considered making a move to Florida. We have friends in Sarasota, Cape Coral and Marco Island.
I hope you’re right about the “open minded”. I’m not a fan of some of the Florida politics but we won’t get in to that. Please post lots of pictures. I love your blog and IG account.
Well, just surround yourself with good people. Thanks!
For sure! And if we do make the move one day, now I’ll know of a great interior decorator!
Best of luck!
I’d like that, Pat!
We are retired military so have lived several places. I’m a nomad at heart so it’s difficult not moving anymore. We retired in an active adult community in north Georgia because our son and daughter live in metro Atlanta and I was born and grew up in Atlanta. We really miss DC area a lot, and would love to go to Europe for a year so we will see! Never say never!
Ballard! There is an outlet about 45 minuted from our home! When we moved back to Georgia in April 2020 the outlet and in person stores were closed. When they finally opened up I was a frequent visitor! Much of our furnishings came from the outlet which was all 50% off. I recently received two lamp shades that I ordered in November from the store in Atlanta and they are worth the wait! The adjacent shopping center had a Front Gate outlet!!! Since you will be moving to Florida definitely plan a shopping trip when you need outdoor replacement cushions at 90% off (in January).
Love your blog so much! Hugs, sharon
Wow…what a great tip, Sharon. Thanks. I have a client in Atlanta that went to that outlet and said they were not nice to her. It was during Covid. Might have just been a bad day.
The list of places I’ve lived make me sound like I we were in the military!
I left one place off…I had a year abroad in Vienna, Austria. I think that experience really made me unafraid to try new places.
Giving you a virtual hug back!